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Speakers in the 5-6K$ region & their components

Hi all,

This is my 1st post here.
I'm a long time audio enthusiast and even worked in high-end audio sales for a few years a while back, but I've been out of the loop for a few years now. I'm looking now for a new pair of speakers in the 5-6K$ range to replace my current Merlin TSM. The type I'm looking for is a 2 way 6-6.5'' speaker, preferably a floorstander. I know many brands and models and went through a lot of speakers in the past, so my question is a technical one:

I'm looking only for speakers in this range which use high end componenets. which ones are there?

I've already done some research, so here are a few examples of what I mean:

Proac in its response range is using Scanspeak D2604 tweeter (48$/unit).
PMC in its "i" series - Seas 27TFFC (45$/unit).
Spendor, "A" series - Seas 29TFF/W (52$/unit).

I can go on and also bring examples of the woofers used and more speaker brands, but I think the picture is clear. These are all quality units of well acclaimed manufacturers, but are by no means high-end units. Which are?
My research brought me this far to the following (All in my price range):

Kudos audio Super 10/Super20: Seas T29CF-002 tweeter (330$/unit) + a version of Seas W18NX (196$/unit)

Marten Form Floor: Accuton C173-6-095 woofer (over 300$/unit) + a ribbon tweeter I was unable to recognize (anyone?)

Merlin VSM (as second hand only): Dynaudio D330/A tweeter (over 400$ per unit) + Scanspeak 18W/8545-01 (173$/unit).

BTW, my current Merlin TSM is using Morel MDT30 tweeter (80$/unit) + Morel MW166 woofer (124$/unit) and sounds wonderful to my taste, despite a considerable lack of bass (being a sealed- box design). 

So, given all that, does anyone have any more ideas for speakers I should consider?
roylindenfeld
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,976 posts
 
Whatever the design the transducers used will impose limits the designer will work within said limits. Many loudspeaker manufacturers use very affordable parts so they can make profits.  Those saying that cheap is fine its the magic of the designers are a bit off and I feel they think us loudspeaker designers to have a magic when we do not. We work with many compromise to come up with a useful design. And yes the parts quality maters a good bit. Sure a good cook can make poor quality food palatable but just think what they would do with quality ingredients to start with?
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bache's avatar
bache
527 posts
 
 Try to listen New Company  model  Bache Audio 002 AB
in Toska Audio in Chicagoland    Greg
roylindenfeld OP
11 posts
 
To add to johnk's post:

Any speakers company with substantial activity works with a variety of OEM manufacturers and various suppliers. Is cannot do everything itself, so constraints are imposed over the parts to be used in every model as a function of its destination price, target margin, number of units expected to be sold etc. The design, superb as it may be, is a one time cost. The parts used are costing per unit. So, if a company saves 20$ per tweeter, it's 40$ per sale X the number of sales that are added to its margin.
And that is really OK, I wouldn't expect any company not to do what it can to increase its margin.

On the other hand, it is my right as a potential buyer to seek the maximum amount of data regarding a certain product, components included. And to my skeptical nature (and practical experience), the explanation by which the design is more important, that the quality of parts is secondary and the general atmosphere of taboo over such questions- is way to convenient. Of course manufacturers would like everyone not to venture to deeply into their products and have everyone believe in their "magic". I don't buy this (pun intended...)
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