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Looking for a Speaker Recommnedation

Looking to upgrade from my current Rogers LS3/5a + AB1 REL 328 setup .  While I love the smooth mids of these speakers (especially on voices/acoustic instruments), I tend to play harder music more frequently (alt/rock/punk/etc) which these do not excel at. I like to play music loud and have a real world living room my system is in (cathedral ceiling, open on one side, many windows. couch between my speakers) so setup is a challenge. I hate harsh sounding speakers.

My current playback system consists of a Oppo-BDP105 (or primarily Roon/JRiver via Ethernet) into a PS Audio DirectStream Jr DAC > Conrad Johnson Premier 14 Tube Pre > Conrad Johnson MF2500a Amp.  All run by a PS Audio P5 with a combination of Nordost/Shunyata cabling.

Looking to spend around $4,000-$7,000 but could be flexible. Used or new is fine.

Currently considering:

PSB Imagine T3
Vandersteen Trio CT
Spendor D7
Mangepan 3.7i (don't think this will work with high SPL)
Endeavor Audio E-3
Revel F208
Golden Ear Triton 1
Dynaudio Excite X44

Any other speakers I should be considering based on my equipment, volume preference and music? Anything I should eliminate?

Looking forward to hearing everyone's opinions & thank you in advance
fdemello
fdemello OP
80 posts
 
Updated list:

PSB Imagine T3
Vandersteen Trio CT
Mangepan 1.7i
Endeavor Audio E-3
Revel F208
Golden Ear Triton 1
Dynaudio Excite X44
Tekton Pendragon
Von Schweikert VR-33

Dropped:
Spendor D7 (looking to get away from the British sound)
Mangepan 3.7i (1.7i is a better bargain/size if I go this way)
mtrot
804 posts
 
Lots of very nice options there!  Dang, for $7K, you can get into a set of Legacy Audio SignatureSE.  I was able to do a home audition on them in the Black Onyx finish a few months ago, and they are pretty awesome for music and movies.   Air Motion tweeter, and quality bass down to 22hz.  Man, you can injure your knuckles rapping on the cabinets!

http://legacyaudio.com/products/view/signature-se/
gdnrbob
4,506 posts
 
I would trial the phase correct Vandies first. I think once you hear them, then you would have a great basis to rate the other speakers.
I would also recommend that you read the Richard Hardesty Journals:

http://vandersteen.com//audio-perfectionist-journal

He covers a lot of ground and provides sound advice regarding speakers.
Bob
sbrownnw
717 posts
 
ProAc Studio 148 with grills off and Soundocity SEV9 outriggers. 
sbrownnw
717 posts
 
To complete my thought, I was absolutely rocking my ProAc Studio 148s NYE. Playing older Metallica, Dire Straights, Prodigy and the new The Crystal Method all on vinyl. Stunning how they compress the room down to what I would consider a flat and honestly 25hz in their stated measurements.

They strongly remind me of the ProAc Studio 125 I had on demo with the lovely midrange (many say the 125 get classic rock so right). But my 148s have a much better and controlled lower end than the 125 or D20 I’ve heard and the 148s have the same tweeter as their Response line.

Not only can they rock, but for classical they get the single and double reeds so correct and the space between the notes are just on with jazz trios with piano, drums / cymbals and standup bass.

I really think the Soundocity SEV9 outriggers took them to the next level (not affiliated with Soundocity or ProAc). See my system page for details.

Previous speakers included Tekton 6.5t on rigid Linn Tukan stands, which I still have, Tekton Mini Lores and Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with the RIAA ribbon tweeters, both which I did not care for as they did not sound lively and rock the room.


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