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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
kclone's avatar
kclone
690 posts
 
John is great to work with, he will find the right fit for you. 
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
+1 for John R. I talked to him twice when I was looking for speakers and both times he talked me out of replacing what I have and asked me to focus on room treatment first. He even sent me some audio files/tones to help me accomplish what I needed. I know where to go now if/when I need audio gear, especially since his shop is only an hour away from our house.

ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Yes, I was an audio free agent when I started to rebuild my system a few years ago.  I went up to Boston and Walt up in NH (daughter is a jr at UNH), but I loved Johnny.  I didn't love what was being pushed by two of the larger stores up there.  I recently was in NYC to try and audition some gear and ended up at Lyric again. I had used them in the 80's (Jadis) and for an Aragon piece for a friend, but the guy who owns it now was a real dick.  He told me how dry and unmusical my Ayre gear is and he knew because he was a dealer many years ago.  He hasn't even heard the new 20 series, but he just pissed me off, so I left and made sure to let anyone I know how poorly I was treated.  

Sorry, that just came out, lol.  Oh well, they get what they deserve.  Yes, Johnny has the Proacs as he realizes that not every one is a Vandersteen fan, plus he also carries B&W and I think NOLA or maybe it's ELAC.  not sure.

fdemello OP
80 posts
 
ctsooner - I hate dealers like you described. We used to have a great local dealer in Westport, MA (Sound Images) but they closed about 10 years ago.  Bought my CJ/Rogers stuff there. 
Having a great dealer to work with nearby is awesome
fdemello OP
80 posts
 
It's starting to look like I may have to bring this budget down.  Would prefer to be $5k or < now. New or used is ok.

Resale will also be a factor since I'll want to have the option to sell and not lose too much if I don't like the speakers in my environment.

Out of the speakers being discussed which are the top 5 in holding their value?  I would assume the Maggie's would be there.

Anyone have resale thoughts on some of the comapnies that sell direct (Zu, Tekton, Spatial)?
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