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Need advice about upgrading speakers ( it might be the last one i own).

Need some friendly advice or recommendations about a major upgrade in speakers. I am looking to buy used to stretch my dollar

I currently own a pair of Golden Ear Technology model 7's speaker. They are 3 years old and retail for $1395.. They can sound very  good in my set-up and are accurate, but also are a bit edgy on top, and also  don't convey the feeling or emotion of real music. Without getting into the definition of "real music",or the ambiguous  terms euphonic vs real, or warm versus  analytical,  just  say I would like to acquire a better sounding speaker. I play a fair amount of classic rock, and rock/jazz fusion and classical symphonic is getting a lot of play time recently.


So far, I have considered:

Revel Concerta F-206 ( retail $3500) 

Choral 826W ( $3500);

PBS Imagine T-2 ( $3500 )

Tannoy XT-8F  ( $2600 retail).

Vienna Acoustics Baby Beethoven ( $4500 retail ?) 

Audio Physic Tempo 25 ( $6995?) ( not the later 'plus" version) 

Audio Physic Scorpio  retail $6500 )  

Audio Physic Sitara 25  ($4995 retail);  

 ProAC D-25 (retail ??)

Audio Physic Virgo II  ( $5495 retail )    


I have heard the Tannoy and Revel and AP Virgo II.  The Revel and Tannoy sounded very good , but the Revel has the  lead.   I have heard other Vienna Acoustic speakers and was not overly impressed  The AP Tempo Plus is also in serious consideration.  For the record, I am looking a smoother, and more musical speaker than the GET 7's

Magneplanars are too problematic in placemen;, therefore, I have almost eliminated them from consideration. 


Thank you,  S.J.

 

sunnyjim
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,873 posts
 
SuunyJim, I can't recall if I've ever been told I'm outstanding so I'll wear it as long as I can. 😜
On an aside, I checked out the price and noticed that it's gone up about $1K so that puts it close to the limits you placed. Anyway, Elliot is great to talk to and he happens to be in Studio City which is quite a ways closer than Ventura.
Either way you go, Elliot is a great resource.

All the best,
Nonoise
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
SJ - I have Vandersteens and think they sound like music.  Call John Rutan at AudioConnection in New Jersey....   He is very knowledgeable, sells everything and is always anxious to share info. 
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

To  Helomech: I did ask my best friend to recommend a wife. He did and 2 years later he married her.  What can you do??   LOL

I will check the Stirling LS Broadcast 3/6. However, I never was a big fan of the famous amd original  lunch box size speaker the  LS 3/5 A  or any of its knockoffs made by Harbeth, Spendor, KEF, etc.

Thanks again to all members who responded since may last reply.  S.J

helomech
1,680 posts
 
sunnyjim,

It's true that sometimes our friends know what's best for us. 

The LS3/6 is about equivalent in size to the Harbeth SHL5, much larger than the LS3/5a, but I can understand your aversion to the overall look, they don't qualify as show pieces compared to some other brands. Though, the key to their sound quality is the wide baffle and thin wall cabinets. 
biketech60
51 posts
 
sunnyjim, 
Just before I retired I got my final pair of speakers manufacturer-direct . You will hate yourself if you don't at least listen to Spatial Audio's Hologram M3 Turbo S with a 4 ohm impedance or his M3 Triode Master with 16 ohm impedance and better tweeter for tube amps . Return them if you don't love them . Mine are staying . Overall most satisfying speakers I've heard at any price . Made a mockery of my upgraded Klipsch RF 5's on all counts  . They are even better for movie night than with music and that's saying something considering how fine music sounds through them .He makes higher priced speakers if you consider these too affordable .
Check reviews , I wish you harmony and peace .    Joe B
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