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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
russbutton's avatar
russbutton
429 posts
 
Built the Linkwitz LX521 and it WILL be the last loudspeaker you will ever want to own.  It murders everything else listed here.  The whole project will probably run you about $4000.   If you don't have access to a wood shop, you can buy a pre-cut cabinet kit from Madisound.  And even if you don't have the ability to assemble it, you can easily have a local cabinet maker assemble it for a reasonable amount.

Look for the Linkwitz discussion forum and ask around to find someone in your area who has a set for you to hear.  Or just take my word for it.  Read up on it around the Internet.  It's the equal of speaker systems in the $50k to $100k range.

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/LX521/LX521_4.htm

Or you can buy your speakers like you buy a car and always wonder what could have been...
cquinn's avatar
cquinn
15 posts
 
I found a used pair of Revel F208's for around 2800.  They have quite a bit more presence than the F206's and you can get pristine used ones if you wait around a little, which you're doing anyway.

Used speakers are a good deal.  If all the speakers work, they generally sound like new.
corelli
977 posts
 
Check out the Tekton Double Impact thread. 
All 1000+ posts.  You might really miss out by not adding this to your list
ggc
178 posts
 
Hi Sunnyjim,
I am not sure what your budget is. It seems like you are moving up from speakers that are in the $1,500 range.  The speakers you are looking at retail on the high end at round 7k - so if that's your ceiling and you are looking at a used market then you should be looking at speakers that retail 10k+. You also want to try to get speakers that cover as much of the frequency response as possible, this is not a guarantee for the best sound for you,  but narrows your choices down to get the best value.
That said, Sonus Faber Cremonas very versatile, musical- originals the best over the M's
DeVore particularly Silverbacks - rarely come up on used market, best frequency response range. might want to consider Eaglestoworks Nines.
I hope this helps Good Luck

alfa100's avatar
alfa100
221 posts
 
I was happy with the A P Scorpio II   The Virgo does not the bass ability and the Tempo is just a smaller Scorpio
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