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Do I have to spend $4000 plus to get a better sounding speaker than GET model 7 ?

I have owned a pair of Golden Ear Technology 7's speaker for almost 3 years. I think they sound very good in my current set-up.  I bought them unheard based on the rave reviews they received at CES 2012. My concern is that if I was to invest in a speaker that is $3500-$4000, it may prove to be only marginally or fairly better. I am not saying that the GET's 7's are the best bargain in audio at $1395.  My experience with them is they are  very accurate with low distortion, but don't throw a particularly wide or deep soundstage. 

I have considered( not necessarily auditioned) Revel F-206;  Focal Aria 936;  Paradign F85;  PSB T-2';  Ryan 630;  B&W CM9S   Dynaudio X-34;  Duevel "Venus"  Audio Physic Sitara 25 and Tempo 25  All of the indicated speakers (except AP and Duevel) fall in the $3000-$4500 retail price range 

ProAc floor standers are off the scope in price, (often, even used)   Anything I buy will be used, because California sales tax is 8.5%,  and I can stretch my dollars buying used. 

Any recommendations are welcomed especially if based on you own experience with a particular speaker or brand.


Thank you, S.J     

sunnyjim
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

To Mofojo,  Thank you for the recommendation about the Tekton "Electron"  I checked it out before on their website, but will go back to take another look.  BTW,  I did see the pair of  Focal 1028Be's on the Music Room site. I may have dismissed them because they were an older model. Will check a few reviews if still available


To ka-am: Be assured, I am not in good enough health to conduct as you say a "structured mission" looking for new speakers. Unfortunately, those days are over, so I must rely on reviews and member's testimonials and recommendations I will reciprocate  to anyone conducting a  similar speaker quest. 

I tend to agree with you about direct order companies that also may offer home trials, however, at least you have the opportunity of hearing a speaker with your own equipment.  You offer a strong endorsement for the Focal Aria line.   There was a dealer in Florida that has (or had) a pair of 936's store demoes on sale. When I inquired if they would overwhelm my room, he curtly replied "yes" and offered instead the Focal Aria 926.   In addition, the 936's would cost  close to $300  to ship to sunny SoCal, so I passed on the sale. 

I need to decide if I want to  proceed  with one of  the three direct sales companies. Tekton, Decware, or  Spatial Audio.  As you know, handing over distribution to dealers means putting the integrity of the product into their hands, and taking less profit.  However, I don't believe that the argument made by direct mail manufacturers that cutting out the "middle man"  saves the buyer money. I think that is bit of hogwash.  

Thanks  to all,  SJ

 


Post removed 
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

To mofojo:  The Focal Electra 1027be speakers  you mentioned are gone on the Music Room site already.  Thanks anyway for the heads up.

I am now checking out the Salk Audio "Songtower RT ( RAAL ribbon) tweeter   They may be a direct market company.

Has anyone heard or own  them??  


Thank you,  SJ.


toddnkaya
493 posts
 
Just head over to Audiocircle to find out all you need to know about Salk.
Selah Audio is another great company on AC that makes thrilling speakers using Raal tweeters. Spacial Audio is also there. People are raving about Clayton's open baffle speakers!
hifiron
102 posts
 
Forgot to subscribe to the thread - sorry.

Decware ERRx - I haven't listened in person, but the report in comparison to the HR-1s are they are more laid back. Some people love it, Steve describes them as sitting in the 30th row back at a concern hall with perfect acoustics.

The HR-1's have a blended approach with more slam, more presence, but still astonishingly impressive transparency.

I gravitated to this hybrid radial approach for a few reasons:

 - My 11x12.5x10 room has acoustical challenges and this radial gives me a large enough sweet spot without a lot of first reflection point issues.
 - Minimal crossover that doesn't suck power from low watt SET amps.

The HR-1 speakers are drop dead gorgeous. Bob is a master craftsman and really cares a great deal about making an amazing product.

The HR-1s are not your traditional hi-fi speaker, they are more forgiving than say a single full-range driver, but not nearly as forgiving as something like the Vandersteen 1c.

FWIW: I had a pair of the Vandersteen 1Ci, Spatial Audio OBs, and the HR-1s in the room. All sounded great. The HR-1s fit the bill with what I was looking for in my setup.

YMMW with Radials, I think its a scary jump if you have never listened to them but I will never go back.
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