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
I’m a born-again audiophile. I spent a couple of hours this afternoon, listening to a pair of Tekton D1’s at the home of a friend’s daughter’s fiancee. Amazing sound with Audio Research tube separates. The only thing that would give me pause is the, to my eye, "homely" aspect of the Tektons. The basic black and the size and shape ain’t gonna win any beauty contests. Closing one’s eyes helps a great deal.

I am curious why Martin Logan planar speakers have not been recommended by anyone so far. 

Does it have to do with its narrow soundstage and somewhat finicky placement problems??


Thank you,   S.J.

 

What you need to do at this point, sunny, is make a short list.  7 or 8 pairs of speakers that you would consider buying.  They would need to be suitable for the type of music you prefer.  They would need to work well with your present amplifier.  They would need to be suitable for the size of room you have. 

Simply asking people for suggestions could take years.  There are probably 30 or 40 different brands of speakers that would be amazing for you, you don't need to find the needle in the haystack.  Don't overthink this, it's just speakers.
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Any of the ML's worth recommending are going to be quite a bit more money (with the exception of used Prodigy.) Magnepan 3.7i's are worth recommending but like any panel speaker it comes down to personal tastes so at least demo first.