2. speakers
  3. 132865-105325

What are the best loudspeakers under $4000 to re-create lifelike piano

Over the past 4 months I've spent time with five loudspeakers.  On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate them as follows in their ability (with my equipment in my room) to recreate a lifelike piano.  Tekton Lore - 6.5 (great scale but tonal accuracy and clarity somewhat lacking),    Kef LS50 - 7.0 (moderate scale but slightly better clarity and tonal accuracy)  Kef R500 - 8.0  (great scale and very good clarity and tonal accuracy), Spatial Audio M3TurboS -8.1 (great scale and very good clarity and tonal accuracy and very smooth)  Magnepan 1.7i - 9.0 (very good scale with excellent clarity and tonal accuracy - very lifelike).

In your room with your equipment, what loudspeakers are you listening too and how would you rate them for their ability to recreate a lifelife piano and if possible a few comments as to why?
snapsc
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I was at a restaurant sitting 20 ft from a baby grand piano and was surprised how light and airy the sound was. Of course it could be several factors affecting the sound but the point is if I heard a stereo with the same qualities I would have thought it was too light (or bright) without enough weight to the sound.

bottom line is: valuable lesson learned, live music is the reference.

my two cents
snapsc OP
685 posts
 
@philjolet  you make a great point. Whether you hear a piano from 15' away or through an open window it is that airiness and clarity that it is a cue that it is a piano and not a loudspeaker...hence my original question:  what loudspeakers at less than the price of a piano do a good job of sounding like an actual piano??
bassdude
502 posts
 

1.  Wavetouch Audio Grand Tetons or Anteros

2.  Maggies, or better yet the Magnestands (modifed Maggies)

3.  Spatial Audio M3 or M4 Turbos

3.  Vandies

4.  Keff LS50s
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I'm hoping the Magnestand mod to my Maggie MG12 is as good as I read. right around the $4,000.00 mark when all is said and done.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,008 posts
 
philjolet, that $4000 will also buy you a pair of Eminent Technology LFT-8b's and a pair of subs. I would at least check out the ET's before pulling the trigger. Read Robert E. Greene's review in TAS a couple of years back.
More to discover