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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
snapsc OP
682 posts
 
@wolf_garcia   how do the preludes sound with respect to mid and low bass with such small transducers??
vahes
47 posts
 

A well recorded, uncompressed, Steinway-D needs a fairly large, efficient, and expen$ive speaker to reproduce its full fire power at a realistic volume, I can not think of any $4000.00 speaker that even comes close to that, if your budget is set then try as many speakers in that price range and decide how much of a compromise are you willing to accept.


mapman's avatar
mapman
22,413 posts
 
OHM Walshes with proper amplification (80 watts or more depending on room size) do a great job. Many models under $4K. That would be my choice for SS amplification.

The more  efficient Klipsch Heresy III is a very good choice also especially if using a lower power tube or SS amp.
Post removed 
snapsc OP
682 posts
 
The $4k was just a number that might be the speaker portion of a $10k total budget...which any non audiophile would think is crazy. Interstingly, a number of posters have suggested speakers ranging from $2-4k that with a good recording and the right source and amplification might get you close to a realistic piano presentation. 
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