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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?
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harrylavo
344 posts
 
Theil 3.5's with 300-400wpc behind them of very good solid-state amplification and a really life-like tube preamp.  These Theils have the most neutral and natural harmonic structure of any loudspeaker I've heard ... and I've owned Maggies, IMF Studio Monitors, and many other fine loudspeakers. With proper amplification, they are smooth top-to-bottom, have clarity, and can "sound".  I have attended hundreds of chamber music performances involving pianos as well as dozens of jazz club performances, and I can close my eyes with these Thiels and believe I am there with a live piano in front of me.
sergiohm
3 posts
 
  • Martin Logan Classic ESL 19
  • Martin Logan  Motion LX16
  • Celestion (forgot model but they were bookshelves and sounded amazing)
bigkidz
3,372 posts
 
A good DAC!  After all, IMO it is what is feed to the speakers that makes piano sound its best.  Happy Listening.
wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
I think if Bosendorfer wanted to compete with Yamaha they'd make motorcycles. Irrelevant but true.
sharbatgula
19 posts
 
I actually purchased the LS50s based on piano reproduction. My budget was Eur 2000.
Previously I owned B&W685 and they were terrible in the upper piano registers (too forward and thin).
I tried B&W PM1 and I think piano sounded fantastic on them, but this is a bit of a laid back speaker and the treble is tilted upward. It lends nice air and stringy definition of the piano. very nice for my taste. But I eventually returned the pair because I felt them a bit too laid back and I felt that the first order crossover crossed too high is too specific sounding.
I settled on the LS50 with best blend of faithful piano reproduction and lack of coloration.

I know how live piano sounds, I attend many concerts and take my daugter to classes. Sha has played Steinway, Bossendorfer, Feurich, uprights, etc. It’s very hard to describe what real piano sounds because there are many variables, like the condition and design of the piano, the room, the listener’s position and finally and most important the recording.
Most of classical recordings are far field and the there is too much room contribution. Most of jazz an especially pop is close miked and it often sounds like we never really hear it in a room or concert hall when played unamplified.

I would wholeheartedly recommend LS50 for piano reproduction. (with or without a sub)
B&W PM1 for a more musical and airy reproduction.
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