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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
686 posts
 
@bondmanp  thanks for the comments...I see on other forums that the relatively few people that comment on Ohm Walshs also seem to find them very good on piano. 

The ohm room size guide is confusing...I'm guessing that you could fill a very large room with a seating position 12' back using the OhmWalsh 2000...but only from 60 hz or so on up as the big room would suck out the lower bass....if that is correct, then their website is actually suggesting you need larger more expensive models in order to get the bass performance without a sub???

In my case, I'm using a Power Sound Audio S1500 which is pretty fast and has great tonality.
bondmanp
1,832 posts
 

snapsc - My room is on the larger side of the size range for the 2000s, although I sit only 9' back.  Without the subs, the 2000s seem to go well into the 30's, probably around 35Hz, with a good amount of output. (Sadly, with my amp in the repair shop, I am listening now without the Vandy subs, but only my HT sub, an old Def Tech PF15.  Even through my cheap AVR, these speakers sound lovely!)   But with your sub properly dialed in, you should have no bass issues. 


Your guess on the need for larger Ohm Walsh models in bigger rooms is correct.  The thing about this line of speakers is that the sound is very consistent model-to-model.  You gain low-end extension, higher dB output and perhaps some better macro-dynaimcs as you move up in size.  But timbre, resolution, soundstage characteristics, etc., are all about the same, whether you have the Micro-Walsh Tall or the 5000s.

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,898 posts
 
bondmanp....MINE *G* ;)
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,898 posts
 
(as in your commentary to snapsc re speakers Walsh...)

A pair: Nice....
Add a sub: Improves..
But, if one adds a 2nd pair.... 5.1, that sort of thing....
Amazing is just a word....;)


snapsc OP
686 posts
 
ASVJerry.  Ok, this is a little off subject but it looks like you built your own style of walshes. What kind of transducers (paper, titanium, etc) did you use and why. 

It it seems strange that so few loudspeaker companies have adopted then marketed a Walsh based product???
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