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From KEF 103.2 to Harbeth 30.1 and back....Your advice sought.

I was a happy KEF 103.2 owner for over 15 years...then the upgrade bug hit.

6 months later I'm out of love. Sure - the Harbeths have gorgeous mids and realistic timbres. But they lack guts. There's no oomph. Piano music and jazz sound great - but forget Lou Reed. The Stooges can't get loud enough. Even classical sounds cut off at the waist. 

I'm tempted to upgrade back to the 103.2s. (And pocket several thousand while I'm at it.) Listening to them was effortless, and warm. Perhaps not as detailed or as accurate, but much more satisfying. 

Only, I'm left wondering if something else might fit my fancy. A *new 103.2, so to speak.

I'm eyeing the NOLA BOXER II, for example...I also spent about a week with a pair of KLIPSCH 160s off Amazon. Fatiguing as hell, but that horn tweeter was awfully exciting. Really made me wonder what a high-end or vintage Klipsch might be like...

Can you folks point me in some directions??? My criteria are rather straightforward: 

- Sub $3500, used or new. I have no "lower" limit. I'll try anything. 
- Preferably not floor standing
- Well-suited for rock and roll, classical (orchestral), jazz and blues (in that order) 
- Will play nice with a a Sonneteer Alabaster SS amplifier

With thanks for your time! 
pupil
mountainsong's avatar
mountainsong
422 posts
 
From Harbeth to KEF reference 3. Best move ever.

biscorbit
143 posts
 
That's why I chose the c7es3.  I wanted some bass.  
mickeyb
573 posts
 
103.2 my very first audiophile speakers with an ads system. I loved them. I tried many different studio monitors and they lacked the oomph as well. I’m now running vintage altec model 19s with some tube equipment and couldn’t be happier. Was listening to the cowboy junkies/lay it down and couldn’t believe how it sounded. Puts a smile on my face every time I turn my system on. I’m only into it for 5k. Cheers
helomech
1,677 posts
 
As much as I’m a fan of the thin-walled, BBC style speakers from Harbeth and similar ilk, they don’t have hard hitting dynamics when compared to brands of more contemporary design. This is very obvious in side-by-side comparisons, but is also easy to ignore once you become accustomed to their gorgeous midrange.

I’m thinking the KEF Reference line might strike a good balance between these traits, but you certainly can’t get them for $3500...well, maybe a used pair of 1’s with some luck. Another speaker I suspect might be up to the challenge is Ascend Acoustic’s Sierra 2.

Epos speakers are very dynamic but sacrifice some of that midrange perfection.

I’ve been listening to Klipsch Heresy IIIs the last few nights and doing back-to-back comparisons with my Spendors (which have the best midrange I’ve heard, yet are also warm) and they’re surprisingly similar in tone. Not at all fatiguing like the early Heresys allegedly were; however, they do have a more forward and "live" presentation. Where they really excel is with rock, especially classic rock, but they also do great with classical, blues, and jazz. Their bass dynamics (albeit not extension) is hard to beat. If you want to hear a fast, hard-punching attack of a kick-drum at 90+ db, Heresys are the ticket. Yes, they are floor standers by definition but they integrate with my living space better than most stand mounts ever could.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,200 posts
 
I'd suggest the Klipsch Heresy as well.  Maybe add a sub if desired. 
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