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.
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.