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Speaker Recommendation: 20K range

I’m looking for new speakers in the <20K range. 

I am not looking for used, unless it’s a demo model straight from an AD.

I am hoping to find a line that clearly beats speakers in the ~10K range like Magico A3, Revel 228BE, Legacy Focus SE etc.

I will be pairing the speakers with a Lumin D2 streamer, Mcintosh C2600 pre and MC452 amp. Changing those components is not going to happen anytime soon and so system synergy with those pieces is important. 

I also would like the speakers to be rated at 500W given the amp I will be using and the fact that the listening space is quite large. 

While I mostly listen to jazz, rock, pop, classical and vocals, I am really looking for speakers that sound amazing with any genre. I also need them to sound great at moderate levels of volume. 

I currently have Focal Kanta No 2s, and while they are quite nice, I want something much better in all respects. 

I am not really up to speed on all the audiophile terms that describe the various traits of sound – I just want my jaw to drop when listening to the speakers with any genre at all volume levels, if that’s possible :) 

I am close to NYC and would like to narrow down the list to ~5 candidates before I start auditioning.

Hopefully you guys can help me compile a list!

Thanks in advance for your time and suggestions.

chandybe
chandybe OP
30 posts
 
@Mtrot - I'm running Multi-channel - bypassing an Anthem AVM 60 to the C2600 for 2 channel. Not really knowledgeable about Wavelet room correction tech - the Aeris line was looking very appealing and I am not sure if this is a deal breaker..
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Jump on used MAGICO asap!!!!!
mtrot
804 posts
 
@ chandybe
Check with the Legacy people as to how it could be made to work.  Also, I spoke with them in April, and they said they can build a passive version of the Aeris that would be easier to use in a multi-channel system.  With a passive version, you could just hook it up.  I assume it could still have the powered bass section. 
mcgal
199 posts
 
Everyone has different favorites for speakers. I had Acoustic Zen Crescendos paired with McIntosh 601 mono's and C2300 preamp and liked that combo quite a bit. I also second the suggestion for Harbeth 40.2 speakers.
audiokinesis
2,737 posts
 

Chandybe, thanks for the additional information. I totally understand preferring to go with a mainstream brand.

High power handling in and of itself will not insure "zero chance" of speaker damage if you clip your 500 watt amp. Clipping sends a burst of maximum-power high frequency energy to the tweeter. At some point in time - and it may be milliseconds - the heat has built up so much faster than the tiny tweeter can dissipate that something overheats and fails.

Also, damage from overheating is cumulative, even if the drivers don’t fail the first time you clip. The old adage "that which does not kill you makes you stronger" does not apply to speakers.

In addition to power meters and restraint, higher efficiency can help a lot. For each 3 dB increase in efficiency, you cut in half the amount of power needed to reach a given SPL.

The tradeoff is, for each 3 dB increase in efficiency, you double the box size needed to maintain the same bass extension. This is a problem if you don’t want big speakers.

The solution is to hand off the low end to a low-efficiency (and therefore compact) but high-powered low-bass section. This can either be built into the main speakers (as with the Legacy Aeris), or done with external powered subwoofers. A separately-powered low bass section is the sort of approach I’d suggest for your situation.

Best of luck in your quest!

Duke

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