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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
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,751 posts
 
@steve59

Sorry, but no, going off the Stereophile measurements, Vienna Acoustics are terrible for the money, way overpriced, just look at his listening window measurement for their Klimt the Kiss speaker, utterly atrocious, not even $100 speakers are as poorly tonanly balanced as those, and it’s directivty is super poor as well.

I have a pair of Revel salon2's I bought to replace my VA Beethovens which like your Kanta's didn't really rock out, but despite measurements the speakers from Vienna Acoustics sound amazing next to anything in their price. Your Kanta2's image really well and when you go to a larger speaker you risk losing that. Axpona had a lot of big speakers in small rooms and the carver line source sounded great also Raidho 2.1(used)would be worth an in home demo and is on my short list along with the VA 'the music' if I tire of the Salon2's.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,751 posts
 
I have to agree with above that you'll find quite often speakers will sound more like the room they're in than different. I also, for fun pulled the $22k speakers out and put the 1/3 size 1/5 price beethovens in with my h360 driving them and I was amazed at how much the little ones sounded like the big guys, sans dynamics and hyper resolutionv they sounded like they could have come from the same manufacturer. Made me wonder too. The listening room matters!
soix
9,453 posts
 
@ozzy -- Did I miss something?  Didn't you have the Carver ALS?  Did they not work out?  What up?
zephyr24069's avatar
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zephyr24069
1,243 posts
 
0-19-2018 10:40amThis is why Legacy Audio Aeris - go to 7 minute mark on video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUJS7nQVA6I

Bassdude2: Well placed! I owned them for 2 years first with Xilica and most of the time with Wavelet before they had to go. I still miss them literally daily and think they are one of the best out there at any price point. Literally nothing they won't play at A+ levels with polish and authority.  Bill D. and the team put everything they have into the entire line up and down the (price & size) scale,...you cannot go wrong with Aeris, Focus SE or XD, Whisper XDS, etc....

Have to get Legacy back in the room soon,...something custom is in the works, let's see what's going to happen!
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