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Another Speaker Recommendation Request

Greetings Goners,
Just retired and have my new dedicated listening room. Bonus room above garage; 15' wide, 24' deep, 8' ceiling, drywall and carpeted. No WAF to consider. I am all digital with PS Audio kit: BHK stereo 250 amp, BHK pre-amp, Direct Stream DAC and Direct Stream Media Player. Also have Cambridge Audio CXN for streaming and NAS.
Current speakers are Wharfedale Jade 3 stand mounts with HSU subwoofer. Worked well in the previous home, but looking to upgrade. I don't need concert hall performance. I will crank it up on occasion, but mostly solo mid and low level listening. Would like full range floor standers and possibly loss the subwoofer.
Most important attributes for me would be non-fatiguing and imaging. Looking in the $10k range and prefer new vs used. Have considered Spendor D7, PSB Imagine T3 and Focal Electra 1028BE. And shops to demo in Tampa St. Pete area would be appreciated. Thanks!
chuck929
chuck929 OP
19 posts
 
Thanks for the recent replies! Not sure why, but the Jades are really singing now. Maybe I just had to get the cerebral equipment to settle in. Depth and imaging have never sounded better. This speaker line seems to have came and went rather quickly.
Many good recommendations given. Went to the Zu site, not much info there.
Main listening is Ambient (Brian Eno, Steve Roach, Robert Rich) and rock done right IMHO (Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Humble Pie, Hendrix). Unfortunately most of the 80's music I grew up with is unlistenable on a highly resolving system (Psychedelic Furs, Pretenders).
Still intrigued by Spatial Audio and will most likely wait for new model before making a decision. Will try and audition others locally.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
The Spatial X2 is very intriguing, but it's hard to audition short of buying it on the trial period.
cottguy's avatar
cottguy
56 posts
 
Give Zu a call with any questions you might have.  They are extremely helpful.  The Druid Mk VI is the best speaker I have had the pleasure of listening to.  It goes lower than you can possibly imagine and it is extremely musical at lower frequencies.  The clarity and sound stage is second to none and you can sit in front of them for hours with no listening fatigue.  Most of the brands listed above will burn your ears out in less than hour.  My wife goes to every audio show I attend and she walks out of all those rooms shaking her head every time.  You need to look into their stuff and give it serious consideration.  
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,792 posts
 
OP, We listen to a lot of the same music. I've been a quest for about 3 years starting with ancient recommended components gradually working my way up, staying in the used market so I can recover most of my investment when the speakers don't work out. In hindsight I would have bought my amp first, for me a hegel h360 made the speakers I had at the time sound natural and musical and tbh if I had that unit when I started this quest I would probably still be happy with the Revel f52's. Your room is also going to tell you a lot. My basement has the best bass reinforcement from rear ported speakers and many new speakers are ported at the bottom or front for ht duties. Start by asking your dealer to let you bring used or demo speakers home that will help you get an idea how your room imposes its will and will help you narrow your choices. Good Luck
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,556 posts
 
I purchased a used pair of Focal Sopra 2's well under your budget. If your willing to settle for used, these are great speakers IMHO.

ozzy
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