Speakers in 10-15K price range for Classical music


Well I am in the market for speakers. My music choice is primarily classical and then a little bit of everything else such as jazz and soft/alternate rock. I started with a budget of 5-7K and auditioned Maggie 3.6, Quad 989, Spendor S8e and so on, but quickly realized I couldn’t get what I was looking for in these speakers. They all did pretty well on solo or few instruments but could not nearly reproduce a symphony (Mahler’s fifth, or Tchaikovsky’s sixth or Schubert’s ninth) with any authenticity. This was about a year ago. Since then I had stretched my budget and am now looking for speakers in the 10-15K price range.

Now here’s the challenge. I didn’t like the Thiel, B&W or Wilson sound. I had liked Maggie 20.1 in the past, but can’t find any dealer nearby that carries them for an audition. Heard the Vandersteen 5a for about 10 mins and they are pretty convincing, but I need a proper audition and then it’s still beyond my price range. Now my question is what other speakers I can look at for the kind of music I like?

Thanks much in advance, for your help.

Oh, my system is Krell SACD and 400xi Integrated Amp. Will upgrade the amp eventually, but will need to wait for another year at least :)
neal1502
As an opera and classical music lover whom has been through many a speaker, several stand out for me--
1. Living Voice OBX-RW (newer- more refined version)- perhaps with a sub if you like (a damn good one or two though like a high-end Rel)
2. Daedalus Audio Ulysses (I own the DA-RMa and love them for classical-- a touch warm like spendor and Harbeth but to my ears more balanced overall- though I havent heard the lastest iterations of the Spendors)
3. Big Proacs (treble still a bit tipped up to my ear, though easily tamed with wires - JPS works beautifully with them for example- or amps -- Bel Cantos worked beautifully)
4. Reynauds-- Loved the Trentes and Twins and hear the newer ones punch things up a bit dynamically- could be ideal. For you I think it'd be the Orfeos (big boys).
I love ATC's and dynaudios as well, but in my experience, both require a fair amount of amplifier 'welly' as the Brits say to get up and on with things. Also-- ATC and low level listening-- not a match made in heaven no matter your power. Dyns and ATC's are certainly beautifully balanced tonally though.
I suppose, given my current inklings, I'd go for the Daedalus Audio Ulysses if I were you. Easily driven, beautifully built and likely retains all the spendor/Harbethian traits without being too 'pipe and slippers.' Also great at low levels.

A lot of good suggestions, though we should know your room size to be sure that it can handle a full range speaker. I'd add to the list Vienna Acoustics (which I heard in the past with a Krell amp and it was a pretty good match) and Dunlavy (used, of course).
Abramsmatch,

I like your suggestions on speakers. It is a bit hard to guess about what the original poster is seeking and what would also work in his environment because so little information was given. Still, I would guess he is looking for a warmer balance and something that can deliver weight for larger orchestral pieces. Your recommendations seem to fit that bill.

I would add to your suggestions, something like the Gershman GAP 828, Vienna Acoustics Mahler, Vandersteen Quattro, Aerial Model 9, DeVore Silverback, and ESP Bodhran (some of these might be slightly over the price cap).
I have owned and heard a lot of gears, some that I like and might fit your taste:

Analysis, similar to Apogee. very direct and immediate sound just like other ribbon

Sonus Faber Homage line, but be sure to get the newer generation because new drivers are head and shoulder above the old one, not just in hi-fi effect but also in emotional capture

Aerial 20T, very detail and dynamic, but requires some muscle

Verity Parsifal or higher, very musical and on the easy side for amps

Usher BE10/20, very detail and transparent with great leading edge micro dynamic, requires some muscle too

in general, I am not crazy about speakers using ceramic drivers or hard dome/cone, they wear you out very quickly. I like ribbon in general, but don't like line source because the narrow vertical sweet spot. there are hundreds of good speakers out there and there is no guarantee you can get good sound (or sound to your liking) unless you match them well. define what type of sound you like, buy any speakers in that category that receives mostly positive rating, and work from there.

have fun!
First of all, thanks much for so many great suggestions. I want to personally thank Tsciame, Krisjan, Shadorne, 4musica44107, Nealrm, Paladin, Kurt_tank, Magnumpi205, Glai, Grannyring, Hi_hifi, Nextlevelav, Ojgalli, Dfaulds, Jburidan, Macdadtexas, Abramsmatch, Rcprince, Larryi and Semi. Really appreciate your thoughtful response. I surely need some time and lot of research to absorb all the info.

My room is 20x13x9. Probably not the best room for a full range speaker. Where I live (Charlotte, NC), we got very few dealers. Closest I need to travel to is Atlanta or Raleigh. What I was looking for in a speaker is that can represent the ‘body’ of a full scale orchestra. That can soundstage and image well. And that can isolate different instruments. Can depict the depth of the stage, or can keep up with the increasing pace of say, Saint Saens’ Piano Concerto 2. Not sure if this info is helpful in any way.

My next step would be to look up places where I can audition these.

RMAF was a great suggestion too. I have booked my tickets to get there :), though this will eat into my budget, but I guess it would be worth every penny.