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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
avguy
106 posts
 
Second-hand Avalon, period, if you want the huge soundstage and transparency that will make you feel you are in a live concert. But make sure you also have similar quality front end source, amp, and interconnect and speaker cables. Otherwise, you won't get enough resolution in your system or have enough power to drive them.
sarcher30
596 posts
 
Hi Knownothing, I have heard them at RMAF the last 2 years. I also own the predecessor Innersound Kaya's. The Sanders 10b sound very similar to my Kaya's. The electrostatic panel is the same only a little shorter and the woofers are newer improved units according to Roger Sanders.

These are great speakers. You can play them very loud without worry of damage and the bass is very deep as well. Also they are about as transparent a speaker as you will find.

What some people don't like about these speakers is their small sweet spot. The flat electrostatic panel cause the high frequencies to beam. Other companies such as Martin Logan and Soundlab curve their panels to compensate for that. Roger Sanders feels that is a compromise because curving the panels causes some distortion. Another advantage is less need for room treatments to control the reflections of the mid to high frequencies.

Now I know your going to ask how small is the sweet spot? It's not head in a vise small but two people can be in it if they are right next to each other.

Stereomojo reviewed the Sanders 10b awhile ago and Stereophile reviewed the Innersound Kaya as well if you want to read some reviews.
jeff1225
172 posts
 
I really love my Montana EPS2's for all types of classical music. The cello is rendered so well by the midranges..
wig's avatar
wig
1,267 posts
 

I listen to Classical and Gospel only and what Avguy mentioned about the Avalons' are spot-on. I have the Ascendants and my listening position is 9' away and you get the feeling that you are part of the performance. I thought my Thiels and Vandersteens disappeared but the Avalons are truly magician.
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knownothing
1,579 posts
 
Thanks Sarcher30.
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