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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
revrob
105 posts
 
How about some Salk Soundscape 10 custom made for $10K. I have their previous flagship speaker the HT3 and they just make beautiful music. It is worth a look and you can pick the finish. Salk Sound dot com is their website and Jim Salk make some of the best speakers in the world, IMHO.

Good luck and take your time.
realhifi
159 posts
 
Spendor SP100 2's. Don't take up a ton of room, can reproduce an orchestra no problem, sound like music, easy to drive....and wonderfully easy to listen to for hours on end.

The 20.1's are simply gorgeous and glorious also and I can not recommend them highly enough if you have the space and the horsepower required for them. They are amazing and an incredible bargain at their price.
bountchacny
13 posts
 
Neal,

I don't know if you still have you 400xi, but if yes I would suggest a change. I used to own it and I found it analytical, neutral, but not very musical. Instruments lacked body, and the dynamic was poor. It was quite annoying.
I upgraded to a Plinius 9200 which is as transparent and neutral, but will give you back the life you may miss with the 400xi.
Hope this help.
Fabien
nolitan
865 posts
 
Save some money and get either an Harbeth SHL5s or Monitor 40.1
These speakers are really really natural sounding for Classical music.
I have a friend who had Wilsons, Thiel, Rockport, Avalon speakers. But he said the other night that none of them can do classical music as naturally as the Harbeths speakers. He owns over 10,000 LPs and over 5000 CDs.
Spendors would be on that short list as well.
YMMV.
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,209 posts
 
I agree with Nolitan... my Harbeth 40.1's are exceptional with classical music. Full bodied, dynamic and natural sounding with no listener fatigue.
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