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Demo'd a few sets of speakers over the past 2 weeks...

Today I heard the Magnapan 1.7s at my local Hi-Fi. I was interested in hearing the new Maggie LRS, but this is the closest they had. It was good but didn't wow me. Big sound stage, but didn't have the punch and dynamics and bass extension I want. Don't think I will pursue the Maggies any further...
I also heard the KEF LS50s. I think they sounded more Dynamic than the Maggies, big sound stage and good imaging for such a small speaker. Great speaker for what it is, but again, didn't wow me.
These speakers were connected to an anthem tube amp and a rogue audio tube pre-amp with built in phono stage (same electronics as with the Maggies). I think this could be a nice pair for a computer desk for near field listening, but just a tad bright for me. Again fantastic for what they are.
Last week demo'd the Golden Ear Reference Towers (about 10K for the pair) and McIntosh electronics in the neighborhood of 15k total. I found it to be musical, but something seemed off tonally couldn't put my finger on it. I was left wanting more.
Lastly, I demo'd the Klipch RP600M as those had been getting rave reviews (folks saying the brightness had been tamed in this model). I still found the treble too bright and fatiguing so I will not be pursuing these any further either. Too bad, as I was hyping these up in my head.

I'll keep looking, but the current set in my living room are still my favorites (Vandersteen 2Cs from 1989). These speakers can still wow me, but want to see if I can do better for not a high cost.
Next, I would like to hear a pair of 3A sigs and Tekton DI. The later my be extremely hard to get a demo without buying them and doing an in-home trial.
bstatmeister
bstatmeister OP
537 posts
 
Those 5a's look mighty tempting, even though likely a great deal at $7500 they are still above my pay grade. They have always been on my speaker bucket list and I hope to hear them one day. I have a feeling I would be blown away by them.

My understanding is that the 3a sigs with a pair 2wqs get you most of the way there to the 5a's, and if I try hard enough I may be able to get that whole package for under 3k (used) not necessarily all at once and that's fine.

Other speakers I hope to demo not mentioned are the Ohm Walsh's 2000's or 3000's. but besides the Vandy 3as with the Subs It seems like the DI's could hit all my notes as far as what I want in a speaker, so I am itching to hear those.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,530 posts
 
If you do decide on the 5A's touch base with Richard and have him help you with properly setting them up.  You'll love them even if not set up properly, but set up correctly really improves things. Make sure the speakers include the high pass filters (silver box that goes between the amp and the speakers).
bstatmeister OP
537 posts
 
I'm also wondering if one of the main reasons I really like my Vandies is that they are time and phase correct. I don't think any of the other speakers I demo'd are. I think I might need to try a pair of Thiels to test that theory...any recommendations on those?
rsf507
2,437 posts
 
@bstatmeister have you heard of Tri-Art Audio? I heard these open baffle speakers at Axpona and they truly amazed me and at a price around the 5K mark. Just something to keep your eyes out for. They are on my short list to demo again.
erik_squires
16,821 posts
 
I find the tonal balance of Vandys to be very much to my liking, unlike JT era Thiels. 

But I don't like them more than my current speakers, which are absolutely not aligned the same way. 
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