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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
erik_squires
16,780 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. 
erik_squires
16,780 posts
 
I don't mean to knock the Vandys, I only meant to say, for me at least, time alignment has not been something I seem to be sensitive to.


audionoobie's avatar
audionoobie
376 posts
 

@bstatmeister If you’re looking for that magic your Vandersteen’s provide, I don’t think you’ll find it in the Tekton brand.

I did an in home demo of the Electron, the little brother of the DI’s. To me--in plain language--I thought they were big, boomy, incoherent, resonant boxes. My curiosity was satiated and I moved on...

If you love the Vandersteen sound get the 2ce Sig II, 3A, or Treo CT’s. I would personally look for a used set of Treo CT's if you can find a pair.

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
You were listening to the wrong Magnepans. Demo the 3.7i with 200 watt SS amps. Down the line add sub woofers. That would be hard to beat for the money.
bstatmeister OP
537 posts
 
Yeah, I think I may need to give the Maggies another try. It seems they may not sound very well with too weak an amp. The one I listened to was a tube amp at only 40 watts/channel. I think you need around 200 watts per channel if not mistaken. Dealer could have done a better job to represent these, I think.
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