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WAF Speaker suggestions

I am looking to replace my current speakers and need advice.  I currently have a pair of Vandersteen 2ce sig speakers that my wife says look like coffins in the living room. I love my wife more than the Vandys and so am looking for replacement speakers. I need a smaller footprint speaker to make her happy and I would like a speaker that has a sound that is less laid back than the Vandys.
New or used speakers are fine.  My budget is $2000-$2500. Listening room is the living room (15ftX20ft with 15ft cathedral ceiling.) I listen mostly to jazz, classical, and blues.  Equipment is a Classe CP-800 preamp, Classe CT-2300 amp, TEAC CD-P650 used as a transport, and a Macbook for streaming music.
 
My research has lead me to the smaller footprint Dynaudio and Focal speakers but I do not know how well these speakers pair with the Classe amp and preamp.

Any help/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
128x1282tuby
tweak1
3,673 posts
 
+1 for the Gallos
also the new LSAs from Underwood HiFi got excellent reviews . It's bookshelf type requires a stand
https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/lsa-group
I have enjoyed the hell out of their Emerald Physics KCIIs, which have Clarity Cap and WireWorld OCC internal wire upgrades
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
35 posts
 
So I took the wife and some CD's and auditioned a used pair of Focal profile 918's today. The demo was with a SS 300W/channel amp similar to what I have at home so I felt it was a fair audition. The wife liked the look, size and the sound of the Focals. She was a professional violinist in an earlier life and said she heard much more resolution. Said she could hear the individual instruments on string quartet recordings more clearly with the Focals.  I felt the Focals were much brighter than the Vandy 2ce sigs but did not have the bass slam.
The price of the Focals was good so we did purchase them. 
We have been listening for the past several hours and are pleased with the purchase. The Focals do a nice job with jazz and classical. Moved nearer the rear wall, the bass response is not too shabby.
I have been especially pleased with the sound of the speakers at low volume. Very clear sound at low volume. Only downside I have found is playing rock music loud. Speakers are too small to fill my room with sound, a trade-off I can live with.

Thanks to all of you for the advise
. 
P.S. - I'm sure I will get the "itch" again in a couple of years and be looking for something new. Gotta love this hobby.
spinaker01
491 posts
 
My wife will determine my speaker selection when I get a controlling vote in her shoe purchases. 😜
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
I felt the Focals were much brighter than the Vandy 2ce sigs but did not have the bass slam.

Yep, you really do love your wife more than the Vandys!  Anyway, congrats and I'd say consider yourself fortunate that your wife is as interested in listening as you and that you can do it together.  Not always the case, to say the least.
insearchofprat
189 posts
 
Not often on the used market: the origional Avant Garde RX-20 in the  early 2000s, thru several inerations of Avant Gardes to present day;: this amazing speaker by Gershman Acoustics is a full-range, pyramid-shaped 3-way floorstander that has ample bass, a wide and deep soundstage and visually disappears in your room. This could be The Speaker for you - I know it is for me...
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