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Need a speaker for the blues lover...

Hey 'Goners. Currently shopping speakers and am in a quandry of sorts. My listening taste leans towards electric blues followed by classic rock (Tull, Moody Blues etc.), guitar oriented jazz then a smattering of country (Johhny Cash, Willie)or easy listening stuff. I am considering Klipsch RF-52 II, Magnepan MMG or perhaps the new ZU Omen. My budget is up to 1k, but less is ok too as is used. I know the Klipsch and MMG's are 2 different animals but I like the sound of both for different reasons. I have a studio apartment approx. 25'x30'. Amp is a McIntosh MA6200 with a Marantz universal player. Listening area is about 11' feet from the speaker plane. Ideas and thoughts most appreciated.
Beernut
128x128beernut
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
How about something from Zu Audio in the "Maserati Blue Nettuno" finish?
blkadr
739 posts
 
I have been listening to my Forte IIs, they are not forward or harsh as the word "Klipsch" might suggest. They do need a little breathing room, and admittedly, they are not that attractive being big plain boxes. I would recommend one of the 3way Klipschs or high efficiency "fullrange" single driver offerings from others.
naggots
115 posts
 
Zu speakers are capable of huge dynamics which is essential for live music reproduction. The Eminance based drivers they use are also found in Marshall, Fender etc...... Which IS what you're listening to when your front row.

Buddy guys guitar bounces out from these speakers like no other that I've heard. ..... Goosebumps everytime
beernut's avatar
beernut OP
295 posts
 
Thanks for all the great advice! I did end up opting for a pair of Klipsch RF-52's as a fender-bender ate into my speaker $$. I hate the new Zu Omen's in mind...
Oh Well.
pryso
1,928 posts
 
Beernut, sorry if this is too late. I was waiting for a specific model number from a friend. But if your deal does not go through or you are not satisfied, this could be a fall-back.

A year or two ago this friend built a pair of speakers with components from Parts Express. I would not say they were the cleanest or most refined speakers I've ever heard but what they did was to sound like electric guitar, bass, and organ in a blues club. Whatever limitations or deviations they possessed might show up on symphonic music but for down and dirty blues, it was "you are there". Here is the link -

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=290-409

They were also great with rock and the little jazz I heard on them.
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