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Loudspeaker Recommendations: Standmount or Small Footprint Floorstanding under $2k

Hi there,

Having received great recommendations here over the years I figured I’d check back in while I’m considering my next move.

Current system:
-- Totem Rainmakers (on sand filled speaker stands)
-- Heed Obelisk SI III Integrated Amp (built in phono)
-- Bluesound Node 2i into a Chord Mojo DAC
-- Clearaudio Concept TT with MM V2 cartridge
-- Cabling by Audioquest and Signal Cable

Here’s what I currently love about how my system sounds:
1) Instrument articulation is very nice. I really enjoy the timbre of instruments whether it’s the sustain of a drum or cymbal, the crunchiness of distorted electric guitars, or the airiness of an upright bass.

2) Imaging for days... It’s massive and very three dimensional. This makes listening fun and engaging for me.

3) Instrument separation is wide and easy to pinpoint.


I really do love how this system sounds, but am looking for a speaker that can offer more lower end dynamics at reasonable, or relatively moderate, listening volumes. I don’t want super deep bass, but just a touch more to help fill in what’s desired. Does this make sense?

Budget is no more than $2k, but ideally want to spend around $1500, and happy to purchase pre-owned to help stretch my dollars further.

128x128stereosanctity
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yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,701 posts
 
There is a listing here for Harbeth P3’s rosewood for $1525.00. You should make an offer on them!
radiomanjh
83 posts
 
another vote for the Nola Boxer.  I've had the original ones for five years and added a Rythmik L12 sub.  when set up right they are superb. 
big_greg
6,640 posts
 
I haven’t heard your current speakers, so can’t speak to how some of these suggestions compare, but these are some of the speakers I’ve used in a fairly nearfield situation that can be found within your budget.

Harbeth P3ESR. I love these and they rival my main system in terms of detail, instrument separation, and enjoyment. I have a small SVS SB12 NSD sub in this system to flesh out the bottom end. My room is fairly small, about 12 X 12 with no treatment of any kind. The speakers are maybe 5 - 6 feet from my listening position.

In your larger room, something like the Focal 1008 BE might have more body and presence and will do well with imaging and detail and musical separation. I tried them in the aforementioned room and they were good, but a little too much for that small space. They are now in my home office and sound great there.

Canton makes some very nice speakers, but they don’t seem to be very well known in the US. They are German made. I have the Vento Reference 9.2 DC which are currently available at accessories4less for $1200, which is a steal for speakers of this quality. They are not quite as detailed as the other two I mentioned, but are very easy to listen to and produce a surprising amount (and quality) of low end for their size.

It’s possible you’re looking for improvements in the wrong place. I have not heard the Heed Obelisk, but owned the Heed Elixir for a short period of time. I liked it at first, but over time realized it was a bit grainy and hard compared to some of my other integrateds (Peachtree Nova 300 and ARC VSi55). Perhaps the Obelisk doesn’t suffer from those faults? The reviews I read about the Elixir didn’t match my listening impressions and the Obelisk is supposed to be better than the Elixir, so I may be off base.


wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
I owned a pair of the metal driver Silverline Preludes for years and they are amazingly good speakers...D'Appolito array of aluminum/titanium 3.73" woofers with a screened tweeter of the same brew. Amazing range and slam for a very skinny ported tower, highly recommended if they still make 'em.  Maybe 1500 bucks new? I only sold mine as I wanted very high efficiency speakers for a small tube amp.
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