To be fair to KEF, I heard the LS50s in way less than optimal conditions. I’m sure they sound better when they arent 1 foot away from your face and 8 feet apart! I’ve been considering the Dynaudio C60 and it is definitely on the shortlist. The Vandersteen is also really well reviewed so I’ll look at that as well. I also have to look into the difference between the A and D lines from Spendor.. Any thoughts on the PSB Imagine T3? How about the Sonus Faber Cremona?
Forever speakers around $5000
Hi Audiogon! Your help has been invaluable in the past so I’m back yet again. I think I’m close to purchasing my forever speakers and am looking for recommendations of what to consider. Here are some qualities I’m looking for, in order of importance:
I currently own a pair of LSA 2.1 Signature floorstanders, which have certain qualities I like (soundstage/imaging due to rear firing tweeter, size/weight, U-shaped). But things I feel are missing (bass feels a bit loose, build quality could be better, feels very low tech with paper woofers and unbraced MDF cabinet). I listen to a wide range of music, mostly a lot of intimate jazz combos, some experimental electronic and IDM, funk, some rock, black metal, and a bit of classical.
Here are some speakers I have heard and liked:
- Amazing soundstage. I really enjoy a speaker that can throw a BIG soundstage.
- Fun, slightly U-shaped frequency response.
- Tight, punchy, musical bass.
- Airy and clear high end, think Magnepan.
- Good R&D and technology. If I’m paying this much for a speaker, it better not just be a damn box with some bargain paper cone drivers in it.
- Nice looking. This is a speaker, first and foremost, but it is also a piece of furniture. It really does have to look nice (I hate to say it, but this probably disqualifies offerings from GoldenEar).
- Semi-compact. I like a speaker that has a good physical presence in the room (not too small) but not something massive like a Magnepan (been there already) or Wilson. I like units no more than 45" x 10" x 16" or so. Also cant weight a million pounds as we are still in a rental and will have to move these.
I currently own a pair of LSA 2.1 Signature floorstanders, which have certain qualities I like (soundstage/imaging due to rear firing tweeter, size/weight, U-shaped). But things I feel are missing (bass feels a bit loose, build quality could be better, feels very low tech with paper woofers and unbraced MDF cabinet). I listen to a wide range of music, mostly a lot of intimate jazz combos, some experimental electronic and IDM, funk, some rock, black metal, and a bit of classical.
Here are some speakers I have heard and liked:
- Magnepan MMG - amazing detail, imaging, mids and highs
- LSA 2.1 - for all their shortcomings, they check a lot of boxes
- Dynaudio Focus 20 XD - awesome balance and great bass for a standmount
- B&W CM10 - I really like this speaker, though I’ve seen some measurements that have turned me off
- KEF LS50 - honestly seemed very shrill and shouty to me
- Martin Logan ESL - weirdly didnt get a great impression of these
- GoldenEar Triton 3 - not only ugly, but I found these a bit boring to listen to
- ...
- 107 posts total
From here on A’gon: - Reference 3a Grand Veena (original model with supertweet), $3950 - VonSchweikert VR-5se, $5836 - Vandersteen Treo CT, $5995 From US Audio Mart: - ProAc D30, $4000 - Joseph Audio Pulsar (monitors but pack quite a punch), $3650-$4995 Any of these will meet your stated criteria and are great speakers and are not too hard too on amps, but which suits your particular tastes best — well, that there’s the tricky part. Best of luck. |
Tekton Moabs - $4500 everyday price. Much more speaker than you'll ever get from any other manufacturer. They are huge though! They won best sound of show a few months ago at whichever show that was. I think RMAF, but don't quote me. I own the Encores, but the Moabs are a steal for true fullrange speaker with 17 drivers per speaker. https://www.tektondesign.com/moab.html |
- 107 posts total