I had great luck with the Magnepan 1.7i and SVS SB-16 Ultra subwoofer. It's a great combination and the Adcom GFA-555 is a wonderful amp to run them. You would have a hard time coming up with a better combo than this. A little hard work getting them set up and some room tuning will pay dividends with really great detail, imaging, and just plain enjoyment. Good luck!
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
Try the Magnepan LRS entry model from the factory. Free shipping and you can return them if unhappy. Yes they will lack some bottom, a pair of small subs or three or four will compensate and complete an overall great speaker system for the price. The down side is they need 3 to 4 feet of space from the back and side walls. Small Martin Logans would be my next recommendation. I am currently using the ML Clarities, my MMG are in temporary hiatus. Happy listening with the choice you make. |
Two speakers I have heard recently and quite enjoyed: Totem Element Fire v2 Ariel Acoustics 6T On sale (floor demos) or lightly used they’d be in your price range. Both are good to around 30-35 Hz of tight focused base. Both throw a wide soundstage. They offer tremendous control. My ears really like Totems. The Ariels did a remarkable job of sorting out very complex large ensembles—They really unpacked everything happening in Pharaoh Sanders Summun Bukmun Umyun and gave everything its place. A slight bit of bass overhang from stand up bass (still breaking in) but everything else was spot on. I could live happily with either for a long time. |
primarist OPThe Brits liked to recess the mids a touch 1k-5k they called it the BBC dip, it gave the impression of more depth, the new Wilson DAW has it. Have a look at the other Watt/Puppy’s bench tests some of them may also have it, and they would be in your $5k price range. The W/P-7’s were my favorite. https://www.stereophile.com/comment/589919#comment-589919 Cheers George |
- 107 posts total