Dazed & Confused


Listening to mostly jazz, solo instruments and vocals I find my Martin Logan Spire hybrids to sound awesome, but recently I was listening to some both "Busy" 90’s rock and classical (lots of instruments playing loudly together) and I find the music starts to sound garbled and annoying (to bright), so much so, I turn it off.
I was wondering if you all might have some suggestions on some speakers that would be a little more forgiving with busy/loud music that I could possibly switch over to when listening to different types of music. That is unless I can find speakers that can handle all styles of music, then I would consider taking the hit ($$$) on selling the Spires.

Without getting into room size and dynamics, lets just call it a standard room, I was also looking for something more efficient. The Spires need a huge amount of power (and volume) to sound good. Looking more for something I can listen to loud but also still enjoy the music at a much lower volume if that’s at all possible. Neutral and not to bright.
Living in the sticks, I can’t just jump in the car to go demo speakers. Only once, in the past, did I purchase a set of speakers online and unheard, going solely on the sales person’s recommendations. I learned the hard way to never do that again!

Equipment now: Coda CSiB integrated amp with W4S 2v2 SE Dac running Roon Nucleus.

I also wanted to mention that the Spires have phenomenal base, so much so I sold the 2 subs I was originally using with them. Floor standers and bookshelfs have come along way in SQ these days, but if I need to purchase another set of subs the budget is starting to dwindle.

No vinyl or CD’s, just Tidal.

$3,000 - $5000 budget, new or newer demos.

Thanks for any suggestions or advice you may have to offer!
Paul
high-amp
The calculations I do for this purpose involve logarithms, which I do using a scientific calculator. But a simpler method, which yields reasonably good results, would be to start with the following calculator. It applies to box-type dynamic speakers, and if the calculation is being performed for planar speakers such as Martin-Logans or Maggies that are listened to at typical distances (such as yours) add around 5 db or so to the results it provides. The reason being that as listening distance increases SPLs fall off more rapidly for box-type dynamic speakers than in the case of planar speakers. (And in fact the volume produced by a planar speaker may be greater at say 2 meters than at 1 meter, since the upper and lower parts of a planar speaker will generally be more on axis at 2 meters than at 1 meter).

https://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

Best regards,
-- Al

high-amp - I am not sure where you are in your speaker search , but if you can listen to a pair of Audio Physic I would highly recommend them . I have been a stat user for many years now . I have owned the Martin Logan Vantage , Quad 2905 , King Sound King and Inneround kaya . and Eminent technology lf8 , Magnepan 20.1 1.6 1.7 . 

The high frequencies on the Audio Physic match the stats for there transparency in this region . Some how they image and sounstage in a similar way as well . They just disappear . 

Just a suggestion I would like to pass along as these have been the first boxed speakers that I have heard do this as good as stats . 
So I can tell I'm going to fail at this miserably as I was never any good at math. I purchased a USB mic thinking I was going to cure everything with the Room Correction Wizard and as soon as I opened the program, I was so overwhelmed I sent the mic back immediately!

I'm still trying to figure the efficiency ratings and frequency ranges of speakers and how all that works. Really, I just want good sound in a system that is matched up correctly. 

Thank you for sharing the HT website, I will see if I can figure it out, but I may be back to ask you your professional opinion again! (can I hire you?)

I will be keeping the CSib for some time now as it's in getting the current adjusted to the V1 configuration as well as a new set of caps as we speak (might as well get a full tune-up whilst in). I would like to follow up with some new speakers, probably something much more efficient, something I don't have to play so loud to enjoy.

Thank you too maplegrovemusic. I have heard good things about EP's as well, Is there a particular model you recommend?

I am thinking of starting a new thread about dilemma and see where that leads...Stay tuned. 


high-amp  I currently have the Tempo VI  right now . I am selling them to upgrade to a larger model . I am not sure what will come up at the time I am ready to pull the trigger . The tempos I have retailed for $5500 . And I really like this model . There is a Classic 30 I believe here on Audiogon . At the 3k to 5k pricepoint I would definitely want to hear a speaker in a lineup to make sure I like their sound signature .Pretty much all companies entry level on up share the same sound .
Hey MGM, so 30 pairs of speaker in the last few years. Sounds like, let alone the 

  In the last few years I have been on a journey with equipment , Over 30 pairs of speakers . There has been one pair with me from the start , they are King Sound King v1 electrostats . They have and will be lifelong speakers .