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Hunt for new floor standers

Having sold my speakers, I’m in the hunt for a new pair of floor standers. I’m stepping up my game from the PSB Silver i’s that I had for years. I’d be interested in hearing from fellow Audiogoners about their suggestions for 2 channel, audio only towers. I’d like good bass response and prefer not to invest in a sub. Having said that, high end clarity is a must as well. Currently I’m using a tubed Rogue Super Magnum 99 preamp and a SS Belles 150A Hot Rod amp. In short time I may opt out of the Belles amp but for now it’s stays. I’ve auditioned the KEF R700 and the Sonus Faber Chameleons and liked them both but I’m not sure how either would play with my rig. My budget allows for mid $2K max and I’m OK with used equipment that’s been well taken care of. Insightful input is appreciated.
axspike
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,914 posts
 
The Revel recommendation is a good one also, Buddy has a pair w EL34 amp, quite good.
helomech
1,693 posts
 
I’ll research these suggestions tomorrow. Someone suggested I look into Quads. He said they don’t use an active woofer but rather a passive radiator style. A speaker cone but no coil. Does that minimize bass response for the benefit of those who want less bass and more mids and highs?
Some Quads have passive radiators in addition to their conventional woofers. The design is intended to augment the bass in a fashion similar to a port. The passive radiator is a concept intended to blend bass-reflex-like efficiency with some of the temporal texture and snap you’d typically get from a sealed box. IME, it doesn’t really succeed in practice and can indeed detract from overall bass output as you might have guessed.

I haven’t heard every type of this design and I’m sure they’re are good ones out there, I’ve just yet to encounter any that handle bass better than a conventional port would.
axspike OP
34 posts
 
tomic601...Thank you for the tip. Palm Beach is across the state, about 3+ hours from me. next time I'm on the East coast, I'll look into that shop...if this search lasts that long.
steve59's avatar
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steve59
1,776 posts
 
if you dont need rock concert levels I’ve had to go way above $2k to get more engaging speakers than the V A beethovens . There’s a few iterations and used can be found around your budget. Slightly recessed mids with a really clean tweeter and enough bass to make ya smile.
axspike OP
34 posts
 
The VA Beethoven's look gorgeous. Nice reviews as well. Someone has suggested the Quad 25L. Tough to find info on these. Anyone know about these?

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