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Seeking advice on Speakers that create an intimate 2 channel listening experience

So the past month I started a couple of threads on speaker choice on AVS forum (One asked for Powered/Active floor standing Speaker choices and another one around non-active FS speakers for a tube amp I was looking at).

But I've come to realize this was the wrong tact, got lots of flack much deserved and wanted to try to solicit the advice/opinions on this forum which I just discovered.

Short background...Hunkered down in a suburb just outside NYC now for the past 3-4 months, I started to get the itch for a dedicated 2 channel stereo Turntable setup in our living room in May. After much research and twists and turns and immediate upgraditis, as some know on here from other posts, I've finally settled in and now own a Rega Planar 10 Turntable. I also own a Sutherland phono --20/20 with LPS and that's staying. Right now the phono preamp is hooked up direct to a pair of ELAC ARF51 floorstanding speakers (all drivers powered by built in AB amps) which I like a lot BUT ITS HERE THAT I WANT MORE. Btw, I love the ELAC design of mounting the tweeter concentric in the mid driver -- makes sense to me.  I kinda wish ELAC would take the same design and make a reference speaker but thats for another day.

So to swap out the ELACs, I will obviously need an amp, but I will figure that out later and want to focus on getting the right speakers for me for what I want. So what do I want?

1. Floorstanders. Close to full range as possible. No subs.
2. Looks count since in my main living room.
3. Speakers that prioritize Imaging Imaging Imaging. That disappear in the room creating an intimate but 3D listening experience. Clean (Accurate) warm sound. No distortion. I would easily sacrifice low end for untiring highs and warm mids I don't listen to metal or hiphop anymore so I don't need loudness, more like lounge experience if that makes sense. Apologize if I got the adjectives wrong but its personal description of what I'm seeking.
4. Price Point - -$10k-25k. Room is 22x18 with 25 foot ceiling

I would like to audition/demo before I buy and since I live in the Tri-State area it should be possible. But I'm finding that obviously difficult to do right now. I listened to a pair of Salk speakers but didn't love them. And have an appt with the Audio Doctor in NJ in two weeks.

Thanks in advance.
aj523
aj523 OP
362 posts
 
@terry9 

Yeah i really wanted the panels/electrostats especially the Quads, but was told by many that the 12 foot windows are a non starter.



larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,008 posts
 
Try Salk Audio.  Jim Salk sells direct so he can afford to build better cabinets and add better drivers and crossovers.  They are simply amazing and will blow Spendor out of the water.  I know the dealers that participate in this discussion would not like to hear this, but wait until you hear his speakers and compare them to speakers two to three times more expensive.
veerossi
169 posts
 
Tannoy Canterbury. Does everything great and pairs nicely with SET amplification. 

exron
111 posts
 
Look into a pair of the Spatial M3 Sapphires.  I think you will like them a lot.
flatblackround's avatar
flatblackround
279 posts
 
The adjective “intimate” is used by the OP and several of the respondents.  I’m wrestling with this in terms of describing loudspeakers.    I love my gear, but so far I haven’t been intimate with any of the various components.  (That’s a joke, so just let it go!) I believe it is more useful in describing various types of music and performances than an attribute of a speaker.  “Musicality” and “involving” come to mind.  I thought about  perspective,  but that is mostly recording related.  I don’t mean to hijack the thread, but audiophile terms are interesting and can be confusing.  What does this mean to you?
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