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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
rodge827's avatar
rodge827
619 posts
 
Most of those very expensive speakers are way over priced to begin with! Opened up a pair of B&W 801s many years ago and could not believe the cheap crossover parts used. Same for Snell CV awesome sound from vey poor parts and cheap drivers. Most of the cost for advertising, shows, dealer markup, are rolled into the high price tag. Then there is the psychological aspect of “Hmmm if they  are that expensive they must be awesome...” My mantra is sift through the hype and always listen before you buy!!! 
hsw
37 posts
 
At the $10-25k price point, I think aesthetics, service and how you connect with your dealer are just as important as the sound. Fortunately there are numerous dealers in the greater NYC area. The only question is how exhaustive you intend your search. I went to quite a few in NYC and the key thing for me was dealer rapport. You have to find someone you think gets your taste and whom you trust. 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Get a used pair of the latest Quad ESL's for about $5K. Add a used Pass amp and you're done! The new Quad's beat all dynamic speakers for imaging and transparency! 
Post removed 
aj523 OP
362 posts
 
@roberjerman 

For some reason the admin deleted my response maybe because I cursed slightly but whatever.  So while Quads were at the top of my list, there are 3 reasons why they won't work for me.

1.  The Quads would be placed no more than 2-3 feet away from a back wall of all windows and I called Quad and their own technical guy told me, with this particular dipole design, it could be a huge mistake and didnt recommend that placement (but that's all that works in my room).

2.  The used Quads like the 2912 and its smaller sibling had major issues and were falling apart so Quad had to fix probably everything imported into the US, and then stopped importing to fix the issue; I heard they will be importing again towards End of summer/Fall, so I wouldnt want to risk even $5k on a defective product even if refurbished.

3. Perhaps the biggest issue is that my fiancee took one look at them and said quote, "I'm pretty tolerant with all your audio stuff, but there is no way you are putting these things in my living room" unquote  but with a few expletives left off. 

So maybe at some future point.

 


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