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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
gmercer
193 posts
 
Focal Sopra 1 and 2 are fantastic, and

Ensemble Ondiva - these blew me away at Munich HiFi 2019. If you are looking for an intimate speaker it may not get better than these at any price. They are not floorstanders however, they fill a room and are really big (in sound) for monitors. Highly recommend giving them a try!
mdalton's avatar
mdalton
458 posts
 
Two more to consider:

Avalon Acoustics-  A close friend of mine has the Indra Diamond, which is above your budget I believe, but the Eidolan is not.  These are really beautiful - probably need some power to drive however.

Acoustic Zen - I have the Adagio Jr. in my second system, and love then.  That’s way under your budget, and not a floorstander, but the Crescendo II is just under the top of your budget.
aj523 OP
362 posts
 
@mdalton 

Ty but I just can't take on anymore lol. Almost 60 different speaker recommendations all claiming to meet the stated objectives.  Im shocked there hasn't been much consolidation in the industry. 
mdalton's avatar
mdalton
458 posts
 
hah! You seem to be having so much fun I thought i’d add to the list.  I think everyone would get a kick out of an updated list with interim observations - a “league table” as it were.  Best regards.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
So the other night I put on Springsteen The Ghost of Tom Joad. Several of these like Highway 29 are pretty much just Bruce sitting there playing his string guitar. The sound is exactly that, as if Bruce is right there in the room. Could hardly be more intimate. 

Then I put on Doug MacLeod, Exactly Like This. Same thing, very intimate, like he's right there. Right size, right everything. 

Nancy Bryan, Lay Me Down, holy smokes! Not all of them are small and intimate, but the ones that are wow, never heard better. 

So what are these speakers that create such a wonderully intimate 2 channel listening experience? Tekton Moabs. Just get em.
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