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~$15K floorstanders: opinions sought

There a chance I'll be able to make a significant investment in my speakers within a few months, and jump from $4K/pr Focal 926 to something in the 10-15K range. I'm running krell gear and have no intention of changing electronics, they are perfectly suited to my ears - - but if new speakers expose weaknesses, then I'll tackle that later.

Here's the thing: aesthetics matter to me, a lot, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I love my art and home and music is a huge part of my lifetime joy. These are some of the brands /models that I personally think are beautiful, and I'd love to hear from folks who could speak to a possible pairing with Krell. I like precision, speed, clarity, and firm bottom. 

Room is approx 18x20x9. New or used is ok.

Von Schweikert Endeavor SE
Vienna Acoustics Klimt The Music
Magico S3
JBL Synthesis (4700, 9900, etc.) 
Spatial (loved the demos I heard but not sure if OB would work in my space)

Appreciate any insight, despite the aesthetic emphasis. 
wassaicwill
hmongon's avatar
hmongon
3 posts
 
If you can get them go for Wilson Benesch, British high end speakers. I had the ActOne for years but like you wanted looks AND performance in all depts, so bought 2nd hand pair of Chimera. 
All carbon fibre, beautiful curves, only 7 inches across the front. New £24k  can be found for £6-12k. With your Krells they will be awesome. I have mine spiked on to steel cups on to black granite. 
One German review gave then 99%/100.
laserjock1963
139 posts
 
Some Walnut Revel F338Be 
tk21
238 posts
 
JansZen Valentina A8 (active) or P8 (passive).
https://janszenaudio.com/

These are hybrid electrostatics. New ones are built to order, sold only from the company direct, with a 30 day return policy.  Used may be very hard to find.
 
rosscr
8 posts
 
If aesthetics do matter to you, it is worth listening to (and looking at) the Sonus Faber options in your price range.  
fleschler
2,008 posts
 
$15K - Too many to choose from.  I prefer a used speaker (discounted of course).  It all depends on your sound requirements as well as aesthetics.  2nd generation $30K speakers can be bought for nearly half price, 3rd generation $100K speakers can be bought for 1/4 price very often.  Do you want a speaker which is geared toward a single listener or wide dispersion of a stable image?   You state you prefer precision, speed, clarity, and firm bottom end.  You don't want Magnapans unless you add a subwoofer.  The first three speakers have deep bottom ends but for all your requirements, I doubt the JBLs fill the bill as to precision, speed and clarity,  There are some superior high end speakers which have major discounts because they are 5 or 10 years old.  Nothing wrong with buying used speakers.  Good ones last many decades.
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