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Floorstanding speakers - $2-3K

I am a retired 74 year old. One of my hobbies is, slowly but surely, improving my satisfaction from my “basement” stereo system.

I run Tidal Premium into Bluesound Nodi 2i > Denafrips Ares II > (recently purchased) Kinki Studio ex-m1. I also have a Classe AMP2 class D amp that I use without a preamp.

I recently started with a pair of ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 bookshelf speakers and the moved up to Wharfdale Evo 4.2s. The room is around 18 x 18 with 9 foot ceilings. I listen to a variety of music.

The UB5s were amazing for the price, and that also applies to the Wharfdales. I had considered a move up to the Wharfdale Evo 4.3 or 4.4, however, I would like to find a set of floorstanding speakers that encompass the strengths of the Wharfdale Evos but push the vocals just a little bit further forward in the soundstage...and possibly also a bit more lively.

In an attempt to save my back I would like to keep the weight of the speaker to <75lbs each.


chinook9
chinook9 OP
68 posts
 
Thank you for the recommendations.  I will continue checking them all out later today.

Note that the Kinki is a Class A/B amp and seems to be quite different and more likeable than the Class D Classe AMP2 which also has its strengths.

I will work on room treatments that I have separated off to some extent with leftover sheets of polyisocyanurate insulation board.  Two adjoining walls behind and side of speakers are solid, the wall opposite the speakers is 70% closed off and the 4th wall is open to the rest of the basement.  I can improve this quite a bit, I expect. 
tweak1
3,664 posts
 
A pair of Emerald Physics KCIIs would work well in that room
geared4me's avatar
geared4me
219 posts
 
Another worthy contender is the SVS Ultra Towers https://www.svsound.com/products/ultra-tower
gsm18439
895 posts
 
There are many great speakers available in your price range. But they can sound very different. SOIX gave the best advice regarding an in-home trial. The in-store experience is, at best, a rough approximation. Manufacturers that sell direct often have a 30+ day trial period. Brick and mortar stores will often loan speakers for a day or two.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
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