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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
romney80
150 posts
 
By now, you might have got 50 or 60 recs. Let me add my 2 cents. 
I was recently in similar situation: started at 10K and moved unto 15K. I might have auditioned at least 15 speakers. Ultimately you have to audition what you buy. You will thank everybody who have recomended Aerial acoustics 7T. This is one the "best speakers not many have heard". I have upgraded my source to > 25K but never felt like changing speakers: they are just amazing sounding. Others to consider, assuming you will get some deals: B/W 802 D3, Dynaudio confidence 30, audiosolutions Figaro XL (very biggg).. Good luck. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The OP started August 14th. Its now a month later. Hope that time was well spent waiting on Eric to build Ulfs with all Be drivers. 
steve59's avatar
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steve59
1,781 posts
 
in that price I went with a newer pair of meridian dsp 8000 because I was getting frustrated with the component and room inconsistency messing with the sound. Not for everyone for sure and not much room for tweaking if thats your thing. Amazing presentation at the used prices they can be had for.
sumadoggie's avatar
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sumadoggie
62 posts
 
Golden Ear Reference.  bing bang boom popcorn.

steve59's avatar
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steve59
1,781 posts
 
I'm going to get a couple old metal garbage can lids, remember those? and march down the street banging them together shouting persona 7f next time paradigm runs the 20% sale.

The Kef and Revel reference speakers I had were really tricky to power with end result me reselling because my amp didn't allow them to reach their potential. a couple brands I've been pleasantly surprised with because they actually sounded good when I brought them home were the Usher be20 dmd, very nice, but large and heavy, and now the persona 7f speakers that if you can find them used have gotten down to the $15k price. My wife thinks they're pretty and for all the people that say paradigms burn their ears off, haven't listened to the persona line yet. 

Reading the reviews of the Kef Blade if you have the room and right components sound like world beaters, the part that keeps me away is after spending all that coin on speakers they need to play nice with my existing components.
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