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Wanting to get back into the hobby and want to start with the speakers.

Hi everyone. Last year I went to a couple of local Hi-Fi shops and demoed two vastly different types of speakers. The first shop I went to I demoed the JBL L 100 Classic, the second place I demoed two different pairs of Magnepan speakers the MMG and the .7. To my ears both Magnepan’s wiped the floor with the JBL’s. Funny thing is the JBL was being driven by about ten grand worth of McIntosh gear and the Magnepan’s were driven by inexpensive Marantz gear. Now since hearing the Magnepan’s every darn box speaker sounds well......boxy. It’s like they all have this hollowed out muffled midrange. If not for a few reservations I’d probably own a pair of either of the Magnepan’s. From what I’ve read on forums and reviews the consensus seems they require space/careful placement. Though, somewhat of a controversial topic is how much power they require to get up and running. Some say you can never have too much power with them, others say they get by just fine with fifty watts per channel. I guess I won’t know unless I try them.

To switch gears I went a demoed another species of loudspeakers today, two different pairs from the Klipsch Heritage line. The Heresy IV and the Forte III. Both sounded pretty darn good, they sounded similar in the mid’s and high’s, but of course the Forte’s cover about another octave in the low end. Regardless they both still sound like boxes with a bunch of drivers jammed in it( which they are).

Now like any self respecting obsessive audiophile I’m always reading reviews and scouring the internet for other popular speakers to seek out and listen to. A few others I am interested in are Tekton speakers, Harbeths( specifically the p3esr), Vandersteen( either the 1ci or 2ci.), and to throw another curve ball in there a pretty obscure brand called Human speakers. The have a stand mount speaker called the model 81( a sealed two way acoustic suspension, maybe sounds less boxy, dunno). The only ones I would be able to demo in person are the Vandersteen’s, but I’d have to drive about 3-6 hours just demo them.
Anyway, sorry for rambling on, and for overuse of commas. Any suggestions, advise, and or personal experience with any of the above speakers mentioned would be appreciated, thanks.

qxb1998
donvito
400 posts
 
In those size rooms the sealed Harbeth P3ESR would be a perfect fit. There are other LS3/5a type designs from Spendor, Stirling, Falcon, etc. , but I doubt you would go wrong with the Harbeth. I’ve been enjoying mine for years!
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=harbeth+p3esr+review&docid=608045662863296517&mid=5D7EB69CCEBBAAE793AF5D7EB69CCEBBAAE793AF&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
abnerjack
204 posts
 
Go with the maggies.  Either of your rooms is fine for the Magnepan.  I have the 1.7's and love them.

It appears that Dave,  posting under audiotroy only likes speakers that he sells.  
kenjit
1,771 posts
 
It is called jern a tiny compact monitor with perhaps the most inert cabinet ever made cast iron and graphite
Iron is not inert it rings like a bell. If you want inert you will need a concrete wall at least 12 feet thick. Anything less is a compromise. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,768 posts
 
Cast iron seems pretty inert on the OMA plinths.
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
The Adcom amps are solid- Nelson Pass helped design them.
I had them for decades. They still worked when I sold them 30 years later.
As far as speakers go, I think you need to set aside some time and visit as many dealers as possible. That way, you can assess what you like and dislike, and in doing so, narrow your focus.
B
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