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Pondering a change after 30 odd years...

After 30 years I think it's time to move on. I have a set of Acoustat 1+1s that I've owned since new, paired with an RHLabs passive sub. It's been a great combination and still sounds pretty nice but it's all long in the tooth. Sooner or later a panel will quit then I'm dead in the water. I love the soundstage with it's "fullsized" presentation even if it's a PITA to get them dialed in just so. Maybe I'm just getting restless! I've heard many "box" speakers but damn no matter the price point it seems I can hear the "box". Granted I haven't listened to some of the big $$ stuff like Wilson but that's way outside my budget anyways. LOL! I'm wondering how some of the smaller "monitors" on stands sound? One thing I'm thinking I'd miss is the vertical part of my large soundstage. I've read about the Golden Ear line which get decent reviews. Or should I just stick with a panel of some sort, like Maggies? I've about 110 watts/side of tube power to work with. As for budget, I'm thinking somewhere in the $5-7.5K range. I'm listening to a lot of jazz these days with a dash of classical. But I'd hate to think my old rock vinyl wouldn't be welcome anymore. I know this is all pretty vague but hoping to get a nice discussion with things to think about versus "buy this" sorts of recommendations. AdThanksVance!
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tweak1
3,664 posts
 
What makes the 1 +1s so attractive is they are slim almost disappear, but Maggies are both wide and tall, they look more like doors
tuberculin
81 posts
 
I used the Acoustat service guy, if this the us one in Florida. He did an excellent job on my TNT-120 MOS-FET power amp.
If you are really wanting a very good stand mount monitor, look into the .ATC line of consumer monitors. They are a good value, excellent detail and sound stage. Their flat impedance curve gives them excellent linearity. I have the SCM 19s and am very satisfied.
musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349 OP
236 posts
 
@ tuberculin, I think FL is where the company was originally located? In any case, not that I don't appreciate the tip thank you, but shipping from Seattle would likely be twice what the speakers are worth. I'm not known especially for my rational decisions but even I have to draw the line somewhere. ;^)
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I’ll jump off a cliff and give a nod to giving active monitors a listen. You might hate them but that’s where I ended up. Since you already have subs see if there’s a pro shop around with some Genelec the Ones you can try or any other pro monitors. 
musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349 OP
236 posts
 
Last night my wife and I sat by candlelight and listened with some adult beverages (Macallan12 for me, Zaya rum for her) and let Amazon lead the way. Although it was the Diana Krall channel, they play a bit of everything from Ella to Nat King Cole to Sinatra along with some modern stuff like Krall, Gregory Porter, Norah Jones and Jamie Cullum. Okay, so you guys will likely flame me for this... but as I sat there in the dark listening, it occurred to me that I don't really need or even want to swap out my speakers for something else. Ella was there in the room. When I'd open my eyes I'd see that the speakers weren't where my ears were telling me they were, such is the soundstage. I'm still, after all these years, utterly delighted with these speakers! So, I thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. (I'm still intrigued by the Spatials.) OTOH, sometime soon I'll be going to FL to pick up my late pop's rig: Jadis, B&W Matrix (yes, the ugly ones) VPI and more... That'll be a whole new adventure! Cheers all and thanks again...
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