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Speaker suggestions please - going to the BIG city

I've received some excellent advice from this forum in the past and I'm hoping you can help with speaker suggestions.  I've had my Martin Logan Summit X speakers for five years.  In that time, I've updated all my components and cables, but not the speakers.  When I purchased them, I lived in a small town and it wasn't practical to travel to the big city to audition others; they were a strong suggestion from an audiophile friend.  I very much like them, but I have a hankering to upgrade, or at least consider other brands that will compliment my system (see below).  I don't want to change my Primaluna HP Integrated because I like it, and I recently upgraded all the tubes at a cost of $1300. 

I listen to jazz, female and male vocals, quartets, etc.; think Jewel, Melody Gardot, Nora Jones, Neil Diamond, Alison Krauss, etc.  Never hard Rock, and never overly loud. 

My room is about 18x25 with a vaulted ceiling and open behind the listening seat by another15 feet (the kitchen). 

I have an Axiom Audio sub in the system that I've also thought about replacing.  

I'm heading to Portland and Chicago in the next few weeks and have time to audition speakers.  I'd very much appreciate your thoughts on what would sound the best considering my music choices and Primaluna amp.  I know I could just listen to everything, but I'm hoping you can help me narrow the choices.

My system:
  • Martin Logan Summit X speakers
  • Holo Audio May DAC (Kitsune edition)
  • Lumin U1 music player
  • EtherRegen.
  • AfterDark clock and power supply for the clock and EtherRegen.
  • Roon Rock using a NUC that I built
  • Acoustic Zen Hologram II speaker cables
  • Acoustic Zen MC2 and Kimber Kable D60 digital cables
  • Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference II interconnects
  • OPPO 105D player for DVD and SACD disks (modified by Ric Schultz).
Thank you!
Steve

smills59
tablejockey
3,950 posts
 
I've heard PL stuff with many speaker combinations over the years, along with using a DLHP for 6.

Type of music listened to  is irrelevant. The HP will support most of the popular mid level value speakers mentioned here(up to 5K) or something getting serious $10K+? that's including everything thing below and in between.

The Summit X's are good at what they do. If that were my situation, I'd pick up a pair of nicer subs and make sure the speakers are positioned optimally.

The HP sounds great on stats or conventional boxes. Recently picked up some older ML Theos just to try out. While they're enjoyable, they aren't staying. I've decided if I'm a long term ML user, more recent models with  10" woofs are for me. Add  2 more subs and it's E ticket.

Before the ML's a 10 year old pair of Opera Seconda(poor guy Sonus Faber, Made in Italy) and REL B3's get the job done.

If I go conventional, I'm looking at Focal Kanta,Sopra..., older SF's or whatever nice looking box that catches both ears,eyes...and unfortunately wallet.

You will get suggestions all over the map on "what's best" 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
If you will be in Portland then I recommend a side trip up to Redmond where after hearing my Moabs you will realize you have found your speakers.   

Bonus, you will also be able to hear and compare:   

Townshend: Podiums, Pods, Supertweeters, and F1.   

Moneoone: Supernova and Nova power cords.   

All the latest Synergistic Atmosphere X: power cords, interconnects, speaker cable.   

Plus whatever wire or Player you bring, plus a lot of other stuff I am not at liberty to disclose on-line but that will have your head spinning and jaw gaping.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Thanks to @dweller  for getting the budget question out there and to you for answering it.

@soix 's post is pertinent. Your answers will be helpful.
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
Buy some Tannoys, you won’t go back. For that room, get the Arden Legacy, $4K each...
https://upscaleaudio.com/products/tannoy-arden-loudspeaker
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,803 posts
 
Won't give you a speaker recommendation. Will just tell you to visit Pro Musica in Chicago. Right down the street Wrigley Field (Clark street and Wrightwood). These guys are the "Music Monks" in Chicago from way back.
Other respectable dealers: Superior Audio (roughly Milwaukee & Chicago Ave), Music Direct (North side @ Ravenswood and Bryn Mawr) and Precision Audio Video @ Lawrence and Broadway.
Good hunting!
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