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Speaker Questions and Recommendations

Let me preface my comments by saying I am not aggressively looking for new speakers but I am always thinking ahead. With that said I have started to give some thought to what might be next. Here is my current set up:

Dynaudio Contour S 3.4 LE speakers
REL T9i subs (pair)
Prima Luna Dialogue HP Premium Integrated Amp
Dr. Feikert Volare turntable with Jelco tonearm and Lyra Delos cartridge
Manley Chinook phono preamp
Innuous Zenith music server
Lumin T2 Streamer
Roon
Bryston CD Player
AudioQuest Niagara 1200 Power Conditioner
Listening room fairly small (13’ wide; 16’ long; listening positing about 8’ from the speakers)

All of the components above are new to me over the past two years with the exception of the Dynaudios and the Bryston CD player. I mostly play vinyl and prefer it to streaming or CD’s. My music tastes are folk, country rock, rock, singer songwriter and some jazz. I tend to prefer quieter music these days but still rock some Zeppelin or Deep Purple from time to time. 
I have been very happy with this current array of components. I like the Dynaudio sound and the overall warmth the tube amp provides. The addition of the subs and the Manley Chinook really brought everything together to my ears.  So with all that said, why am I even thinking about what’s next in speakers? There isn’t a good reason. I like to do a lot of research before I buy anything so my process could take a couple of years. i have thought a lot about stand mounted speakers and have read in some circles that they might provide an improvement in sound over floorstanders when combined with the subs.  I would say my budget is around $6,000 (note I paid less than that for the Dynaudios used). It would be great to spend less for an upgrade in sound but I don’t know if that is possible. 
Anyway, I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, recommendations and commentary regarding stand mounted, floorstanders or anything else. I am biased towards smaller in physical size but value the sound over everything else. 
Thanks in advance.
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
I will tell you my story. I had a beautiful pair of Rosewood Dynaudio Contour 5.4 speakers I thought I'd keep until I died. But, I couldn't get over the feeling that I had unfinished business with Tannoy. I  sold my Dynaudios, and set about building a pair Tannoys, I used  HPD 315 drivers and crossovers (12" Dual Concentric).

I came out with a pair of speakers that are 150 liters, 48" H X 17" W X 20" D. Each cabinet weighs 192lbs. sans speakers and crossovers. They are bass reflex. The Tannoys beat the the bejeesus out of the Dynaudio's.

So, I suggest you try listening to some Tannoys before you decide.

Best regards,
Dan


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puppyt OP
95 posts
 
@jbhiller 

I would love to attend an audio show. I also saw that RMAF in Denver takes place in October as well so that would be another option. You hit the nail on the head when you said sometimes we have to listen to new stuff!

@islandmandan 

Those speakers sound like beasts! How would you generally describe the Tannoy sound as compared to the Dynaudio sound?
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
Puppyt, the Tannoys do a better job of making the scale of music closer to realistic sounding. They are not miracle workers though, very few loudspeakers approach that ability.

I remember when I first got my drivers and crossovers. I propped the Tannoys up on their sides next to the Dynaudios. Just sitting on the floor, they outdid the Dyns by a large margin. And, they sound better in their cabinets.
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puppyt OP
95 posts
 
Great story @
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mijostyn
8,224 posts
 
Nice job puppyt, very balanced. 

I do not think going to stand mounts is going to do much. To get a significant improvement I think you are going to have to spend more than $6000. Magico S3's cost $22,000. Sound Labs 545 $13,000 (a tight fit but doable). There is the Vandersteen Treo at $8000 which I think would be a worthy step up. The Magneplanar 3.7i will not work well in your room. 

I would spend more time window shopping and saving.


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