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New speakers dilemma for vinyls... Heeelp! :)))

My dear hifi lovers,

In a while I'm going to pull the trigger for a pair of new speakers, in 6000$ range.
My new system will be focused on a Pass Labs XA25 and a Rega Planar 6, I'll have to test both Ania and Exact cartridges as I don't know yet what to choose.
I was looking on the web for recommendations related to vinyls for speakers in such a cost range but found literally nothing. My system will be fully analog, 80% lps, 20% cds. So far I auditioned the Klipsch Forte IV and Sonus Nova 3, very different but both amazing for different reasons. I slightly preferred the Nova as for me the bass is the most important thing. The Forte had a decent one but don't go deep enough, hope to hear the Cornwall IV soon and find that amount of low frequencies missing with the Forte. Unfortunately the dealer couldn't provide a turntable for the listening. This month I'm still auditioning:

Revel Performa3 F208
Focal Kanta 2
Cornwall IV
Spendor A7
Dynaudio Evoke 50

In a first moment I was also strongly considering the Tekton DI's and Volti Razz, they're both still on the list but unfortunately I can't test them because I'm in EU and in addition I'll have to pay tax duties (but this won't be a problem if these speakers are really the best choice).
Anyway even if for next auditionings there will probably be a turntable, It's always hard to get what's better sounding. I have 1000 records and can't test all of them, plus I can't know which one has a solid registration or not.
Does any of you have experience with speakers in a such cost range, using a turntable? And btw did any of you try also the Ania or the Exact?
Please feel also free to recommend any other speakers i didn't mention, I'm extremely flexible and open to any suggestion (excluding Dac).

Thanks!!!
adversam
adversam OP
73 posts
 
@oldaudiophile thanks again for sharing your cleaning system. Regarding the F208, the dealer used a Teac preamp nt500b with a jeff rowlands 625 s2... No idea, probably just bad sinergy, more likely the speakers needed more hours for breaking in... They sounded really compressed and with no emotion. Also the bass that was supposed to be the Revel's strenght was muddy and slow. Anyway, I was curious the hear the Revels, but after the inputs I'm receiving on this thread, I will update my list considering just high efficiency speakers. At the moment CW IV that I still have to audition in august, the Focal Kanta (at 91db is still decent) and Volti. Still hope to get on this thread some more feedbacks related to Volti Rivals'. Can't demo them, but I have like the sensation that Greg does unbelievable speakers. And in a couple of months he's going to introduce the new Rivals'!
oldaudiophile
320 posts
 
Interesting! Not familiar with Jeff Rowlands amps or Teac preamps. Regardless, I'm very surprised at your findings of the F208 under those circumstances. The specifications for the JR are very impressive and 325 watts into 8 ohms should have been more than enough to push the F208 to what they are designed to deliver. The F208 have a tweeter and low frequency compensation switches on the back of the cabinet. Perhaps those were not dialed in correctly. You are likely correct about the faulty matching of those components and/or the F208 not being broken-in. All the more reason to do critical listening or auditioning under controlled conditions (e.g. size & dimensions of sound room; acoustics of same; listening position; proper speaker placement; component matching; etc.). Generally speaking, high-end audio shops should not be auditioning speakers or anything else, for that matter, that hasn't been properly broken-in. Regardless, this is always a good question to ask. My present 2 channel speakers took approximately 75 to 90 hours to break-in. It wasn't until they passed around 30 hours before all thoughts of the possibility of bringing them back passed. A good question to keep in mind, especially when shopping for speakers, is the audio shop's return policy. Make sure you'll have enough time to judge new speakers at home and bring them back if you are not totally satisfied with them.
adversam OP
73 posts
 
@oldaudiophile I think you re perfectly right. They sounded so weird that probably were even wrongly dialed in. The amp was a powerhouse and I also heard raving opinions regarding this speakers' measurements. Plus I asked the guy for how many hours they played, he replied: "few hours"... I had like the feeling that they came straight from the box, to be honest... 
adversam OP
73 posts
 
@ oldaudiophile btw now I'm really curious to know which speakers you have in your system:) if I can ask...
oldaudiophile
320 posts
 
Speaker specifications & measurements are, relatively speaking, not very helpful. Sometimes, those specifications & measurements are obtained in an anechoic chamber. Every speaker's performance is going to be affected by the size, dimensions and acoustic properties of the room you play them in; not to mention a host of other factors, as well (e.g. placement; listening position; power & other sources; etc.).

As I normally do prior to any substantial cash outlay for a new component, I spend months (sometimes a year or more) doing lots of reading & research before actually scheduling critical listening sessions. If you're interested in my madness, check out "Sequel to 'Time to Upgrade Speakers'" in the Stereophile forums. If I recall correctly, I spent months in critical listening auditions (as controlled as I could get them) of somewhere around 18 different pairs of speakers, in something like 60 to 70 hours of serious seat-time before finally deciding to bring home a pair of Revel Performa3 F206. In the budget I had, those were the best I heard for my particular purposes (i.e. room; components; musical tastes; etc.). You should NOT let this influence you! More than any other component, speakers are a very subjective and personal choice. ALWAYS let YOUR EARS decide what sounds best TO YOU!    
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