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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
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!    
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
Speaker specifications & measurements are, relatively speaking, not very helpful.


no more useless than specs on other gear ... but the two to pay close attention to for speakers are:

-3db freq point for bass extension... (of course the room matters, and bass reinforcement from the room) but it is important to know how deep the speaker goes - critical to decide if subs are needed

impedance plot ... quoted ’nominal’ impedance is bull kaka... you need to see the minimum impedance and at what frequency with what phase angle, critical to match proper amplifier to speaker and avoid those amps that would not suffice
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649757700-volti-razz-speakers/

noticed these popped up in new jersey

somebody in tri state area go get em! 
adversam OP
73 posts
 
@jjss49 definitely a good recommendation!
uncleang
121 posts
 
@adversam, Reality is that it's hard to audition speakers in a showroom and extrapolate from that experience what they will sound like in your listening room.  Even more so 'se ti piace basso profondo'.
So do your research carefully for that big room they're going to live in.
I can't comment on all the suggestions that you've received as I've never heard most of them, and none of them in my basement which also has  a 7' ceiling.
I've owned the same speakers for 35 years! Ohm Walsh 4's.
One huge advantage of this model is that it can somewhat modified to suit your preferences and room acoustics by simply removing 4 wing nuts and unhooking one connector and that will give you access to the internal baffling inside the cabinet. Takes less than 2 minutes per speaker.
By experimenting on the depth, quantity, density and shaping of the baffling one can fine tune the speakers to ones preferences in their listening space. Huge advantage.
Ironically I happened upon this after the original baffling started to deteriorate.... I'd owned the speakers 15 years by then.
Here's the bad news, the current Ohm equivalent to my Walsh 4's is the Walsh Tall 3000... no wing nuts. The cans are screw mounted to the non removable base and I do not recommend messing around with these as you will quickly strip the screw holes and lose sealing.

Good luck Luigi.

Zio



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