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Speaker Upgrade ... Please Help Me

1st post on Audiogon so be gentle :)

I want to upgrade from my Paradigm 85F speakers. My headend  is the Gold Note DS-10 Plus Streamer\Dac\Preamp (with PSU-10 power supply) feeding into a Coda 8 amplifier. I listen mostly to Tidal but have a Marantz ND8006 if I want to listen to CD's. My room isn't great, "L" shaped with the speakers at the corner. It's 9.5" x 24" with 8.5" ceiling (open room beside). One speaker has no wall beside it and the other a window which I put a thick blackout curtain to reduce reflections. There are large rugs in all 3 sections. I have 3" x 3" burlap bags filled with Rockwool Soundproofing insulation in the corners behind the speakers. I listen to lots of male and female vocals (Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Jason Isbell etc.), Pink Floyd, Rage against the Machine, Tool, Chick Corea, etc. a wide variety for sure.


My budget is $10,000 to $15,000 Canadian which is $8,000 to $13,000 US$. I think the 85F's are a decent speaker and I want to make sure that the upgrade is easily noticeable. Do I need to save more to make a significance jump? What I want is a better speaker in all areas, tighter bass and more prominent mid range. I don't find the trebles harsh on the 85F's but then again my hearing is about 13K max. I have access to a medium amount of speaker selection but in-home demos aren't allowed.

First I listened to Opera Callis Divas, I loved the air between the instruments but I thought the low end was weak. The next was Aurum Cantus Genesis which was way over my budget (head-end was $$$$$ too) but the salesman wanted to give me a point of reference. It sounded amazing but at the same time it didn't draw me in musically, almost too analytical. Tried the Martin Logan ESL-11A and I don't think electrostatics are for me. Paradigm Persona 3F were nice but I guess I expected more. Really liked the Focus Kanta 3 but thought they were a little expensive and really didn't like the looks. The Paradigm 120H I liked too but I have a hard time buying speakers with built-in amps, It just seems like a point of failure and that I wouldn't be using my amp to the fullest. Not sure why the 120H stood out, it seemed I didn't care about the details and just got lost in the music, I also like the idea of ARC to help with the room. Next on the list is Legacy Signature SE's and maybe B&W. All the above were with different rooms and electronics except the Personas and Kanta 3.

So my questions are

1. Having a long narrow room would speakers like the Kanta 3 and Legacy Signature be too large and overpower the room2. Are the speakers I'm looking at be a major upgrade to he 85F's or I should save more $$$3. Speaker suggestions that would work with my front end are welcome but I really would like to listen to them first and lots of brands aren't available here in Edmonton.
Thanks Audiogoners
tundratoad
james633
1,047 posts
 
Best thing you can do is buy used on here. If you buy used you can step up to the focal Sopra 2 (these need subs imo unless placed close ((24-36”))to the front wall which can be questionable for sound stage but ok in the right room). They go for about $10,000 USD used. 


I would add used wilson audio Sabrina’s to your list. They are a great speaker at their used prices of roughly $10,000. New they are a pass for me, just too pricy. There are a bunch of them on here right now. 


The Sonus Saber Olympica III is very close to the Sopra/Sabrina in performance and go for $7500 used (a few pairs on here too). The nova is the newer model and goes for $10,000 used. The nova and the older model are very close in performance.



The Revel 228be is another good speaker that flys under the radar for some reason. They are right in your price range new and “cheap” used at $6500. Like the Sopra I feel these needs subs unless placed somewhat close to the wall for room gain.
The 803d3 etc are bright for me. Good for a demo but hard on the ears when played loud for long. I feel the same way about top end Paradigm. 


1st chose for me would be the Sabrina then followed equally by the Sopra 2, Revel 228be, and Olympica III. If you are using subs I would move the Revel and Sopra ahead of the Wilsons. Just my opinion.
tundratoad OP
7 posts
 
Thanks everyone for their suggestions, too bad the brands listed for the most part are not in these parts. I think I can find the Dali's, Sonus Faber and maybe the Magneplanar but after the Martin Logan I'm not motivated.
axpert's avatar
axpert
124 posts
 
If available in Canada, check out GOLDEN EAR TECHNOLOGY.
The TRITON REFERENCE or the TRITON ONE . R. People don't talk about them much, which is unfortunate. A truly "full range" pair of speakers at realistic prices. Only come in one finish. If your not familiar with them you might catch reviews in TAS or STEREOPHILE. I think you'll be surprised
rbgator94
24 posts
 
Second the GE Triton One R… I have a pair and they are truly full range and I have been very pleased with them.. 
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,500 posts
 
This is interesting.  The Paradigm is a brighter speaker but your gear is tailored to temper it so I think that your system is well designed.  This means your should probably stick to speakers with a more forward sound profile.  Certain brands mentioned above (Spendor, Vandersteen, etc...) are much warmer than the Paradigms.  You may find that your system could be a but dark vs. what you are used to with some of these options. 

I really like the Kantas and the Sopras.  I think they are brilliant and would work well for you.  I am not sure how much better the Kantas would be but the Sopras are definitely a step up.  

Other options:

Magico A3
Used Magico S1 or S3s
Used Vivid Kaya 45 or new if you save ($18K USD)
Used YG Carmel IIs
Used Wilson Sabrinas or new they are a stretch like Kaya 45
VonSchweikert Endeavour e3 MK II

The most musical on this list are the Vivids and the Wilson's in my opinion but lets remember that my opinion is worth what you paid for it.  They are worth trying to hunt down though.  
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