Of the ones you heard, I'd go with the Magnepan 3.7 but as a couple of other people have posted, the GoldenEar speaker line is damn good. I have the Triton 2+ and these will be the last speakers I ever buy.
Your thoughts on my quest for new speakers
I know this has been asked many times on this forum, but I would really like some input on my quest for new speakers. I am currently running a Hegel 160 with Linn Majik 140 floor standing speakers and a Rythmik sub to fill out the bottom end. I use the Hegel's built-in Airplay to stream Tidal (Hi-Fi only) to the Hegel. I tried the Bluesound Node recently and found it actually decreased the sound quality, so I removed it from the system. It seems the consensus is that Tidal Hi-Fi Plus is not worth the extra $10/month. I listen to all types of music - with a focus on well produced recordings.
My listening room is a 30' x 13' rectangle with 9' ceilings and pretty good acoustics (I think). The speakers are on a 13' wall.
Overall I am happy with my system and get a lot of pleasure out of listening to it. But like many of us, I get the itch every now and then and wonder if I could improve the sound in some way. I think the Hegel is a solid contributor to good sound, so I plan to keep that and replace the speakers (although the Hegel 390 certainly is tempting).
Regarding price, I am willing to pay for good sound, but I subscribe to the theory of diminishing marginal improvement, i.e. $20k speakers are not twice as good as $10k speakers. My sense is they are maybe 10% better (if that). But let's not make this discussion about that. My sense is $10k should get me speakers that are a solid upgrade from the Linns, but that is just a guess.
I am fortunate to leave near John Rutan's shop (Audio Connection) in NJ and spent a few hours with him last week. He (as many of you know) is high on Vandersteens. We listened to the Quattros for a while and they are great, but probably more than I want to spend and they would require I replace the Hegel as well. We also listened to the Magnepan 3.7s and I was very intrigued with them - they really envelope you in the sound. I am going back to listen to the Vandersteen Treos next week.
I listened to the 8 series B&Ws yesterday and really liked the 805s and 804s (I like the 801-803 as well, but too expensive). They are also aesthetically pleasing, but that is not as important as the sound (of course). I also listened to the Majico A3s, but I didn't find the $ worth it for the sound.
I also will listen to QLN, Boenicke, Focal and Harbeth at Park Avenue Audio next week. The Boenickes really intrigue me. The Buchardt S400 MKIIs also interest me, but wonder whether they are enough for my large room (even with the sub)? I like that I can listen to them in my home for a period to be sure I like them. They would be a nice low cost option.
So I would love to hear your thoughts on a good choice for me. As I said, I think $10k is enough, but if there are some $15k speakers that would be a quantum leap forward, I would consider them. I am open to used as well.
Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts.
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This may help a bit but feel free to discount anything I say as I bought my first system a little over a year ago. Got most of insights off this sight and a couple others . I just retired and covid drove me into this hobby, I really enjoy it. I have a Hegel H360 , Lumin T2 (my dac and streamer) , QLN P5 s. Very simple. I looked at all but a couple of the brands mentioned . I would have bought new P3s but the P5s were available used. Make sure you look at the QLNs 1s, 3s, and 5s. I think they are the best. Harbeths were great but the QLN bass is much better in the 3's and 5's IMHO. Audioman is exactly right - you need to clean up your digital front end and forget Airplay and the Hegel Dac. Been down that road and immediately got off it. Also, if you like the Hegel 390 you could save a few thousand and buy the 360 . They're very close but the 390 has a better Dac, which I wouldn't use either. Best of luck to you.
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Linn makes pretty darn good speakers. Instead of pursuing new speakers, have you thought of trying another Integrated brand? And here is why, consider the cost of new speakers, WAF and not to mention the new set of speakers may eventually trigger the purchase of another integrated. Unless you absolutely hate Linn 140’s, I would try auditioning few modern integrated like Cambridge Audio EVO 150. PS: If you’re dead set on replacing your speakers then please add Horning speakers to your audition list, speak to Jeffrey at High Water Sound. |
With 10,000 bucks, which you make reference to, you could and should sell both the Hagel and the Linns and buy yourself a pair of either the Tannoy Cheviots or even the Ardens. They will certainly fill that space. Pair the Tannoys with either a Sugden A21se or even a Masterclass Class A integrated amplifier. Then buy yourself an external Dac, preferably one of the Border Patrol R2R Dacs. I think you will be a happy camper. This recommendation will most certainly exceed 10k, but if you sell what you got, you can make up the difference. I say this, because I own the Tannoy Eatons paired with the Sugden A21se, and that combo set me back almost 9k... https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/sugden-masterclass-anv-50-integrated-amplifier https://www.sugdenaudio.com/ia-4-integrated-amplifier |
- 99 posts total