Speaker Suggestions $30K Sasha DAW competitor?


I have been contemplating some new speakers - I have Wilson Sasha 1's which sound fantastic, but the highs can be screechy on some songs.  I listen to rock, alternative, punk at concert volumes.  I am looking at the Sasha DAW's and ??  I just heard the Alexia V's - they are what I want, but they come with a $70K price tag - just too much - man did they sound absolutely stunning - I think they are THE BEST Wilson's in the entire line - if anyone has that kind of cash you should go hear them - stunning.    I wanted to consider the PS Audio FR30's (which I have not heard) before I made a final decision, and was going to Boulder to hear the FR30's, but PS mandates that you have to be vaccinated and boosted - my doctor said don't get the booster - PS can do whatever they want - but I draw the line on my health - so that one is out (I have their DAC and support has been great).  One of the reasons I liked the FR30 is the ribbon tweeter tech which I perceive might be good in that speaker - I find them pretty smooth (have heard similar tech in the Martin Logan stuff - and they are smooth indeed).   Not a fan of Magico, Sonus Faber or Elac - in my view and for my taste - they are not musical.  Looking for floor standers.  Thanking you all for your speaker input. 

plaw

If you find ML smooth you must find Magico and SF dead. or have a much more damped room than I use. 

concert level is not really the domain of a dome tweeter or frankly a ribbon…. IF that really is the requirement , i would be looking at a JBL. Best to you in your search and journey :-)

Jim

Screechy highs are usually attributed to the following:

1. Lack of room acoustic treatment

2. Speaker placement

3. Associated equipment - components and cables

4. Combination of all of the above

I have Wilson Sabrina and there’s zero harshness. At any listening level. If your room is not treated, don’t be surprised if you end up back in square one with new speakers. Can you list the rest of your system and describe your room acoustics?

Also the type of music you listen to…there’s just a lot of “hot” stuff there that’s going to sound harsher than the well recorded jazz, blues, rock or classical. That’ll be the trade off but you can mitigate it to a degree by addressing the items I mentioned above  

 

@plaw What amps are you using to control the Sasha 1’s? If it’s not optimal, a better amp can transform the way the speaker performs. Also agree with everything audphile1 says above.

I owned Wilson Yvette and also found no harshness. 

One speaker definitely worth auditioning if you can find them is the Verity Audio Amadis S.  Made in Canada they tend to fly under the radar but they ooze quality and produce some of the best sound I’ve ever heard and never harsh.  Here’s a review of the prior model,,,

https://www.ultraaudio.com/equipment/verity_amadis.htm

https://verityaudio.com/product/amadis/

Other excellent choices in your price range are Rockport Avior, Joseph Audio Pearls, and the beautiful Usher TD-20 (another one that flies under the radar with amazing value and sound right up there with Verity IMHO).  Last, and although under $20k I’ll add the Vandersteen Quatro that I think punches well above its weight.  Anyway, hope this helps, and best of luck.