Picking Speakers 20k-30k


Recently built a HiFi System with much help from this site, now I’m looking at upgrades.  Strongly considering an all-Aavik system but looking at speaker options before I pull the trigger on anything, hence the following question: If you were buying new speakers in the 20-30k range (used or new), what’s on your shortlist?  Bonus points if you have suggestions based on synergy with Aaviks electronics.

If it helps the conversation: 21’X 19’ treated listening room with cathedral ceiling. Listen to a wide variety of music.

thanks for your expertise!

128x128brewerslaw

If it were me, I would not rush to buy speakers in that price range. Too many good choices and I would take my time to get the best one for me. I would travel to dealers and have them set up speakers/equipment based upon my conversations with them. My environment, my musical preferences etc. I would also go to a few shows. After this I would narrow down my possible choices.

Additional detail would be helpful, such as any placement restriction (can the speakers be placed well away from the back wall or side walls, or do they have to be in the corner), how far away is the seating area, is the priority ideal sound for a very small seating spot or must the speaker sound good over a wide area, any restriction on size and appearance (e.g., can it be a large panel speaker), what kind of sound are you looking for (examples of what you heard and liked would be helpful), is ability to play loud a priority or is the ability to sound very good at lower volume a priority)?  These are some of the considerations that would factor into suggestions on what to hear.  

@larryi current speakers (Persona 3f) are about 4 feet from side walls and 2 feet from back wall.  Seating is about 10 feet in front.  Generally listening from the seating position so that’s the priority but I wouldn’t turn down options that fill the room with great sound if it’s not at the expense of the seated experience. We’d prefer to maintain the current room orientation (it faces the windows with the best view) so size restriction is only that the speakers fit between the windows).  I’ve auditioned the Martin Logan ESL 15a and 11a and didn’t really connect with the sound despite being very resolving.  The 15a was immediately followed by the KEF Blade 2 Meta which was much more up my alley.  “Loud” is a tough one to answer.  I think I play them pretty loud but one man’s “loud” is another’s “quiet”. 200 watt amp played between -35 to -30 db on 92 db speakers if that gives you some sense. 

Im spending about 20k DIYing a few horns. In my opinion, if you have a bit of skill your funds go much farther and you get better end results than buying product that's not even designed for your use, system, room, decor, budget, and listening tastes. After all the best-fitting suit isn't one you buy off the shelf, the best home isn't a factory-built one, It's a custom -tailored that's the best.

 

here are a few, I went up to over 40 as you can find it for 30K used:

brand name model price K$ sensitivity imp dim1(mm) dim2 dim3 weight(kg)
Acora Acoustics SRB 48 92 4 360 450 1090 118
Joseph Audio Pearl 20/20 Graph 44 86 8 1090 280 450 70
B&W 801 D4 38 90 8 1221 451 600 100
KEF Blade One Meta 35 88 4 1590 363 540 57
Audio Physic Cardeas 33 89 4 1280 250 430 59
Spendor Classic 200 28.3 89 8 1117 368 513 55
Rockport Atria II 26.5 87 4 1090 330 510 72
Focal SOPRA N°3 26 92 8 1264 402 595 7.1
Reference 3a Sema Zen 25 93 8 1680 340 730 100
Soundkaos Liberation 25 96 6 600 320 1020 40
Børresen 01-sse 25 86 6 368 184 415 11.5
Dali DALI EPICON 8 24 89 5 1225 264 485 47.5
Amphion Krypton3/3 24 89 4 1370 330 480 70
Revel Salon2 24 86 6 1350 360 580 66.3
ProAc K10 23 92 4 1500 300 460 57
Harbeth M40.3 XD 23 86 6 750 432 388 38
Kharma ELEGANCE S7 22 86 8 970 360 550 50
Usher TD-10 22 91 8 370 730 1180 70
Salk BePure 3 20 88 8 280 440 1160 60

 

 

obvious heavyweights are Joseph, Magico, SF, Marten, Wilson, Vandersteen, Devore, it's along list in this price range