Picking Speakers 20k-30k

Don't forget your amplifier output....plus headroom power...

Full range type speakers aka Salon2s etc. need lots of power to create leading edge snap/punch.

This basic concept was given to me last weekend at the T.H.E. Show by a Pass Labs salesman.

"Scotty, I need more power"

"She canna take any more Captain...she's gunna blow"

@kokakolia my current room was set up with input from a dealer coupled with a room analysis from GIK when I added treatments. I believe the room is in decent shape. 

@headphonedreams I listen to a wide variety of music. Looking at my qobuz, the last few listening sessions are Sigur Ros, the National, Johnny Cash, Charles Mingus, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Hindi Zahra, and Blur. That's pretty normal. Soundwise, I'm hoping for a big soundstage, instrument separation and clarity (probably like everyone here) but a little less clinical and a little more musical than I'm currently achieving. My current system is my first hifi and I was blown away at being able to hear Gilmour's guitar in ways that made me realize there were sections I'd been misplaying for twenty years. I hope to not lose that kind of clarity

@brewerslaw For approx' five years I have been invited to take part in offering  assistance through supplying a set of ears, allowing for a broadened range of assessments on a Bespoke Tonearm Design that I now own.

In the early days I took along owned Tonearms and Vinyl LP's that are inclusive of Pink Floyd's - 'Wish You Were Here' and Roger Water's - 'Amused to Death'.

The continued visits have lead to only needing to bring along the Vinyl LP's and the two above are consistent.

Over the past five years the System has changed Speakers on a few occasions, and one Speaker change that took place approx' a year ago really was capable of showing of the merits of using this particular TA Design in its evolved state.

Other changes to the system has been a Own design Pre-Amp' and Phonostage. Each in use have aided the presentation to take a further Step toward, how does this get surpassed.

Most recently the Troels Gravesen Speakers (Illuminator 7751) were purchased and in use at the time of my visit. I lest scratching my head, there were Cabinet Speakers in the Room, but they were invisible when it cam to attempting to trace the source of the produced Sound. For me there was nothing falling short in the Soundstages Depth, Width and Headroom. The details, micro-detail and macro-detail produced was superb. If I had one thought that was noticeable from recollections of other used Speakers strengths, was that the envelope of the note/vocal produced was a little less visualised in forming with these Speakers. The owner made it known the Drivers are needing quite a few hour before evaluating these types of strengths being perceived.

When I learnt these Speakers were produced with the most basic of the X over Options and that a Upgrade Xover is available I was feeling very confident not much is out there that I will encounter that will easily surpass these.

When I also learnt that at the time a Xover Upgrade is added, the internal Cabinet Wiring is to be exchanged for PC Triple C Wire. I was absolutely sure the road travelled to surpass these speakers is going to need stop off's where Speakers are found with a £30K + Price Tag, with £50K models most likely being the price where competitors show their capabilities, strengths and attraction. 

Listening to 'Wish you Were Here' (the Track on the Vinyl LP), on this system, as  most recent encounter has allowed. Is what I will state, as being most attractive I have experienced it when replayed through any demo'd Cabinet Speaker.

As a result of what was experienced, and the perception being, the presentation is very ESL like, it might be the most attractive I have ever heard this replayed, whilst having a long-term keen interest in audio equipment.       

@larryi You write, "Maggies ... sound quite good when placed closer to the side wall than recommended, but, they do need space to the wall behind."

Agreed, that’s where they sound best. But I put my Magnepan Tympani 1a’s, which were 6’ tall and 4’ wide, just 2’ from some windows. With the curtains drawn, they still sounded good - not as good, I grant - but still better than anything else (with the possible exception of stacked Quad 57’s).

Magicio 2

fritz von lange

YG totem

those 3 speakers, especially the FRITZ von Langes caught my ears at AXPONA this year. The von Langes plumbed the depths, were shockingly small and imaged like crazy.