Best set-up under $20K

I bought the Perlisten S7t speakers, with no regrets, at that price point (ish).

@larsman  big speakers (floor standers)

JBL M-2 speakers! See below:

Mike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQaWnY6l060

Without prejudice to the common sense basic tenet in this crazy hobby, that arbitrary high(er) $$ expenditure targets are no assurance of better audio performance because of (2) below :

(1) Big room = big speakers = floorstanders

(2) upstream electronics and cables = ? …an entirely variable broad arena to choose from because each brand has its own bespoke sonic signature.That’s an alchemy solution based primarily on individual biased personal taste that may be in constant tension with the overall “ system synergy” objective immediately below in (3).

(3) Of course, a strong nod towards selection governed by a plan to incorporate system synergy is the goal instead of any ad hoc individual component selection Frankenstein approach.

TAKEAWAY:

You have two binary choices as a new system platform selection tree:

(1) choose your speakers first,,,,, and only THEN go match up them up to best choosing the rest of your system, or; alternatively,

(2) Visa-versa ….. ergo: choose your upstream components first, BEFORE you consider the many speaker options.

Choose wisely.

The 803d3 is not worth the upgrade from the d2 imo. I heard them in the same room system. It is just a little more transparent and a little flatter but really the same speaker. The 802 is noticeably better in the bass but honestly I would just add subs if I owned the 803. The subs will be better anyway.

Some good suggestions above.

things I demoed in that price range below:

803d4 (too bright, lack of bass, the 802D4 was much better in the bass but still bright, both had amazing soundstage. The 802D4 made male vocals sound a little thin.

Revel 328be (really good, no real flaw, could use more sub bass)I bought the 228be and use subs after this demo but sold them after about 1.5 years)

Revel Salon 2 (a special speaker but pushed my budget and I was worried about how old the design was).

Wilson audio Sabrina (Not bad but could not play as loud as I like. Some oddness in the 3k range (cone break up?) good but then I heard the bigger models lol…

Sonus Faber Nova 3 (5 was not on the floor). Enjoyable speaker but leaves some resolution on the table. Looks amazing.

Klispch La Scala IV. Not sure about this one. Has potential but comes with some oddities. Needs subs for sure.

Kef Reference 3 (flat with good soundstage, really dull highs, lacked dynamic slam, just average sounding to me.

I ended up with a pair of JBL 4367 and could not be happier. They are the lazy man’s M2 (no special amps needed). They are as detailed as the B&Ws but smooth like the Revels, and dynamic like the Klispch. A special speaker for sure. Lack of soundstage depth and width is their only flaw… and they don’t reach to 20hz. They look pretty bad too lol.