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Non-fatiguing speakers in $10K range?

Some years ago I downsized to headphones only. Now I have access to a dedicated room again, so getting my absorption panels and ASC Tube traps back from storage... :-) The amp is going to be Accuphase E-800. I like class A, and I owned fair share of Pass gear but Pass integrated (and lower preamps) no longer have tape loop. I also like my gear to look the way I enjoy and Pass went too industrial for me.

Anyway, long story short. Speakers. I prefer relaxed, non-fatiguing sound. My headphones are Meze Elites and I love them. I also own Focal Utopia, but rarely listen to them, too forward for me.

Now, music-wise I do not listen to jazz or classical or vocals, sorry. Classic rock, hard rock, 80s new wave, punk, pop (classic and modern) and African blues like Tinariwen. People tend to insta-suggest forward sounding speakers - you like metal, right???. But I don't like piercing sound and I rarely go to concerts exactly because of this. I listen to AC/DC but NOT at 'realistic' revels. I like rhythm, melody, but I don't care about 120 Db.

The budget is about $10K, give or take, most probably second hand, but I can buy new, if I really like it. Unfortunately, there are not that many high end shops around Seattle with gear I like. Some went selling vintage and some went up selling only $100K+ systems. So most probably will be getting something blind.

It seems I should be looking for ribbon tweeters, I spent hours at youtube - it is definitely not listening in person, but some recordings are pretty decent and many show differences between speaker models.

I also compare frequency response measurements - I can easily tell that I won't like the speaker by looking at the chart. Ex, bump around 2-6K is a no-no since this is what "bright" is. Dip is actually good since this is what makes sound less "in your face/ear".

So far I more-or-less narrowed my search down to Legacy (Signature or Focus), Dali 8, ProAc (D48 or K) and - maybe - Magico A3? Legacy is huge, I am not sure I really need 20Hz extension. Magico has beryllium tweeters which may be bright....

I purchased Tannoy D700 many years ago, still own them, they are part of my TV set up. They sound good, but not as good as I would like it. My desktop speakers are ribbons too - AirPulse, I like them quite a bit.

Anything else I am missing?

mikhailark
lloyd1969
32 posts
 

I love my Tannoy Cheviots, and would imagine the larger Ardens, just under $10 K per pair are even better. I listen to similar music to you, and have never found them fatiguing, though found them additionally expensive in that they did make me want to upgrade my amp, pre and speaker cables.  

I listen to my music at moderate levels and occasionally turn them up, and find they sound good, not loud. 

Btw, I especially appreciate your reference to Tinariwen. Even though you don’t do much live music, you should probably see them, especially in an environment where you can move around and watch from a point where the volume works for you. Simply amazing live

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,630 posts
 

I know this is going to be a strange post in the mix of the other recommendations. but from what your describe your looking for,  I suggest you try a vintage set of large A/D/S speakers like the L810, L910 or the larger 20xx series even.

I've had many speakers over the years, the last that I sold were a huge disappointment Spendor D9.2's (@ $16,000 Canadian$). I kept taking them out and putting my vintage L910s back in as they did so many things better then the overly bright and analytical Spendor's. 

The A/D/S sound is big, smooth, non fatiguing, detailed enough, excellent sound stage and great bass. I really like their larger three way's they just keep me coming back from so many others. bested Proac D28's, Spendor D9.2's, Klipsch LaScala and a few others.

After a minor restoration i.e. re-cap, these speakers still give some of the best sound for what you describe and can be had for a fraction of your budget. maybe a speaker that can hold you over until you find a more expensive speaker you like.  

deep_333
1,257 posts
 

@deep_333 Ok.....If you like the Bullies so much...go buy them...I HAVE heard them...and I like them . They are great for Rock. If that’s mainly what you listen to , then they are the speaker for you. I can speak for the Borresens because I own them...They are fantastic speakers for ALL types of music. We have different tastes and that fact is respected.

I don’t need to buy another speaker. I have plenty of other things and It’s an overflowing house, in my case. But, the OP specifically mentions a budget of 10k or under, and says that he likes hard rock and metal. Hence, this bully suggestion came out, best possible sound for that cash and his preference in music.

As i mentioned on my earlier comment, i would have suggested a different speaker if he had a higher budget, 30k or so.

It is curious though that a guy says his budget is 10k or under and there are a bunch of other guys suggesting 40k, 50k, etc speakers to him... That’s the curious part, an assumption on the expansiveness of the OP’s wallet.

 

mbmi's avatar
mbmi
534 posts
 

I agree..

northbeach
57 posts
 

 

tomic601, I'm in Port Townsend as well and drove around [Narrows Bridge] to hear the Vandersteens in Tacoma. 

You mentioned Wilsons. I had the opportunity to hear some very Nice Wilsons within Jason Victor Serinus' reference system. The ones Jason had were quite a bit north of your price range, but I could certainly appreciate their DNA. 

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