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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
audiokinesis
2,751 posts
 

@mikhailark , I have to apologize for getting your amps mixed up - somehow I was thinking low-powered Class A Pass Labs, when it’s actually low-powered (but not as low-powered) Class A Accuphase. Speakers with a voltage sensitivity at least in the lower 90’s still make sense to me given your room size, because imo clipping on the peaks would degrade the sound quality.

I owned a pair of Accuphase stereo amps years ago. They could be bridged to run as two very powerful mono amps, but they sounded better in stereo mode. So imo it is quite possible that, despite your amp’s extraordinary ability to maintain full rated power output into very low impedances, it will sound its best into an 8-ohm load.

I mentioned PiSpeakers, and you mentioned measurements. My favorite from their lineup is the 7Pi, which is an innovative corner horn type speaker that actually has excellent measured response. It would probably need subwoofers so that pushes the cost possibly beyond your price range, but if you appreciate innovative, outside-the-box thinking, you might take a look at it.

Just to be clear, I have zero commercial interest in Pi Speakers. I compete against them.

Duke

kclone's avatar
kclone
690 posts
 

Based on the sound description of these, it may be what you are looking for

 

navyachts's avatar
navyachts
654 posts
 

You can always take a nice ferry ride (or drive around) to Silverdale and see Jim & Aubry at Nuts About HiFi https://www.nutsabouthifi.com/manufacturers/ (big on Focal) or Kitsap Audio and see Derek or Victor https://silvercityhifi.com/pages/our-brands (Victor is worth the trip alone). Olsen's has previously been mentioned (Marty's a gas). Fun place and always have some deals going on!

yyzsantabarbara
4,942 posts
 

I can recommend 2 things for $10k that will be excellent.

An open box or demo Yamaha NS5000 speaker is great and unique in that it is a cone speaker with all 3 drivers made from the same material. That makes a big difference in the coherence of the speaker. No other cone speaker has that design. The cone material is called Zylon and is like Beryllium but not bright or toxic.

I used to own the Meze Emporium headphone. I then went to the RAAL SR1a and CA-1a. The new RAAL 1995 Immanis as incredible but expensive at $10k. However, these are competing against phones in the $50k+ level.

 

rooze's avatar
rooze
640 posts
 

ProAc D40R fit your spec. I have similar musical tastes to you (OP) and can play my D40R at any sane level without fatigue. They're rich, bold, full-bodied, and....full range. You won't need subs with the D40Rs. At 89db sensitivity they play unconstrained with 65 tube watts. (I'm currently looking to move up the ProAc line, but I should probably just stick with what I have)

From what others have suggested, QLN make good speakers. Harbeths are nice, but I wouldn't go for them if my tastes were rock-centric. I think Legacy make great speakers, and are widely underrated by the aphile community. Though as you say, they're quite big and heavy.

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