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Speaker candidates/suggestions

Hi everyone! I’m thinking of upgrading the speakers in my second system and I could use your opinions and suggestions. I currently have a Belles Aria integrated and a Sugden A21 integrated that I switch around when the mood hits. I stream via Bluesound Node. My room is approx 15’ wide x 30’ length in size and carpeted. My system faces the long wall. My speakers are Tekton Lore Reference. Budget is $2-3k.My musical tastes are all over the place---I can listen to Ella, Johnny Cash, then Dean Martin then deep house and 80s alternative or classic rock. Listening volumes are average: 70s-80s db. I have a REL T7x if I need one.

From doing some research, I’ve come up with 3 candidates---let me know what you think:

1. Vandersteen 1ci+ (pairs well with Belles and somewhat efficient at 90db)

2. Fritz Carbon 7 SE MkII (also pairs well with Belles and Sugden and efficient, 88db)

3. Totem Bison monitor or Tower (of the 3 listed here, the Totems are the only ones I can audition here in town.) Not sure if the Sugden is enough for power.

Thanks in advance. I’m open to other speakers btw.

bluorion
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 

I posted this on another thread, but in case you didn't see it: 

I have not hear the others. I've owned both the Carrera and the Carbon 7 mk2 SE and I much prefer the Carbon 7, and this is the speaker Fritz is going to continue focusing on. Here are a couple reviews:

Written and video

The Carreras' Be tweeter is quite bright and if you have the ear and room for it, quite lovely. But it's a much more difficult tweeter to live with, longer term. That's how things wound up playing out for me.  In short, I'd get the Carbons.

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 

I think in a room that size I would have to give the Clayton Shaw Acoustic Labs Caladans a go. Only problem with that is the wait time.

bluorion OP
471 posts
 

Thanks @hilde45 --- I'll check it out. I've seen really good reviews for the Carbons. The Totems get great reviews as well but apparently they love power so I'm not so sure my amps (particularly the Sugden) will be enough? On Totem's website the recommended amp power is 30 - 150 wpc. The Sugden is 23 wpc. But Proacs do well with Sugden.

Thanks @grislybutter ---never seen that site before! Wow!

grislybutter
2,990 posts
 

@bluorion thank you! I collected the data and built it 6 months ago and I am planning to add a few more brands and features. But if one person finds it useful, I am happy!

btw I like your choices. The safe one is Totem, obviously; Fritz and the Vandies have a die hard cult following

jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
359 posts
 

I haven’t heard any of the speakers on your list but I have a pair of Fritz Rev 7 SEs that do well with all types of music.  I’ve auditioned a handful of others looking to replace them at some point but they stood up so well I’ve kept them.  I’ve compared them to B&W 805D4, Focal Sopra 1, Joseph Audio Pulsars, Fyne Audio 502SP.  Fritz might have a bit of a cult following but that’s cause they are very good speaker’s especially at the price point.

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