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New speakers for a new start?

Hi all, this is my first thread on this forum. I am returning to audio after a 20-year hiatus, and I am planning a new-to-me, music-only, 2-channel system. I'm pretty excited!

Other than my Thorens TD-320 series I, I am (re-)starting from scratch. I plan to focus on speakers, then build the rest of my system around them.

I look forward to hearing folks' feedback and advice during this process.

How I listen: I have a pretty big room, 9' ceilings. I can set speakers in a 10' triangle with about 16' clear behind them and 3' to 6' to the sides. I normally listen around 75 - 85db at 10', but sometimes I like to crank things way up. Also, I can't sit still for extended periods of time so I tend to move around quite a bit.

What I listen to: 30 - 40% blues, 30 - 40% industrial, punk, post-punk, noise, and hip-hop, 10-15% ambient, 10 - 15% various pop styles, 5 to 10% jazz and classical. Nearly all are studio recordings. Source-wise, 75-80% digital streaming, 20% vinyl and (very occasionally) CDs.

Things I like in speakers: A generous amount of fast, tight, well-controlled bass with great extension. Little to no coloration - it can always be added in later through component selection. Fast transient response. Detail. Coherence. Transparency. Great dynamics. I'm OK with "analytical" or "dry" within reason.

Things I don't like: Boominess. Flabiness. Ear-piercing mids.

Here are a few speakers I'm interested to learn more about (in no particular order):
- Thiel CS5
- Dunlavy SC-4, SC-5
- Tyler Acoustics D1x, D10
- Nearfield Pipedreams 21
- Infinity IRS (probably not the Reference behemoths though... realistically)
- I am also intrigued by open baffle designs (Spatial, Jamo R909)

I prefer full-range speakers because I don't love subs with music listening. They're a must in a home theater though.

I love planar speakers for their speed and transparency, but the fact that I can't sit still in their minuscule sweet spot for very long, coupled with their general lack of bass probably makes them a less than ideal choice for me.

I will buy used gear unless something I want happens to be available new at a huge discount. I am more interested in value than in staying within a specific dollar limit and be able to resell at par or at a modest loss if, as time goes by, I find I'm no longer as enamored with them as I once was.

I am interested in your experiences, especially with the speakers I mentioned above, but any and all feedback is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 

devinplombier
jsalerno277
122 posts
 

+ for @audiotroy on your list.  Your focus appears to be fast transient response, detail, coherence, transparency, dynamics, extended/controlled bass, and natural timbre (no coloration).  IMHO your focus is best served by modern pistonic driver designs rather than planar designs. I was also a fan of planar designs until I auditioned modern pistonic driver designs.  I find modern pistonic designs also produced better staging and imaging.   Look at Vandersteen Model 5 or 7 and Vivid Giya G2 or 3.  I find the Vandersteens great but a little slower than the Vivids, my preference.   They excell in all areas you list.   But you need to audition and choose for yourself because each sounds different.  You may choose otherwise. I drive my Vivid Giya G3s with a Burmester 032, a solid state integrated that is fast and clear with the staging, imaging, ambiance retrieval, timbre and liquidity of tubes.   Highly musical.   Vivids are a better deal used if you consider the definition of a deal as the % new.  Also, some companies you list are no longer viable.  When buying used choose a product from a company that is still viable.  

 

devinplombier OP
49 posts
 

Looks like I have some new avenues to explore:

- Legacy (would love to audition, unfortunately the closest dealer is a 3.5 hr drive)

- PBN Audio

- Mastering speakers (ATC, Tyler Acoustics, which I'm surprised no one commented on, Legacy and PBN again, JBL possibly)

- Vandersteen

Speaking of mastering speakers, I'm surprised no one commented on Tyler Acoustics? There's tons of great feedback on them out there.

 

devinplombier OP
49 posts
 

@pbnaudio I answered the budget question here

 

devinplombier OP
49 posts
 

When buying used choose a product from a company that is still viable.

@jsalerno277 and others who have commented on this, I don’t disagree but I feel the issue mostly applies to unavailable made-in-house or customized drivers, since there never will be a perfect replacement. And as far as electronics, they’re fixable.

I also feel that Thiel is in a unique position because while the original company is gone, a continuation company offers parts and service and a sizable support network of enthusiast owners is out there. For these reasons I wouldn’t feel apprehensive getting Thiel speakers, although it wouldn’t be surprising if some specific models had unobtainium parts by now.

Regarding the Nearfield Pipedreams... They have 144 drivers... Custom-made by Ampex in France... and Ampex is (virtually) out of business. But they look so amazing :)

 

celtic66
1,645 posts
 

It's like a ride on the Wild Mouse.  Fan of active, although I've systems with great passive transducers too.  ATC actives are scary good, rub up against the electrostatic quickness without the laser beam effect and are economical considering negated need for matching and financing amplifier(s).  Then there are fewer cables involved.  Capital freed up.

Midrange of ATC 3-ways is something magical; vocals being the main recipient of a 3" midrange bridging the gap of a two-way.

You stated a 5K range, but then gave yourself away by talking about money for matching amplifiers.  I'm stretching that not needed capital to active speakers.

Have fun in your search.

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