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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
livinon2wheels
36 posts
 

I did a quick scan of the responses and was amazed at the variety of suggestions. You didn't specify if you would accept a vintage design or not, but if you want great transient response and a sound stage that emulates a real performance in a startling way, one choice would be a pair of Ohm Fs. Terrific omnidirectional speaker that has very good overall frequency response with great coherency and a faultless soundstage. Another consideration would be the currently made Ohm F5s that give truly full range response 16-20k with an integrated 15" sub in the bottom of each enclosure. I personally have not yet heard the F5s, but I have heard the Ohm As and they remain the finest speakers I have ever heard, the Ohm Fs were a bit smaller but had the same sonic signature. Ohm offers 120 day trial period that would give you plenty of time to audition it thoroughly. If you find you don't like them you can send em back for a refund. Seems like a very limited risk with a possible really good upside. Really a home audition is the ONLY way you should evaluate speakers in my opinion. I'll be very curious to know what you choose.

blue-magoo's avatar
blue-magoo
142 posts
 

Monitor Audio Gold 200

Luxeman amp solid state or tube

iad's avatar
iad
51 posts
 

I join everyone who recommends Vandersteen. They fill with great airy sound whole apartment so you can listen to them even from the kitchen. And I can tell you, that I listen to death and black metal, also hardcore and this music is not a problem for them, they are fast enough. And this was my only junior model for a small room. I'm afraid to imagine what the older ones are doing!

yesiam_a_pirate's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
yesiam_a_pirate
189 posts
 

I auditioned a pair of the new generation Wilson Watt Puppy (wierd name) last weekend. I was shocked. Holographic, literally perfect bass and a lovely room filling warm sound.   I am biased against Wilson because of the name brand Hos that tout them. However they were magic.   
 

i also listened to a set of Alexx V.  I was disappointed as they are tripple the Watt Puppus but sounded only 15% better to me. In my personal opinion they are not “pretty” furniture speakers but the quality of the aound made a believer of me.  

ghdprentice
6,950 posts
 

There are so many speakers on the market, that I am inclined to recommend an approach. I would start by reviewing the Recommended Components issues of Stereophile, the Absolute Sound and HiFi+. This will give you a short list of highly reviewed brands to look at. In the reviews you will get a flavor for the tastes of the reviewers and requirements to power them. This approach is likely to net you a better short list than from here. Once you have a firm short list… go listen to as many as possible. Then maybe run it by here.

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