Looking for my End Game Speaker


I'm looking for my end game speakers.  My system currently consists a digital streaming front end with the Mola mola Tambaqui DAC and Grimm MU1 streamer along with Magico A3 speakers.  For amplification, I recently acquired on the used market, the Audionet Humboldt.  

I live in a small 960 sq ft condo in a highrise.  My system is in the great room (living, dining, and kitchen all in one).  Given the room configuration, my speakers have to be located close to a side wall (unless I radically change the room and block my balcony doors with my stereo).  Room dimensions are 12' x 16' (not including kitchen).   

The following speakers are on my list to auditon:

Marten Parker Trio,  Acora (SRB, SRC1, SRC2), Magico S3 - 2023, Magico M2, Joseph Audio, Franco Serblin, Rockport, Vivid Audio Giya G4, 

I have already heard the Acora SRC1 and thought they were amazing, however, perhaps a bit  bass shy.  

Given my room constraints, I'm concentrating more on the models that have a sealed box design.  Given that, I am very interested in the Magico M2 and S3 - 2023.  Has anyone heard these two models?  A used M2 would cost about the same as a new S3.  How do these two models compared?  Which would you choose?  

Can anyone recommend any other sealed box design speakers.....or any speakers that would fit into a relatively small room (close to the walls)?  I should also note that I would like a speaker that performs well with lower listening volumes....

I have booked my ticket to AXPONA 2025, so I'm making a list of speakers that I should audition.

 

calgarian5355

I spent a couple years in search of my last pair, as I knew once retired, the funds would never be there again. Unless I won a lotto etc. I made a CD of songs that I felt were 1) familiar 2) offered both male and female vocals 3) offered bass heavy as well as overly bright 4) rock, jazz, orchestral, piano and acoustic guitar, I found that by using this disc as well as other music streamed at the dealer, I could get a real feel for the voice of each speaker. Also I always made sure no sub was in play, although I was surprised that some dealers would tell me the sub was off, but when they left the room it was indeed active. Most dealers were very accommodating to my request in leaving me alone to Audi on the speakers. Although there was one dealer that wouldn’t leave the room and continued to push his setup as the only way to maximize the speaker’s performance. That was a red flag to me, in that his exit strategy of my dissatisfaction that they weren’t setup correctly. In short believe your ears and your ears only. Your ears, your money and the rest of your life to listen to your end choice. One last thing I will mention is, listen at lower than normal listening levels. As we get older, our ears are more subject to damage and speakers that only satisfy you when loud will disappoint your when they are not.

Good Luck it can be equally fun and frustrating but rewarding overall

Po5129

 

No we don't have diablo utopias for sale or in stock

 

They are rated as one of the finest small loudspeakers

On the market and have received numerous rave reviews 

@kennyc  Thanks for your response!  I think you did really well going with the Vimberg Mino D (that's the Diamond tweeter upgrade correct?); the Vimberg are on my audition list as well.  My big concern is that they are rear vented.  I'm hoping to speak to some of the reps there to pick their brains on room placement.  So the new S3 compares to the M3....That's impressive!  

Do the exhibitors offer show specials during Axpona?  

Tony