I'd offer a couple of suggestions. Maybe buy new so you can get plenty of audition time and return speakers that don't do it for you. Because in the end of course, it's going to be your preference for the sound signature. I'd throw Elac Vela speakers into the mix of what to try. I have Elac Vela 403s (bookshelf two-way) and the sound is great for my taste. Vocals, especially female vocals are special, and drums fantastic. The Jet tweeter is, I think, largely responsible. They have just revamped their Vela line to 2.0, with some expanded options. All of them have downward-firing ports which helps with placement, and they have moved to the JET 6 version of the tweeter. It's a Heil AMT design and offers amazing clarity with no fatigue. You want to hear shimmer in cymbals, and the rattle of the drum kit?Ā I have Revel Performa 226 BE speakers and while they are really good, the HFs are relatively dry and lack some of the detail of the Elacs. The Elacs are also very musical. and well within your budget. You could try the 404 or 407, add a couple of small REL subs (if desired although maybe not necessary with the 407s) and be well under $10k. My two bits.Ā
Help Deciding On New Speakers For Small Room, $10k budget
Hello everyone! A brief background. For the first time in my life, I have a dedicated room for listening! š Iām very excited about it. However, itās not very big. Something is better than nothing though. Previously I always lived in apartments and had to primarily listen on headphones. The room size is 10 feet by 11 feet with 10 foot ceilings, almost a perfect square. It has already been professionally sound treated with many panels from Gik Acoustics. So despite its tricky sizing, it should be all set up for a proper experience! And I already have a nice chain, a McIntosh MC52 Preamp and Primare Power Amp and CD Player with a Holo Audio May KTE. Oh, I also have a Rel A7X subwoofer.
I unfortunately have a disability that makes it very difficult for me to travel. I cannot easily just go to a hifi store and try things. I also live kinda in the middle of nowhere. But Iām a former professional musician and music is my life, and I want to feel connected to my music as much as I can, so Iām willing to invest into it. I have a budget of about $10k give or take $1k or so. I donāt mind looking at used options in like new condition.
A little about my hearing preferences: I am very sensitive to high frequencies, specifically around 7k-10k. For reference, every hifi headphone Iāve ever used made me wince because the high frequencies are too pronounced. I just put up with it because I didnāt have a choice, but Iāve noticed that with speakers Iām usually not so sensitive to them so Iām excited to go down this journey and enjoy my music listening more. I like powerful, punchy bass, and generally prefer a warmer sound signature, however, even though my ears are sensitive to higher frequencies, I love a nice crisp and realistic cymbal sound. In general, as a musician, I think Iād love something that sounds ātrue to lifeā because I have obviously a lot of experience hearing instruments live. I mostly listen to jazz (because Iām a jazz musician) but I also love music of all genres like rock, electronic, pop, soul, alternative, and occasionally K-Pop too, Iām pretty open minded. So something that is a good all-rounder might also be nice. Writing this all out, I now think I might be asking for the moon though, so letās just say jazz and realistic instruments is my main priority š
So with all that said, I would greatly appreciate your suggestions. Iāve been looking at Focalās line of Kanta and Sopra but Iāve heard they are bright. Iāve heard B&W but I donāt think their house sound is for me, again too bright. Ā Also debating between bookshelves and small floor standers for a smallish room. Iāve been looking also at Canton, Dali, Tannoy and Wharfdale, but Iām not as familiar with the speaker world as I am the headphone or IEM world, so Iām quite open to ideas. Thank you so much and best wishes on the evening of this crazy time Iām in the U.S.!
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- 100 posts total
- 100 posts total