Advice on making a speaker change

I went through the same decision making process a couple of years ago. I was happy with my original Von Schweikert VR-4s which I had purchased new over 25 years prior. I was concerned that I’d spend money on new speakers and not end up with something better.

I called around the local shops and didn’t come up with anything that I thought I’d like. I decided to stay with Von Schweikert since I liked what I had. I spoke to them about their new Model One and asked if it would be noticeably better. They said it would be, so I bought a pair.

No regrets at all. I kept my VR-4s and will let my son have them when he has space for them.

I would just go out auditioning. See if you are seduced by some other speakers There has been huge jumps in speaker technology. So, it should not be hard. Should be fun planning a few short trips... maybe some to local audiophile’s homes.

For me, after over thirty years with planar speakers. I started sampling all acoustic venues for music... single piano... small jazz. Then ten years 7th row center of the symphony and the result was I realized that my system did an incredible job of bringing out the details of the venue and the recording, could sound spectacular for certain pieces... but the emotional connection was gone. I’d get bored and go do something else after 45 minutes. I realized I had taken a wrong turn along the way. I found Sonus Faber Speakers and optimized my electronics. I haven’t lost the details, but got the music back and emotional connections. The details are presented in the properly perspective. I now have a music system. Now I have to drag myself away after two or three hours of listening. Well worth the effort.

Talk me off the ledge or should I jump?

Jump!  If you provide specifics about what sound characteristics are most important to you and what you especially like about your speakers and what you’d like to improve upon you’ll get some very good recommendations here that will help narrow things down considerably.  Then I’d read reviews and travel to some dealers and/or an audio show or two to hear the ones that sound most promising.  You’ve got some nice equipment and speakers have come a long way over the past 38 years, so although I know it’s uncomfortable by all means jump!  And best of luck. 

Do you go to the same kind of restaurant every time? 

Variety is the spice of life. Why not try new speakers? I have a couple different sets that I like to swap in and out. That is why this hobby is a hobby. Variation, play, new experiences are all part of the fun. 

Some people see buying a speaker (or other component) like getting a mortgage: shop around, buy it, and be done for 30 years.

I see it more like going on vacations or restaurants: mixing things up leads to new experiences. 

I have a friend with a boat. He spends a lot on that thing and every trip with it spends money he can never get back -- but he's not looking at each trip as an "investment" but as an experience. Thinking of audio components with just a little bit of this spirit may free your hand (and conscience) a bit. 

Go head: be a libertine. We won't tell.

Well, no one could accuse you of jumping from one speaker to the next and yes, you certainly have recovered your money's worth of enjoyment out of this speaker.

As you suggested, the only way you will be able to really judge a new speaker is in your own home.  So hold onto your old speakers and bring in a few potential replacements.  Should be a pretty easy call.