Getting a Divorce and can now buy floor standing speakers


So, I am getting rid of the wife (divorce, I am not burying her in the backyard!) and can now get big floor standing speakers. I currently have a Luxman integrated and model 30 Harbeth speakers, and a very good sub. Very neutral/natural sound, can listen for long sessions. But I don't get a very good image, and it seems a little too laid back. I listen mainly to singer-song writers, both male and female. Lots of acoustic/piano.

There are so many floor standers now, I'd like to shorten the list. Any suggestions to start my search? I am located in southern CA, so I can listen to almost any brand. Price should be under $100K. 

I may lose a wife, but so far the freedom/cash is worth it.

Thanks all!

128x128deadhead1000

I agree with @larryi. I have listened to many of Vu’s, owner of DejaVu audio, creations and they are amazing. When I decide to replace my Audio Note speakers I will commission Vu to make me a pair. 
 

John 

I know there are many audiophiles who can afford many a speaker, and some choose Harbeth’s, I don’t think they are your weakest link. I have never owned Harbeth’s but I believe they have no problem imaging with complementary components.

Try some better amplification first- demo an Accuphase or Boulder integrated, or go separates?

I am sure you are going to upgrade your Luxman if you get larger floorstanders anyway, so maybe start there? Upgrade your source to get more refinement and resolution and tilt the sound from laid back to more detailed- what do you have now?

Unless there is this important underlying principle of "when she is gone the first thing I do is get my huge speakers because she never let me get them before" which I understand. Then put the Magico’s on the short list- they will have the opposite qualities of the Harbeth’s, and they are anti-female black which may appeal in your situation. Those Vivid Giya’s recommended earlier are quite anti-female also. wink

With that kind of money in play, you should go to a show or two to sample a wide variety of types of speakers.  That should include large panel speakers (planar magnetics or electrostatics), Multiway systems employing widerange drivers to cover most of the music (e.g., Voxativ), single driver systems (Charney Audio, Songer Audio), omni directional speakers (e.g., MBL), truly oddball unique systems (Bayz Audio), and open baffle designs (PureAudioProject, Cinnamon Audio). 

Of course, as I mentioned above, you should also consider compression horn systems.  I have not heard that many good, modern, compression horn systems except for the tremendously expensive Goto stuff ($100k might get you the drivers for a mono system).  Among the better modern systems are those offered by Volti at prices way below your target.  But, again, custom systems are much better than what is generally available.  If you insist on current, modern production drivers, the best are very expensive (e.g, G.I.P Laboratories in Japan make terrific Western Electric replicas) or ridiculously expensive (e.g., Goto, ALE or Cogent).  Deja Vu Audio that I mentioned above has made systems with only modern G.I.P. drivers, but that can be more expensive than using exotic vintage drivers.  Still, at your price level, a trip to Northern Virginia (suburb of DC) would be worthwhile.

@deadhead1000 

I highly recommend you put Rockport speakers on your list. The Cygnus is below your price limit. Rockport speakers are universally praised and sound spectacular ! Good luck in your search

 

@deadhead1000 

I would suggest you find a girlfriend, or several, who have floor standing speakers.  Win, win, win.