Speakers for Classical Music

I listen to almost exclusivly classical music and I have tried a few speakers. I found electrostatic speakers are most suitable for that purpose. They are especially good with chamber ensembles, instrumental solos and voice. These speakers work best with tube amp and preamp. Also, the only way to reproduce classical music properly is listening to records instead of CDs. Good luck.

Classical music lovers tend to enjoy a British sound as a group. The Spendors and ATCs for example, have very nice voicing for strings and vocal. They tend not to play real loud nicely, but what they do produce is extremely musical.

Also, I've fallen in love with the Coincident Triumph, a Canadian manufacturer. I can only imagine what the floor standers are like to full stage effect. My main system floorstanders are Reference 3As and they are quite good with classical.

You've not listed models listened to or electronics coupled to these speakers. Perhaps the problem has been with electronics. Many dealers tend toward a slam approach setting the systems up to reproduce rock music well. Classical listeners oft tend toward tubes which enhance the orchestra sound. Perhaps not the most musically accurate, none the less very pleasing and that is what we are all after anyway.

Thanks for valuable advice/information.

My price range is flexible or not an issue since I could go with used one as long as it is right speaker.

In regard to models and electronics, I have listened to at so many different places with so many different equipments, and it's impossible to list them all here. However, they include: Acoustic Research, Bose, Cewin Vega?, B&W, JBL, Martin Logan, McIntosh, Tannoy, Wilson, Yamaha, Von Schweikert, Genesis, Diva, Avalon, Quintessence, German Physics, PSB, and others WITH McIntosh, Krell, Bryston, Sony ES, Pioneer, Yamaha, Accuphase, PassLab, Onkyo, Jadis, Adcom, NAD, Audio Research, Mark Levinson, and others. I think that's why I was so confused.

Your continuous advice/information would be appreciated.

It is my understanding that the majority of studios that master classical music recordings use B&W loudspeakers as their reference. I would believe that other British speaker manufacturers such as Spendor, ATC, Rogers, ProAc, and Castle are designed in a similar fashion. I have owned ProAc speakers and currently own B&W 803's. I would say that they both are able to present the majesty of the symphony while also being able to present the detail of chamber works. The B&W's sound more natural to me at this point. The ProAc's were not as fast or dynamic, but the were very enjoyable to listen to. Good Luck.

Listening to a solo singer with a guitar(ala/James Taylor..etc.) vs. a small Jazz combo vs. a full classical performance by 30+ people is a different live event. The size of the audio picture is a factor. A consideration if you are looking for that 10 rows back..dead center seat. You may want to listen to the Magnepan 1.6 and 3.6, as well as Martin Logan Sl-3 or similar models. The size of the audio picture that is provided by large dipole speakers is more in keeping with the presentation of a live classical performance.