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Tube Friendly High End "Big" speakers

I've been upgrading my system from good to great. I addressed the analog front end first and now have something respectable (Brinkmann Oasis w/ Graham Phantom II Supreme, Lyra Delos, SimAudio Moon 310LP, and Acrolink 8N Reference Phono Cable.

The system is being driven by a PrimaLuna Premium Dialogue Integrated and the speakers are Opera Seconda's in a smallish dedicated listening room. I'm moving into a much larger house, but will no longer have a dedicated listening room.

The room is 21.5' x 14.5' with lots of big windows and a high v-shaped vaulted ceiling which I'll treat with GIK acoustic panels. Not looking on advice on the room. It is what it is. Just giving a bit of info since I suspect it will be on the lively side. Here's a video. The room starts around the 2:10 mark: http://youtu.be/wrDpTsBDD_M

I'm looking to upgrade the Opera's. I really want a "big" speaker, something that will move some air and pressurize a room like this. My preference is for something tube friendly and I'll likely need to use my PrimaLuna for at least a few months. Not really interested in horns though.

I'm looking for a very 3D soundstage that's velvety smooth. Detail is great, but definitely nothing fatiguing as I tend to listen at higher volumes for extended periods. While I do listen to a lot of Classic Rock and Jazz, I also listen to a lot of more modern music. I want something that isn't going to make this stuff sound terrible.

I'm planning to buy used, so anything that retails up to $55-60K might be doable. TAD and Focal are on my radar right now, but it's difficult to read between the lines from reviewers to understand what will work.

Which speakers should I be considering?
128x128bgupton
bpwalsh
1,207 posts
 
Hi Bgupton,
Big windows like that can be a challenge with a lot of speakers, but I totally get that you don't want to lose the glorious views. The room is probably too small for the Classic Audio T-1.4s, but the T-3s with field coil drivers could do nicely. The AudioKinesis Dream Maker LCS might well be amazing in your room with little or no treatment, so check them out (I have the new Zephrin 46s here in a slightly smaller room with an 8 ft. ceiling).

Both of these speaker manufacturers will be demonstrating at RMAF in Denver next week and are easy going nice folks to speak with.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Another good possibility for your room size and stated criteria is the Horning Eufrodite speaker. It's very efficient, easy to drive and highly regarded sonically.
gsm18439
895 posts
 
Bgupton: I thought that your original post said that "anything that retails up to $55-60K might be doable." Dominance used? Doubtful. However, the guys at Zu often know if anyone wants to sell a pair of their speakers; they often help to broker a sale. (Not sure why the Dominance disappeared from the Zu website.) One advantage of any Zu speakers is the in-home trial period; 60 days to determine whether you do or do not like their speakers.

Another alternative is AudioNote - especially the more expensive ANE versions. I think that the designers have similar taste in music to yours.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
The JBLs are also discounted heavily. Just do some digging around and see.
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
New, Acoustic Zen Crescendo. Used, ESP Concert Grands.

The Zens are transmission line and the ESP's are sealed which results in bass definition that is different and superior to the typical bass reflex design.

BTW I do like the Devore 0/96's but you can still hear the result of the ported design. The Leben CS300x integrated sounds great on the Devores.
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