Take a look at the Mcintosh Academy series. I'm very pleased with mine. If you go to the site there is a link to the review in The Perfect Vision. I purchased my stuff over the internet and used. I like the highs and bass more than the B&W N802 which had been my first choice. My room is 25 by 17 with 9 foot ceiling and the Mcintosh LS360s work fine in it. Check www.audioclassics.com for some used gear. The Mcintosh speakers are sort of a sleeper line that many are missing because Mc isn't really known for speakers. Audition them, I think you'll be surprised at how clean they are. They have a 5 tweeter bessel array which give the same sort of room filing highs as an electro-stat in my opinion without the placement limitations which was the final thing that made me decide to purchase them. Also you can clearly hear pitch changes in the bass but the Martin Logans are just as good in this regard. I couldn't hear clear pitch changes in the bass with the N802 but it does have a great midrange. My second choice would be the Martin Logans then B&W natilus. The Mcintosh line give me everything that I love about Martin Logans without the limitations.
Speakers for Home Theater/Audio for 8K
I have recently purchased a Denon AVR 5803 and am looking for a good speaker system. I intend to use the system for HT 80%, audio 20% (mostly straight ahead jazz). Although I have been impressed with the Martin-Logans and have previously owned Magnepans (which I loved, driven with an Adcom GFA 555), the room which the system will now reside limits an adequate spacing for these speakers (placing the front speakers 4 ft. from the wall would truncate the room). The room is 18x24 with 10 ft ceilings. The television is on the long wall with about 4 ft from open passageways on either side. Given some of these limitations, I would appreciate any suggestions. Current systems I have been reviewing include the B&W 802, Snell - Xa90/Xa55cr, Definitive Tech. BP-2000TL. I was ready to purchase the Def Techs but reviewing some of the discussions on this site as well as comments from my audiophile friends made me reconsider my options. I still have not ruled out the Martin-Logans and if any of you have a suggestion about placement, I would love to hear them.
My budget is about 8K and used speakers are certainly welcome. Please suggest any other system that you feel I may find interesting. I realize that ultimately it comes down to taste, but since I have shared some of my previous likes I hoped this would help in the discussion.
Thanks.
My budget is about 8K and used speakers are certainly welcome. Please suggest any other system that you feel I may find interesting. I realize that ultimately it comes down to taste, but since I have shared some of my previous likes I hoped this would help in the discussion.
Thanks.