2. speakers
  3. 1412183505

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

Showing 6 responses by dave_72

dave_72
1,399 posts
 
I would go with Tannoy Prestige or alternatively JBL Synthesis.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Tannoy: Canterburys or bigger.

JBL Synthesis: Everest DD67000 or DD66000
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
The JBLs are also discounted heavily. Just do some digging around and see.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Those look good, Rhljazz, but do they have enough bass. It's hard to beat the 15s in the Tannoys and JBLs.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Ok, granted. However, you could biamp with a solid state amp on the woofers and a tube amp on the mids and tweeters. And not necessarily regarding full range, the big Tannoys, ATCs, and JBLs are full range at much less, so I dunno what you're getting at there.

Imo, subs are cheating, and it takes forever to get them dialed in properly, and then you still have problems integrating them. You can set up your rig any way you'd like of course, but just by hooking up a pair of subs and thinking that all is well is doing one a disservice.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Ok, I see what you're getting at regarding speakers, but again certain models of the makes I noted do go lower than 40Hz. And the price is mostly within what you stated.

Well, I used the word cheating as a figure of speech really. Anyway, I see your point regarding subs. However, you are definitely an expert at this, and someone with less technical knowledge is gonna be overwhelmed by properly setting up a sub or subs.

So for me, careful placement of the main speakers, and my speakers weigh 120 lbs each, is more rewarding. I dunno what the consensus is, but I'll venture a guess that most audiophiles would rather set it and forget it. That would give more time to listen to music.
More to discover