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What should be my next speaker - the never ending question

I am not in a rush but I am starting to think about upgrading my current speakers.  I currently own my second pair of 3A MM gen II (not the Reference 3a de Capo).  What is wrong with those?  Well, that will sound stupid but, nothing is really wrong, I love them (and so does my spouse) but I am sure something better out there is waiting for me...  Very difficult to visit audio shops those days with the COVID, not to mention that I usually buy used stuff (I am cheap..., I know).

I normally visit annual audio shows in Montreal and I must admit not many speakers over the past few years impressed me or sounded better (IMHO) than my current set up.  A handful made me stop and listen for half an hour each time: Klipsch Heritage (La Scala and Klipschorn - oh boy, wait too large for my room), pro monitors from Focal (used for quadraphonic demonstration of Dark Side of the Moon) but curiously the Focal Kanta serie (high WAF!) made me say "bof...", and some planar speakers (forgot the name).

Not too sure which direction I should now take.  My budget: between $3K to $8K (used).  I am thinking of Reference 3a like De Capo I anniversary version or Grand Venaa, Possibly Maggies but low WAF for such large panels.  What else?

Additional info: room (terrible sounding) approx 15x17 (9' ceiling) with no real room treatment beside the furniture, type of music: everything but recently more focusing on solid rock (System of a Down), Classic Rock (Pink Floyd), female singing jazz (old recording of Ella, Melody Gardot), classical (chamber music) and Folks.  Only listening streaming from Tidal (highest quality).

System: ROCK on NUC for ROON, streamer Lumin D2 with SBooster, preamp Audio Alchemy DDP1+power supply (I use the DAC from the DDP1 for critical listening which is more detailed and in your face, and I use the Lumin DAC for easy listening which is smoother sounding and well balanced), main amp Bryston 2.5B3 (cubed), amp for subs Bryston 4BSST through a minidsp, speakers main 3aMM gen II (used full range), subs DIY Bass Modules for SBA-741 designed by Troels Gravesen.  Cables: a bunch of Cardas XLR (Golden Ref and others) and Prisma for speakers.

Any suggestions?  Thanks in advance.
explorateur
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,640 posts
 
Wanting that kind of detail and putting smooth in the same sentence is kinda what we all want. What I found that got me there won't do you any good since our rooms have nothing in common. 

I like the VA Listz suggestion, but...
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,000 posts
 
You might consider buying a pair of SALK Song3 Encore Towers.  They are $6,000/pair and sounded better than a pair of $60,000 speakers down the hall at RMAF in Denver.  Jim Salk sells direct so he can afford to install better drivers and build better cabinets.  Problem is how are you going to hear them other than an audio show.  COVID is also getting in the way.  
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
I was able to find a pair of KEF reference 1 speakers and stands around your budget. They were B stock with an almost invisible blemish.

Very detailed but also very easy to listen to without any harsh edges. If that’s what you mean by smooth.

They do a fantastic job of imaging and create a huge soundstage. They are good with any genre of music. I have four subwoofers in use with mine, but they are pretty amazing on their own.

They are also very easy on the eyes and don’t take up a huge amount of space.
rifraf4u
31 posts
 
Have you considered Ohm Walsh? 120 day trial at home. 
explorateur OP
39 posts
 
I have not answered for the last 2 days - i was moving my son to his first new house in Montreal.  I am too old for that stuff...  my knees will hurt for a few days.

Thanks everyone for all those suggestions.  I turned that exploration exercise into a couple thing activity.  I will be reading lots of reviews in the next few weeks and we will try to listen to a few when we can.
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