Please...Advice For The Speakerly Challenged


Hello all.

Well, I have been shopping around South Central Texas (Austin and San Antonio) audio dealers for a new set of speakers as an upgrade to replace my aging Klipsch KG-5.5's. Unfortunately, there seems to be a shortage of new speakers to audition in my neck of the woods when considering the seemingly astronomical numbers of manufacturers these days. What I hope to gain here is advice from knowledgeable audiophiles who may have heard the speakers I have auditioned. Perhaps said audiophiles could then recommend other brands I have not heard to consider buying based on what I have already heard. Hopefully I am making sense. I like rock, jazz, classical, world, new age and electronic more than any other genres. My budget is up to $4000, but I would like to hold it down to less than 3k if possible. I would definitely consider buying good used speakers. I am currently using a pair of solid state 200 watt/ch monoblocks for power.

What I have always liked about Klipsch speakers is the great dynamics, wide soundstage, good detail and deep bass response. What I have not been crazy about is the somewhat harsh upper mids and a boomy spike in the mid bass with my KG's (could be a mode). I really detest speakers that have a boxy coloration more than anything else, much preferring a neutral sound.

Here are the speakers I have auditioned so far:

Paradigm Monitor 7 - a fine little floorstander, but I worry that it will not fill a larger room to my liking.

Paradigm Studio 60 and 100 - Really liked the 60 and loved the 100. Really liked the 100 with jazz, rock and new age. Could be a little better with detail.

Dynaudio Excite X32 - I absolutely loved this speaker. It was the most detailed I have heard under 4K, with wonderful mids and outstanding tonal balance. Would only like a little fuller bottom end, but this is a minor quibble with this one. The next model above X36 might just fit my bill, but the dealer had none in stock.

Polk Audio RTI-A9 - Sounded thin and looked somewhat cheap, probably because it was. I really expected more based on reviews, but I guess I should not have. Likely the room acoustics were a big factor though, as I listened to them at Fry's, ugh.

PSB Synchrony 2. I really liked this speaker, but I listened back and forth against the Dynaudio, and it just did not measure up against the Excite X32 overall to my ear.

Vienna Acoustics Mozart. This speaker had a lot to like including accuracy, detail, soundstage and balance, but it had a little boxy sound that put me off. I also thought it was overpriced.

Martin Logan. Listened to several models and liked none. Good mids including nice vocal reproduction, but did not like much else.

B&W 684. This was perhaps the very worst mid or hi-fi loudspeaker I have ever heard. To my ear it sounded like lo-fi crap. I know there are good B&W speakers, but not this one. I thought it was blown, but it was auditioned in a high end home theater store. Extremely overpriced IMO.

Magnepan 1.7 - This was a very fine speaker, but I just can't abide the looks. I would also have to buy a quick sub too, which considering their cost might not be a big problem.

Klipsch RF-83 - I really liked this speaker. It was similar in sound to my KG 5.5's, but with a little less clarity in the bottom end, which was a negative. The mids and highs were better than my current Klipsch speakers.

For any who are still with me, could you lend advice on what I should consider in addition to the above and based upon what I have liked in these speakers. Thanks so much.
chap_cat
Have you gone to Galen Carol Audio? Check out the audiophile groups in Austin I am sure someone has some of the speakers you want to hear and will let you take a listen.

I know if you are in Houston, you are welcome to listen at my Casa. Also, Sound World in Houston carries a ton of great gear, including the Paradigm Sig S8, which for what you seem to be looking for, it right at the top of the list.

It's a great speaker.
Have you gone to Galen Carol Audio? Check out the audiophile groups in Austin I am sure someone has some of the speakers you want to hear and will let you take a listen.

I know if you are in Houston, you are welcome to listen at my Casa. Also, Sound World in Houston carries a ton of great gear, including the Paradigm Sig S8, which for what you seem to be looking for, it right at the top of the list.

I saw Galen about two years ago when I was looking for a new tube amp. I wanted a Jolida, but he had none in stock nor any other tube gear at the time. He wanted to sell me solid state, but I did not want SS in the wattage range I could afford then. I have since recently sold my tube gear and have gone solid state. Hehe, go figure.

While there, I listened to a pair of Epos monitors, and a pair of Spendor S5e smallish floor standers. I remember being blown away by a magnificent pair of Quad 989 electrostatics. They were the finest speakers I have heard to date. Since I was there to audition amps and CD players, I did not pay quite as much attention to the speakers.

I would like to go back for another visit before I decide what to buy to hear the Spendor S8e, Quad 22L2 and Reference3A Veena. He may still get my business yet.

Also, thanks for the invite. I just listened to the new Magnepan 1.7 and really liked their sound. I would wager those MG-3.6r Maggies sound awesome. How would you compare the two if you have heard them both?
the 3.6r are definitely a level above the 1.7's, deeper and more solid base, and more coherent. I think the top ends are about equal, the 1.7's are really speacial. Both need HUGE power to sound their best. But they are not for everyone, I undersand the aesthtic problem with them.

for what you want, I don't think the Maggies are what you are looking for. I am not a huge Spendor fan, but I do love the Vienna Acoustics, and once again suggest a used Paradigm Sig S8.

good luck
How about the dunlavy scIII's that are listed for sale;I had a pair of these and drove them with tubes and solid state;mccormack dna-1 mono's were my amps at that time and they performed quite nicely.