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Looking for a Speaker Recommnedation

Looking to upgrade from my current Rogers LS3/5a + AB1 REL 328 setup .  While I love the smooth mids of these speakers (especially on voices/acoustic instruments), I tend to play harder music more frequently (alt/rock/punk/etc) which these do not excel at. I like to play music loud and have a real world living room my system is in (cathedral ceiling, open on one side, many windows. couch between my speakers) so setup is a challenge. I hate harsh sounding speakers.

My current playback system consists of a Oppo-BDP105 (or primarily Roon/JRiver via Ethernet) into a PS Audio DirectStream Jr DAC > Conrad Johnson Premier 14 Tube Pre > Conrad Johnson MF2500a Amp.  All run by a PS Audio P5 with a combination of Nordost/Shunyata cabling.

Looking to spend around $4,000-$7,000 but could be flexible. Used or new is fine.

Currently considering:

PSB Imagine T3
Vandersteen Trio CT
Spendor D7
Mangepan 3.7i (don't think this will work with high SPL)
Endeavor Audio E-3
Revel F208
Golden Ear Triton 1
Dynaudio Excite X44

Any other speakers I should be considering based on my equipment, volume preference and music? Anything I should eliminate?

Looking forward to hearing everyone's opinions & thank you in advance
fdemello
sbrownnw
686 posts
 
ProAc Studio 148 with grills off and Soundocity SEV9 outriggers. 
sbrownnw
686 posts
 
To complete my thought, I was absolutely rocking my ProAc Studio 148s NYE. Playing older Metallica, Dire Straights, Prodigy and the new The Crystal Method all on vinyl. Stunning how they compress the room down to what I would consider a flat and honestly 25hz in their stated measurements.

They strongly remind me of the ProAc Studio 125 I had on demo with the lovely midrange (many say the 125 get classic rock so right). But my 148s have a much better and controlled lower end than the 125 or D20 I’ve heard and the 148s have the same tweeter as their Response line.

Not only can they rock, but for classical they get the single and double reeds so correct and the space between the notes are just on with jazz trios with piano, drums / cymbals and standup bass.

I really think the Soundocity SEV9 outriggers took them to the next level (not affiliated with Soundocity or ProAc). See my system page for details.

Previous speakers included Tekton 6.5t on rigid Linn Tukan stands, which I still have, Tekton Mini Lores and Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with the RIAA ribbon tweeters, both which I did not care for as they did not sound lively and rock the room.


limniscate
241 posts
 
Do not get the Magnepans unless you can get them at least 5' away from the front wall.  You will want dual subs if you get Magnepans and listen to a lot of rock.

I can definitely vouch for the Vandersteen Treo.  My brother owns them, and I've gotten a decent amount of time with them.  They're very good.  I'm sure that the CT version is even better.
fdemello OP
80 posts
 
Will see if there is someplace I can demo the the Vandy CT's and do some research on the ProAc and Legacy. Would prefer if at all possible to stay closer to $5k.

Wife coming around to the Maggie's. And can get them 5' from the back wall. My only real issue is there would be a couch in the soundstage (between but behind). Not sure what that will do to the sound.  I can start with the 1 Rel 328/Maggie's.
thieliste's avatar
thieliste
816 posts
 
If you don't like harsh speakers, very high WAF and good match with CJ gear : Thiel CS 2.4 or CS 2.7
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