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Not Enough Options for Auditioning Speakers

am in the market for a great two channel music system. They will be set up in a dedicated listening room that is 12'x17'x9'. The room is carpeted but not treated.

My budget is around $15k-$20k for speakers, wires, amp+preamp (or integrated).

I prefer towers as I like the full range and have had bad luck with integrating a sub. I started my search with B&W 805's and Sonus Faber Olympica I's (which are still on my short list)

My problem is that most of the dealers in my area do not carry very many brands, so it is hard to compare. I cannot even find one that carries the KEF reference.

I am leaning right now to the Sonus Faber Olympica III's but also really like the B&W 803 D3. I wish I could hear them side by side. The dealer with the SF's is great and has let me do home testing with several speakers and he is recommending the Olympica's.

I read a lot online about auditioning several different speakers but cannot find any place in central Florida that has most of the lines they are suggesting. I know if I pick the SF Olympica's I will be very happy, but I have not even heard the III's! I am just a little frustrated that the consistent advice is to listen to a lot of others, but I can't.

Am I the only one with this problem?

Thanks!
-Mobius
mobiusmu
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
T - E - K - T - O - N

LOL! I'm surprised that it took 19 replies to finally see this name!

goose
668 posts
 
What about Suncoast audio in Sarasota?  Don't know anything about them but it looks like they have lot's of options.
pokey77
1,260 posts
 
@ricred1  - very much agreed

If you can get to a show, that would be the best way to hear and see so much equipment at one time. Visiting dealers is the slow road to you know where.  

The last system I bought was based on my treks to a number of local dealers. I thought I had the best that my money could buy and was really happy for 5-6 years, and still am to a point. But I've been to a number of shows over the last four years or so. And I've heard some gear, in the next price range up that I would really like to own. When you go to a show it will help you to narrow down the sound you like and then from there you can visit dealers with products you know you had good first impressions with.

Remember the supporting gear when you are auditioning speakers. It will help you replicate a system that you really like. Not every speaker will work well with every amp - this is called synergy and it is very important. Especially the speaker/amp interface or synergy. Get that right and you are well on your way. Get it wrong, and you may really be upset with your final choices. Some well known speaker/amp pairings that have good synergy: McIntosh/Martin Logan, Wilson/Audio Research, Vandersteen/Ayre. There are many many others, but  this is a very large and substantial step to get this part of the equation right. Of course, getting the source right is paramount as well but make sure that you understand what amp manufacturer makes that speaker you really want sing it's best. Good luck in your journey.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,349 posts
 
Seriously:

If I lived in central FL and could get away for 3-4 days the RMAF would (to me) be a nice mini research vacation.

Denver (late October) is in the 60's during the day and close to freezing @ night.

Also, the dimensions of the listening room are important (including ceiling height and any openings to other spaces) in regard to informed replies as far as speakers to look at go.

The Tekton post was jokingly directed @ member Inna, who I assume fell asleep upon reading it and who is now (as I type this post) snoring on his keyboard.

DeKay




ricred1
1,976 posts
 
pokey77,

". And I've heard some gear, in the next price range up that I would really like to own. When you go to a show it will help you to narrow down the sound you like and then from there you can visit dealers with products you know you had good first impressions with."

I don't think anything is the "best" so no matter what I have, I'll always know there's something out there that I may prefer more. I do concur with your comments regarding hearing components in the next price range up! I heard a couple of speakers that I would love to own, but all were above 50K. 

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