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Forever speakers around $5000

Hi Audiogon! Your help has been invaluable in the past so I’m back yet again. I think I’m close to purchasing my forever speakers and am looking for recommendations of what to consider. Here are some qualities I’m looking for, in order of importance:

  1. Amazing soundstage. I really enjoy a speaker that can throw a BIG soundstage.
  2. Fun, slightly U-shaped frequency response.
  3. Tight, punchy, musical bass.
  4. Airy and clear high end, think Magnepan.
  5. Good R&D and technology. If I’m paying this much for a speaker, it better not just be a damn box with some bargain paper cone drivers in it.
  6. Nice looking. This is a speaker, first and foremost, but it is also a piece of furniture. It really does have to look nice (I hate to say it, but this probably disqualifies offerings from GoldenEar).
  7. Semi-compact. I like a speaker that has a good physical presence in the room (not too small) but not something massive like a Magnepan (been there already) or Wilson. I like units no more than 45" x 10" x 16" or so. Also cant weight a million pounds as we are still in a rental and will have to move these.

I currently own a pair of LSA 2.1 Signature floorstanders, which have certain qualities I like (soundstage/imaging due to rear firing tweeter, size/weight, U-shaped). But things I feel are missing (bass feels a bit loose, build quality could be better, feels very low tech with paper woofers and unbraced MDF cabinet). I listen to a wide range of music, mostly a lot of intimate jazz combos, some experimental electronic and IDM, funk, some rock, black metal, and a bit of classical.

Here are some speakers I have heard and liked:

  1. Magnepan MMG - amazing detail, imaging, mids and highs
  2. LSA 2.1 - for all their shortcomings, they check a lot of boxes
  3. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD - awesome balance and great bass for a standmount
  4. B&W CM10 - I really like this speaker, though I’ve seen some measurements that have turned me off
Speakers I have heard and were disappointed in:

  1. KEF LS50 - honestly seemed very shrill and shouty to me
  2. Martin Logan ESL - weirdly didnt get a great impression of these
  3. GoldenEar Triton 3 - not only ugly, but I found these a bit boring to listen to
So, any ideas? I'm willing to consider new or used (if it can be found somewhat easily) speakers around $5000. I can give more info if you have questions, thanks!
primarist
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
"Forever speakers"

Women aren’t so stupid. They know that’s what all audio addicts say. :)

I think you won't last five years. Tekton strikes me as the kind of company that will keep coming out with 
different orientations, you know, to keep things (like sales) fresh. What then of the Great Oath of swearing 
off all upgrades to speakers? 

I say you retract it in less than five years. And, here's the thing; your wife probably already knows this.   :)  

dawgfish
157 posts
 
Another vote for Vandy 5A's, which you can get for around $6k used.  They frankly don't meet your requirement of being easy to move, but they are still worth it.  For one thing, because they have built-in powered subs, they're easier to drive and you won't need a standalone sub.  For another, they include a multi-band bass equalization system that lets you fine-tune them to  your room.  They are definitely a speaker of "forever" quality, made more affordable because of Vandersteen's new carbon technology offerings, which are admittedly amazing.  (Of course, the Kento Carbon that replaced the 5A in the lineup is $38k!)  But, trust me, unless you play them side-by-side, I doubt that listening to the 5A's would leave you feeling like you're missing anything.
pehare's avatar
pehare
829 posts
 
I'll second my Tannoy compadres here....dual concentric Prestige series
gcdrum
62 posts
 
Douglas,
“Women aren’t so stupid. They know that’s what all audio addicts say. :)”

No, I meant what I said. In this case you’re mistaken.
johnto
972 posts
 
I beg to differ on Maggie's 3.7i not having pinpoint imaging and detail as mine are extremely detailed and image extremely well. Each instrument is crystal clear with exact placement in the mix. If you don't hear this I suggest you check your speaker placement of source material and other associated equipment.
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