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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
photomax
168 posts
 
This is just a great thread!

So many interesting choices; too bad it is impossible to audition them in person at any one location. 
The major factors are sound quality and cost obviously. But when buying floor standers the other huge factor is the styling of the cabinets. Some speakers just look wrong depending on the space. 
My personal preference is quality looking wood veneer. I just dislike black hi gloss speakers. Some folks love them. I love the sound of Wilson speakers but could never live with them in our living room. 
I have two separate systems. The second system features Rega RS7s, a tall skinny speaker in lovely light wood with side woofers. Our space features wood floors and tall wood ceilings. The RS7s look great in this cabin style space. But I am thinking about upgrading them as I have seriously just upgraded my source with a Pass XP-20 preamp and a Bryston 4BSST2 power amp with a Linn DSM streamer/DAC...
gochurchgo
892 posts
 
If there’s one thing I learned from my own threads here about “forever” speakers it’s to first decide what TYPE of speaker to choose. Planar?OB? Stand mount? Concentric? Floorstanding? Etc etc etc.

Then start with pro reviews and forum reviews on that type of speaker and get a consensus of what brands/models in your now determined type of speaker are most lauded. Then work that against your budget.

For whatever it’s worth...
helomech
1,510 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.
Regarding the 3.7is, yes, they're plenty detailed thanks to the pure ribbon tweeter but the ones I heard were overbearing and bright in the top end, not balanced like the 1.7s and .7s. The latter two certainly do lack some last bits of air and detail, and when a multitude of box speakers surpass them in those areas, in multiple rooms, among multiple combinations of ancillaries, logic would dictate it's not the upstream gear. 

None of the Maggies I've heard do pinpoint imaging like a good coaxial dynamic driver. However, I really enjoy them for their microdynamics where most pale in comparison.

Anyway, back on topic.
OP, if your space allows, you 
should give Spatial Audio speakers a try. Clayton is a pleasure to deal with and his speakers really do compete with models 2X their price.  
headphonedreams
522 posts
 
The Dutch & Dutch 8 could be worth a listen, they are fun and small. Costs twice of your budget but includes amp and dac.
tom8999
151 posts
 
OP - $5,000 is a lot of money - here is my vote for a ‘forever’ speaker system. I have built this over the last years and it’s ability to satisfy my Listening Requirement is amazing - Maggie 1.7i ($2,200)with the Maggie Base Panel. ($800) I bi amp these speakers - Maggie’s need lots of current / class A wattage to do their best. The Base panel eliminates the biggest ‘complaint’ about Maggie’s - bass slam. If one bass panel is not enough go with a second panel or a sub array to add the bass to your taste. I push my Maggie’s with Krell integrated amps and I cannot be happier. Imaging and midrange vocal accuracy goes beyond what I thought possible. Your sources need to be clean and you will not get any ‘harshness’ on the high end. Happy Listening!!
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