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Hunt for new floor standers

Having sold my speakers, I’m in the hunt for a new pair of floor standers. I’m stepping up my game from the PSB Silver i’s that I had for years. I’d be interested in hearing from fellow Audiogoners about their suggestions for 2 channel, audio only towers. I’d like good bass response and prefer not to invest in a sub. Having said that, high end clarity is a must as well. Currently I’m using a tubed Rogue Super Magnum 99 preamp and a SS Belles 150A Hot Rod amp. In short time I may opt out of the Belles amp but for now it’s stays. I’ve auditioned the KEF R700 and the Sonus Faber Chameleons and liked them both but I’m not sure how either would play with my rig. My budget allows for mid $2K max and I’m OK with used equipment that’s been well taken care of. Insightful input is appreciated.
axspike
jackd
1,125 posts
 
@jnehma1 

I agree Mike's store is like a candy shop but nothing there inside the OP's mid $2000's budget. 
axspike OP
34 posts
 
I've heard the same thing about SA. I'm in the "Festivus for the rest of us" budget...

wolf_garcia
6,894 posts
 
There are so many great floorstanders out there and it never stops or even pauses, and I’ve owned my share...Vandys, KEFs, Viennas, Silverlines, etc., and for decades enjoyed them all with amps up to 250wpc...I became curious about Klipsch Heresy IIIs to use with my 12wpc tube amp, and although the "drivers in a tallish box" world of competing designs of 86 to 90db efficiency will never cease to enthrall many, I doubt that I’ll ever go back to anything but efficient, well designed horn loaded systems. For me there’s no contest...my current Heresy IIIs simply astonish with clarity and coherence, and the new Heresy IVs are likely in my future. Smallish slanted boxes on the floor mated with a couple of powered subs took me right out of the world of inefficient sameness...done. Who knew?
axspike OP
34 posts
 
Since I posted this thread, I've had many great responses. To all of you who take the time, thank you. I've been re-reading all of the suggestions, doing the research and coming away wishing more than ever to be able to listen to 10% of them. Either it's my location, Sarasota/Bradenton FL or hifi shops are becoming a thing of the past. Last month Tampa hosted the Florida Audio Expo, which I missed, and yet when I do a search for hifi shops in the area I get mostly auto and home theatre hits whose websites show little in home audio. Someone above mentioned Suncoast Audio which is not far from me. But his caveat of it not being in my price point has kept me from even going there. On the east coast of Florida it looks to be a bit better and I may end up making the trip if I find something there. The alternative is to buy on recommendations and reviews, which most of us know is not the best way to spend your money. That said, I appreciate any other suggestions that add to this thread.

axspike OP
34 posts
 
Holy Shelter-in-Place! It's been a while since I've checked this thread. I thought I'd add some info on what I've been looking at these past few weeks. Any thoughts on the Monitor Audio Silver 500's? These are in their 6G and consistently get great reviews...even back to the 4G models. Comparisons to Focal, B&W and ML?
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