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Speaker for Line Magnetic LM 518IA in Large Room

Need recommendations for new speakers to pair with my LIne Magnetic 22 WPC SET integrated.  No more than $13K and I'd be happier spending $8-10K.

I love my LM 518IA.  I have been using it for 6 years with Merlin TSM-MME monitors in a 15' x 30' room, with the speakers firing across the short width.  It's been an amazing combination. 

I am moving and the listening room (living room) will be much larger-- the main room is 28' x 24', opening up to 19.5' x 11.5'.  I'd expect there to be a listening seat about 14' or so away from the speakers, with another 14' behind the listener, but I do want to be able to listen anywhere in that room (as much as 900 square feet) and still enjoy it.  Ceilings are around 9 feet.  I do understand locating the speakers and finding a good listening spot will not be easy and will take some thought and delicate negotiations with wife.

I don't listen at ear-shattering levels, but I do want a full-range listening experience and I listen to all types of music, whether electronic, amplified or acoustic.  I have found the LM has a lot of grunt for a relatively low-power amp.

Right now, my first thoughts are Devore O/93 and O/96, Focal Sopra 2.  I'm also looking into getting a pair of Merlin VSM from Signature Sound, since I've liked my Merlins so much.  What other speakers should I be looking at?
dkidknow
facten
2,723 posts
 
2nd the Daedalus Argos V2s , drive them with a 518IA in a 28x20x10 room with ease 
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
Horns would be perfect with that low power and giant room nothing else you suggest would work 1/2 as well
brotw
103 posts
 
I've got the LM508 with the highly efficient Tekton DI's and never remotely felt like I was lacking power, heck, bass response with rap music is super tight. Take a look at the Ulfbehrts. They are imposing in size and may not be WAF friendly
jdal
156 posts
 
If you can get to Brooklyn you should listen to Bache Audio's newest version of the Tribeca with the Eton Symphony II woofers. These speakers have a big, tonally balanced, holographic sound that's very coherent and easy on the ears (non-fatiguing). Placement is easy as I find them to sound excellent just firing straight into the room. And my tastes are from acoustic rock to classic rock to jazz to orchestral. Mahler sounds particular great and even at low volume you get a full sound.

https://bacheaudio.com/

dkidknow OP
59 posts
 
Update now that I've moved into the new apartment:

It became clear I needed to get in the new space before I could pick a new speaker.  I've also listened to the Devore Orangutans and they're not for me, both their sound and their size.  I really need a speaker 13" wide or less, which rules out the Focal Sopra 2.   I don't think Merlins will work for me either, mostly because of the BAM and my multi-source system.

I listened to the Focal Kanta 2 and liked it.  Took jdal's suggestion and ventured to the Brooklyn Navy Yards to meet Bache's Greg Bellman and I really like those speakers a lot-- Greg is also super nice and a lot of fun to deal with.  The Bache 002s are at the top of my list along with the Revel F228Be, which I really like a lot.

I'd really like to listen to a speaker before buying, and can't find any Daedalus speakers close by.  I'm also intrigued by Salk, Zu Druid and Acoustic Zen Crescendos, but haven't found a way to listen to those either.  Given this update, do you have any further thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!
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