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Boutique or Big Brand?

Good evening everyone! I am looking at new speakers in the $5k, maybe $6k range. My electronics and room dimensions are on "my system" posted on my profile so I won't repeat them here. I currently have Tekton Impact Monitors, but feel they do not have a good low end (I posted my review on another post so won't bore everyone here). That said, they were the best I could afford at the time and above 40Hz sound good to me.

Now I am ready to upgrade and am faced with a decision... Do I go boutique with a bigger pair of Tektons, or maybe the Salk Song3 A or BeAts; or something from Zu or Devore? Or do I go with a Big Brand like the Sonus faber Sonetto V, B&W 702, or Focal Arias?

I have heard the Tekton, Sonetto V, and B&W 8-series (not the 7 in my price range). I want a slim tower because I feel a lot of them have the same footprint as a pair of standmounters and have better bass extension.

So, what are the benefits of boutique over big brand and vice-versa? It seems in my price range boutique may be the way to go? Thoughts? Any other recommendations?

Because of the pandemic I had to move to a place that doesn't have the audio stores that N.Y.C. and Columbus, Oh. did when I lived there, so I am asking your opinions. Please keep it positive and constructive, thank you.

l1975r
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
1,992 posts
 

Why not have a look at some Tannoys? I think the Cheviots can be had for around 6500.....yes, a big brand, but with a sort of bespoke design and feel. Gorgeous speakers. 

dreas's avatar
dreas
86 posts
 

1. That's a great range for a set of speakers.

2. I won't mentions brands I have purchased, owned... because there are so many variables. 

3. To your question, I'd add, check on customer service. I've had some products that needed service - good luck trying to get support AND some that had excellent service. 

4. Ask others who have the products you settle on and read reviews. 

mofojo
2,172 posts
 

If buying new I would go with a boutique brand. People say all kinds of BS about the Tekton’s cheap drivers and all that. They actually are pretty good drivers and implemented well. I doubt you could diy most Tektons for what they cost. My old DIs did some things better than way more expensive speakers. No I don’t think they were better than most 30k speakers as the hype says. They were however I’m pretty sure better than anything else at 3k or even in the ballpark. 
 

On the other hand if I was spending 5k it would not be new speakers. 5k gets you a hell of a speaker if willing to buy used. Think 10-12 years old speakers that were 10-15k at the time you can get for %75 off. Not much risk there. My Pioneer S-1ex are better than the Tektons and I paid the same for at the time. 
 

Ramping that budget up to 15-20k I don’t know. Probably some Focal Sopra. 

bjesien
1,239 posts
 

One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned- when you narrow it down, message a few members that have owned the speakers you are looking at. I always reply and those that I've contact reply too. It can be a good way to get a little deeper and maybe get some better opinions before purchasing.

Good luck you will find something nice in that range, especially if you decide to buy used.

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,858 posts
 

You didnot mention one very big factor your rooms dimentions.

spatial audio technologies makes some excellent open baffle speakers that are very efficient  and on several models powered Bass well worth the effort even if it meant saving $1-2 k more the Beyma Mid-Tweeter alone is world class, plus a 12 inch midBass driver. And powered bass driver .I don’t currently own his newest but have heard them , at least  give them a look.

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