Need Guidance for Next/Last Pair of Speakers


I’ll try to be brief, although it’s not my strong suit..😁 I sold my pair of Altec 19 speakers a long time ago. I was the original owner, and their sheer size just didn’t work out at the time. I’ve been infatuated with audio equipment since I was a young lad, so after selling the Altec’s, I went on a long journey to replace them. Magnepan’s, Martin Logan’s, Thiel’s, Legacy Audio, Von Schweikert, Focal, and the list goes on and on. None of them have been able to recreate the magic of those 19’s.

I actually custom made a pair of speakers with a Great Plains 604 coax driver, but never could get the crossovers right, so I sold them. I now have a pair of Focal’s that are great, but they just don’t have that Altec 19 personality.

I’d love to have a pair of Avantgarde’s, but they’re well out of my current budget. I still don’t have the space for another pair of 19’s unfortunately. So the question is, what speakers should I be looking at that might have a similar character in a smaller package? I’ve not been actively engaged in the hobby for around 6 years, and I see what seem like hundred’s of new speakers/companies that have entered the market. I have to be overlooking quite a bit, so is there anything out there that I should consider? Would more of a professional type speaker be something to consider? 

Any input/guidance would be most appreciated. I was actually wondering if something like Zu Audio would fit the bill, but have read mixed reviews. As you can tell by my love of the Altec 19’s, extreme "accuracy" isn’t important. They just sounded like live music more than just about any speaker I’ve ever heard. That’s what I’m looking for. 

Thanks!

seadweller

@sauvie4007 

I am interested if you could share your contact.  When do you expect to receive your new speakers?  And if I could be so bold, where in the U.S. do you live?

I live just north of Portland OR on Sauvie Island. I'm not sure what Audiogon allows on the forums. I'll try and send my email, and you can contact me for the contact info. I have zero financial interest in sharing this. We'll see if it works.

[email protected]

You need to clarify just exactly how many speakers you want to purchase for your $5-10k.

Are you looking for just 2, or a full surround panorama that could be 9+2??

If I were you, I would Look at KEF's line of Q series setups if you want to get into the full panorama of surround for that budget. If you are just a stereo guy, then try their Muon series. Very advanced design with awesome benefits.

I know what you mean by, 'Wish I still had...' I started with a pair of KEF Concertos, back in the 70's. I still have them, and others. Later purchases were to fill specifics of my sound stage as I moved upwards with receivers. Now I use my Concertos when I am listening to Analog outputs with Pure amplification to the speakers. Bringing that old-time listening enjoyment to life. The days of 'Rockin' out on Vinyl' re-celebrated.