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Picking speakers 3000-5000 budget

Hello,

I'am new to the site and enjoying it very much so far.

I posted in the amplifier section looking to upgrade my modest 25 year old system.

I now have a  Auralic Vega g1 into a MacIntosh mx110 tuner/preamp into a Adcom gfa545 (100 per chnl) power amp,then out to a pair of Polk monitor 10 speakers.I also have a Rega p6 on the way for my turntable needs.I think it has a exact cartridge.

I 'am trying to decide which speakers and amplifier I want to get to finish this portion of my upgrade.

To start my room is 20x13 and currently have my system on the right 20ft wall ,and move the speakers out from the wall when listening.

I can put them at the end of the long wall facing me if I want,and do sometimes.

I have a 6,000-10,000 budget for the amp and speakers,but would like to spend less if possible.

I do not have any personal experience with most of the brands of speakers I hear talked about here,but I have bought many guitar amplifiers by listening to YouTube videos and I will probably do the same for my home speakers.

The speakers I have in person experience with that I like are Klipsch chorus 2,JBl Jubal's and L100'sand Thiel's(not sure what model).and some old DCM Time Windows.

The one's that I really like from watching YouTube are Sonus Faber,Wharfedale,Tannoy,some of the B&W's.

I listen to about 40%classic rock,and about 40% pop,soul,blues,with the last 20% jazz classical and misc.

I really need my speakers to be able to rock at a pretty good volume,I know the Klipsch's would probably do that,but also would like them to sound great for pop,soul,and acoustic stuff.I really like bluegrass and Celtic acoustic music.

I need some help to narrow down my choices in the 3-5000 range for those genres.

I'am not opposed to speakers on stands or tower speakers,or needing a subwoofer to achieve the goal.

It seems to me a lot of the high end speakers have a over accentuated treble,but this just could be my background of blues rock music.I just want cymbals to sound like cymbals not a sizzle sound.

I think if I can find a amplifier I like for less I could spend more on the speakers.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

 

 

twangy57
twangy57 OP
221 posts
 
blackbag20

Thanks for the suggestion.I will look at Revel to see what their about.

twangy57 OP
221 posts
 
everhard

Thanks for the advice,I'am definitely enjoying the hunt.

With all the choice's we have these days it is hard to sort out the instant gratification sound ,from what might serve you well over the long haul.

I like the Wharfedale Linton,and will check out the Eggleston Works.

I would love to get a 8000 speaker used for 3000,and that seems totally doable.

 

twangy57 OP
221 posts
 

vinylrestingplace’s avatar

vinylrestingplace

Thanks for the words of wisdom.

I will try and use it going forward.

I have had my current speakers about 30 years and have tried them in every placement imaginable,and they have been in 5 different locations.

They sound good to me about 20 inches from the back wall and away from side walls.

I do put them on the narrow wall and that is where I like them best.

Thanks again.

twangy57 OP
221 posts
 

I'am putting the call out for a face off on 2 speakers that I keep coming back to.

1'Elac FS 249 Black Edition

2.Dynaudio Focal 360

these both sound great to me.

I know they are older designs,but if they sound good that doesn't disqualify them to me.

Anybody have a opinion on either one?

My concern is versatility,can they do rock ,pop,and acoustic singer songwriter stuff.

They are available for around 2-3000 right now.

Thank you.

devinplombier
1,677 posts
 

My concern is versatility,can they do rock ,pop,and acoustic singer songwriter stuff.

@twangy57 

The man I bought my current speakers from was helping me load them when he asserted, a propos of nothing, "these are not heavy metal speakers".

I thought it was an odd thing to say (or believe, for that matter), but sure. He seemed to be a bona fide audiophile with a penchant for jazz being played at polite volumes, so I could see where he came from.

I was thinking about that the other night while blasting Sumac’s excellent album The Healer at a solid 105 dB, which my speakers performed admirably, apparently at ease and enjoying themselves. 

The point of this, which has been made before in this thread, is that great speakers will play everything well.

There are exceptions, usually "uncommon" or single-purpose designs. Planars, single-drivers, ultra-high-efficiency coaxials, all have their idiosyncrasies yet excel in certain areas they make them the perfect choice for some folks, although to be fair most of these folks would probably rather undergo an appendectomy without anesthesia than listen to a Sumac album.

If you’ve auditioned the Elac and Dynaudio in person - that is, you being physically present in the same room while the speakers are playing - and you loved them, go for it! 

 

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