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What is a good all around high quality speaker to purchase?

I'm looking for a high performance all around musical speaker. My previous speakers are:

Bose 501 - I was young and they served a purpose

Infinity SM150 - terrible from the start

Boston Acoustics T1000 - actually a nice all around speaker

Polk SDA-SRS1tl - loved the full sound, not accurate at all

Thiel 2.3 - Very dry sounding

B&W N802 - perhaps my favorite, but needed to be played loud

Thiel 3.7 - I think Jim's cancer affected his hearing

B&W 802D - 1st gen, still have.....please stop my ears from bleeding

 

What do you suggest?

 

 

onehorsepony
kingbr's avatar
kingbr
480 posts
 

I went from B&W to Dynaudio and loved the decision. Back in the day (2000) Dynaudio was my Holy Grail. Instantly fixed the fatigue I got from B&W. Nowadays I have found Dynaudio has shifted towards a more forward sound, not bright but more forward than previous lines (this was with the Excite line). I think Evoke has been a step back in the right direction. Have never heard Contour or Confidence. 
 

Revel and Sonus Faber I would also highly recommend. I have been truly awestruck with the Revel Be line…

yyzsantabarbara
5,556 posts
 

@onehorsepony I owned the Thiel CS3.7’s and I think you are being a bit hard on them. They are a very good speaker, though I think the drivers on them are surpassed by Beryllium and the even better Zylon (as detailed but not harsh).

This what I think is an all-round star speaker with tech that is hard to match by most builders. I own them and drive them with a CODA #16 amp.

Yamaha NS-5000PNST 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers with Stands | Hi-Fi Heaven

These are huge speakers with a beautiful piano finish. You need some volume in the room to make them work. A Thiel CS3.7 is a good guide to the room needed for the NS5000.

 

 

dekay's avatar
dekay
6,182 posts
 

Do you "treat" the 6 1/2' ceiling in any way?

I'm out on speakers in your price range, but  recall dealing unsuccessfully with a low ceiling ages ago (in the early 70's).

 

DeKay

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,707 posts
 

@onehorsepony 

I cannot make a recommendation in your price range, but I do like you sense of humor. Happy Hunting!

rbstehno
1,630 posts
 

I have multiple pairs of Revel speakers, all floorstanding. I Have some large Ushers that worked great in my 27’x16’x15’ room. Go listen to the ps audio speakers: the fr30’s, and fr20’s. I also use ps audio equipment.

Take a trip to ps audio in Boulder to listen to their speakers. You already have some of their equipment. Ps audio has an in-house trial program but you probably won’t be sending them back. Same goes for the larger Revels or Ushers.

Or Go to some audio shows to hear many different speakers, then work with the dealer for a 30 day in house trial.

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