New speakers for $5000

I visited a local hifi shop yesterday and listened to a few speakers that I’ve had on my audition list for a while. Here are some brief listening impressions:

- Harbeth C7ES-3 XD: this was the first speaker that I heard. Really polite. Did not sound full range. Sounded quite small in terms of scale and imaging. Didn’t do anything particularly well except maybe female vocals. Not a speaker I could live with. 

- Kef R3 Meta: this was my favorite speaker of the day. A nice improvement over what I remember the non-meta version being. The best treble out of the speakers I auditioned. Highly detailed. Non-fatiguing , at least for me. Excellent mid-range. Bass was satisfactory, but I have 2 Rel subs that I would use with them.

- Revival Audio Atalante 5: I wanted to hear the 3 but the dealer did not have them. Absolutely amazing. The lower half from the mid range down, was the best of the day. Great mid-bass bump. Treble was smooth. Not recessed, not exaggerated. If you have the room, I think this is a speaker that a lot of folks would enjoy. I could’ve listened to these all day. These also get the award for most attractive speaker of the day, with the Kef next, and the Harbeth last (if looks are important to you).

Wharefedale Super Lintons: the dealer only had the regular 85th anniversary. But said that if I didn’t enjoy the Harbeths, I would probably not like the Wharfedales. I would still like to hear them as the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. 

Now my question is: Do I get the Atalante 3 unheard based on my impression of the 5, or go with the speaker I know I liked in the Kef R3 Meta? My room is on the smaller side, 11’x13’ so I don’t think the 5’s would work. As your room is 12x16, I would put the Atalante’s on your audition list. I’m leaning toward the Kefs for me. 

Best of luck!

@petar3

Stirling Broadcast is closing down due to the owner suffering health issues.

Therefore the current stock is being sold off at reduced prices and the only speakers being built are those using existing parts from stock*. Because of the owners health issues this work is being done by a former customer and LS3/5a enthusiast who is keen to ensure as many of these superb loudspeakers reach customers as possible and that they remain supported for as long as possible. Dispatch and administration is being handled by a close friend and neighbour.

I’ll sell you a pair of totem forests for $2,500. They used to be in my main system but now they seldom get used on my secondary system.  They are in perfect condition.  I don’t know where you are but we could work out shipping.  I also have a pair of Martin Logan Ethos that might work for you as well.  Same price. They were also in my main system but now are just boxed up waiting to be loved again.

just throwing it out there

I have a pair of Odeon Midas speakers that retailed for about $6-7k that I’m offering at $3k shipped. They were NOS and 9.9/10 condition. Great speaker. German made, high end components, beautiful looking, 95db efficient and perfect for the type of music you listen to and your room size. I got them out of curiosity and to use while my cube Nenuphar mini driver needed a repair. I thought maybe I’d keep them and sell the cubes but still love the cubes even though they have some faults. I can’t keep multiple floor standing speakers so selling the Odeons. They aren’t as widely known in the US as they are in Europe and Asia. I used them with a pair of REL Carbon special subs and multiple amps including tube, class a solid state and an LTA ZOTL Ref40+ amp that was perfect with these. Actually all the amps sounded great in their own way. Reach out if interested. 
 

I’ve seen some recommendations on the Atalanta’s and I’ve never heard the bigger 5’s but did have the stand mounts for a bit and they were excellent too. I’m sure the 5’s deliver. Good luck in the search. A lot of great options. 

I've had both, and I adored my forests.  It is far from a "perfect" speaker, but I loved the look, sound and quirkiness of the forest.  Very sensitive to gear, needs and responds well to power and current, but to be honest, with your integrated, I think the devore gibbon super 9 would be amazing - and they come up for sale at around your price range - happy hunting!