Note the Klipschorn AK6 are meant to be corner loaded in the room.
You might upgrade your modest turntable if vinyl is a significant source component.
End Game(ish) Speakers - Help Deciding
Hi folks,
Long time lurker, posting for input on upgrading my speakers to an end game(ish) purchase - famous last words I know. I’m middle aged, and listen to a broad range of music, predominantly classic rock.
Current core system:
- Altec Lansing Model 14 speakers (similar to LaScalas)
- McIntosh MA9000 integrated amp
- Vinyl (Project X1 Bronze 2M) and digital media (Mc DAC)
I’m looking to upgrade my speakers. I’ve done a significant amount of research, which has - in some ways - left me more confused than certain. There are many choices and exponentially more opinions.
One of the key things I am looking for is a floorstanding speaker with sufficient bass and presence to not require subs. I am also looking for a speaker which can pressurize the room and provide that visceral feeling you get from the right combination of components. My room is 14’x34’. Decently dampened in terms of floor and reflectivity - however it’s also my living room and I do need to consider my (tolerant) wife’s aspects of decor as well.
I grew up hearing friends’ parents’ speakers like Klipschorns - which made a BIG impression on me. We didn’t know what they were at the time, only that they absolutely rocked. Same with the Altecs. So I had some influences there in terms of horns and large speakers.
I have found that many of the newer floorstanding models that I’ve heard in demos lack that presence - other than the top models where you typically find woofers in the 8"+ range and hence you get what I would call a full dynamic range (say below 40Hz-20KHz). It’s unfortunate that the larger woofer options aren’t provided in lower end models, but I suppose this is how they market the top tier models and differentiate them.
I’ve narrowed my list down to the following, and would welcome comments and suggestions. I live in Canada, my budget is around $20K CAD - give or take, and I am fine with used equipment vs. new and for this list I’m mostly assuming used.
- Klipschorn AK6 or 7
- B&W 801/802 D3 or D4
- Sonus Faber Amati (Tradtion or G5)
- Wilson Sasha or similar
- Kef Blade Meta (or similar model)
An issue I have is that I haven’t been able to audition some of these in person. I would aim to do so before purchasing. My research thus far has been academic, and also some subjective listening on YouTube to various channels and samples and piecing that together.
Thanks for your time/interest.
- ...
- 109 posts total
A horn enthusiast will usually be disappointed with other types of speaker designs. So, its best you stick with some horny type of speaker. However, even some magnificent horn designs will require subwoofers, i.e., you are shooting yourself in the foot by saying no to subwoofers, some great options in your budget got killed. You could probably get a large tekton model such as the one below. Such Tektons have a higher end horny flavor mixed in with some point source flavor of sound. Bass extension will be significant where you could try to get by without subs with some freedom of placement. (Ask the spouse to pick the paint/ color of choice at the least for such models, especially if you are sitting there plastered in her living room.) https://tektondesign.com/product/full-range-speakers/flagship/symphony/#color Or stretch your budget to a lil over 30k and get the klipsch jubilee (you could get by without subs)....or count on this dude’s desperation (he’s moving apparently) to get the price down to 20k. https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbgcc6-klipsch-jubilee-full-range
|
- 109 posts total