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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.

  1. Klipschorn AK6 or 7
  2. B&W 801/802 D3 or D4
  3. Sonus Faber Amati (Tradtion or G5)
  4. Wilson Sasha or similar
  5. 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.

chris71
chris71 OP
8 posts
 

Thank you all for the feedback so far.

@ghdprentice  thank you, that's helpful.  From what I've gathered, the Amati's are warmer than say the B&Ws.  I'm hearing the auditioning advice loud and clear and will make that a condition of any purchase.  

@hjdca thanks - another strong contender.  There are some sets of all of the speakers I've mentioned for sale, new and used, in areas around where I live - including some Watt Puppy & Sasha's.  I'm trying to narrow the field a bit to focus my search as it will take time and planning to travel and audition them.

chris71 OP
8 posts
 

@parkergetdean yes, open to suggestions.  Trying to also narrow the field practically.   I didn't use a specific methodology other than the broad information I provided - full response, presence and within that rough budget (new or used).  Thanks!

@deep_333 those Jubilees are monsters!  I did consider them briefly but then reality tapped my shoulder...;)  Not for me, at this time.  Thanks.

avanti1960
1,745 posts
 

@chris71 

The Wilsons by a mile.  Distant second place to the B&E Diamonds which are awesome with and only with your Mac amplifier. The rest do not compete.  

If you want a smoother more elegant and natural sound try the Rosso Fiorentino Sienna 2 or Arno 40.  Uncanny, spooky realism without a trace of recorded artifact.  

Also the O Audio Icon 12 is a phenomenal sounding speaker.  

It is too bad you cannot audition.  

parkergetdean
1,099 posts
 

@chris71 In that price range, there are a few more great options. 

Marten, ProAc, Qln, Totem, YG to mention a few. I know nothing in that price range, so all I can say is: it must be fun to figure it out and get the ONE!

mapman's avatar
mapman
23,625 posts
 

Were it me I’d narrow that list down to the Klipsch, Sonus Faber, or KEF.  Tough choice,  three totally different animals.  Definitely listen before committing unless you otherwise just feel strongly one way or the other.  Goldenear another possibility.  Best solution:  I’d take one of each if I could.  Note that from a pure technical execution perspective, the KEF Blades would seem to be it, however different strokes…….all very nice!
 

 

Others I’d suggest to consider and maybe save some $$$s depending: Ohm 5000, Totem Tribe  Thunderbird, Mofi Sourcepoint V10, Volti, Avant-garde.

 

I own the Ohm 5000s for a number of years now and consider those end game quality.  I also own and run smaller KEF and Sonus Faber.  

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