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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
jimintally
39 posts
 

Khorns but with a different take.

Buy a good-condition, used, pair of Khorns -$5-7k, then do a FULL Volti Khorn upgrade on them.  Another $4500-ish (not sure about current cost).  Total $10-11K.

You will have a COMPLETELY different speaker when you are finished.  

Massive wall of a very dynamic and well-defined soundstage.  Solid, punchy,  bass down to 30-35 Hz or so.  WAY better than what you remember at your friend's parents house!  

Very doable and fun DIY project.  Easy one day.

Can be driven by most any amp.  A 300B SET amp is glorious.

Tightly fit into the corners of your room, they really do not take up much space and pretty much disappear.  Dried flowers on top!

In any case, best regards and good luck!  -Jim

 

 

 

ckr1969
183 posts
 

@chris71 where you located

jfrost27
98 posts
 

Considering that you are in Canada, have you considered the Bryston range of speakers?  I would think you could find an audition site easily. A local deal here carries them and I thought they were great when I heard them. I was not in the market for speakers but they would be high on my list if w was. 

kerrybh
673 posts
 

I wholeheartedly agree with the advice to audition the speakers when you narrow down your list. From your description of what you sre looking for, I suspect you may find the Wilson’s check most of the boxes, but we all hear that differently. I have owned reference level Sonos Faber speakers and they are beautiful and have a warm, slightly veiled sound, but at least to my ears bass was not their strong point

you should listen to as many as you can, however, because if you hear them, you might be surprised at what you like the best

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,423 posts
 

The B&W are bassy with a fairly hot top end. I consider them good with rock but not as convincing with other genre... component pairing is important. 

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