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:
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 $20K CAD - give or take, and I am fine with used equipment vs. new and for this list I’m mostly assuming used.
An issue I have is that I haven’t been able to audition some of these in person. I would aim to do so before purchasing. My research thus far has been academic, and also some subjective listening on YouTube to various channels and samples and piecing that together.
Thanks for your time/interest.
Look at the JBL S4700 see here Mike |
You really need to audition for yourself. Maybe travel to a big audio show and have a fun weekend. I have a well funded friend and he has the Mac 1.2 monos , Mac pre and B$W 804’s. Considerable room treatment, and JL subs he doesn’t need. He likes rock mostly and to me it’s too bright, but he loves it. Go find firsthand what you like the most and make sure your amp compliments that speaker. At that level you absolutely need to get it right. Guessing at a speaker and hoping it pairs with your amp gives you about a 1 in 4 chance of being happy. Also listen to the big Tektons, they throw a huge wall of sound and do have a pretty big following. I like them , but I like loud , live Rock and Roll too. People that like their music more refined usually don’t care for them. Happy Hunting, Mike B. |
There are a thousand speakers out there that would float your goat in addition to the speakers you already have on your list of consideration. Based on your list, I'd definitely go with the Wilsons, simply because you get it all with the Wilsons, and wouldn't have to look any further. Not to mention the high resale value you get with Wilson speakers as well. Happy listening. |
I am the very happy long-term owner of the Linkwitz LX521.4 speaker system. After numerous visits to audio shows and a recent factory tour of Magico (which is located 30 minutes from where I live) I can honestly say that there is nothing even close at that price range: if you like life-like performances with a re-creation of the stage or studio venue like the artists were in your room with you, this is it (the late Siegfried Linkwitz described this effect as "Phantom Stage"). If I listen near-field (equi-lateral triangle between L and R speakers and my seat position, I am getting a true earphone effect without the In-My-Head nausea. And yes: if you like well defined but powerful bass, you get that vibration on your body when it is called for (try John Castellucci "Sound of Silence"). Please have a look at the Linkwitz website and see, if there is a "lounge" near where you live. I open my home for lounge visitors as well, but I am located in the SF Bay Area: https://linkwitz.store/blog/category/auditions/linkwitz-lounges/ I hope you will be able to "see the light"!
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+1 for large Tektons, but only if your pet cow isn’t long for this world and you’re looking for a suitably stylish vessel in which to inter her mortal remains. Wilsons will disappoint. Based on the tastes you’ve expressed so far, I second @ditusa ’s advice, and I would also recommend you audition some of the larger offerings in JBL’s Summit series. In any event, in-person auditioning is crucial.
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