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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
audionutjeff
70 posts
 

Some interesting choices.  On your list, I like the KEF Blades the most and the B&Ws the least.  Wilson’s are a distinct flavor, you really need to be sure that’s what you want.  The Sonus fabers are really nice as well.  
 

Two brands mentioned that are worth considering are the Rockports and Joseph Audio, both are superb.  The Linkwitz speakers were also mentioned, they are among my favorites, I built a pair.  They are however, quote esoteric.  
 

If you are partial to the Klipsch sound, you MUST check out Volti.  They are superb speakers and absolute bargains in the horn space.  It would be worth flying down to Tennessee to visit Greg’s magnificent shop and do a deep listen.  Plenty of great live music in nearby Nashville for comparison!  

Just to complicate things further, check out the PureAudioProject horn speakers.  They are superb and will check a lot of your boxes.  

I second the recommendation to go to AXPONA in April, if you can hold off for a few months.  That’s the biggest show in North America.  You’ll get to hear a taste of pretty much everything you’re considering.  

kymanor1
126 posts
 

Klipsch or Wison would be great for your music choices 

jacupmakeup
32 posts
 

I just did a lot of demo’ing in the same price range. O Audio and Devore were my favorites. Sounds like Volti could be a good choice for you. 

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,883 posts
 

@chris71 I don't usually get the opportunity to comment on Speakers as I have not heard many of the models that usually show up.

I do know Models from Companies referred to by yourself and can be sure there are quite different End Sounds being produced between the Models. 

 Altec Lansing - Klipschorn  - B&W 801/802 D3 or D4

I am also quite familiar with work undertaken by Joseph Crowe and have communicated with him in the past.

The Links below will put you in front of a Type of Speaker Design you have expressed an interest in, as well as numerous others.

Note: That Drivers and Xovers selected by both Crowe and Graveson in the case of certain models are to be found in Commercial - Branded Models costing easily near £100K. Using these designs as a DIY route to produce a Speaker will reduce an outlay to almost parts costs only.

Think Board Material and Cutting at £1K maximum depending on Board Materia.

Think a Cabinet Maker assembling at £500 + £300 for adding a Veneer selection if if this is wanted on the Cabinet.

Drivers + Xovers are between £1500 - £5K depending on the Speaker Design and quality of Xover parts selected.

My own experience of this for a design selected is a total outlay of approx' 50% of the maximum total shown above.  

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Illuminator-4.htm

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Illuminator-5.htm

The B&W D4 when I experienced a demo left me stating it is a Speaker that is a very close mimic to a ESL Speaker when being driven by a SS Amplification. I was really hoping it could have also been heard on another occasion with a Valve Power Amp' but the Speakers are not logistic friendly to be moved to alternate listening spaces.

I have also recently heard the Klipsch Jubilee and was enthralled by the overall experience, but they are the antithesis of the ESL Speaker types I have lived with for such a long time.

I will state, from after COVID and return to normality, my most recent experiences of visitations and being introduced to alternate speaker designs has led me to have a complete rethink about ESL Speakers and I am enjoying Cabinet designs with a new gusto. 

Currently I have superseded older owned Cabinet designs and replaced their regular usage with new types of a design for a Cabinet Speaker, it looks like this is to be taken further and another Cabinet design will supersede the owned ESL design.   

 

randyhat
162 posts
 

After spending years swapping out speakers I found my end game speakers a few years ago when I got the Vandersteen Quatro CT. They have a newer version now that would work with your integrated amp.  It's the Quatro CT EVO. It is about $23000 US but still less expensive than the Sasha. The built in powered subs can be adjusted precisely to your listening room to give you optimum bass.

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