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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
h4k4lugi
27 posts
 

curveball, but if you like the efficiency and dynamics of horns but want a great midrange, consider Tekton.   

 

I’ve owned B&W supplemented with folded horn subs.  I’ve owned maggies and Martin Logans - and my Ulfberht’s give me the slam and imaging I missed with my traditional setup, while providing the amazing midrange and sound-stage of my planar/dipoles.

 

https://tektondesign.com/product/full-range-speakers/flagship/ulfberht/#reviews

 

I started with smaller units - ’paid’ for them to demo in my home and loved the midrange, but like you wanted something full range, so called them back spoke to Eric, the owner, told him what I wanted, he suggested the Ulf’s and provided full credit for the upgrade, and we ’swapped’.    I’m very happy.  I go to high end stores locally (where I bought my T+A pre/pro-  they have amazing brands) and I can’t find anything for under $50k that sounds better to my ears.

The only thing I’d change is more cabinet bracing - doesn’t become noticeable until you really push them to concert levels (I have Purifi Elegant monoblocks from Buckeye so a lot of power for such an efficient speaker)  I may try some of my own dampening on the inside/sides of the cabs by removing the woofer - TBD.

They’re not a traditional brand, but you can hear them in your own home and decide for yourself, removing a barrier you list in your post.

The ’ready to ship’ page has even better pricing, but stock changes: https://tektondesign.com/product/specials/1-pr-moab-w-upgrades-black-finish-5200-delivered/   << demo the Moab’s, if you like them and want/can afford even more, just upgrade during the return window.

steve59's avatar
steve59
1,983 posts
 

You did choose speakers that would each hate their own sonic signature. I've read many B&W and KEF owners like the pairing with Mac. If your Mrs voice counts the SF amati's would likely get more votes. Not sure what your timeline is but look up audio shows and see if there's anything happening in your neck of the woods. Wilson's tend to sound very good at shows, but i've never heard them in a normal size room.

robeffy's avatar
robeffy
81 posts
 

Listening in your room, that will be hard to arrange I suspect!  I hope you find a dealer who is willing to let that happen.  I have 802 D2, they can fill my room easily when cranked up. Supposedly Gershman speakers, made in Ontario, are super good...  no idea... 

mswale
381 posts
 

You like horns, so only horns will give you that sound. Think you will be disappointed with some of the others. Just for fun, I swapped out my main horn speakers for some others. They sounded great, but were missing something. After putting the horn back in, there it was! 

If this were me, and I had the money, it would be on a set of Volti speakers. Think these are the best horns out there in the price range. 

genomeip
25 posts
 

Consider the Klipsch Cornwall IVs as a cheaper entry point.  Watch a few videos from the Audiophiliac...it was his reference for years. It’s also one of Andrew Robinsons current long term speakers as well, though I believe his reference is now one of the Beolabs speakers.

At the top of your range, consider the PS Audio Aspen series (the 20 would be in your range).

I saw someone else had suggested the Klipsch Jubilee.  I actually auditioned those at Upscale Audio last year and cannot recommend them at any cost and I’m a 35 year old fan of Klipsch.  My Forte IVs had far more presence and dynamics...almost no bass, imaging wasn’t there,  they sounded flat...reminded me of Polk speakers from the 80s.  

Good luck. 

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