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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
robshaw
347 posts
 

I've been a ROCK person all my life (72) now. Room ( 13-14' 9' ceiling)  determined that stand a mounts were the type speaker of choice. Listen at 85 to low to mid 90's.  I spent a fortune (for me) for a demo pair of SF Guarneri G5. With my SVS SB 3000 sub, handling everything below 60Hz. After listening at a showroom in Nashville with no sub, I was floored. I had never heard a speaker before that expressed itself like that. Looking at the size, it just seemed impossible!  When I got  them home with the aforementioned sub, it was even better, which I didn't think was possible.  I really lucked out. Several posts,  when I was looking for an end game speaker said, not for Rock.  I am here to tell you, I have never heard anything so clear and dynamic and expressive, no matter what the SPL.  I listened  at the showroom to a pair of SF towers, same level (top of the line) and they were outstanding. ( SO WAS THEIR PRICE)  The gentleman that was there was auditioning the same a pair SF towers vs  a pair of Wilson's (don't remember the model). He couldn't make of his mind,  and we talked at length. I wished him well with his decision. 

     When he saw me and the salesman with a hand truck wheel out my new Guarneri's G5's  he stated,"That is the best stand a mount I have ever heard"  If I had a smaller room they wouldn't have been available. 

My story about my END GAME SPEAKERS. and a wallet that now has a HUGE hole in it. Robert TN

miyu
23 posts
 

Not much to add here except three things: 

1. You might want to arrange a serious listen to a high end speaker in your price range that is not a horn. If this is truly end game, you should be sure. It will likely reinforce what you think you already know but it’s great to be sure or this might end up being your penultimate purchase! 
2. The PS Audio Aspens were mentioned, they might help to fulfill number 1 above. 
3. Don’t forget to consider and budget for room treatments. The best speakers you can buy may not be optimal until you get everything tuned and that especially includes the room. 

poketacez
29 posts
 

You’re going in a few directions. However, I would advise against buying a speaker you need to EQ with amplifiers (B&W). The Blades are an extremely well designed speaker with balance - they aren’t going to hide bad recordings. The Sonus Faber, well everything will sound nice and warm, musical but slightly colored. The Wilsons will push more bass than the KEF’s but are very good - similarly bad recordings sound bad with them. More boutique options worthy of looking at would be Von Schweikert, QLN reference 9, or the Rockports. Gauder akustiks may be worth checking out too. 
 

At this price point, some dealers will pay for your ticket if you buy. I’d definitely recommend auditions or going to some audio shows to see what you like. 

kennyc
2,875 posts
 

+1 best to demo speakers to determine your personal subjective preferences

incorrigable
202 posts
 

Yamaha NS-5000 is the 72 pound studio monitor rated for 600 watts. 34' is a long way.

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