If it were me, my short list of manufacturers to consider would be Tekton (for their ULF15), Legacy Audio and ATC.
And for your transportation needs consider Porsche, BMW and John Deere 😂
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.
- Klipschorn AK6 or 7
- B&W 801/802 D3 or D4
- Sonus Faber Amati (Tradtion or G5)
- Wilson Sasha or similar
- 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.
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- 109 posts total
I would like to 2nd the Arendals. I have the 1723 Towers and love them. They have taken every music genre I have thrown their way and done great. I have them at my desk running in a stereo configuration without a sub. Unless you want to feel like you are in a battle when the canons fire in the 1812 Overture, they provide plenty of bass. Not that I am judging if you do. There are reasons I have subs on my other systems (that either use bookshelf speakers or are primarily for home theater). I am powering with a couple of Outlaw Mono amps in a fairly open environment with rooms, hallways, and stairs blending together along with vaulted ceilings. They fill the space well enough that my neighbors could call in some noise complaints (with all doors and windows shut in a modern, fairly well insulated house). The 1528 Towers are supposed to be even better. While they are not cheap by any means, they seem to be a wee bit less than some of the options on your list. Depending on your situation that difference in price could allow you to upgrade other components, buy more LP's, or may mean the ability to get new vs finding a set 2nd hand. Good luck in your search. |
My two cents would be to maybe add the MoFi V10 to your short list. It seems to fit your requirements and below your price limit. Though I can't say that I have personal experience with the speaker, it seems to get great reviews and fits the bill. Also as a friendly reminder as you consider and audition speakers don't forget to factor in the amount of room you have to place them off the walls in your room. That is obviously important if you are looking to get in-room base without a sub. Good Luck... |
@chris71 If you like horns, and can find a pair, consider the Avantgarde brand. They produced some highly-praised hybrid designs in the ’90s, which used conventional woofers with huge, round horns (think tuba, but larger). I’ve never heard them, but they got rave reviews in the audiophile press. I suspect these would qualify as endgame speakers. I don’t know if the company is still in existence, so do your research. From what I’ve read, the Klipsch horn-driven speakers don’t extend very far in the bass, so the hybrid design makes sense if executed well. |
I'm recommend to to listen to Coherent Audio. they built on super high quality Radian drivers with Neodynum magnets, made in Canada. This speakers have huge and well controlled bass, great dynamics and natural real midrange and extended high frequencies. It is like your model 14 on steroids plus more modern and accurate sound. |
- 109 posts total