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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
drmuso's avatar
drmuso
249 posts
 

@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.

alexberger
956 posts
 

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.

https://www.atelier13-usa.com/coherent-audio-loudspeakers

jimbennet
193 posts
 

I would add Revel Performa3 F206 or preferred F2228Be..

hifidream's avatar
hifidream
159 posts
 

You list some great speakers. I’m at an endgame build and would never be here if it weren’t for incorporating an active crossover, ripping out the passive crossovers in the speakers and learning how to use Room EQ Wizard and Multi Sub Optimizer to integrate four large subwoofers into the system. Don’t underestimate the power of multiple subs to control the standing waves that happen in any room. I have two towers of subs with five 10” Seas enclosed subs in each and then two 16” enclosed subs that I turned into end tables. no one even knows they are speakers until they jump off the couch during a movie. I think that controlling the low end and being able to truly pressurize the room with multiple subs is the only way to get endgame sound. 

rooze's avatar
rooze
683 posts
 

You must be thrilled that you found us. So much more fun than googling "Give me a list of every speaker ever made".

 

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