Recommendations for Speakers that sound like Snell


Hey Gang, I love the Snell sound but my wife is begging me to get rid of my TypeAIII (refridgerators). I have to admit they are beastly to look at but they just sing, so if and only if my fellow Goners can chime in on some replacements that have close to the sound with a better WAF I would consider it. In the past i have heard of Audio Note and Merlin.Thanks in advance.
barfbag
Gotta agree with the other posters. You probably can sell the speakers fairly readily for a price that will not come close to what they are worth sonically (in many people's view, including mine, the speakers are classics), and to get something at or near their sonic equivalent would cost a lot as Ddd1 notes. Plus keep in mind that the Snell AIII was designed to be used up against or near a rear wall, as I recall when I almost pulled the trigger on a pair, where most current speakers of a similar sonic level need to be a bit out in the room to sound their best, which may make them even less pleasing from a decorator's standpoint. I like the idea of acoustically transparent curtains. Think twice, and do some pricing and listening with your wife, before you decide to do this.
You love the speakers, and it would cost a great deal more to get something comparable that is smaller and new or nearly new. If she cares about your needs, she will let you keep what is important to you. Don't cave to pressure. Most women hate big speakers, (except you Elizabeth) but she needs to realize that the way they look is less important than the pleasure you get from listening to them.
Lneilb said: "I think the Type D is a better speaker - in a much smaller footprint."

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. The Type D is a fine conventional speaker, but IMO no match for the Type A, assuming the proper room, placement and electronics.

Peter Snell was a brilliant designer who developed loudspeaker technologies that are still in use today. Kevin Voecks, who designed the Type D, had a very different vision and took Snell speakers in an entirely different direction.