Audiophiles - Speaker Recs?

[jyl]

I'm looking for a set of living room speakers. It's been a long time since I was an audiophile, so I know what I want but not what's available. Here's the "want" list:

- Really crystalline, clear, overt highs. I like my music with more treble that most. On jazz tracks, I'm not happy unless the high hats sizzle and the cymbals shimmer.
- Next is a good, smooth midrange.
- Bass should be solid but needn't be more. In a live club the acoustic bass has a distinct line but doesn't shake your table, and that's what I want.
- Good imaging, separation sound stage - whatever its called nowadays.
- Not too big. No more 6' towers. A sub + satellite system would be fine, or a pair of slim 4' towers. I'd consider sub + in-walls too.
- If they're on the larger side, then an interesting look would be nice to have.
- Not too difficult to place. These won't get their own listening room with acoustic foam and a central listening chair. They're mostly going to be placed where furniture allows. Unless they're wall mountable, then I'll put them in the "optimal" spots.
- Not too picky about listener location.
- Can be driven by a conventional 100-150w/ch amp. I don't want to have to buy some exotic electronics to power the speakers.
- Source will be CDs or iTunes/MP3s
- Under $2,000 the pair.

When I was younger, I really liked the sound of acoustatic panel speakers (Acoustats) but the ones I knew back then would fail all my other criteria today.

Suggestions? Pics of your sound system?

[pwd72s]

My stereo is old & cheap...but for speakers? Bell turned me on to this line...
http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/global.main

[rouxroux]

I'd suggest a pair of the Magnepan 1.6's. Sweet quasi-ribbon speakers. One of the best all-around speakers I can think of. Been through ALL kinds of speakers over the past 30 years, and they would rate as a "best buy" with me. I've attached a pic of some of my old speakers, 2 pair of highly-modified Dahlquist DQ-10's (not much original left in them)...top pair inverted in a nice point source configuration. Some of my bass amp equipment is there in the middle, just disregard that stuff, although the 18" Bag End would be a heck of a sub! If anyone has a set of Wilson WATT/PUPPIES for a good price, let me know.

[pwd72s]

John, if you're in Portland, get out your white pages, look up "Chelsea (sp?) Electronics"...they are THE upper end home entertainment electronic store of the area. Beware tho...the sales staff is well trained in getting the customer to "upgrade".

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by pwd72s
My stereo is old & cheap...but for speakers? Bell turned me on to this line...
http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/global.main

I read Audiophile magazine and they speak very highly of the B&W speakers.
Can you get a pair of those for $2000? Unfortunaly my speaker budget was more like $500

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by scottmandue
I read Audiophile magazine and they speak very highly of the B&W speakers.
Can you get a pair of those for $2000? Unfortunaly my speaker budget was more like $500

They make speakers over a wide price range...all are very good. All that said, I almost sprung for a pair, then decided to have my old (1970's) JBL's rebuilt...

[IROC]

I've always loved Klipsch speakers. I'm not blown away by the current offerings, though. For what you describe above, I would imagine a set of KLF20s would sound nice. KG5.5s are really nice also.

I have an old set of KG4s and I love 'em.

Mike

[kstylianos]

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/faceoff1.php

For the same $$ you can build your own (this IS a diy site) that can blow away anything you could buy for the same price. Been looking to DIY myself and am considering:

http://murphyblaster.com/content.php?f=MBOW1_3-WAY.html

If I had more cash, these would be fun:

http://www.decware.com/newsite/speaker%20line.htm

[1973911s]

Speakers are on off those things you need to bring into your house and try out.

Go to a local audio store, get an idea what you like, then demo them in your house.

Michael

[kach22i]

I love just about all panel (boxless) speakers like Martin/Logan and Magnapan but they are very room sensitve. Acoustics of the room and placement are important and they typicaly require quality upsteam equipment which includes amplification.

B&W are very good box speakers, if you like that sort of thing.

[RANDY P]

Polk Audio RTI 6 bookshelves x 4 with a SVS 10" subwoofer.

Beautiful, and inexpensive. Try out a set.

rjp

[einreb]

I'm a big fan of Axioms at http://www.axiomaudio.com/

[jyl]

I looked at some online reviews of Martin Logan speakers circa 5 years ago and they seemed much richer, cosmetically-speaking, than the current line. Has the company been cost-cutting the products? Or is it simply a style shift?

[1973911s]

What is the breakdown between audio and home theater going to be?

Michael

[Rob Channell]

I like Martin Logan and Klipsch. I own neither. I could be tempted with DIY speakers from Madisound (conventional) or www.justrealmusic.com (electrostatic).

I have an old set of ADS L810s that just sound OK. They were acceptable when played through my Denon receiver. When I played them through a Theta Digital CD with a seperate D/A and then through a Krell 300i amp the sound was much better (waaay tighter and a little cleaner). One day I spent about two hours doing nothing more than moving the speakers and my listening seat a few inches in different directions. It made a huge difference in the soundstage. The biggest incremental difference was from moving the speakers away from the wall a couple of feet. Seems like it always takes a lot of floor space to get the best sound.

[nostatic]

http://www.adam-audio.de/professional/

I mix (and listen) on a pair of p11 speakers. Best treble and imaging I've ever heard. The ribbon tweeter is unbelievable...

[jyl]

Originally posted by 1973911s
What is the breakdown between audio and home theater going to be?

Michael

All audio. 60% jazz, 30% pop/rock/folk, 10% misc.

[pwd72s]

John...get yer butt to Chealsea (sp?) take along some of your favorite CD's...but be sure to ask to listen to B&W speakers...

[Brother]

Are you over the age of 40?

If yes then B&W.

You won't get a good set of Martin Logan's new for $2000 unless prices have changed a lot.

For the money, I've never been more impressed with anything other than Paradigm Reference series. I don't even know what line they are on now.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Rob Channell
I like Martin Logan and Klipsch.

I have a foundness for both, yet their "sound" could not be more different from each others.