$80K budget for Speakers

[Richard Austen]

I also recommend auditioning the Classic Audio speakers. After more than 2 decades of experimentation, I am now convinced that field coils is the way to go. Only electrostatics can achieve the same level of transparency and low distortion, but without the macrodynamic capabilities of a compression driver. Since Classic does not do any of the advertising/promotion like other more mainstream high end brands, they are less well known outside of the horn/high efficiency community, but they also offer much better value. I am using their midrange and bass drivers and tube field coil power supply. The next step would be to use an active crossover and multiple amps, which I find extremely rewarding. Driving the drivers directly gives a huge increase in transparency and dynamics, and one can optimise the matching of each driver and its amplifier.

Yeah personally, I like these speakers more than most and to my taste I would take them over anything on the OP's list. I also auditioned the wonderful Heartsfield speakers here in Hong Kong - fantastic - I didn't know Classic Audio was making them.

 

[gleeds]

As long as things are getting outside the mainstream then please add Ken Songer's amazing field coil S-2 dipoles to the list, At under $60k, Ken's hand built full-range driver deliver's electrostatic clarity, dynamics and density of tone that must be experienced. A real winner at the recent CAF show powered by Trafomatic 300B amplification and Lampizator DAC.

 

[adrianywu]

Yeah personally, I like these speakers more than most and to my taste I would take them over anything on the OP's list. I also auditioned the wonderful Heartsfield speakers here in Hong Kong - fantastic - I didn't know Classic Audio was making them.

Hi Richard, where did you hear the Hartsfield speakers ? I did not realise that there are Classic Audio speakers in HK. I bought the drivers directly from John Wolff.

 

[Richard Austen]

Hi Richard, where did you hear the Hartsfield speakers ? I did not realise that there are Classic Audio speakers in HK. I bought the drivers directly from John Wolff.

I don't know that they are classic audio - they could be original Hartsfield speakers as the cabinets looked a bit beaten up. I went to the Classic Audio website and saw that they are making them under classic speakers https://classicaudioloudspeakers.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?fs=2&upper=27&content=28

The dealer selling them here in HK is one of several offshoot AN UK dealers and I looked in and saw the GakuOns along with the Hartsfield, Cessero horns, AN Es, Nola Grand Reference. It seems the dealer carries more the top end. I don't see why Classic Audio could not sell here in Hong Kong - there are much bigger speakers here and usually horns are okay near walls/corners. I generally prefer horns and HE speakers - obviously Hong Kong is small and space is tight so AN speakers do pretty well here as does the LS 3/5a but a lot of the wealthy Chinse prefer to buy in HK because they feel they get the real article here while in China they think they might be buying a fake.

The Hartsfield just won't fit in my flat or my home in Canada! Gotta choose the right speaker for the given space. I do like the Classic Audio speakers I've heard. The Hartfield speakers - if I had to pick a word to describe their sound "Luxurious." No idea how much they cost - I should have asked but I can't fit them so I didn't think to inquire.

 

[andromedaaudio]

85 K runs circles around Wilson in terms of coherence.
Stunning LS to look at as well

 

[gleeds]

I heard the Kharma's at CAF with CJ and they indeed sounded very good!
A new option from a well established German company that recently came to my attention in this range is the German Physiks PQS-302. I am so intrigued by these loudspeakers I will be traveling to the US importers next month for a listen. More after I hear them.

German Physiks PQS-302 - Locrian Audio

The German Physiks PQS-302 is a destination speaker for the vast majority of fairly affluent music lovers enabling them to enjoy all music genres in medium and large rooms. It is an exceptional loudspeaker, producing realistic and detailed three-dimensional stereo imaging, excellent dynamics and...

locrian-audio.com

 

[facten]

@AudioGod - Any update on where you stand since you posed your question 3 months ago?

 

[AudioGod]

@AudioGod - Any update on where you stand since you posed your question 3 months ago?

Still with nothing

 

[Djcxxx]

Still with nothing

Too many choices and too many opinions often arrive at the same destination as no choices and no opinions.

 

[AudioGod]

Too many choices and too many opinions often arrive at the same destination as no choices and no opinions.

Yeah and new models coming out every 2 days...

 

[gleeds]

True enough, but that was the questioned asked

A compendium of every recommendation would be a good resource for current and future Members.

On too many choices - that is IMO one of the wonderful aspects of the current scene.

 

[facten]

Analysis Paralysis

Excuse vs Decision Making

 

[gleeds]

FYI Members, here is the dizzying list of recommended loudspeakers!
One could simply spend a million dollars and save a few hundred thousand so as not to worry about making a bad choice

Goebel Marquis
Zellaton Evo Plurals
Stenheim Alumine 5
Rockport Cygnus
YG Acoustics Vantage 3
Von Schweikert VR-55 SE
Wilson Alexia V
Kharma Midi
Magico M3
Focal Maestro Utopia
Sonus Faber Aida
Tidal Contriva G3's
Vivid Audio Giya 3
Sigma Acoustics (Bonzo approved)
Vyger Amargosa

Clarisys
Alysvox Tintoretto
Arion Apollo
German Physiks PQS 302
MBL
Classic Audio field coils models
Songer Audio W2
Wolf Von Langa Chicago
Corner Horns/Karmelli

I may have missed them but saw no mention of:

Avantgarde
Avalon Acoustics
Diptique Reference
GT Audio Works
Duntech (new models)
Peak Consult (new models)
SoundLabs
Wilson Benesch

Note: some speakers on this list are over $80k none that I am aware of rise to $100k
Apology to any Member recommendations left out.

 

[Richard Austen]

FYI Members, here is the dizzying list of recommended loudspeakers!
One could simply spend a million dollars and save a few hundred thousand so as not to worry about making a bad choice

Goebel Marquis
Zellaton Evo Plurals
Stenheim Alumine 5
Rockport Cygnus
YG Acoustics Vantage 3
Von Schweikert VR-55 SE
Wilson Alexia V
Kharma Midi
Magico M3
Focal Maestro Utopia
Sonus Faber Aida
Tidal Contriva G3's
Vivid Audio Giya 3
Sigma Acoustics (Bonzo approved)
Vyger Amargosa

Clarisys
Alysvox Tintoretto
Arion Apollo
German Physiks PQS 302
MBL
Classic Audio field coils models
Songer Audio W2
Wolf Von Langa Chicago
Corner Horns/Karmelli

I may have missed them but saw no mention of:

Avantgarde
Avalon Acoustics
Diptique Reference
GT Audio Works
Duntech (new models)
Peak Consult (new models)
SoundLabs
Wilson Benesch

Note: some speakers on this list are over $80k but not that I am aware of rise to $100k
Apology to any Member recommendations left out.

There are more - some of my Audio Show winners over the years make speakers at $80k

Acapella Audio Arts, Audio Note UK AN E speakers (17 versions ranging from around $7,000 to $400,000+ (Field Coils)), AVID Reference speakers, Perfect 8 Technologies:

Along with others that get up there: Scaena loudspeakers, Nola Speakers, Legacy Audio (Valor) speakers. Cessaro Home Acoustics speakers, B&W Model Nautilus is now $100,000 USD. Inflation!!

 

[dcathro]

Still with nothing

That's alright, you can be an unbiased expert like Ked.

 

[Woots]

After demoing speakers for over a year I ended up with the Wilson Alexia V. They have delivered beyond expectations.

 

[Al M.]

If you want to save money and get $ 80K performance from a $ 20K speaker, there is the PranaFidelity Dhyana. I am totally in love with its performance in my system, and It is my end destination speaker, see my review:

PranaFidelity Dhyana: Two-way quasi line array speaker

The Speaker Retail price/pair: $ 19,500 Dimensions in mm: 1219 x 278 x 455 mm (H x W x D) Dimensions in feet/inch: 4.0 feet x 10.9 inch x 17.9 inch (H x W x D) weight: 45 kg (100 pounds) Below data are largely based on personal communication by Steven Norber, the designer. The Pranafidelity...

www.whatsbestforum.com

Steven Norber had great sound with it at T.H.E. Show in SoCal this year, and according to a number of people apparently always has good sound at shows. So it's worth checking out on such an occasion. Or if you ever are around in the Boston area, send me a PM and you can come for a listen.

 

[Ron Resnick]

After demoing speakers for over a year I ended up with the Wilson Alexia V. They have delivered beyond expectations.

Congratulations!

 

[Lee]

After demoing speakers for over a year I ended up with the Wilson Alexia V. They have delivered beyond expectations.

Congratulations! I am also very impressed with mine.