New speakers in the $10K-$20K range

[mauidan]

You really, really need to read this thread, most notably the exchange between John Atkinson and our publisher, Doug Schneider. It will be fascinating for those interested in the back story of this speaker and some of things that went on. And although it won't be comforting to a present owner of the product, you could use it to inform you in the future about how measurements, in particular, should be used by the consumer.

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/speakers/messages/30/301228.html

You really, really need to check your facts. The Escalante Freemonts design has nothing in common with My Budge Khorus speakers, which were built by Mr.Budge after he left Wilson, before he started Talon and long before Escalante.

They’re a two way floor standing speaker using Focal drivers.

I do appreciate you tip on the Vivid speakers.

Dan

 

[Jeff Fritz]

You really, really need to check your facts. The Escalante Freemonts design has nothing in common with My Budge Khorus speakers, which were built by Mr.Budge after he left Wilson, before he started Talon and long before Escalante.

Doug's comments were about our experiences with the Talon Khorus speaker designed by Budge.

 

[mauidan]

Doug's comments were about our experiences with the Talon Khorus speaker designed by Budge.

Doug's comments on the Talon Khorus speakers have absolutely nothing to do with my Budge Khorus speakers.

My speaker measurements look nothing like the Soundstage measurements of the Talon Khorus or Stereophile's Escalante Freemont measurements. The response from 1K Hz up is smoother than any Soundstage measurement of Wilson speakers.

Dan

 

[MylesBAstor]

You really, really need to read this thread, most notably the exchange between John Atkinson and our publisher, Doug Schneider. It will be fascinating for those interested in the back story of this speaker and some of things that went on. And although it won't be comforting to a present owner of the product, you could use it to inform you in the future about how measurements, in particular, should be used by the consumer.

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/speakers/messages/30/301228.html

That's funny because I heard those speakers (and other Talons) in two reviewers systems and could never understand what they heard in them I chalked it up to the fact that maybe they were rock 'n roll speakers

 

[Jeff Fritz]

Doug's comments on the Talon Khorus speakers have absolutely nothing to do with my Budge Khorus speakers.

My speaker measurements look nothing like the Soundstage measurements of the Talon Khorus or Stereophile's Escalante Freemont measurements. The response from 1K Hz up is smoother than any Soundstage measurement of Wilson speakers.

Dan

My apologies.

 

[wineslob]

If you want to get re-done Apogee Duetta Sigs , which are about right for your room, try here: http://www.apogeeacoustics.com/forum/index.php

As an owner of Duetta II's I can't listen to domes anymore.

 

[rbbert]

No love for the Vandersteen 5's?

 

[mauidan]

Best I've found are Zu Definition 2s in your price range at 10k. And they do not have mdf cabinets, are not made in china, etc. They do have an active bass array though.

I've owned Sophias before fyi. Magico v3 is my next fav speaker---but lists at 27k and a Q3 is probably going to replace it some day.

Cheers,

Keith

You must be psychic:

http://magico.net/Product/Q3/Q3_01.php

 

[Mobiusman]

I believe that there is a greatly under valued amazing speaker out there that one rarely hears about and that is the Martin Logan Summit X. Granted one has to like the electrostat dipole type of sound, but if your room can accommodate a dipole, this should be on your must listen list. The speaker is small, at least narrow, has amazing powered bass, not sub bass, and to my taste has close to unsurpassable midrange at any price. Link this with a Fathom 113 or two, and you have an absolute keeper of a system. Add a newest version Bryston 4b SST2 and tube preamp and you have an amazing system for a total just over $20k if you buy smart on A'gon. I am currently running a BAT 32 SE (used about $4k with phono, with a Bryston and blown away. Try MSShifi.com for used JL products and used ML's.

 

[RUR]

I believe that there is a greatly under valued amazing speaker out there that one rarely hears about and that is the Martin Logan Summit X. Granted one has to like the electrostat dipole type of sound, but if your room can accommodate a dipole, this should be on your must listen list. The speaker is small, at least narrow, has amazing powered bass, not sub bass, and to my taste has close to unsurpassable midrange at any price. Link this with a Fathom 113 or two, and you have an absolute keeper of a system. Add a newest version Bryston 4b SST2 and tube preamp and you have an amazing system for a total just over $20k if you buy smart on A'gon. I am currently running a BAT 32 SE (used about $4k with phono, with a Bryston and blown away. Try MSShifi.com for used JL products and used ML's.

Huge +1, but I'm a shameless ESL whore. ;-) Having said this, the sweet spot is small and room/placement more problematic than with some other speakers.

 

[rblnr]

If you're willing to go w/a panel, I'd listen to a Magneplanar or the Analysis Audio Omega. I've had both in my room which is 12.5 wide and gotten great sound. If in a weak moment you're willing to forego the nogo on MDF, I think the VMPS RM50s @ 13K shame a lot more expensive speakers.

 

[mauidan]

Mahalo for all the suggestions.

Happy Holidays.

Dan

 

[RBFC]

The B&W 802 Diamond is $15K/pr. They're pretty good competitors at that price range also. I just saw a pair yesterday and had a short listen.

Disclaimer: I own B&W speakers. You may or may not like them, that's OK. I mentioned them since I'm familiar with the line.

Lee

 

[marty]

Has anyone heard the Focal Viva speakers.?These are about 25K/pair. I heard them at CES last year with the Diavalet amp and was very impressed. Has anyone heard them in the real world? Focal makes nice gear- their speakers sound like music and the tweeter is notoriously excellent. I would love to hear someone's impression of the Focal Viva. My guess is that these baby resting on a JL audio F212 sub would be a giant killer. Viva vs Sasha would be a great comparative review to read.

 

[Justav]

I had a chance to listen to the Focal Viva Utopia's at RMAF a couple of weeks ago, powered by an Accuphase amp (E460), using both digital and analog sources. I found the sound not particularly pleasing, with the high end too dominant and the overall sound lacking some of the precision that I am used from our main system (Magico V3, powered by Accuphase E450, using various digital sources via Berkeley Alpha DAC). Unclear whether this was solely based on the less-than-ideal room and setup at RMAF as a secondary system in this room, or representative of the general speaker characteristics.
At the current Audiogon asking prices, I'd recommend to give the V3's a serious consideration in this price range.

 

[LL21]

Devert, was not sure when you say "new set of speakers" you necessarily mean they must be brand new speakers, or if you are just looking to change to something else. If you are willing to go second-hand with your budget, you could buy any one of several effortlessly dynamic speakers which are full range. For rich midrange, SF Strads. For purity of tone and neutrality with unflappable dynamics, Wilson Grand Slamms. You could also do Maxx IIs if you like them (I prefer Slamms). As Jeff says, rockport...if you could find a Hyperion, i've heard great things about them...Rockport Merak Sheritan would be at the low end of your budget. Rockport Mira Grand II...the list is truly long. good luck.

 

[mauidan]

Devert, was not sure when you say "new set of speakers" you necessarily mean they must be brand new speakers, or if you are just looking to change to something else. If you are willing to go second-hand with your budget, you could buy any one of several effortlessly dynamic speakers which are full range. For rich midrange, SF Strads. For purity of tone and neutrality with unflappable dynamics, Wilson Grand Slamms. You could also do Maxx IIs if you like them (I prefer Slamms). As Jeff says, rockport...if you could find a Hyperion, i've heard great things about them...Rockport Merak Sheritan would be at the low end of your budget. Rockport Mira Grand II...the list is truly long. good luck.

Thanks for your suggestions, but I got a new set of speakers at the end of last year.

 

[Bruce B]

For anyone else looking at speakers under $20k, the best sounding speakers I've heard are the Revel Salon 2 and the Magneplaner 20.?

 

[FrantzM]

For anyone else looking at speakers under $20k, the best sounding speakers I've heard are the Revel Salon 2 and the Magneplaner 20.?

+1 Here.. Both can challenge the SOTA products at any price... Both unfortunately require power, lot of it...

 

[audioguy]

A pair of Maggie 20.1's (or even the 3.6's), a pair of used Bryston 7B-ST's ($2300) and a good sub (Seaton SubMersive or equivalent) well integrated (maybe with a TacT 2.2XP) add a reasonable room and I would put that up against any thing at 2 to 5 times the price. And if I were only a two channel guy, that is exactly what I would own !

Future upgrades with that system would be some used high powered Audio Research (or other well respected) tube amps.

Killer. Absolute killer system!!

As with most systems, room setup is critical with Maggies -- absolutely critical.