I am unfortunately going through a divorce and a moving to a smaller place. Fortunately, I will be relocating to Southern California and will thus have exposure to many dealers I don't have in my current location.
Am looking to replace the speakers in my system, which I have generally been happy with (Devore Gibbon X's). As I'm expecting to be in a smaller place, I want to try and find a slightly smaller form factor speaker for space reasons. Also ready to move on from the Gibbons for acoustic reasons, see below.
Esthetics are very important to me. Unfortunately, this eliminates much of what I see in market. I just prefer more traditional shaped, natural wood cabinets. My price range is sub $25K (open to used equipment).
Additionally, there are two other aspects to the Gibbons which I want to address. They are spectacular when playing acoustical music (Jazz, classical etc.). They are very transparent and arguably the most realistic sounding speaker I have ever heard (Piano, vocals etc.). The sound stage is quite impressive, at least to me. Problem is (as others have noted) I find them to be rather harsh and underwhelming with music that would typically be listened to at louder volume. I've realized, they just don't move enough air to enjoy music that wants to be played loud, and turning them up only makes it worse. This might be a placement issue, or incompatibilty with the system, but given other reviews I have read, I think it is probably just the nature of the speaker.
My current system: Antipodes K50 > Bricasti M1II > Mark Levinson 585.5 > Devore Fidelity Gibbon X (wired up with full loom of Black Cat Graceline L3). I have some network elements in front of all this to address network degredations. I listen exclusively to digital, either streamed or played locally from an extensive set of files.
So, very curious to get as many recommendations as possible. FYI, I do plan to listen to the new O/96 bronze as well Harbeths, when I get settled in.
Am looking to replace the speakers in my system, which I have generally been happy with (Devore Gibbon X's). As I'm expecting to be in a smaller place, I want to try and find a slightly smaller form factor speaker for space reasons. Also ready to move on from the Gibbons for acoustic reasons, see below.
Esthetics are very important to me. Unfortunately, this eliminates much of what I see in market. I just prefer more traditional shaped, natural wood cabinets. My price range is sub $25K (open to used equipment).
Additionally, there are two other aspects to the Gibbons which I want to address. They are spectacular when playing acoustical music (Jazz, classical etc.). They are very transparent and arguably the most realistic sounding speaker I have ever heard (Piano, vocals etc.). The sound stage is quite impressive, at least to me. Problem is (as others have noted) I find them to be rather harsh and underwhelming with music that would typically be listened to at louder volume. I've realized, they just don't move enough air to enjoy music that wants to be played loud, and turning them up only makes it worse. This might be a placement issue, or incompatibilty with the system, but given other reviews I have read, I think it is probably just the nature of the speaker.
My current system: Antipodes K50 > Bricasti M1II > Mark Levinson 585.5 > Devore Fidelity Gibbon X (wired up with full loom of Black Cat Graceline L3). I have some network elements in front of all this to address network degredations. I listen exclusively to digital, either streamed or played locally from an extensive set of files.
So, very curious to get as many recommendations as possible. FYI, I do plan to listen to the new O/96 bronze as well Harbeths, when I get settled in.
