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June 19, 2020, 08:40 AM #1
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2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
01. KEF Reference 3
02. Focal Kanta No. 3
03. B&W 804 D3
04. Joseph Audio Perspective 2 Graphene
4B. Joseph Audio Pulsar 2 Graphene (bookshelf speakers known for big floor standing speaker sound, could be paired with dual subs)
05. Harbeth Monitor 40.2 (slightly over $15,000, still needs a small platform stand)
Any others I should consider? Please post below!!
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June 19, 2020, 10:24 AM #2
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Revel 208b or 228B. 228b may be slightly over but I thought $15k
Magico A3
Dynaudio Contour 60
Monitor Audio Gold or possibly Platinum since up to $15k. I really like the current Monitor Audio models in regards to sound.
If you don't mind the look, JBL 4367. The HDI 308 is even less than $7500 and I was really impressed with their ability.
There are so many options.Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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June 19, 2020, 10:25 AM #3
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
What’s the associated gear ? Size of the room ? What kind of music do you listen to most ?
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkPaul
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June 19, 2020, 10:31 AM #4
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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June 19, 2020, 10:48 AM #5
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I don’t have anything yet. I will likely purchase the Chord Hugo TT 2 or the Yggdrasil 2 to use as a DAC. And I’ll buy an amp setup that works well with the speakers. The room has a very very tall ceiling perhaps 16 feet, and it’s about 16’ x 24’ perhaps, the kitchens area is on one end, it’s a loft main room, I also have a nice size bedroom. I like everything from rock and roll to modern pop. Female voices especially like Gloria Estefan. I will also watch movies and play video games with it.
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June 19, 2020, 12:02 PM #6
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Magico A3
Vivid Kaya 45
B&W 803D3
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProMy Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
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June 19, 2020, 12:20 PM #7
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June 19, 2020, 01:05 PM #8
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Sounds like you need an all round speaker that does most everything, I'd stick to a brand with good dynamics since movies/games.
You mentioned the Hugo that can be a digital preamp. However, you might want to look at the Bryston BDA3 which has multiple HDMI inputs with video pass through. This would be ideal for what you are wanting to do, then maybe use an integrated amp. Unless getting off into HT I don't know of any other higher quality amps etc. that would provide HDMI.
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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June 19, 2020, 05:35 PM #9
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June 19, 2020, 10:15 PM #10
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Wilson Benesch Vector.
Cheers,
BernardRoom: Gik Acoustics | Vibration: Townshend pods | Power: Shunyata Omega XC + Everest + Sigma NR v2 + Sigma ground cables | Source: Mojo Audio DejaVu EVO linux server running Roon core (Raat) | Ethernet: Sonore Optical module + Melco S10 with dedicated LPS + Shunyata Omega Ethernet x 2| Synchronous digital (preferred signal path): Mutec MC-3 + USB (Paul Hynes LPS) + Cybershaft OP21A | Dac/Pre/Amplification: Devialet D1000 Pro CI (Chord Sarum T RCA-RCA link) | Speakers: Chord Sarum T + Wilson Benesch Act One Evolution P1
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June 19, 2020, 10:48 PM #11
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Reference 5’s can be picked up for that price. Great with a sub.
Sent from my iPad using TapatalkPreamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
HT Processor: Bryston SP3
Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
Sub: REL Carbon Special
Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks
-Kyle
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June 19, 2020, 11:10 PM #12
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I wondered what would be priced at. The KEF R5 design is clean and easy on the eyes. I’m a big fan of them visually with the all black gloss and copper accents.
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June 19, 2020, 11:15 PM #13
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
If your room is big enough you might want to look into the Legacy Focus SE or the model below. You have dealers in Dover and Harrisburg. I am a big fan of the two Reynaud floor standers in that price range but you would have to be willing to go to Amherst, Ma to hear them. Also the Nola KO but doubt you will find a dealer much outside of the NY area.
Main - JVC QL-Y7/Denon DL-301 Mk II, Gold Note PH-10, Jays CDT3 Mk3 , Auralic Aries G2.2, Holo May KTE, Supratek Cabernet, Kinki Studio EX-B7 monoblocks, Verity Audio Otello, (2) Rythmik F12SE, Audio Envy IC, SC & PC's, Triode Wire Lab PC's, Inakustik USB and I2S, (2) Puritan Audio Labs PSM-156 with Groundmaster City, Timbernation rack
Family Room - Oppo UDP-203, Auralic Aries, Aqua La Voce S3, Kinki Studio EX-M1+, Nola KO, (2) Rythmik F-12G, Wireworld SC & IC's, Neotech PC's, SurgeX SA-1810
Greenville, SC- Jays CDT2 Mk 3, Auralic Aries G1, Holo Spring 3 KTE, Supratek Chardonnay, Odyssey Audio Kismet Reference, Rosso Fiorentino Volterra 2, (2) RSL Speedwoofers, iFi Audio Power Station, Wireworld IC's, Inakustik USB and I2s, Triode Wire Lab SC, Triode Wire Lab PC's, Furutech NCF Clear Line, Timbernation rack.
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June 19, 2020, 11:24 PM #14
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Aerial Acoustics 7T. It took my Magico’s to replace them. Now they are in my HT/stereo.
322511D8-5CC3-483B-BBA5-67BCC5128DE5.jpeg
7T | Aerial AcousticsBud
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD
Pass XP-22 pre, X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers, SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR for source, Denali 2000 (2) for amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson four shelf maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
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June 20, 2020, 07:10 AM #15
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
So far I’m feeling KEF Reference 5, Joseph Audio Perspective2 Graphene, and Harbeth 40.2 options. I want to hear these three first. B&W 803 D3 is always the go to for me, but I want to explore options. And I’ll pay attention to these other brands mentioned if I ever come across them. The TT2 is out, might buy the Dave however.
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June 20, 2020, 09:50 AM #16
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
$15k used can get about anything musically satisfying. I lumped my speaker and amp money into a pair of dsp speakers and now have the synergy I always hear in demos, but could never get at home. end game go dsp
KEF Blade, Mc-611's, C49 rega jupiter, roon nucleus, revox tuner. Meridian dsp8000 se upgrade, meridian 218 zone controller VA Beethoven's, Hegel h360.
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June 20, 2020, 01:03 PM #17
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I really enjoy these posts. Best advice I can offer you is become good friends with a Dealer that carry's A LOT of different brands. Then make sure you actually know what sound you're looking for and hopefully that Dealer can help you save a lot of time and money getting there.
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June 20, 2020, 03:01 PM #18
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Vandersteen Quattro Wood CT
Great full range sound with built in powered sub and they can be tuned to the room without using DSP. This makes a huge difference to in room performance unless you are really lucky with how your room sounds. Sound is not forward but the detail is there. Of the choices listed probably closest to the Harbeth? Joseph Audio sounds nice too, different presentation ...__________________________________________________ _______________
Room: shared use, American Clay on walls and ceiling
Speakers: Vandersteen 5A Carbon
Amp: Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse Stereo
Preamp: Aesthetix Calypso Eclipse
Source: Aesthetix Romulus Eclipse, CAD CAT
Ground/Isolation: CAD Ground Control GC3 and GC1, Gigafoil V4 with Keces P3
Cables: Audioquest Hurricane on DAC and CAT, Audioquest Earth, Audioquest Castlerock, Audioquest Diamond Ethernet
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June 20, 2020, 04:57 PM #19
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Tekton should also be on anyone’s short list.
Cheers,
Bernard
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June 20, 2020, 11:29 PM #20
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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June 21, 2020, 10:57 AM #21
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
You can get deals that fit under your price cap on Revel Salon2's , but you'll need some muscle to make 'em growl in a room that size. If this is a multi-purpose room (you mention a kitchen area), one of the great strengths of this speaker is it's off-axis response.
Parker
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June 21, 2020, 03:17 PM #22
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Janszen Audio Valentina P8 (passive version) - $9k (ish)
Janszen Audio Valentina A8 (active version) - $12k (ish)
With the active version, you get speaker, amp, pre, and DAC all built in, so you can literally add a digital source (downsampled to 192/24 if you have higher resolution/DSD material) and you're done.Electronics: Pass Labs XP-22, Pass Labs X250.8
Digital: T+A DAC 200, Auralic Aries G1, Sony UBP-X800M
Analog: Pro-Ject X2 w/ Ortofon 2M Black, iFi Phono3 Phonostage
Speakers: Janszen Audio Valentina P8, SVS SB13-Ultra
Other: David Laboga Custom Audio/Shunyata/Audioquest cabling, PS Audio PowerPlant 15
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June 21, 2020, 06:35 PM #23
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
VA Listz
paradigm persona
Kii3
Dutch&dutch
Focal sopra
usher be10KEF Blade, Mc-611's, C49 rega jupiter, roon nucleus, revox tuner. Meridian dsp8000 se upgrade, meridian 218 zone controller VA Beethoven's, Hegel h360.
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June 21, 2020, 07:06 PM #24
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I'd not heard of Janszen speakers before, but they do sound interesting with electrostatic panel plus woofers all needing only a digital input. I'm warming to this type of active speaker although one has to ask questions about DAC and amp quality - compared with ones one may choose to support a conventional passive speaker.
I'd also look at the Dutch & Dutch, perhaps a better active solution.
The saving in amp, DAC, etc may allow the OP to up his speaker budget if looking at actives. PeterSources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified
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June 23, 2020, 11:11 AM #25
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I never considered Magico speakers before this thread. They are recommended here and there. Now the Magico reviews start to stand out more as I come across them again in my research. I might not have searched for them or demoed them otherwise. Now I will seek out a demo and I may just buy them. Although I read they are not as pretty as say the KEF Reference 5 with a nice piano black gloss finish. I do tend to gravitate towards special tweeter technologies like in B&W, Focal, Magico, and KEF. So the forum posts absolutely do help me with my speaker search. Also, thanks to everyone for any help rendered. And yes, I do need to start hearing them in person. I’m also not into the idea of built in amplifiers as I want to choose that separately and have the option of changing it, unless it’s a subwoofer.
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June 23, 2020, 11:36 AM #26
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
If you add Magico to your list, you should also add Piega. I listened to both brands, similar size speakers, both in aluminium cases, but the Piega (Coax 711) was hugely better than the more costly Magico. I think the reason for it's wonderful sound was largely down to the 711's coaxial mid/top ribbons and much larger area of bass drivers
.Sources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified
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June 23, 2020, 11:52 AM #27
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
i know piega very well, used to live 2min away from theyr factory. lets say kurt scheuch is a friend of mine and i would love to recommend it. i used to have the cl 90x and the linesource.
they are excellent. however, they are NOT good for gaming and watching films.
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June 23, 2020, 11:58 AM #28
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I definitely want a balance of music, movies, and games audio quality in that order of importance. I may not get that home theater bass punch, but I do want to approach full range. And also still have the treble and midrange qualities of say Von S VR-1 or B&W 805 D3 (or better), put all that in a nicely finished floorstanding design. For the longest time I thought that was the B&W 804 D3, then I thought that Focal Kanta No. 3 was the firm answer. It may still be. Then KEF Reference 5 popped up, so did Joseph Audio, and the Herbeth 40.2 is always a contender. And all the other models listed here. I believe the answer is somewhere here already, I just have to start listening. Focal was on my hot list as they make those amazing Utopia headphones. Herbeth came to my attention through the sheer enthusiasm of the reviews starting with the audiophiliac. KEF made waves with the LS50 and I was impressed with prior store demos. I’ve owned the VR-1s and they blew out of the water (save for bass) every NHT speakers I’ve ever owned. Yes, I was a NAD and NHT fan back in the day. Joseph Audio was from The Absolute Sound research and the fuss that the Pulsar 2 was making. B&W was always on my radar since the USAF days when I almost purchased a 700 series speaker for $3K in rosewood. They sounded nice but I ended up with the VR-1 instead for $1000, which was a bargain for the sound. Until the veneer started to peel. They cheaped out on the finish. Still audio wise, they were worth every penny.
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June 23, 2020, 12:12 PM #29
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
thats why i love the newer wilson audios, they are a bit more forgiving and are excellent for films, deep house etc.
have a look at 2nd hand yvett or even sasha daw
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June 23, 2020, 12:13 PM #30
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Perhaps the Sabrina?
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June 23, 2020, 12:32 PM #31
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
my bud is wilson audio distributor, he has all the models up to the chronosonic.
the sabrina as well....but imagine, everytime i am there i want to hear the bigger models. the smallest model i listened was the daw.
lol, i used to run the tunetots for a year, even much smaller than the sabrinas, and they are excellent for movies.
however, i cant comment on the sabrinas at all
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June 23, 2020, 12:36 PM #32
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
i just remember he mentioned a client who was on the way to buy the piega511 (he sells piega as well) but then liked the sabrinas better
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June 23, 2020, 12:56 PM #33
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I just realize for Focal raised their prices on the Sopra 2. Not fair. I discounted the Kanta series due to the lack of bass slam vs the Sopra woofer material per various indicators, if I go Focal it’s the Sopra 2 or Sopra 3. I’m just not sure where that kinda of money will come from. I could buy one at a time over say a year. Would that be crazy?
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June 23, 2020, 01:04 PM #34
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
IME deep house, techno can be quite addictive with sealed bass like Magico. I also find sealed enclosure sub like JL to work really well with Magico. The combo also provides those visceral feel on HT side of things in my system as well.
If I were you, I’d up the budget a little and go for Magico A5.
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June 23, 2020, 01:14 PM #35
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
havent heard it yet but from looking at it i think the a5 could really be the right one.
worth to skip the rest of the plan, or lol, get the monoversion. you could use the single a5 as subwoofer and get some cheap satelittes until you buy the 2nd
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June 23, 2020, 01:18 PM #36
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
btw i had a small pair of focals and then a bigger model. they were not good for films, didnt matter what amp i did use.
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June 23, 2020, 01:22 PM #37
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
again me, sry, just after posting i always have more thoughts....
one of the few places who run both wilson and magicos is my-sound in germany, not far from the hi-end place in münich.
they have the m models, the a3 but not yet the a5.
if you ever go there, lol
the m3 was madness good sounding even with deep house!!! then again, a sasha daw or alexia2 has ways more slam and dynamic. to be fair, the rest of all parameters the m3 was even some better.
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June 23, 2020, 01:25 PM #38
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I’m pretty sure I live in a dome like The Truman Show because I never left the US
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June 23, 2020, 01:35 PM #39
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
well, the usa provides the whole spectrum of nature, no absolute need to look further.
my neighbor was only twice in his life (60 years) in the city 30 km away. the 2nd time was when i took him with me.
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June 25, 2020, 09:02 AM #40
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
ATC SCM40 or 50’s, or where I still play in the focal line.
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June 25, 2020, 09:58 AM #41
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Living Voice IBX.
hifi:
power: Audioplan Powerstar, Audioplan Finefilter, Audioplan Powerplant, Powercord
tube amp: Jadis DA 50 Signature RC, Line Magnetic 508ia
speaker: Living Voice Avatar 2
turntable: Pro-Ject Xtension 10 + Ortofon Quintet Black MC
phono stage: Remton 383 MKII
cables: Audioplan Musicable bic 7a, Profigold, Wilbrand
home-cinema: Sony blu-ray, Yamaha rx v2700, Heco Metas 700 (4x), Heco center
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June 25, 2020, 09:47 PM #42
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Fyne Audio 702's
Magnepan 20.7'sMy Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.
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June 26, 2020, 12:47 AM #43
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I have a speaker hunt update. I am very close to pulling the trigger on a pair of black gloss Focal Sopra No 2 Speakers. I am looking to demo them this week, to compare and contrast to a few other last minute options. I know I need to do more demos vs just reading - limited time and options, ETC.
On paper, the Focal Sopra No 2 ticks a lot of boxes for me. The Sopra No 2 have special beryllium tweeters and I love those sparkling, detailed, upper end frequencies. The beryllium tweeter is known for its high-end detail retrieval while remaining pleasant to listen to for longer periods. Focal has big company R&D budgets, they have big company warranties, and they have excellent reviews. They look nice, the build quality is very nice, and they are sufficiently high-end with high-end detail retrieval.
For my midrange I do not prefer a warm signature that limits resolution. Nor do I want a cold analytical precision. I like my mid-range to be in the Goldilocks zone. Balanced, seamless and smooth - while still being energetic, vivid, and resolving. Then add just a tad of warmth. And I hope that is the kind of high-end mid-range that the Focal Sopra No 2 offers.
Just as I prefer, The Focal Sopra No 2 bass is described as fast, tight, and articulate. I do not pine for home theater bass slam, merely punchy will do. If I want more slam I could always deploy dual powered subwoofers. That Sopra No 2 and dual sub setup could outclass the Sopra No 3 and also remain flexible for smaller rooms.
I could try a tube preamplifier if I wanted to add a few degrees of warmth. Seemingly, the Focal Sopra series is more of a blank canvas in this respect. Something I could swing somewhat in one way or the other with DAC and amplification choices. So I would rather have a decidedly warmer amp versus a decidedly warmer speaker. Is that backwards? I do not know. What I do know is that for me these speakers are just too expensive to switch in or out. I am far more likely to try new DACs, preamplifiers, or power amplifiers to find an ideal match. Considering the relative costs, those audio components are far more easy to upgrade over time.
As a company, Focal had the audio chops devastate any claims to the flagship headphone world wide belt. Take the Focal Utopia open-back headphones for example. The Focal Utopia is basically Rocky now. It is several movies in and the Utopia is still going strong. If you ever beat him, defy the odds, he will just come back in the sequel and kick your ass. That BumBumBumBumBaNaNa music will swell as the inevitable Utopia 2 enters the ring for a rematch. And The Focal Stellia is like Apollo Creed. He is the current closed-back headphone champion, almost as good a fighter, but not quite (only due to closed-back limitations). I would not mind a matching set of Focal logos between my Focal Sopra No 2 speakers and my Focal Utopia and or Stellia headphones. All with matching beryllium driver covers. It is tempting to just buy all the high end headphone gear instead of a set of speakers.
And I have enjoyed reading about the other speaker options presented on this forum thread. For the recommendations of brands newer to me I would definitely need a few demos to get excited about them. If needed, I will find more stores and more demos. However, as long as my Focal Sopra No 2 demo meets expectations I am going to Focal Town.
And take everything I post with a big audio grain of salt. I am too green on speakers and I may never graduate out of internet D-List audio expert school. I am likely to find the one or two speaker amplifier combos that works for me and stop searching. Plus, I do not know if I know what I am talking about. You know?
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June 26, 2020, 07:48 AM #44
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
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June 26, 2020, 07:56 AM #45
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Thank you for that sentiment. That post took forever to properly craft. I feel sorry for anyone that read it before the edits.
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June 26, 2020, 10:10 AM #46
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I like that focal for each line of speakers states what size room each model it the range is intended for, vs pretending their flagship will play best in any room.
KEF Blade, Mc-611's, C49 rega jupiter, roon nucleus, revox tuner. Meridian dsp8000 se upgrade, meridian 218 zone controller VA Beethoven's, Hegel h360.
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June 26, 2020, 10:40 AM #47
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Accidental double post.
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June 26, 2020, 11:01 AM #48
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
From my research and inquires I have found that the Focal Sopra No 3 is noted to be a step better than the Focal Sopra No 2. A step better that is well worth the added cost. I also have found that the Sopra No 3 is noted to be a much bigger speaker with more room filling sound pressure. As a result, more listening space will be needed for it. The Sopra No 2 was already a stretch for me when considering cost, I could additionally save for the Sopra No 3, though given my current loft spaces and or expected future residences that is perhaps unnecessary. And I always have the dual subwoofer option.
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June 26, 2020, 01:15 PM #49
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Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
I did some ballpark math against the Focal Sopra series recommended room sizes. And I considered a comfortable want to need guesstimate. I did this by taking the max square footage recommendation, backing off a tad, and playing with a square footage calculator. There is no way to account for ceiling height, but I doubt that is a determining factor.
By my rough, humble estimations you would need a luxurious man cave of about 20-feet by 30-feet to make the Sopra No 3 reasonably worth the extra cost. For most room sizes the Focal Sopra No 2 is arguably plenty of speaker. At least according the available online information and and various advice that we know of. Given this info I would rather have dual powered subwoofers which can be turned off if need be. And the Focal Sopra No 2 can easily handle just about any room size I can afford rent or mortgage in. That is everything from a normal bedroom to a large living room.
The suggestion is that for normal sized rooms if you want better sound than the Sopra No 2 offers you should purchase a better speaker line. But not necessarily a bigger, more room filling one such as the Sopra No 3.
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June 26, 2020, 05:44 PM #50
Re: 2020 Stereo Floor-Standing Speakers To Consider For $7,500 To $15,000
Exactly, the sopra 2 is probably plenty for most listening rooms. There was a near new pair of sopra 3’s black on usam for $10k, owner upgraded to the utopias or something and I nearly bought those just because the price was so appealing. A guy from Texas bought them and shortly after listed them on AG saying they were to big for his room.
KEF Blade, Mc-611's, C49 rega jupiter, roon nucleus, revox tuner. Meridian dsp8000 se upgrade, meridian 218 zone controller VA Beethoven's, Hegel h360.
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AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
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Didn't do a triple header - what a pic! That brings back many great memories of riding The C&T railroad to the summit. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
For Mikado Dave