Check out the Focal Kanta's. FYI, retailer takes 47%, so haggle!
Speaker suggestions
Greetings,
I know this is a difficult question to answer, but any opinions are welcome.
Here is my situation. I listen mostly to pop and classical, including many symphonies. About 15x25 feet (5x8m) untreated room. 20wpc Decware amp currently driving 15 y/o LSI 15 polks. Polks are doing fine, nothing wrong with them. I am the 2nd owner.
I am considering an upgrade to my speakers. Would like to have full (or near full) range speakers, no sub, strongly prefer something made (assembled, not just designed) in the US, with 2-3k budget.
One option is to refurb/upgrade the Polks. About 1k gets me new premium crossover, new damping material, full inspection, and cleaning with some cosmetic finish work at a local well regarded audio shop.
The other option is buying something new. I plan to keep the system for at least 15-20 years, so need something well built, with solid fit/finish, and good internal electronics so I do not need to recap for at least 15 years.
Prefer new but will consider lightly used option if find something specific I like.
Have been looking lately at Tecton DI and Impact towers. Some posts mentioned that they do not measure very well, but I did not see any charts on the forums or on their site. Mostly great user reviews,
Other options are Ascend Acoustics Sierra towers, Klipsch Reference, SVS ultra towers. I think those are all US made. Spatial audio has great reviews, but not sure how well they handle complex classical music.
Can you please provide comments/suggestions? Any other options worth considering. I am not much of DIY person.
Thanks much.
I know this is a difficult question to answer, but any opinions are welcome.
Here is my situation. I listen mostly to pop and classical, including many symphonies. About 15x25 feet (5x8m) untreated room. 20wpc Decware amp currently driving 15 y/o LSI 15 polks. Polks are doing fine, nothing wrong with them. I am the 2nd owner.
I am considering an upgrade to my speakers. Would like to have full (or near full) range speakers, no sub, strongly prefer something made (assembled, not just designed) in the US, with 2-3k budget.
One option is to refurb/upgrade the Polks. About 1k gets me new premium crossover, new damping material, full inspection, and cleaning with some cosmetic finish work at a local well regarded audio shop.
The other option is buying something new. I plan to keep the system for at least 15-20 years, so need something well built, with solid fit/finish, and good internal electronics so I do not need to recap for at least 15 years.
Prefer new but will consider lightly used option if find something specific I like.
Have been looking lately at Tecton DI and Impact towers. Some posts mentioned that they do not measure very well, but I did not see any charts on the forums or on their site. Mostly great user reviews,
Other options are Ascend Acoustics Sierra towers, Klipsch Reference, SVS ultra towers. I think those are all US made. Spatial audio has great reviews, but not sure how well they handle complex classical music.
Can you please provide comments/suggestions? Any other options worth considering. I am not much of DIY person.
Thanks much.
62 responses Add your response
The build quality of the baffle is very good on my M4 speakers however they do not have a glossy piano finish. They are flat black, which I prefer. I can't comment on the crossover quality as it is internal to the speaker. If you go to Spatial's website and click on Audiocircle at the top of the page, it will lead you to a lot of discussions about Clayton's speakers. There is one thread where posters have offered to show their speakers to anyone in their area. I would do that as well. I don't know where you are located but that might be a good option for you. I noted in one of your previous posts that you showed the M4 Turbo was $3,000 but that is the price for the M3 Turbo. The standard M4 is $2,000. |
The M4 Triode Masters used to be listed on Spatial Audio's website as an upgrade to the Turbo S. They were listed as $3,000 per pair which is what I paid for mine. They have changed the website since I bought mine and don't show them as an upgrade so I don't know if they still offer them or not. If you call them you will likely talk to Clayton Shaw (the owner) and he would be able to talk to you about their availability. Al |
I too have a low power amplifier, the 24 watt EAR Yoshino V20. This is an extraordinary amplifier that makes my Spatial M3s shine in my 24x18x7 1/2 room. Minimal room treatment. Heavy drapes and carpeting. My Spatials are fed from the 4 ohm tap on the V20. I haven’t heard anything the V20 and the Spatials don’t make sound great. Give Clayton’s OBs a listen, you’ll be glad you did. ray |
Here. Buy these. You'll be thrilled. https://www.ebay.com/itm/292918434072?ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F7... |
I used to own the Polk LSI 15's but sold them and got the Polk LSIM 705's. My room is 10' by 20' and the LSIM 705's were too much bass for the room. Sold them and bought Spatial Audio M4 Triode Masters. The Spatial Audio speakers are absolutely fantastic. No bass problems and no room treatments necessary. They are 100% made in America and cost $3,000. Average 12 ohm impedance and 93db efficient. I couldn't imagine a better speaker for classical music (or any music for that matter) than these speakers in the room size that I have. I don't listen to much classical music but when I do, the soundstage is so large and the imaging so precise, it feels like I am in the audience. Disclaimer: I have them powered with a CODA 10.5R amp that puts out 100 watts (25 watts Class A) and an Audible Illusions preamp. I don't know if the 20 watt Decware amp could bring them to life or not because even though these speakers are high impedance and are fairly efficient, they are open baffles. I tried a Cary Rocket 88 tube amp with them and was not satisfied with the bass so I got the solid state CODA amp. I do not feel a need for a subwoofer using the CODA amp.. |
Another question. For 2-3k I can get new tecton impacts, ascend Sierra tower, or Salk. I can also get used Salk or vandersteon higher end models in that range. Is there a sense that Salk or vandersteon is overall better for the money in sound and built quality? Is it worth looking for gently used Salk or vandersstein over new tecton or ascend? I do plan to keep them for the next 15 years or so, so biult quality is very important. |
There are a lot of possibilities to purchase great speakers as it seems the 2K price point provides access to lots of great speakers. After months of research, I ended up purchasing a pair of Revel Concerta2 F36's last year and love them. They also brought home many end of year awards. https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/speaker/floor-standing/revel-concerta2-f36-tower-speakers-review... https://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/revel-concerta2-f36-tower-speaker-review https://hometheaterreview.com/revel-concerta2-f36-floorstanding-speaker-reviewed/ |
@sophie999 Most of the Salk’s are 88dB effienct, meaning 20W will make it 101dB, room gain will make it about 104dB (at 1 meter). The Heresey’s are rated with corner-loading, meaning instead of 99dB they actually are 93dB efficient, a decent amount over 88dB, but then you have to account for the Salk models being arguably better sounding. If the current Polk’s are fine volume wise, then so will the Salk models, and you can always move them a bit closer or move the seating forward a bit. |
Over the last 5 years I've been through hundreds of speakers...all used all what most here will define as mid grade.but not all... There are TONS of speaker choices and price ranges. one good speaker is the AR11(Acoustic Research) a tad better than the AR3a imho ads is a good speaker very very few if any are "duds" within the lineage. new? no idea i’ve never spent money on new since there are plenty of very good uses speakers. 2 to 3 grand will but a damn fine(used) loudspeaker. and less will buy a damn fine loudspeaker. IF i had 2-3 grand I would look hard at a Vandersteen beyond the 2 series.but thats me. |
I own Klipsch Heresy IIIs for a second system in my den and love them. They do need a subwoofer however for the last octave or so, which you need for orchestral works. I agree with tls49 that a 100 watt amp (solid state will give better bass control) would be needed for your Polks to get a concert level sound, and like tinear123 above I place dynamics high on the list of priorities so prefer horns. If you want new, the Klipsch Forte III would be near your budget and you could get by without a subwoofer. Another option would be a pair of used Klipsch Cornwalls. Any of the Klipsch will be well driven by your Decware 20 wpc amp. Good luck! |
I have a pair of Focal 926 Aria's. I really think their mid range and high end are stellar. They are ported, but work great with my Gallo sub. I highly reccomend these soeakers. I am driving them with new Peachtree Nova 150, but they are 93db, so they could work well in a small room with less power. |
Try Tonian Labs. You might be able to find one used or Tony Minasian might custom build one for you like he did for me. I have a 30 w/channel Luxman can run very loud in my room. Sensitivity runs around 92. They have a full sound but do not dig deep below 40 hz. Enough for classical and jazz, though |
"Any opinion as to the Klipsch Heresy III? Compared to Salk song 3." With the 20 watt tube amp, big difference in dynamic range. Klipsch will have excellent dynamic range and the Salks will be limited like the Polks. The Salks performance would be better with more power. The 20 watts is plenty for the Klipsch. |
Wharfedale diamond 225’s imo are worth three times the asking price, they sound wonderful to my ears. Stereophie also agrees, as it won budget component of the year in 2017....I like them so much I hardly use my spendor and harbeths believe it or not.....I own two pairs of the 225’s in walnut and rosewood....beautiful. No need to spend thousands to get good sound, these will surprise you. Dont let the asking price skew your opinion until you give them a listen. I know my recommendation may be laughed at, as some are suggesting to spend thousands....any how I like them, they are a keeper in my book. Keep in mind, these need to be bi wired to sound their best, and also require mucho amplification to bring out the bass imo. They also require rigid shot filled stands for support. Atacama makes some nice stands that go well with these. The rogue sphinx or a high powered marantz integrated really makes these sing......warm midrange, astounding bass, and liquid highs with zero harshness....I can listen for hours on end. The harbeth compact 7es-3 are also a terrific speaker if you want to spend 4 grand or so. The stands for these alone are 750.....ouch. I honestly cant think of a us made speaker I would own....there are a few nice Canadian speakers like totem and paradigm.... |
I can't imagine how you will be able to buy an audiophile speaker for $3,000. I would encourage you to buy the SALK Song3 Encores at $6,000 a pair. Jim Salk also makes a smaller speaker priced at $4,500. Since he sells direct, he uses the best drivers and crossovers you can buy in that price range. I listened to the Song3's at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in October and thought these sound better than a pair of $60,000 I listened to. They literally smoked everything I heard priced $20,000 and lower. They get down to 24 Hz and you will not need a sub. |
If you can drive to pick these Silverline Sonatas up for $1000 I think they check all your boxes and will significantly outperform your Polks... https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649479570-silverline-audio-sonata-i/ I dont think you can do better for a thousand bucks. Best of luck. |
I have owned both the Tekton DI's and Ascend Towers w/Raal. I would recommend the Ascends.. I loved them. The mid range and top end is killer. They do need a sub. In fact, I had 2 of them as I had a 16x24 room and wanted solid thumping bass. The Tektons are a love/hate situation. I didn't think much of them and sent them back after my trial period. I kept the Ascends around here for several years before upgrading to Legacy's. |
Make 8 each, 2' x 4' absorbing panels before you spend a nickel on a speaker. Owens Corning #703 panels come in 2'x4' size. See your local insulation distributor. Yes they will take your money. $130ish for a package of 12 each. On the way home stop at Home despot and buy some 1"x 3" wood-any species will do. Oh, ask them to please cut them so you end up with 24 pieces at 48" in length and another 24 pieces at 25 1/2" in length. Go to their scrap pile (70% off) and get 24 pieces of 1 x 3 or 1 x 4, in the 24"length area for cross braces. See if the guy will cut both scrap piece ends with 45 degree angle cuts. Use 2 braces per box.Try to go at slower time or they may refuse all the cuts. Buy 150 ea. 2" wood screws and builders glue too. $100. Last stop is Joann's Fabrics for some burlap type fabric to wrap your panels in. Home Depot may sell burlap too. $10. Material total cost- about $240 or $20 each panel. Assembly Required. When done Install 8 panels and sell the 4 extra panels for $50 each and recoup some of your cost. Good Luck Mr. Not very DIY. Perhaps you know someone handy? Once you hear the new sound those Polks will seem a lot better. |
I've been using some Living Voice Speakers from the UK for a couple years now 94db easy load designed for low powered tubes your 20wpc would be ideal for them. they only go to 35hz though but they are wonderful everywhere else. very musical, detailed and inviting speaker. you can find them used for your price range. Omega speakers are interesting but may not have the bass your looking for if you want a full ranger. maybe close enough check them out, you'd want one of their High Out put versions, I demoed a set of the stand mounters and was very impressed for $2k. May fined Coincident speakers used. Rathm Speakers very interesting hybrid point source with integrated sub speaker line I've been eyeing them my self. there was a used set on here not too long ago in your price range. others here are low power high efficient fans so hoping some of them will also chime in. happy hunting. glen |
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Depends upon your particular prioritization of: - Dynamics - Imaging - Frequency response - Musicality vs. Accuracy Personally for me dynamics is top of the list so I am drawn to horn speakers (Klipsch La Scala) on a low power tube amplification. My personal tube favorites are Klipsch horns or the outstanding Devore O/96. |
