$3000 Speaker Search


I'm celebrating my 20th year working for the same company this coming spring (knock on wood). I decided to treat myself to some new speakers to celebrate. My budget is about $3k. I generally purchase used/demo gear only, but I'm open to something new since this is a special purchase for me. I stream music only and my current system is a Primaluna Dialogue One integrated, Eastern Electric MiniMax Dac Plus and Totem Acoustic Hawks. I like the Hawks a lot but I think the highs are a bit "etchy" and sometimes a bit bright. I'd prefer a 3 way speaker and something more efficient that the Hawks since I'm pretty committed to the tube integrated. I generally listen to indie rock, jazz, and acoustic rock. I listen to a lot of other music, but these are the genres most important so the speaker must excel with string and percussion instruments as well as vocals. I'm also more interested in a speaker with excellent imaging and soundstage over detail, but I also want a natural and dynamic sound. My listening space is a nook off the main living space. It's supposed to be a dining area I think. It's about 11x12, but open on one side to about 1000-1200 sq ft living space. You can watch this youtube video to see my system and room. Since the speaker is in my main living room it will have to be a good looking speaker, preferably in a wood finish, and it can't be huge.

I'm looking for any suggestions given my equipment, music tastes, room, and preferred genres. My current favroite is the Salk Song3 or maybe Song3-A, even though I haven't listened to them. I had Songtowers before and loved them so I'm pretty sure I'd be happy with these, but not sure if going the Song3-A is worth the extra money for me. If you have any other suggestions let me know. I'm in Portland, OR so I have a lot of good brands to listen to around here but its not a huge audiophile town. Thanks!
abd1
All good options. I would definitely consider the Elacs, but doesn't look like they're very efficient, and I would want a floor stander. I had the B5's, B6;s and UniFi bookshelves before and liked them all, especially for the cost. I considered Zu and may try some, but the style is hit and miss and I'd have to have my wife's approval on that. Tannoy's are a definite possibility and I wish I could afford a set of floorstanders that have the alnico driver. Maybe a used pair will somehow come up within my budget. I posted a message on the Salk forum and Jim said they had used tube amps with the Song3's and they sounded great. I do have a Peachtree Nova 220se that I could use for more power but I prefer the sound of the Primaluna/Eastern Electric combo overall, but I think the PL and Song3's should be fine.

I also have a 12’ x 11’ foot room. I have the Vandy 2ce Sig II’s. They are very nice and sound like they would meet your requirement of having excellent imaging and musicality over detail. Truth be told I wish they were more revealing a lot of the time.

If I had 3k to spend at the moment I would try the Tekton DI’s or the Electrons so I could hear for myself what all the hype is about! By most accounts they sound like an excellent product.

Good luck on your search!

Your current system is very good. If it were me, I would first play with some room treatment, especially the corner and behind the speakers and see if you can "warm up" the tone a bit. Your main challenge is the lack of symmetry between the two speakers and the huge open area. It would help if you could somehow "break" that space by putting a plant or something to create some refraction. I honestly think you’ll find it difficult to better the Hawks by much with only $3000 unless you just want a different sound. Finally, the Totem models I've heard; Arro, Forest, also seem to respond well to power; more power they get the warmer they sound. Good luck.