Another reason I’ve shortlisted the Wilsons and Avantgardes is the fact that audtioning them will be very straightforward: two dealers representing the brands are located within an hour from me. Angie herself from American Sound of Canada is apparently the main distributor in North America and stocks all models. I’m really grateful to be able to audition these two brands easily.
Best speakers in the 50-60k range ?
Some context: I’ve recently had to downsize my speakers. However since I got inot this hobby 2 years ago I’ve always been looking ahead, to see what my next big item purchase is. I’ve got a budget of about $60k for the speakers.
I have a superate budget for amp, dac, but regardless of the type of speaker I wind up with, I will get a electronic front end that makes sense for the speaker. I think it’s a bit backwards to be considering amp before I’ve selected the right speakers.
I like pop, rock, metal, grunge like Rush, Metallica, Cranberries and Taylor Swift as much as I like better mastered music like Diana Krall.
Oh. And I like horns.
Here are the options I’ve been considering so far;
Purchasing another pair of JBL 4367. This option makes a lot of sense if I wanted to spend 100k on electronics instead. I was thinking Mcintosh (MC611) or Spectral (DMA360) amplification, or Pass Labs (XA200.8) as for preamps I could go with the Mcintosh C1100, the matching Spectral preamp, or the Pass Labs XP-30 or XS preamp.
But I want to try Wilsons, or Avantgardes... see below.
Sasha DAW or Alexia Series 2. The former allows me to budget for a matching high power amp, the latter would require purchasing a lower end power amp until I’ve saved enough for a better one. Another option would be to wait until early 2020 before purchasing anything. The dealer I wanted to do business with carries both Mcintosh and Wilson... an audition for the aforementioned speakers is of course mandatory, and upcoming this summer. I’ve no doubt in my mind I’ll be impressed with what I hear but if im not I always have the JBL or other options.
Avantgarde Acoustics Duo XD or possibly Duo Mezzo. Yes I love horns. I am almost certain I would greatly enjoy these. I just love love horns. Another advantage is that these are self powered bass section speakers so I could use a low powered 2a3 tube amp with them. (I love 2a3 amps) which is significantly less expensive cost wise compared to the solid state beasts I’d need for the Wilsons...
Anyway that’s what I’ve got so far. I’ve asked around on another forum called audiosciencereview and the advice the few people I spoke with so far was that I’m better off getting another pair of JBL. It does seem logical. And I’d have a huge budget to play with for all manner of electronics... but the audiophile in me wants to get Wilson, or AG...
Ill also be auditioning the Magico S5MKII but based on my research so far I don’t think I would like the sound of those speakers.
I have a superate budget for amp, dac, but regardless of the type of speaker I wind up with, I will get a electronic front end that makes sense for the speaker. I think it’s a bit backwards to be considering amp before I’ve selected the right speakers.
I like pop, rock, metal, grunge like Rush, Metallica, Cranberries and Taylor Swift as much as I like better mastered music like Diana Krall.
Oh. And I like horns.
Here are the options I’ve been considering so far;
Purchasing another pair of JBL 4367. This option makes a lot of sense if I wanted to spend 100k on electronics instead. I was thinking Mcintosh (MC611) or Spectral (DMA360) amplification, or Pass Labs (XA200.8) as for preamps I could go with the Mcintosh C1100, the matching Spectral preamp, or the Pass Labs XP-30 or XS preamp.
But I want to try Wilsons, or Avantgardes... see below.
Sasha DAW or Alexia Series 2. The former allows me to budget for a matching high power amp, the latter would require purchasing a lower end power amp until I’ve saved enough for a better one. Another option would be to wait until early 2020 before purchasing anything. The dealer I wanted to do business with carries both Mcintosh and Wilson... an audition for the aforementioned speakers is of course mandatory, and upcoming this summer. I’ve no doubt in my mind I’ll be impressed with what I hear but if im not I always have the JBL or other options.
Avantgarde Acoustics Duo XD or possibly Duo Mezzo. Yes I love horns. I am almost certain I would greatly enjoy these. I just love love horns. Another advantage is that these are self powered bass section speakers so I could use a low powered 2a3 tube amp with them. (I love 2a3 amps) which is significantly less expensive cost wise compared to the solid state beasts I’d need for the Wilsons...
Anyway that’s what I’ve got so far. I’ve asked around on another forum called audiosciencereview and the advice the few people I spoke with so far was that I’m better off getting another pair of JBL. It does seem logical. And I’d have a huge budget to play with for all manner of electronics... but the audiophile in me wants to get Wilson, or AG...
Ill also be auditioning the Magico S5MKII but based on my research so far I don’t think I would like the sound of those speakers.
- ...
- 66 posts total
So, I’m going to save you $30k+ here. Just buy these. They’re as good or better than anything else you’ll find at $50k+ new, horns or otherwise. They’re also not horribly tough to drive, so you’ll have a wide variety of amps to choose from. Just buy them. You’ll be thrilled! https://www.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-joseph-audio-pearl-3-2018-01-16-speakers?refsource=hifi... In the VERY unlikely event you're not absolutely thrilled with these speakers, you can likely resell them at no loss or even a profit, as they very rarely show up used. And for good reason. Best of luck. |
First, let me just say -- and I hope u don’t take this the wrong way -- but your taste in music and budget for audio equipment just makes me hot! You Da Bomb!!! Are you married? Now that I got that off my chest, I think the latest Wilson speakers are incredible. Just don’t see going wrong there. BUT, if you really like to rock out and love the SLAM of hard rock sometimes, you should go hear some active ATC speakers like the SCM50s or SCM100s. Although very refined speakers, they literally have the ability to blow you out of your chair when needed (think of the Maxell poster from days gone by). Their massive dome midrange is unmatched, in my experience, by anything else in terms of dynamics, neutrality, and clarity. And if you go active, obviously you’ve got the amp situation optimized and taken care of. It’s a twofer! Past this, and I don’t know where u are or what dealers are available to you, but in your price range I’d also take a hard look at Giya, Vandersteen, Rockport, Boenicke, Nola, KEF, and YG. But I’m gonna stay true to my original recommendation and say go hear the Joseph Audio Pearls if you can. There’s something about how their asymmetrical crossover works with those SEAS drivers that makes them sound some kinda wonderful. Anyway, best of luck in your search, and I’m SO jealous. |
- 66 posts total