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.
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xd2girls
you should consider the new in Fall Vandersteen- Q
at your budget you could also get the M5 solid state high pass amp
11 bands of analog room taming EQ and 600 wpc class B sub amps...

i am pretty biased as i have 2-3 pairs of Vandersteen at any given moment.....but i also have others

you should tell us more about the room, especially if you intend great sound w Avant G horns....a shoebox aint gonna work, imo....

have fun, enjoy the journey...

btw, mac and spectral is a really odd pairing....i have sold both.....
I heard the speakers and was most unimpressed, even more so when the price was revealed, GULP! The dude was trying to justify to me my concerns about the non musical sound with comments like ’it’s your cd, the recording is not good’ blah blah blah.
The paragraph below is from the ’home theatre’ review as shown in a previous post. I heard some smaller JBL’s and they were really very good to my ears. Obviously OP give them a fair crack of the whip and listen for as long as possible, its an awful lot of money if they are not top notch musically to you. I love Horns to, owning 4 pairs.
That said, the JBL Project Everest DD66000 is one of those very special audio components that, given the proper recording, associated equipment, setup and room,

OP you might also consider the field coil Classic Audio horns as well as more conventional horns they make Ralph from Atmasphere holds them in high esteem.
I have heard them account themselves quite well. Not my cup of tea but I can see and hear why others laud them.....