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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.
d2girls

Showing 7 responses by gawdbless

gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,165 posts
 
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,

gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,165 posts
 
OP-
have you thought about new Klipschorns? I've not heard them personally.
Volti 'Vittoria' loudspeakers that I have heard are very good.
Classic Audio Loudspeakers are very good and have heard them on quite a few occasions at hi-fi shows. These are my views with my ears only, as horns are not everyone's cup of tea. 
vive la difference!!!
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,165 posts
 
@joshfilm- to quote Floyd.....'haha charade you are'..
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,165 posts
 
@johnfilm- seriously, you have made such a brazen blanket statement that I hope you can substantiate what you say.  There are more than a couple of audiophiles that love quirky horn speakers. I guess horn lovers do think outside the box. I take no offense to your comments. I mean if we all liked shitty box speakers, where would the fun be? lol 
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,165 posts
 
Sorry Josh,I thought you were saying that to all the speakers from the other contributers to this thread. 
The TotalDac loudspeakers look Interesting. They were at the RMAF 2018 which I sadly missed last year. I hope they are at the RMAF this year wherever it will be held. In fact if I had a spare 50,000 nuggets at my disposal and I needed a new pair of loudspeakers i would  ask JohnK very nicely to make me a pair of horns. On the flipside there is a pair of Wilson Alexandria's on here for about 50k that I would consider as a possible, amongst other loudspeakers. Thankfully for me I will never be in a position to have that amount of wonga available, not forgetting all the ancillaries needed, which would probably be another 50k at least. Rock on! 
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,165 posts
 
http://www.rethm.com/

Nearest dealer to me is Santa Fe, NM.......could be well worth a visit as i also like the vibe of the town.
They look lovely, but only in black for me.
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,165 posts
 
Avantegarde XD Duo demo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNbw29XVaZE
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