Boenicke

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/boenicke6/1.html

Great review of Boenicke W11’s including comparisons with the W8.

We have here in U.K., W11’s and W5’s on permanent demonstration, used with Mola Mola pre/dac and Mola Mola power amps. Digital sources include the Fidata server.

But you could build a smaller wooden one couldn’t you ?

Sven,
the wooden mid cone driver we can find in the W11 and above model seems to be a big upgrade from the one installed in the W5 and W8. So : why don’t you put in inside the smaller models also ?
Sometimes  you don’t have the room for big speakers but you still want the best quality anyway ?

@boenicke_audio - thank you for offering your help.
Is the W8 SE a substantial upgrade from the standard?

@boenickeaudio"

"...thankyou for your support."'  Formerly dba Bartles & James Audio.
Sure hope a few geezers are hangin' 'round here or it could be crickets for me.

Sounds expensive :)

@boenicke_audio

I'm curious:  Will Boenicke produce speakers in custom wood finishes?

Thanks.

The link does not work....

I demoed 15 speakers in the last year and ended up with Boenicke.  I wrote a review of them all here:
http://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/a-brief-review-of-15-high-end-speakers-on-home-demo-including...

@boenicke_audio  Good to have you on board. Looking forward to your ongoing contributions.

@infection, I’m guessing you’re in the USA? If in U.K. I can provide a home demonstration.

In USA Audioprana is the distributor and there are a number of YouTube videos by them you might want to check out.

The W5, W8 and W11 all exhibit similar characteristics, being very naturally balanced and open sounding, not constricted all all, and particularly with the W11 an amazingly good tight and extended bass. All three designs use solid timber cabinets which are CNC machined inside forming a clam shell construction. All the drive units are carefully selected and matched, the timber midrange unit on the W11 being unique. Sven Boenicke uses top quality network components throughout. All his speakers employ a unique decoupling system which produces a much clearer stereo image.

We use amplification by Mola Mola which is an incredibly good combination, both being extremely neutral and capable of really good transient response and upper and lower bass detail.

here are two I found on the web that deal with Boenicke.
I would dearly love to hear the bigger brothers to the W5.

https://pranadistribution.com/new-index/
https://www.parkavenueaudio.com/

If this is an important decision to you perhaps you might find a way
to go hear them? (As well as all the other contenders on your list. Call it a vacation unless your significant other is coming too. In that case it is just a "Getaway". Send her shopping somewhere else for the day while you do some listening!!

@infection ,

Thanks for nice comments.

I like the natural sound (great on female voices in particular), imaging and the way the ribbon tweeter integrates seamlessly with the cone speakers.

@gawdbless  -  yeah I have a feeling I'll love them...

@jperry  -  nice room & system. What do you like about the ProAcs?

They are cut from the same cloth as the truly wonderful W5. Not heard them, but I think they might be killer.........

@infection ,

I have ProAc speakers right now. You can see my system on line here at Audiogon. On my way to those I bought and sold many speakers on the used market while looking for the right thing for my system.

I have not heard the Boenicke speakers, and they have some great reviews. My comment was only a general comment based on my experience. I bought and sold a number of highly reviewed speakers along the way that were fine, but not to my personal taste.

Good luck with your search.

@jperry  it will be a killer deal from my dealer (he's too far to visit!).
From what I've read they sound excellent & I like the adjustability. 

What do you use?

Don’t buy something you haven’t heard unless you can make a good enough deal to not take a significant loss when you sell it.