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Help me replace ancient speakers - or not

Looking forward to your collective wisdom...

Short version:
Should I replace my 40 year old Allison One speakers with something made within, oh, the last couple of decades??  And can I get something reasonably full-range, that can fit into my small NYC living room, for, say, $2500 or less?  Used is fine. 

Long version:
I've had these Allison Ones for about 10 years, and they replaced Allison Sixes that I purchased new in 1982 or so.  So I've had very similar speaker "sound" for a verrrry long time. 

I've been interested in hi-fi since the 80s but rarely purchase anything new - clearly!  I'm a musician and equipment/hobby money has usually gone to instruments and music instead.  I try to get improvements on a small budget. 

Rest of the system is a NAD C352 integrated (Craigslist find!) with Tara Labs jumpers, a Marantz CD6005 cd player, and an Auralic Aries MIni streamer, the last two running through an Audio GD r2r DAC.  This is all cheapish stuff, but it sounds good in our small apartment, or it does most of the time.  

I'm listening to a Geri Allen trio date with Dave Holland and Jack DeJohnette, and her piano sounds full and tonally correct, and the bass and drums are balanced and impactful.  There isn't a huge amount of imaging  - Allisons don't really do that - but it all seems pretty correct.  BUT - maybe I'm just used to it?  

Other factors: we like to listen to everything from jazz to opera to poorly-recorded music from all over the world, at realistic volumes.  Scale is important, imaging not so much in my book.  My ears have taken a beating from years of loud gigs so I favor a warm-ish sound, but am open to trying something totally different.  I'm always drawn to the Audio Note rooms at shows, and a pair of AN-E's would be my dream.  Thinking of Klipsch Heresy's too, for some reason.  Gosh, I guess these are pretty ancient designs too.  

Any thoughts welcome and sorry for the novel. 
sforrey

Showing 4 responses by sforrey

sforrey OP
22 posts
 
Thanks so far, appreciate it.

Yes, the Klipsch thought is left-field.  I sometimes feel that the sound of my system isn't as engaging at lower volumes, which got me thinking of higher-efficiency and less "polite" speakers.  

I've looked at the AN Kit speakers, would love to go that route but they're still a bit spendy.  Love the idea of DIY not practical in my current space.  

Forgot to add - the ability to sound good close to the rear wall is a must. 

sforrey OP
22 posts
 
@yakbob 

Funny, I've liked the idea of the Spatials as well... even though an open baffle is 180 degrees from my sealed boxes.  How's the bass quality? 

Any thoughts that the NAD is a limiting factor in my system? 
sforrey OP
22 posts
 
Great suggestions all, thanks!   

@soix 
I heard the Sjofn (the clue) at the NY Audio Show a few years back and was quite impressed... hmm.  I'm using Supra cables, which are another high-value item distributed by Sjofn.  Might have to revisit these, though I worry about them giving scale to Die Walkure, or Miles Davis' Agharta at full volume... 

Will try and seek out some of the others as well.

sforrey OP
22 posts
 
Thanks again all.

@yakbob - very interesting indeed.  The Allisons also have a total of four large woofers (and four mids and tweets), and they do have a very relaxing, "east coast" sound.  Hearing that your KEFs share some of these aspects, and yet the Spatials work even better for you, is encouraging.

I actually really love the way the Allisons perform in my space - for example, I NEVER experience issues with bloated or boomy bass, which from my reading here seems to be a common problem - but the idea of something more dynamic & live (and totally different) is appealing. 

Thanks also for your thoughts Elizabeth, your opinion counts for a lot.  It is strangely rare that speaker designers consider room interactions at this late date.  If I may ask, what integrated would you recommend (used or new) that would work well, for say $2500 or less?  
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