The under 10K speaker

Desalvo55,

Sounds like you're on an epic quest for a speaker that you will live with for many years.

To a certain extent, high-end audio is about coming to know yourself. You have to become an expert on what really matters the most to your ears and listening style, and you have to know what compromises you can live with.

Obivously you've been into this hobby for years now, and on this quest for a good while also. What can you tell us about what really matters to you, and where you can compromise if you need to?

Thanks,

Duke

I'm surprised nobody has suggested Martin Logan Summits. With the standard finishes they retail for $10k, but you can usually get them for a bit less. New or Used deals occasionally pop up here on A'gon (where I bought mine). The Summits *DO* require painstaking setup with room placement and bass setting adjustments. However, the new ice-powered design (400 watts into dual 10 inch woofers) overcomes a lot of the prior issues with "stats" and can be easily driven with either tube or SS amps. When matched with appropriate components, and properly placed, they are ASTOUNDING!

I'm not familiar with the Wilson Benesch Act

Audio Visions in SF carries them, and the Von Schweikerts. Both are definitely worth a listen, IMO. As I noted in another thread, the VR4Sr's got progressively better as the dealer moved them from one system to the next, and ultimately into my friend's home. If you go to Audio Visions, make sure you hear the speakers on either the wall opposite the entry to the main room, or on the left side. The right side creates some funky reverberations, and they'll tell you as much.

In case you didn't know, Music Lovers (both in Berkeley and SF) carries Wilson.

If you check on the Tyler website, you will find owners who are willing to audition their speakers. If you can't find a Woodmere owner in the Bay Area, I know there is one here in Sacramento. He's a superb host. I've heard his system twice, and it's also terrific.

Other recommendations:
Silverline La Folia - they are in Walnut Creek, and they are outstanding speakers
Zu Definition - Find a Bay Area owner, or try the 60-day audition.
Joseph Audio Pearl - Superb speakers
Eggleston Works Andra II - What's not to like? They're fantastic.
etc...

Much will depend upon the amp you use, the room you're in, the type of music you like, and most significantly, EVERYTHING that Duke (Audiokinesis) writes above. Anyone can tell you why he/she prefers the speakers they've chosen, but you will never hear the music or the components exactly as they do. Trust your ears. Take your time. Listen to as many of these as you can. That's my advice, anyways.

Intuitive Design Summits supplemented by a Rel sub bass unit. I have the Storm 3.

More great recommendations. When I was 9, my Dad and I built the first generation Bose. He purchased 18 long throw 4" drivers, scewed them into a homemade cabinet shaped more like a small pallet, and this along with a Mac 1700 and a Sony bi-directional reel to reel recorder was my first system. Cool huh? In reflection, it sounded horrible I think, although at the time, it was the center of attention. My Dad (now 88) then purchased the DCM Timewindows. We still have them along with the Mac! At 19 I purchased my first high-end system consisting of the Yamaha NS500 speakers, a Yamaha CR820 receiver (sitting right next to me), and a Nakamichi 580 cassette player. At 40 came the Def Techs/Classe/AR/Theta system. I'm 50 now so to sum up what I look for in a speaker, I think is pretty easy. I want top to bottom clarity, truth, the recreation of an event accurately portrayed in the confines of my living room, just like everyone else? I know no one component will deliver this. I beleive it starts with the speaker, whatever flavor I choose. I'm hopeful the Slim Devices Transporter will deliver the music accurately, that remains to be seen. It's a quest yes, and one that I feel compelled to share as so many have in these forums. I take what is recommended seriously and will make the effort to audition what I can and if nothing else, become somewhat informed because after all, this is fun. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. I note that there are repeated mentions of certain speakers I've never heard of. Off to San Francisco..