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Speakers in the 5-6K$ region & their components

Hi all,

This is my 1st post here.
I'm a long time audio enthusiast and even worked in high-end audio sales for a few years a while back, but I've been out of the loop for a few years now. I'm looking now for a new pair of speakers in the 5-6K$ range to replace my current Merlin TSM. The type I'm looking for is a 2 way 6-6.5'' speaker, preferably a floorstander. I know many brands and models and went through a lot of speakers in the past, so my question is a technical one:

I'm looking only for speakers in this range which use high end componenets. which ones are there?

I've already done some research, so here are a few examples of what I mean:

Proac in its response range is using Scanspeak D2604 tweeter (48$/unit).
PMC in its "i" series - Seas 27TFFC (45$/unit).
Spendor, "A" series - Seas 29TFF/W (52$/unit).

I can go on and also bring examples of the woofers used and more speaker brands, but I think the picture is clear. These are all quality units of well acclaimed manufacturers, but are by no means high-end units. Which are?
My research brought me this far to the following (All in my price range):

Kudos audio Super 10/Super20: Seas T29CF-002 tweeter (330$/unit) + a version of Seas W18NX (196$/unit)

Marten Form Floor: Accuton C173-6-095 woofer (over 300$/unit) + a ribbon tweeter I was unable to recognize (anyone?)

Merlin VSM (as second hand only): Dynaudio D330/A tweeter (over 400$ per unit) + Scanspeak 18W/8545-01 (173$/unit).

BTW, my current Merlin TSM is using Morel MDT30 tweeter (80$/unit) + Morel MW166 woofer (124$/unit) and sounds wonderful to my taste, despite a considerable lack of bass (being a sealed- box design). 

So, given all that, does anyone have any more ideas for speakers I should consider?
roylindenfeld
bassdude
194 posts
 
Well... yes... you can approximate the stellar sound of the WaveTouch Audio Grand Tetons with the GamuT Reference Series, or Nola’s, or PureAudio Project OB’s, or the top of the line Legacy’s, or certainly the Linkwitz Orion’s / LS521’s.

But, nothing else comes close for less than 5-10+x the cost of the Grand Tetons.

The Grand Teton’s are an assemblge of relatively inexpensive parts that produce sound to rival the best speakers of any type available.

And... the facinating thing is the Grand Teton’s present the marvelous sound of open baffle / dipole speakers (which most of these are)... yet... are ported cabinets.

Again... it’s the total design that makes the difference... and... of course a designer who is a gifted "artist" and not a scientist or engineer.  It is truly an "art" and not a "science."



dgarretson
2,394 posts
 

As one who endeavors to sell capacitors to perhaps the forty or so principal speaker manufacturers in N. America, I've reached the conclusion that the majority of designers focus on drivers, cabinets, and crossover design, with the quality of crossover piece parts a distant fourth in priority.  Most OEMs source crossover piece parts out of habit or marginal cost considerations parsed down to a few dollars if not pennies. The more complex the crossover, the sharper the pencil.  Moreover, the task of undertaking systematic comparisons between crossover piece parts is daunting and rarely undertaken.

But any hobbyist who has made such substitutions understands the gains in this area that reveal the potential of a first rate driver.  Personally I wouldn't purchase a speaker from any manufacture who can't articulate the rationale of his choices of these piece parts.

ClarityCap OEM Sales         

timlub
1,649 posts
 
Relatively inexpensive parts does not mean poorly designed. The likes of the SB Acoustics woofer in the GT is not known as the most top tiered builder,  but I have found their quality consistent and very good indeed. 
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,534 posts
 
Timlub,

Fully agree on the SB drivers I too find them to be excellent quality and very consistent.  I designed a Kit for SB Acoustics as well.

http://pbnaudio.com/speakers/speaker-kits/xmax

Good Listening

Peter
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
@timlub

+1 !!

Look at the LM-1 for instance. The drivers are about $90 / speaker, but I challenge anyone to find fault with the crossover design, or the sound actually, and unlike all commercial speakers, the design docs are open to the world.

I’ve also seen commercial makers use inexpensive drivers with extremely good integration and balance, and some use expensive diamond tweeters and end up with.... well, not so good. :)

By the way, the LM-1 uses the same tweeter as found in some Krell, older Magico and Sonus Faber designs. It’s not an expensive tweeter at all, but damn nice. :-)

By the way @dgarretson - I did use Clarity ESA's in the recommended crossover. :-)  I have a feeling you and I should have some drinks if you are in the San Francisco area, we'd get along just swell. 

Best,


Erik
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