Soundstage and explosive dynamics?

The Absolute Sound just came out with their recommended components. Why not get some professional advice. 

Jim
Dealer

@analogluvr 
I've got a pair of Focal 936's and a pair of first gen ESS AMT1's that I restored. Hands down, without any doubt, the bass from those Focals is far more accurate throughout the volume range than those 10" paper/alnico woofers even though the aggregate size of the cones is very similar. They are roughly similar in efficiency as well. The ONLY thing the ESS really yield is more air to the soundstage, but at a tremendous cost to tone and response, and with a fairly narrow volume sweet spot that's quite loud. They're also inordinately fussy about placement. Maybe in large spaces ideal for giant baffle speakers where their less-than-ideal projection can be mitigated they have some advantage, but in the spaces I listen they're absurd, impractical, and would fail to produce the imaging that I hold in high regard. 

The bar is set very low if Focal 936’s (a speaker I know better than most) are your reference in a conversation like this. I suggest getting out and listening to more speakers. Maybe you can find a fellow member in your area that has gear like most have mentioned in the thread. If you could find anything Shadorne has recommended to demo it would fit the bill.

 I don't know the ESS  and have never heard that particular model of the focal.  In my experience paper cone, large diameter,  efficient drivers offer some of the best tone and impact in the business.  
 Again you can't cheat physics. 

How about the GoldenEar Triton ones for $5k (or $8k if you want to spring for the new Triton reference).

I have them in my living room, with the built in subs they have dynamic range, and they certainly seem to disappear from the soundstage to me.

+1