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5-10k budget... so many choices

So its that time of year where I get to combine my tax return and annual bonus.  I am looking at stepping into the world of hi-fi and the more I research the more questions I have.  I am mainly looking at creating a 3.2 soundstage for 50/50 home theater and music listening.  I originally started out with a budget of 5k but after listening to step ups I am open to increasing my budget to ~10k.  I have listened to the B&W 702's, 804's, 803's the GoldenEar Reference, the Focal Kanta 2's, and Martin Logan 60t's.  After listening I was quickly able to eliminate the ribbon style of the Martin Logan, as for the GoldenEar's and the lower B&W's I was impressed with the accuracy and composure of both speakers and could have otherwise been quite content but it all changed once I heard the Focal's and 803's. I truly felt them, they gave me that indescribable goosebump feeling and I dont know if I can go back.  So far if I had to pick one, I would hands down go with the Focals, but since I am starting from the ground up I want a speaker that can grow with my setup.  Initially I will be using a Marantz 7012 AVR but will eventually add either 2 channel or dual mono block amplification.  At any rate I was curious what other speakers in this range give that feeling of experience and presence, the goosebumps.  Ideally I would like to be able to incorporate a center channel and dual subs but at this point I put more priority on the quality and clarity of the towers as they are the stars of the show.  Anyway I appreciate and thank you for any feedback and ideas.

Cheers
lowspark
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
1,621 posts
 
Contuzzi, Focals are not laid back in the treble, never said they are bright either I said they tend to sound forward, that means they have a very clean treble and are quite detailed.

Beryilium tweeters tend to go towards the detailed side same on the Personas, they do show you everything in the chain.

Just like soft dome tweeters tend to sound warmer then metals.
mtrot
642 posts
 
Lowspark,

I completely agree with your idea of prioritizing the front L/R speakers.  And if you are expanding your search into the ~$10K range, I wouldn't buy anything without auditioning a set of Legacy Audio Focus SE, which offers AMT tweeters, dual mid woofers, and two twelve inch woofers.  Focus SE is a true full range speaker, with bass extension to 18Hz.  With the Focus SE, you are certainly getting into your goosebumps inducing level of speaker.  And the Focus SE are equally good for both music and home theater.

It's obviously just personal preference, but I'd rather do a 2.0 setup with Focus SE than a 3.2 system with "smallish" front L/R speakers, especially with a 50/50 usage mix between music/movies.  Similarly, I'd rather do a 3.0 system with Focus SE for L/R and a Legacy Audio Marquis or Silver Screen center channel speaker than a 3.2 system with lesser speakers across the front.  Sure, subs are great if room rattling bass is a top priority, but that has lost some appeal for me, as I now value other aspects of audio more highly. 
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
1,621 posts
 
As a Legacy dealer we couldn't agree more.  The Focus SE are flat out amazing, we heard a current set with the self amplified bass option being used with the Wavelet Dac/Preamp/Room Correction processor with a set of Raven tube amps athe the last New York audio show.

When driven correctly the Focus sound like a way more expensive set of speakers. In terms of image size, deep bass, richness in the midrange, absolutely wonderful.

Not quite as detailed or quite as holographic as the Personas or the Sopras, but in terms of sheer room filling totally engaging sound very hard to beat. 

If you are on the East Coast we have numerous Legacy models on display.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
2,766 posts
 
My Golden Ear Triton References give me goosebumps everytime I listen to them.
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
@audiotroy 

You really do love just making up the silliness, don't you? Only somebody whose never heard a modern Focal product would say they're forward in the treble. You really reveal your ignorance with this kind of stupidity. You want to talk about forward treble. THAT is Heil style drivers. Every single one I've ever heard is forward as all hell and I own a pair of the biggest ones you can buy. Not to mention they're very directional. Look... We all know you made your judgements about Focal 20 years ago. The OP likes them. Clearly he has good taste. The only thing that I'd point out is that those Focals are going to be more revealing of the upstream gear than anything else he heard. I think the F cone is an excellent driver and I enjoy mine thoroughly. 
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