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Best speakers in the 50-60k range ?

Some context: I’ve recently had to downsize my speakers. However since I got inot this hobby 2 years ago I’ve always been looking ahead, to see what my next big item purchase is. I’ve got a budget of about $60k for the speakers.

I have a superate budget for amp, dac, but regardless of the type of speaker I wind up with, I will get a electronic front end that makes sense for the speaker. I think it’s a bit backwards to be considering amp before I’ve selected the right speakers.

I  like pop, rock, metal, grunge like Rush, Metallica, Cranberries and Taylor Swift as much as I like better mastered music like Diana Krall.

Oh. And I like horns.

Here are the options I’ve been considering so far;

Purchasing another pair of JBL 4367. This option makes a lot of sense if I wanted to spend 100k on electronics instead. I was thinking Mcintosh (MC611) or Spectral (DMA360) amplification, or Pass Labs (XA200.8) as for preamps I could go with the Mcintosh C1100, the matching Spectral preamp, or the Pass Labs XP-30 or XS preamp. 

But I want to try Wilsons, or Avantgardes... see below.

Sasha DAW or Alexia Series 2. The former allows me to budget for a matching high power amp, the latter would require purchasing a lower end power amp until I’ve saved enough for a better one. Another option would be to wait until early 2020 before purchasing anything. The dealer I wanted to do business with carries both Mcintosh and Wilson... an audition for the aforementioned speakers is of course mandatory, and upcoming this summer. I’ve no doubt in my mind I’ll be impressed with what I hear but if im not I always have the JBL or other options.

Avantgarde Acoustics Duo XD or possibly Duo Mezzo. Yes I love horns. I am almost certain I would greatly enjoy these. I just love love horns. Another advantage is that these are self powered bass section speakers so I could use a low powered 2a3 tube amp with them. (I love 2a3 amps) which is significantly less expensive cost wise compared to the solid state beasts I’d need for the Wilsons...

Anyway that’s what I’ve got so far. I’ve asked around on another forum called audiosciencereview and the advice the few people I spoke with so far was that I’m better off getting another pair of JBL. It does seem logical. And I’d have a huge budget to play with for all manner of electronics... but the audiophile in me wants to get Wilson, or AG... 

Ill also be auditioning the Magico S5MKII but based on my research so far I don’t think I would like the sound of those speakers.
d2girls
itsjustme
91 posts
 
What a nice problem to have.  Strongly consider the Vienna Acoustics "The Music". A true reproducer, it will give garbage out whit garbage in, but can often sound just like, well, the music. Solid bass, dynamics, subtlety and about $20-30k less.  Amp sensitive, but not power hungry. I drive my Mahlers, the predecessor, with as little as 60W (near class-A tho).
What about my absolute fav, the Infinity IRS or the Genesis V? 

G
Post removed 
richopp
88 posts
 
Have your dealer install the latest Magnepan speakers in YOUR ROOM and them make a decision, PLEASE.  (AR or other Tube gear generally sounds best on these, but get whatever YOU want.)

Cheers,

Richard
lak's avatar
lak
3,516 posts
 
@d2girls, sounds like you're going to lose the simplicity of your current system.
mzkmxcv
558 posts
 
Depends what you want. I want a speaker that is transparent, so the KEF Blades and the Revel Salons are up my alley (so is some stuff from YG), and not something from Wilson or B&W. 
 
I would also recommend Vivid Audio. 
 
Now, unless your space is super treated, room modes for the bass is going to happen. I would recommend the $30,000 Vivid Audio G3’s or the $50,000 G2’s, then get 2x Rythmik G25HP’s for ~$5000 (or, if you are insane, 2x PSA S7201’s for $8000 or 2x JTR 4000ULF’s for $7000).  
  
I also recommend DSP if you are somewhat tech savvy and have a laptop. The MiniDSP SHD has Dirac and has almost a good a DAC as the Chord Qutest or Benchmark DAC3.  
 
Then, spend money on room treatment, contact GIK (or others) and ask them for advice.
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