Chapman Speakers?

I auditioned the T-5s a few weeks ago. Good, all-round speaker. Good timbre, good imaging, good sound-stage, good bass response, not too forward, not too laid-back. Driven by Rogue electronics, but I didn't feel the room I was listening to them in did them justice. I didn't pursue them further because they didn't snare me, they didn't draw me in the way a couple of other speakers did, but it's easy to see them being very attractive to a lot of listeners, and perhaps in another space, or with different equipment, or cables,... who knows?

It's hard to get past the rather clunky exterior look, like an ungainly version of Vandersteen.

I've heard T7 at several shows. Is has natural timbre, spaciousness, and full-range extension with LF grip. In recent years Stuart has spent much time voicing with premium components that few manufacturers anywhere near this price point will take the time or money to justify: Duelund, ClarityCap, Mundorf. If you can live with the conservative appearance this may be your last speaker.

Dave
Disclosure: ClarityCap OEM Sales

I remain deeply satisfied with my T77SE's after nearly eight years. Long tenure for me. Haven't heard anything I'd rather have unless out of reach, like the Sonus Faber's last week that made me weep. But they were $76K. I could cry. Guess I'll just look into an update from Stuart.

Stuart is offering a custom wood cosmetic version of the T7 and T5.

I don't know if this is available as a "kit" or upgrade, but from the photos I've seen, it looks lovely. His woodworker is a local artisan, and as far as I can tell, there's little profit for Stuart in this cosmetic upgrade.

IMO, Chapman speakers have always been about the music and very long-term listening pleasure rather than extraneous considerations such as cosmetics and other shiny parts. Isn't this hobby of ours all about the MUSIC?

Stuart builds speakers for music lovers, not for members of the "speaker of the month club."