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Floorstanding Speakers for Bluesy Rock 5-10k ?

I currently have a sweet little apartment system (Naim/Harbeth/Michell). This system has been wonderfully versatile in the sense that it's compact, highly musical, excellent at low volumes, and provides a very natural and organic presentation. My only gripe is the dynamic range and bass response, but you can only expect so much from a mini-monitor with a 5" driver. I can't change the laws of physics.

I hope to purchase my first home in the near future, and with it, a proper full-range hifi system. This time, I want to get floorstanding speakers that can really bring ALL of my music to life.

I listen to two genres EXCLUSIVELY:

1. Bluesy Rock (Black Keys, White Stripes, Dead Weather, Spoon, Hendrix, etc.)

2. Indie/Folk/Acoustic (Feist, Cash, Conor O'berst, M. Ward, Ben Harper, Sufjan Stevens, etc.)

My current system handles the Indie/Folk/Acoustic music beautifully, but lacks the dynamic range and bass oomph to really bring that bluesy rock sound to life. I'm looking for floorstanding speakers in the $5-10k range that will excel at BOTH of these genres. I still want the immediacy, delicacy and clarity for tracks with solo vocals, but I also need something that's capable of handling that big, fat, crunchy blues sound. In other words, I need floorstanding speakers that can make these 3 albums sound as best as they possibly can:
- Black Keys: Chulahoma
- Feist: The Reminder
- Bright Eyes: I'm Wide Awake it's Morning

To save on costs, I would use my existing electronics and simply move the Harbeth P3ESRs to a different room with a small inexpensive integrated amp. That means the floorstanding speakers would be paired with Naim gear (Nait 5i or XS range) and the Michell TechnoDec. I wouldn't mind UK speakers, if only to keep the British theme alive.

So, what are the likely candidates given my criteria? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
jferreir
johnnyb53
3,490 posts
 
Sonus Faber Liuto Tower or Sonus Faber Cremona M, new or used. I've heard the Cremona M in an extensive audition, and I *know* these would give you what you're looking for in spades.

These two have an excellent, transparent midrange that serves both acoustic pop/folk and electric blues well, from expressive voices to acoustic guitars to wailing guitars. The bass is lively and punchy. They also look fantastic.

If you have the space, you could go with Magnepan 3.7, possibly supplemented with a sub or two to bring out the kick drum and electric bass for the blues.
heinrichmilw's avatar
heinrichmilw
51 posts
 
Eficion F300...a steal on the used market
zd542
5,339 posts
 
DeVore sounds very good and are pretty easy to drive. ProAc Response series as well.
w3ux
19 posts
 
I second Duke's comments. I have Audiokinesis Prismas, you should hear the Black Keys on my system. Dynamics, timbre, ambience and plenty of bass into the low 30's, all of this with a 45 watt tube amp. At 94 db efficient,your Naim amp would have more than enough power.
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