$80K budget for Speakers

[BillK]

So far I've narrowed it to these speakers
What's your opinion ?

I like the Wilsons and Focals.

Magicos have never really had the sound I look for from good speakers; I couldn't tell you why.

 

[itay123]

There is no point in listening to speakers, just order online. Everyone is doing that

View attachment 116011

This is very true,
I know some who unfortunately act this way,
they see something (they haven't even heard!!!) that a friend has and order it
and then wonder why they fight with the result.

Or of course those who listened once at some exhibition with a totally different space than theirs, electronics they can't afford, as well as wiring and electricity treatment.

And according to this, they order speakers with high budgets, and then wonder why it doesn't sound similar to what they heard at the exhibition.

This is a phenomenon that repeats itself countless times.

 

[leyenda]

i like how you roll audiog... my advice, you need to start somewhere... buy the wilson and see how you feel afterwards. the reviews will always be supportive of your choice. it will look great in your room in custom color. should you remain committed to the hobby afterwards and find the sound to be lacking, you can move them out within a short period of time, albeit at some loss and get something completely different. most audiophiles have owned a pair of wilson at some point in their career.

 

[Kingrex]

i have praised non horn speakers you should keep up.

I know. I just enjoy poking a stick into the wasp nest.

 

[Audiohertz2]

i have praised non horn speakers you should keep up.

Not really ,

If one reads between the lines , mostly Horns and or panels rock your boat ..!

 

[bonzo75]

Not really ,

If one reads between the lines , mostly Horns and or panels rock your boat ..!

there are very few horns that are good. the ones that are good are excellent. Of the ones I like some are non commercial. Devore and vintage tannoy would be efficient compromise non horn speakers

sigma MAAT, Stenheim, Avalon, audionec, Zellaton vyger are the commercial non horn speakers I like.

 

[Audiohertz2]

there are very few horns that are good. the ones that are good are excellent. Of the ones I like some are non commercial. Devore and vintage tannoy would be efficient compromise non horn speakers

sigma MAAT, Stenheim, Avalon, audionec, Zellaton vyger are the commercial non horn speakers I like.

Big Vintage Tannoys can be good , but Devore .! A 2 way , colored and not much to be considered to make it hi-End IMO ..!

 

[bonzo75]

Big Vintage Tannoys can be good , but Devore .! A 2 way , colored and not much to be considered to make it hi-End IMO ..!

Depends on the amps you used on them and the records you heard them with. And I did say they are a compromise, to ultimate high end

 

[Lagonda]

Not really ,

If one reads between the lines , mostly Horns and or panels rock your boat ..!

He does not care if his boat rocks, it needs yo have "flow. TM" !

 

[Al M.]

He does not care if his boat rocks, it needs yo have "flow. TM" !

Flow is good.

 

[Hyperion]

Hello neighbour

I would like to suggest a trip across the ocean to visit us in Stockholm, Sweden. We’ve got Rockport, Stenheim, Verity, Diptyque and more on the floor here for demonstration within this price range.

There are many things to consider on the way towards choosing the right speakers for you that needs to be investigated further.

You will not find the answers that you need until you experience things yourself in real life.

Welcome.

/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se

 

[bonzo75]

He does not care if his boat rocks,

For those who think horns cannot rock you get my salute.

For those who say horns cannot rock…we salute you – Zero Distortion

zero-distortion.org

 

[mtemur]

Big Vintage Tannoys can be good , but Devore .! A 2 way , colored and not much to be considered to make it hi-End IMO ..!

With the right amp and right cables (simple, inexpensive) Devore Orangutans can make music better and engaging than most Hi-End speakers. I used them.

 

[mtemur]

there are very few horns that are good. the ones that are good are excellent. Of the ones I like some are non commercial. Devore and vintage tannoy would be efficient compromise non horn speakers

sigma MAAT, Stenheim, Avalon, audionec, Zellaton vyger are the commercial non horn speakers I like.

I agree with you. I would only replace Stenheim with Kharma from your list.

 

[bonzo75]

With the right amp and right cables (simple, inexpensive) Devore Orangutans can make music better and engaging than most Hi-End speakers. I used them.

I would like to hear the Devore also at the end of a Kondo chain.

 

[Audiohertz2]

With the right amp and right cables (simple, inexpensive) Devore Orangutans can make music better and engaging than most Hi-End speakers. I used them.

Not doubting your observations or choices wouldn't consider those high-end speakers if bettered by a Devore or maybe they are speakers in poor setups...

You know not with the right amp nor cables..

 

[DDgtt]

Great speakers! they need allot more space then the suggested 25 square meters.

Let me put in a plug for Vivid Audio speakers. Their current lineup is absolutely stunning. I've heard all of the great speakers over many years. The current models from Vivid do it all. Tonal accuracy, amazing driver to driver phase and the ability to simply disappear. They recreate the ambience of the recording's venue better than anything I've heard. They are superbly transparent and the dynamic contrasts, both micro and macro, are like unto the real thing. If you want to be transported to the recording's venue they are second to none.

 

[steve59]

We appear to all have had similar experiences. Hear a pair of speakers that stand out from the rest, Grab our attention like no others do and buy them. Bring them home hook them up and they sound dull, lifeless and flat. We call dealer and ask 'what's up?' dealer says 'let them break in for a couple hundred hours'. We let them break in, speakers still sound like stale a s s and they're past the return date! now we jump on the room treatment/component/cable matching merry go round. This process can take years because because now our $80k speakers need a 2 box preamp, a 4 box dac and 2 to 4 amps to dial them in, but by now we're just calling every change an improvement because deep down inside all hope of reliving that magical demo day has evaporated.

 

[Carlos269]

We appear to all have had similar experiences. Hear a pair of speakers that stand out from the rest, Grab our attention like no others do and buy them. Bring them home hook them up and they sound dull, lifeless and flat. We call dealer and ask 'what's up?' dealer says 'let them break in for a couple hundred hours'. We let them break in, speakers still sound like stale a s s and they're past the return date! now we jump on the room treatment/component/cable matching merry go round. This process can take years because because now our $80k speakers need a 2 box preamp, a 4 box dac and 2 to 4 amps to dial them in, but by now we're just calling every change an improvement because deep down inside all hope of reliving that magical demo day has evaporated.

Yes, you have described a very accurate synopsis of the typical audiophile experience.

 

[PeterA]

We appear to all have had similar experiences. Hear a pair of speakers that stand out from the rest, Grab our attention like no others do and buy them. Bring them home hook them up and they sound dull, lifeless and flat. We call dealer and ask 'what's up?' dealer says 'let them break in for a couple hundred hours'. We let them break in, speakers still sound like stale a s s and they're past the return date! now we jump on the room treatment/component/cable matching merry go round. This process can take years because because now our $80k speakers need a 2 box preamp, a 4 box dac and 2 to 4 amps to dial them in, but by now we're just calling every change an improvement because deep down inside all hope of reliving that magical demo day has evaporated.

I have heard such demos at dealers but never bought unless heard in multiple settings in different contexts. My current speakers have a lifetime full refund return policy and I heard them in a home setting before buying. I agree your scenario is not uncommon.