$80K budget for Speakers

[steve59]

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.

Wow, full lifetime refund policy. Nice

 

[Audiohertz2]

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.

Ass out the box , just an improved ass 6 months later , breaking in wont turn it into a silk Purse ..!

 

[AudioGod]

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.

What speaker is that ?

 

[PeterA]

What speaker is that ?

The vintage corner horns in my signature.

 

[Lagonda]

The vintage corner horns in my signature.

Lets hope David lives longer than you !

 

[Lagonda]

And that you both live way past a hundred years of course !

 

[PeterA]

Lets hope David lives longer than you !

You often read about people saying they will die with a certain component. Ddk will have to pry them out of my cold dead hands.

 

[matthias]

Buy a strauss and for the rest of the money a good amp. you don't need more.

BTW, did you listen to the Stauss amps (stereo and 2xmono)?
They seem to be very good as well.

Matt

 

[DasguteOhr]

BTW, did you listen to the Stauss amps (stereo and 2xmono)?
They seem to be very good as well.

Matt

In my opinion, the power amplifiers and speakers are excellent. I didn't miss anything, resolution and muscularity were plentiful. The only disadvantage of this speaker is, this a near field studio monitor conzept far away lost abit of magic.How this amp works with other, more difficult speakers cannot be answered. It was a demonstration with their own speakers.
Sound demo amp and smaller strauss speaker

 

[matthias]

The only disadvantage of this speaker is, this a near field studio monitor

Are there any YT with the big Strauss speakers?
Thx

Matt

 

[gleeds]

In my opinion, the power amplifiers and speakers are excellent. I didn't miss anything, resolution and muscularity were plentiful. The only disadvantage of this speaker is, this a near field studio monitor conzept far away lost abit of magic.How this amp works with other, more difficult speakers cannot be answered. It was a demonstration with their own speakers.
Sound demo amp and smaller strauss speaker

Very interesting products. There are gems to be harvested from the pro audio world.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Very interesting products. There are gems to be harvested from the pro audio world.

I was allowed to listen to a lecture by Mr.Strauss on how and why he constructed it like that. impressed me greatly ,every now and then you have to think outside the box of high-end. then you find real gold(gems) sorry

 

[DasguteOhr]

Are there any YT with the big Strauss speakers?
Thx

Matt

Sorry no, when i found one i post per private message

 

[divertiti]

Hello audiogod. I recommend giving the Rockport Cygnus or Avior ii an audition with your room size. They sound amazing with Boulder amplification. My room is similar in size to yours and I use a corner set up as some have suggested. Be sure to deal with the most important component of all. Your room. Good luck !

@AudioGod I can confirm Rockports and Boulder is a top shelf combination. That being said, you absolutely should go through a listening based selection process. Go to a major show to listen to all brands of speakers, take note of what you liked hearing (and why) or what you're interested in exploring more. Then go to dealers under more optimized settings to listen through the shortlist. There are many worthy speakers at that price range, everything from horns to dynamic speakers, you will never know what will satisfy you the most if you don't listen.

 

[hogen]

I will travel from Brazil to Bulgaria when APL launches the new Endless speakers.
That’s how important it is to listen first and figure out if you like it.
Inside Europe it’s much easier

That is real commitment!! How did the trip and the listening session go?

 

[sbnx]

Of the 3 speakers the OP listed the easiest to get to sound good is the Alexia V. Additionally a “trained” dealer will set them up.

A well setup and optimized $40k speaker is going to far outperform an $80k speaker that is just loosely placed.

 

[divertiti]

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

@AudioGod Definitely take Marcus up on this offer, it will be the most worthwhile trip. It's actually kind of crazy how many of the top brands he has under one roof, everything from DACs to amps. You will need a well matched system (including cables) to really bring out the potential of your speakers. You don't need to buy everything all at once of course, but you should build an idea of what you like and where you want to go.

 

[chuck]

All types of music
Mostly digital
What would be your choice ?(It doesn't need to be the 3 mentioned speakers )

My choice would be YG Hailey 3.

 

[Lee]

Of the 3 speakers the OP listed the easiest to get to sound good is the Alexia V. Additionally a “trained” dealer will set them up.

A well setup and optimized $40k speaker is going to far outperform an $80k speaker that is just loosely placed.

Agreed. As mine have been used more, the drivers have fully broken in and the sound quality has really been top-notch in every area. I just go down to my listening room and play music. I am not really thinking about gear anymore.

 

[andromedaaudio]

No brainer , my own speaker design from 2016 still goes very strong .
After having visited many shows/ dealer shows the past 2 - 3 years i m even more convinced .
What i also have become convinced of is the sound smearing of Tube power amps .
I might be adding a CH precision power amp possibly next year M 1.1 or A 1.5