Speakers up to $30K

[iaxel]

IMO, the Sophia 3s are a much better than the Magico S3s.

That’s the beauty of this hobby, in these levels, it’s a matter of taste.
I tried to express mine...

 

[iaxel]

Where do you live? A $30k investment may be a worth a little road trip.

Out of the country... so not really an option.

 

[DonH50]

So nothing anywhere in your country? NM clearly you don't want to provide a location and that's fine. In that case, you'll either have to choose from what you can hear, or depend upon the opinions and measurements of others. Asking folk on fora such as this to find like minds and similar equipment is as good an approach as any and provides a much wider audience than we had years ago. Good luck, be sure to let us know what you finally find!

 

[bonzo75]

Yep, with the Luxman. Not sure what was wrong (or not), but the O93 did not impress me at all.

For O96 you need them well into the room and away from the sides and they work best with sub 20w SETs.

One speaker that works fantastic with Luxman and is much cheaper than modern speakers and quite good is vintage tannoy. But that is tough to demo

 

[iaxel]

So nothing anywhere in your country? NM clearly you don't want to provide a location and that's fine. In that case, you'll either have to choose from what you can hear, or depend upon the opinions and measurements of others. Asking folk on fora such as this to find like minds and similar equipment is as good an approach as any and provides a much wider audience than we had years ago. Good luck, be sure to let us know what you finally find!

I live in Israel, so nothing near I can travel to...
Thanks for the tips! Will surely update when I choose and receive my next speakers.

 

[iaxel]

For O96 you need them well into the room and away from the sides and they work best with sub 20w SETs.

One speaker that works fantastic with Luxman and is much cheaper than modern speakers and quite good is vintage tannoy. But that is tough to demo

Yep, I’m limited with how much I get move a speakers into my room, I can manage 3-5 feet-in, but no more...

Regarding vintage Tannoys, not sure they fit into the “wanna-be colorless” camp

 

[Bodhi]

Yep, with the Luxman. Not sure what was wrong (or not), but the O93 did not impress me at all.

The Lux would have been a bit lean and neutral for the 0-93's. A better match would be the Leben CS-1000P/CS-300F combo, or some of the higher wattage Shindo separates.

 

[iaxel]

The Lux would have been a bit lean and neutral for the 0-93's. A better match would be the Leben CS-1000P/CS-300F combo, or some of the higher wattage Shindo separates.

If I ever audition them in a combo that makes me “want” them, I’ll reconsider. But, at the moment , I do not plan on updating my amplification.

 

[iaxel]

BTW, what about:
B&W 800 D3
Vivid Giya G3 (there’s a s/h pair for sale)

 

[bonzo75]

Yep, I’m limited with how much I get move a speakers into my room, I can manage 3-5 feet-in, but no more...

Regarding vintage Tannoys, not sure they fit into the “wanna-be colorless” camp

Lux sounds great on the YG Hailey. I have heard the Hailey with boulder 2160, burmester 911 mk3 and 909, plinius, Nagra, and viola symphony. lux is extremely good as it gets on them. And no, that is not the case with each speaker.

 

[Bodhi]

If I ever audition them in a combo that makes me “want” them, I’ll reconsider. But, at the moment , I do not plan on updating my amplification.

You need to get out and audition as many of the speakers on your pick list as possible (and even offer to bring your amps into the store where they don't carry your amps, or can't offer a home audition). Generally I advocate building around your speakers. Doing it the other way around is more difficult.

 

[bonzo75]

BTW, what about:
B&W 800 D3
Vivid Giya G3 (there’s a s/h pair for sale)

Lux is a known combo with vivid that sounds nice. Between those two I prefer 802 D3, though much difference, never heard with lux, and never heard the 800 D3

 

[Bodhi]

Lux sounds great on the YG Hailey. I have heard the Hailey with boulder 2160, burmester 911 mk3 and 909, plinius, Nagra, and viola symphony. lux is extremely good as it gets on them. And no, that is not the case with each speaker.

The Hailey 2.2's are over the OP's price range (unless buying 2nd hand), but the earlier-mentioned Vantage model is an option.

 

[iaxel]

You need to get out and audition as many of the speakers on your pick list as possible (and even offer to bring your amps into the store where they don't carry your amps, or can't offer a home audition). Generally I advocate building around your speakers. Doing it the other way around is more difficult.

You’re absolutely right! However, It’s a bit difficult to do it here with the current demo speakers on offer.

 

[bonzo75]

The Hailey 2.2's are over the OP's price range (unless buying 2nd hand), but the earlier-mentioned Vantage model is an option.

1.2 used

 

[Bodhi]

You’re absolutely right! However, It’s a bit difficult to do it here with the current demo speakers on offer.

If you want to play it safe in terms of resale value, either the Magico S3 Mk2, Vimberg Mino D, YG Acoustics Vantage or above-mentioned Hailey 1.2 (used) would be a fine choice & be well served by your Luxman/Vac combo.

 

[Folsom]

B&W certainly don't fit a "colorless camp"

The Revel's are the least " color camp" mentioned so far. I'm not saying I'd chose them, but they have that going for them.

 

[iaxel]

B&W certainly don't fit a "colorless camp"

I thought the new D3 fit in that camp. I’ve heard them only once in, not-very-good, show conditions, and they felt pretty colorless to me.

 

[Folsom]

B&W has show to have a rather custom FR over the years.

 

[Bodhi]

I thought the new D3 fit in that camp. I’ve heard them only once in, not-very-good, show conditions, and they felt pretty colorless to me.

When I heard the D3's with ARC tube amps, I agree they sounded less colored than the D2's. But I wasn't fully convinnced they'd tamed the bright sounding diamond tweeter. It still sounded a bit hot to me; even with tube amps. But a lot better than the previous generation. That said, B&W are just another Harman to me, so i'd pass.