Speaker suggestions for budget of £6000

[BigWill69]

System Lp12, Pu7, Koetsu Black. MF nu vista integrated, Linn Linto phono amp. Proac 2.5's. Vdh interconnects and cables.

Listen to Jazz, Blues, Soul, R & B, Classical in room 8ft wide, 10 ft deep and 7 ft high. Listening about 6ft back so near listening.

Pleased to hear ideas for new speakers up to £6k. Not too forward, good imaging and importantly depth. Ideas around the unusual most welcome. Thank you.

 

[Rethep]

I think in this rather small room you best think of standmounters. They can be had for a lot lesser money, so you keep some cash left to buy music.

 

[matt49]

Given your musical preferences and budget, I'd strongly recommend listening to some electrostatic speakers, e.g. the Martin Logan Theos (£4.9K) or Ethos (£6.5K).

The great advantage of 'statics is that they distort far less than dynamic (cone) speakers. The distortion from a Martin Logan is 30 times less than the B&W 800Ds, which sell for £12K.

The Martin Logans will give you an immediacy and soundstage that you'll struggle to find with any other speakers at this price.

I have the larger ML Montis, and I currently sit 8ft from them. The sound is astonishingly real. I mainly listen to classical music.

If you prefer dynamic speakers, then I'd recommend Harbeth or Sonus faber.

Matt

 

[Covenanter]

Wow! That's a tiny room. I think I would want expert advice on how to best fit speakers into it.

Have you considered electrostatic headphones? They give tremendous results.

Chris

 

[Frank Harvey]

Serious recommendation here.

Ken Kreisel Quattro Q125 satellites and a couple of DXD808 subs. I'll elaborate if there's any interest. And no, I don't sell them...

 

[KidKomet]

Gamut L3's (Although I have a feeling they've recently updated these to the M3) and Neat Ultimatum XLS might be worth an audition.

 

[FanthorpesHiFi]

I've heard good things about the new KEF Reference they might be worth a listen.

 

[CnoEvil]

In a room that size, I think I would be looking at Standmounts, such as:

- Diapason Astera

- Sonus Faber Olympica 1

- Kef Reference 201/2 (front ported/boundary compensation)

- Kef LS50 (In a good system, these sound way better than their price suggests)

- Harbeth Super HL5 Plus

- Spendor SP1/2R2

 

[relocated]

Save yourself a fortune and get yourself some AVI ADM 9RS.

Active standmounts with 2 optical and 1 analogue inputs, remote controlled with built in DAC, still £1250. There is a dedicated sub but I doubt you'll need it with your taste in music and room size. Holographic soundstage, you only need add a source so can probably buy them from the sale of your existing gear.

£6000 will buy you an awful lot of music and gigs.

 

[matt49]

As space is an issue, you could try some wall-mounted panels, e.g. the Martin Logan EFX or the Magneplanar MG MC-1. Both would probably benefit from a subwoofer, which could be placed more or less anywhere in the room.

Matt

 

[tino]

Well beyond my budget and listening experience ... but these look funky and get the thumbs up from WHF and many other reviewers .... http://www.whathifi.com/vivid-audio/v15/review

 

[James7]

Well beyond my budget and listening experience ... but these look funky and get the thumbs up from WHF and many other reviewers .... http://www.whathifi.com/vivid-audio/v15/revie

good call. The V1.5 is basically designed to work best in free space, however, whereas there are other V1 models specifically designed for close-to-wall use, which may work particularly well in the OP's small listening room. The V1s, and V1w, which is designed for wall-mounting.

 

[tino]

Well beyond my budget and listening experience ... but these look funky and get the thumbs up from WHF and many other reviewers .... http://www.whathifi.com/vivid-audio/v15/revie

good call. The V1.5 is basically designed to work best in free space, however, whereas there are other V1 models specifically designed for close-to-wall use, which may work particularly well in the OP's small listening room. The V1s, and V1w, which is designed for wall-mounting.

Here you go ... V1S and V1W

 

[matt49]

Well beyond my budget and listening experience ... but these look funky and get the thumbs up from WHF and many other reviewers .... http://www.whathifi.com/vivid-audio/v15/revie

good call. The V1.5 is basically designed to work best in free space, however, whereas there are other V1 models specifically designed for close-to-wall use, which may work particularly well in the OP's small listening room. The V1s, and V1w, which is designed for wall-mounting.

Seconded: I heard the V1.5 and the V1s, both outstanding speakers.

Matt

 

[davedotco]

Well beyond my budget and listening experience ... but these look funky and get the thumbs up from WHF and many other reviewers .... http://www.whathifi.com/vivid-audio/v15/revie

good call. The V1.5 is basically designed to work best in free space, however, whereas there are other V1 models specifically designed for close-to-wall use, which may work particularly well in the OP's small listening room. The V1s, and V1w, which is designed for wall-mounting.

Seconded: I heard the V1.5 and the V1s, both outstanding speakers.

Matt

I have not heard them but they are very much the kind o speaker I would be looking for in the OP's situation.

The conventional route of simply 'bigger and better' with increasing budget is unlikely to work in such a small room. The compact active route may be worth looking at, Quested S7r or Unity Audio's Rock Monitors (rock as in the construction material, not the music) but it would require a big rethink by the OP.

I recently saw the latest Rock Monitor, with the onboard amplification by EAR, didn't hear it but recall the original as beeing rather good, love to give it a go.

The bass control of these active designs (critical in a small room) is something few passive designs can match, not expensive either, funds over to buy a 'proper' Koetsu......*wink*

 

[BigWill69]

Just the type of unusual I was suggesting. I actually like the look, they have reviewed well all over and they are unfussy about room size and positioning. Definately make the shortlist for a lustening test. Many thanks for your reply and subsequest replies from other members.

 

[BigWill69]

Hi Matt,

Been decades since I heard Martin Logans at a friends in Edinburgh. More into heavy rock music then so didn't suit my style. I'll make a point of revisiting these types now my musical tastes have mellowed and I've discovered classical music, these might be just what I'm after. Love the look too, just wasnt sure whether they needed breathing spaces so I discounted them from my options. Rethink?

 

[BigWill69]

Seems these require a good bit of room to work best, might not do them any favours in my small listening area. Thanks.

 

[BigWill69]

Hi David,

Yeah these have the ability to lessen reflections from side walls, ideal for my small room. How is the overall sound quality? I have had a pair of Celestion Sl700 stored away for years, only changed them to gain lower frequency oomph. That was back in the day without sub's, their midrange is to die for so would it be worth considering a sub for these. Save a few quid too 🙂

 

[BigWill69]

Thanks for reply, yes you maybe right however I may also move sooner rather than later. Difficult one!

 

[BigWill69]

Reading up on these actives it seems they too like a fair distance from rear and side walls. In my little room they probably end up standing next to each other in front of me

A lot to be said for sal boxed designs and the base credentials of these being tight, well defined stop start base sounds very much lie my Celestion Sl700's. Are these as good? .... likely not. Not keen on taking my amp out of the chain either. Many thanks.

 

[nopiano]

Thanks for reply, yes you maybe right however I may also move sooner rather than later. Difficult one!

if you are serious about moving, then I would wait. But for now, I was going to suggest one that Cno mentioned, the KEF LS50. It is pocket money for you and would sound great on your system. And would still fetch at least five hundred when you get your final coice.

 

[nopiano]

Thanks for reply, yes you maybe right however I may also move sooner rather than later. Difficult one!

if you are serious about moving, then I would wait. But for now, I was going to suggest one that Cno mentioned, the KEF LS50. It is pocket money for you and would sound great on your system. And would still fetch at least five hundred when you get your final coice.

 

[Covenanter]

I repeat the point I made earlier. With such a small space auditioning in that space is vital. I also repeat that if you usually listen alone electrostaic headphones could be the ideal solution.

Chris

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanks for reply, yes you maybe right however I may also move sooner rather than later. Difficult one!

if you are serious about moving, then I would wait. But for now, I was going to suggest one that Cno mentioned, the KEF LS50. It is pocket money for you and would sound great on your system. And would still fetch at least five hundred when you get your final coice.

Great advice, as moving changes everything.