Speakers to beat at the $30K mark in 2012

[trponhunter]

Originally Posted by jdebonth

Thanks for all the input.

Not much mention of the new rockports.... I guess as they are brand new there are not many impressions yet. In other hangouts around the net they are described as the speakers to beat at this price point. And they are droolworthy

So new in fact that the pair in my store is the nly pair in the U.S. They are breathtakingly beautiful sounding.

[Myles B. Astor]

Originally Posted by jdebonth

I am looking for a speaker to be driven by a high power solid state amp in a small to medium, well damped room. Around $30k price range. Preferences in order are:

1. Highly resolving/detailed
2. Accurate/neutral
3. Big, deep, controlled bass
4. Large open 3D soundstage
5. Extended but natural highs
Must have: Clean, lively, and exciting; plays well with all genre's (rock/electronica)

Which current speaker most closely meets these criteria? I would like to shortlist a few to audition. Some that I am considering:

Wilson Sasha $27k (can be found 2ndhand)
Rockport Avior $30 (wow!)
Focal Scala Utopia $30 (findable 2ndhand)
Magico Q3 $34 (looks great)
Sonus Faber Futura $36 (more classical/jazz focused?)
TAD CR-1 $37 (would need a sub)

your recommendations and reasons please!



EDIT: Additional recommendations:

Dynaudio Confidence C4 Signature $22k
Vivid Audio B1 $15k
Wisdom Audio L75 SCS Sub ~$30k
Sony SS-AR1
Evolution Acoustics MMOne
Avalon Acoustics Indra
Vienna Acoustics' Music $27k

I will say that when I was buying a pair of speaker last year, my choices came down to the Martin-Logan Summit-xs, the Evolution Acoustics 2/3 and the Wilson Sashas. I could happily live with any of them and you know what I chose

[jdebonth]

and Rockport is a US company right? based in Maine I think.
Guess it will take some time before they start popping up over here in Europe...

I think these and the CR-1's are gonna be the top picks...

[audiot servant]

Originally Posted by jdebonth

and Rockport is a US company right? based in Maine I think.
Guess it will take some time before they start popping up over here in Europe...

I think these and the CR-1's are gonna be the top picks...

+1 Tads or Rockports... what a choice... truth is probably any of your shortlisted speakers could be the start of an extraordinary system... may best just be a case of going where the heart takes you

[howiebrou]

Franco Serblin Ktema? You should be able to get them for under 35k a pair and boy are they beautiful both in looks and in sound!

[trponhunter]

Nicely done photo list, Myles!!!

[jdebonth]

Ktema's look very interesting! I have added these and the Martin Logan's to the list in post #1.

[VT Skier]

I have been looking in the same price range, and I agree with Miles that the Sashas are something special, as are the Aviors. If you want to save a little money, I would also strongly recommend Dynaudio, but so much of this decision is subjective that you'll have to listen for yourself.

If you're going to be in the northeastern U.S. before you decide, I highly recommend calling Paul Chambers at Goodwin's High End in Boston. They carry Magico, Sony, Rockport and Dynaudio (among others), and it would be worth making the trip and spending a day or two listening to those brands. They don't carry Burmester, but they do have Soulution, Boulder and Simaudio, all excellent solid state brands for a listening session. I know they have the Q3, the C4 and the SS-AR1 available for demo, and I believe they're going to get the Avior.

And there are dealers nearby that carry Wilson and some of the other brands you're considering, so you could make a holiday of it.

[CKKeung]

IMHO I would suggest to include the TAD Evolution-1 and Magico S5 into the list. They shall be available in 1Q2012.

The Marten Django does not reach the USD30k mark but still worth to be considered.

[jdebonth]

Nice looking speakers! Will add these to the list.