Best $1000-2000 speakers

[Mazza2024]

I currently run a pair of kef q150 with a WiiM amp but looking to move the set up to my office and get a second system for my main room. Room size is about 200 sqft and looking for a bookshelf speaker with good mid range. I love the kefs and it was my first set up but would like to chase the next wow factor upgrade. Thinking about the following options but open to others

Harberth P3esr
Kef r3
Polk r200 with rel x5t subwoofer
Elac dbr62 with rel 5xt subwoofer

I listen to 100% music, mainly indie rock, classic rock and female vocal stuff.

 

[Chrispy]

Where are you? In the US I'd look perhaps at Ascend Acoustics Sierra models.

 

[dfuller]

Around $2000 I'd do Neumann KH120 IIs or Genelec 8040s/G Fours.

 

[Mazza2024]

Where are you? In the US I'd look perhaps at Ascend Acoustics Sierra models.

Canada

 

[Chrispy]

Canada

That could be more difficult especially for the return policy.....but doubt you'd want to return them myself. Have you looked at options for various Canadian speakers? You have some really good options....

 

[Doodski]

Canada

Long and McQuade has Neumann and Genelec.

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Genelec Products At Long & McQuade Canada

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[anotherhobby]

I think you'd be hard pressed to get better than the BMR Monitor for under $2k.

They also go quite a bit deeper than most stand mount speakers @ 36 Hz.

 

[Power Pop 23]

I perceive a 'more distinct' placement of instruments when listening to the coaxial driver of my KEF LS50 Meta loudspeaker. I vote for 'staying in the family' and moving to the KEF R3

 

[Spkrdctr]

I also would recommend the Kef R3 or the BMR Monitor. BMR speakers are very nice and go lower than the Kef.

 

[Steven Holt]

+1 on the R3's.

 

[Looneybomber]

Harberth P3esr
Kef r3
Polk r200 with rel x5t subwoofer
Elac dbr62 with rel 5xt subwoofer

I listen to 100% music, mainly indie rock, classic rock and female vocal stuff.

You bring up a difficult compromise.

For sake of argument, let’s say the KEF and Harberth sound better than the Polk and Elac. Is the decreased sound quality but increased frequency range using a subwoofer worth the compromise to you? That answer depends on how much you have to compromise sound quality, along with other factors, sure, but it’s something to consider since this isn’t a direct apples to apples.

 

[tw 2022]

philharmonic bmr's ... you won't need a sub....

 

[Timcognito]

$700 ea + SVS SB 1000 Pro

Elac Carina BS243.4 Review (Bookshelf Speaker)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Elac Carina BS243.4 stand-mount speaker. It is on kind loan from a member and sells for US $999. Even though this is a speaker designed by Andrew Jones, it is a continuation of the line traditionally designed in Germany with much higher sales...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Head_Unit]

I currently run a pair of kef q150

It seems you are basically satisfied with their sound, which would indicate to try and get more of the same but better. R3 or better tower R5 take the bass out of the Uni-Q, reducing distortion and also reducing treble modulation (i.e. the Uni-Q woofer moving in and out changes the waveguide loading on the tweeter).

As for REL, I have a dislike for that brand. A friend has a setup of theirs, oh yeah the sound is good with 3 subs, but speaker-level connection with small mains is dumb since the small speaker is then still straining to put out low bass, increasing distortion. It surely makes the subs easier to integrate, but not better, since no room correction can be applied to the two locations independently if that makes sense. Maybe as a loudspeaker engineer I'm too aware of filtering.

Anyway for subs, physics says bigger cabinets and bigger woofers are the most important, up to your significant others' tolerance of hugeness. More power cannot really make small subs equal to larger ones, that is a conflation of "Hofmann's Iron Law" since there are physical limits to what smaller cones in smaller enclosures can do, and limits to how much power an amp can suck from the wall.

 

[kemmler3D]

Great suggestions in the thread already. LS50 Metas are worth a look, agree with the Genelec 8030 and Neumann KH120 suggestions, both excellent... Ascend definitely needs a look in this price range also, esp. if you are going passive. Agree that you should throw in a sub if you can stretch for it.

 

[The Dunster]

P3ESR XD are $4500 in Canada, Nice for nearfield listening but a bit lean if you are trying to fill a room.
Triangle Comete Anniversary is probably better suited - lively / fun sound and very easy to drive.
Not accurate like nearfield monitors though if that's what you are seeking.