Hypothetical Question - Best speaker for equal to or less than $15K USD

[gabo4au]

Title says it all, or at least most of it.

I see a lot of comparisons of cheaper or mid-priced speakers, but what about higher end offerings? I would also say that, at least for me, I prefer Rock N Roll or at least what I would say is rowdier music. From classics like, Zeppelin, The Who, Kansas, Rush, Toto, Steely Dan.. Right through the grunge movement with bands like Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Bush. On through to newer offerings like The Black Keys, Shinedown, Dirty Honey, and more. So these speakers not only have to sound good, but they have to "bring it" in terms of volume and punch.

I would also prefer a tower speaker, to keep the floor footprint low enough to blend them into the listening room. And I'm ok with or without a subwoofer, although at this price you wouldn't expect to actually need a sub.

So what is the best out there? Is it the Revel offerings that have measured so good here on ASR? KEF? Or maybe some Martin Logan's or Janszen's Valentina? Focal? Wilson Audio? Sonus Faber? Magnepan? Or for this type of music does something like a JBL M2 work better?

There are so many offerings once you get to this range. And of course auditioning them is next to impossible. Most of them I haven never even seen anywhere except in a picture.

If the tooth fairy dropped $15K under your pillow tonight, what speakers would you buy with it?

 

[muslhead]

Dutch8c

 

[dfuller]

There are a few great options - but yes, I think Dutch and Dutch 8Cs are a great choice

 

[muad]

I'd buy the Dutch 8c ASAP ( if I had to buy speakers with the money)... Otherwise I'd buy more stocks

 

[BrokenEnglishGuy]

do you likewide or narrow dispersion? smooth neutral or bright?

Personally me, i like something more neutral~smooth with great and fun bass, i would buy these as '' end game '':
Concept 500 with dual subs
ref1 meta with dual subs
elysian 4 without subs or 2 or 3 with? depend the room too... the 2 has 28hz~ port tunning
maybe a look at the new canton reference series 2023
sopra from focal are expensive but maybe with a discount...

 

[Jim Taylor]

Don't confuse "best" with "most liked". One is judged on the basis of objective tests, but the other is a subjective (personal) opinion that is unique to every different person.

A neutral speaker simply provides the best approximation of what is in the recording ... that's all. Scientifically, that is "best". However, because you have stated a preference for rock 'n roll and used descriptive language more common to subjective assessments, I suspect that you desire a speaker that is NOT neutral and accurate.

Is this perhaps true?

Have you ever heard speakers that you thought were excellent performers for your taste? If you have, which were they? That could give us something to go on.

Jim

 

[frodaddi]

I was recently shopping for speakers in that price range and chose Revel f228be. They are on sale right now btw at around 7k for the pair vs 11k msrp

I like the speakers very much after having them for about a month now. As you know they measure very well. Quite a difference from my Klipsch RF7 II

I also considered KEF, Focal and Sonus Faber in a similar price range. KEF and Focal also measure neutral, SF not so much but they sure are good looking.

In the end the Revels won out as best combination of measurements, size / weight and aesthetics.

Btw my musical taste seems very similar to your list above. Mostly rock, alt, some indie and even a little country now and then. Listening to the new Lenny Kravitz now, good record.

 

[Holmz]

Title says it all, or at least most of it.

…

If the tooth fairy dropped $15K under your pillow tonight, what speakers would you buy with it?

A lot of this, for me at least… would also depend on what you already have.

If you only do digital, and do not have an amp, then it gets a lot more interesting with powered speakers.

And speakers somewhat also have an impact on the amp, or visa versa.
In addition to power and sensitivity, there is also how easy of difficult the speaker load is.
So some $15k speakers could require different amps, than other $15k speakers.

An easy to drive speaker can sound about the same with a $70 AIYAMA A07 as with a multi-kilo-buck amp.

 

[Anton D]

Don't confuse "best" with "most liked". One is judged on the basis of objective tests, but the other is a subjective (personal) opinion that is unique to every different person.

A neutral speaker simply provides the best approximation of what is in the recording ... that's all. Scientifically, that is "best". However, because you have stated a preference for rock 'n roll and used descriptive language more common to subjective assessments, I suspect that you desire a speaker that is NOT neutral and accurate.

Is this perhaps true?

Have you ever heard speakers that you thought were excellent performers for your taste? If you have, which were they? That could give us something to go on.

Jim



Jim

Most liked is objective, as well.

Ask Sean Olive!

 

[kemmler3D]

I'd say for that kind of money, if you have the space and WAF budget, you could DIY some JBL M2s. (or perhaps commission a build... the parts cost is around $10K/pr last time I checked) The real deal is about double that, but it's possible to buy the genuine parts and DIY the DSP and cabinet. That would be the "rowdy" / "loud" / "ballsy" option without sacrificing accuracy / quality.

D&D 8C for pure quality.

Or maybe you could get lucky and find some secondhand KEF Blades within your budget.

 

[skyfly]

My audiophile goal is Quad electrostatics with decent room treatment including PSI AVAA's at the back side of the dipole speakers (the total will be beyond 15,000 USD). I am aware of the disadvantages of that speaker. So I do not assert that it is the best speaker for many other people. It is only for me who will go through the troubles caused by choosing that speaker.

 

[MaxBuck]

For all that's been written about the Dutch&Dutch, the Mesanovic RTM10 compares extremely favorably, and at lower cost. I'd love to hear them.

 

[TLEDDY]

My audiophile goal is Quad electrostatics with decent room treatment including PSI AVAA's at the back side of the dipole speakers (the total will be beyond 15,000 USD). I am aware of the disadvantages of that speaker. So I do not assert that it is the best speaker for many other people. It is only for me who will go through the troubles caused by choosing that speaker.

If you want a bullet-proof electrostatic, try Sanders 10e… I have owned Quads fro the original,’57s on; the Sanders dare end-game with a lifetime guarantee to the original owner! Best sounding (to me) of all I have owned over the many decades.

 

[AudioJester]

If you want a bullet-proof electrostatic, try Sanders 10e… I have owned Quads fro the original,’57s on; the Sanders dare end-game with a lifetime guarantee to the original owner! Best sounding (to me) of all I have owned over the many decades.

The problem with the Sanders is the sweet spot is very small, and the sound collapses either side of it. If its one listener in a fixed position, not an issue.

 

[amper42]

My vote would be for the Revel F228Be. This model went on sale from $11,000 a pair starting May 2024 to $3,475 each. Not sure when the sale ends. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_265F228BEB/Revel-PerformaBe-F228Be-High-Gloss-Black.html

The F228Be sounds just as good as my Revel F328Be and it offers a bit more bass punch in small to medium rooms. That front port really packs a wallop. I was pleasantly surprised how GREAT this model stands up to more expensive speakers. Can't recommend it enough.

 

[Holmz]

The problem with the Sanders is the sweet spot is very small, and the sound collapses either side of it. If its one listener in a fixed position, not an issue.

That is the problem with speakers that image well.
Everyone likes to point out that it is a flaw that they focus, and it is common for focus to describe a point or place.

 

[Anton D]

Out of curiosity, how many people have heard the Dutch and Dutch?

 

[kemmler3D]

Out of curiosity, how many people have heard the Dutch and Dutch?

I am sure @Purité Audio and @poopy have, otherwise I am not sure. Good question because my recommendation is not based on speakers I've actually heard.

 

[Mart68]

JBL 4367, probably. But might go for the Focal Sopra 3 since they are similar to what I already have and like.

That's based on auditions at shows of plenty of speakers in that price range and above. Including Kii3 (but not Dutch & Dutch as I keep missing them).

You like the same music I do. Sopra will need a chunky amplifier if you don't already have one, not so much the JBLs although it never hurts.

 

[dfuller]

Out of curiosity, how many people have heard the Dutch and Dutch?

I have. Got very close to buying a set.