Recommendation for a $3-4k bookshelf speaker (upgrade from Ascilabs C6B)

[pipettor]

To make a long story short, I'm divesting of my horn speakers and tube amp and pivoting towards a class D amp and bookshelf speakers. I have the class D amp already (which I'm happy with) and to dip my toes into the stand-mount/bookshelf speaker world, I opted for the Ascilab C6B (I was lucky to get my hands on a pair a few month ago). These are fantastic speakers for the price, but now I'm looking for a step up.

Budget is $3-4k used or new. A natural choice would be Ascilabs A6B (I would guess they have similar characteristics to the C6B, which I like, just more and better?). But what else is out there that compares favorably, especially when considering used? KEF, Sonus Faber, B&W are recommended a lot, but I'm not familiar with their 'house sound' (if they have one), to make an educated short list. I like neutral, detailed sound, but it could slightly err on the warmer side, with a good 3D sound stage (the C6B stage well in the x direction, but could be better in the y and z axis imho). Would appreciate some suggestions of what to look into. Size should be similar or not much bigger than the C6Bs. Also, I have a small sub, so bass extension is not a big concern, although I wouldn't mind getting rid of the sub either (the A6Bs seem to be quite capable in that regard).

 

[101geo]

I have a pair of Harry's Audio First Designs Cadentia 3's and they are brilliant although a bit above your price bracket, it may be worth waiting for the smaller Cadentia 2 which is mentioned elsewhere on here to be nearly ready for production.

 

[IngMishael]

To make a long story short, I'm divesting of my horn speakers and tube amp and pivoting towards a class D amp and bookshelf speakers. I have the class D amp already (which I'm happy with) and to dip my toes into the stand-mount/bookshelf speaker world, I opted for the Ascilab C6B (I was lucky to get my hands on a pair a few month ago). These are fantastic speakers for the price, but now I'm looking for a step up.

Budget is $3-4k used or new. A natural choice would be Ascilabs A6B (I would guess they have similar characteristics to the C6B, which I like, just more and better?). But what else is out there that compares favorably, especially when considering used? KEF, Sonus Faber, B&W are recommended a lot, but I'm not familiar with their 'house sound' (if they have one), to make an educated short list. I like neutral, detailed sound, but it could slightly err on the warmer side, with a good 3D sound stage (the C6B stage well in the x direction, but could be better in the y and z axis imho). Would appreciate some suggestions of what to look into. Size should be similar or not much bigger than the C6Bs. Also, I have a small sub, so bass extension is not a big concern, although I wouldn't mind getting rid of the sub either (the A6Bs seem to be quite capable in that regard).

MoFi Sourcepoint 10 Master Edition - in Black or in Walnut

 

[staticV3]

This one is definitely worth considering:

Radiant Acoustics Clarity 6.2 Bookshelf Speaker Review

Kanto YU4 Speaker

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[waofner]

Studio monitors full range with DSP for room correction: Hedd Audio Type 20 Mk2, Adam Audio S3V, ed cetera

 

[markstein]

What about the next logical step: A6B?

 

[Purité Audio]

AsciLab A6B

With their debut speakers, South Korean company AsciLab have raised the bar for nearfield monitoring.

www.soundonsound.com

Keith

 

[tineared]

What about the next logical step: A6B?

Perhaps you should read the OP

 

[kemmler3D]

Purifi SPK16 kit will fit your budget once the cabinets and everything are built... ,

 

[levimax]

If you want something the same size I don't think you can do much better than what you have. If you want better you are going to have to go bigger. It is physics unfortuneately.

 

[WeekendWarrior]

Add a pair of subs to your C6Bs.

 

[markstein]

Or S6B / C8C?

Perhaps you should read the OP

Ups.

But honestly -why change something objectively good to something worse just because it is "different"?

 

[pipettor]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Certainly plenty that haven't been on my radar. The Cadentia 3 look great and the kit version even fits the budget, but they are a bit on the big side. I assume, the planned Cadentia 2 will be smaller - will keep my eyes open for that. The Clarity 6.2 seem to be awesome, but that's stretching the budget. I briefly considered studio monitors, but the looks won't pass the WAF bar. The Ascilab A6B (S6B and C8C are bit above budget) seem to be a good candidate still - but I wonder how they compare to e.g. the Clarity 6.2. Wasn't able to find any comparisons (maybe a bit too early for that, as these are quite new).

 

[Steve Dallas]

Arendal 1528 and 1610 series are worth a look.

Erin's Audio Corner

Welcome to my little corner of the internet. This is where you can find objective testing of a wide variety of audio gear with a dash of subjective feedback. The goal here is to help you be a better educated consumer. If you're looking to gain some knowledge and share some laughs, come on...

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Honestly, it sounds like you are looking something 'better' without being able to define what 'better' means to you. What are you looking for? Lower distortion? Higher output? A different FR curve favoring bass (warmth) or treble (detail)?

 

[Bwaslo]

Best upgrade would be to keep the C6Bs and add a dsp box with a room adjust like a Wiim. Then, to upgrade that further when you want, add a sub.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Nothing wrong with those speakers. Just add 2 premium subwoofers and make sure your amp has a HPF.

 

[IngMishael]

Nothing wrong with those speakers. Just add 2 premium subwoofers and make sure your amp has a HPF.

yup but seems subwoofers are a no go in their abode

 

[HeadDoc12]

Just make sure to actively avoid Sonus Faber and B & W. If you like neutral, those ain't it. With SF, you are paying for highly skilled and beautiful cabinet-work, without accurate sound. With B & W, you are paying for a reputation that was justly earned several decades ago, but has been moving further and further away from neutrality, and leaning into their name and marketing. I LOVE Kef speakers, and that's what I own - but not sure if they are a step up from Ascilab for the money.

 

[pipettor]

Honestly, it sounds like you are looking something 'better' without being able to define what 'better' means to you

I tried to convey that in my original post, but probably was not clear enough about it. While the C6B is no slouch with regards to detail, a bit more of it would be welcome. In that regard, the AMT in the Clarity 6.2 could do the trick. But then I'm also a bit weary of a fatiguing top end, so that's a fine line to walk. But most importantly, I'd like to have better sound staging. Again, the C6B are good in that regard, but as described above, I feel, they stage well with regards to width, but could do better in terms of depth and height. Or is that more a function of setup and room interaction?

dd a dsp box with a room adjust like a Wiim

I have a Wiim Ultra and a small 10" sub and I utilize the room correction and sub integration features of the Wiim. The setup of the sub could certainly be improved, though, as I didn't put a lot of effort into the placement so far (also, there seem to be some resonance effects with my wood flooring).

 

[rf1938]

Adding a sub to my monitors - and using Dirac ART - transformed the sound of my little Rosso Fiorentino speakers. Hard to believe the change. I replaced my old sub with a Sigberg and bought and ran ART, and now the sound is not only bigger, but the mains sound has improved markedly. I'd look into subs and correction before replacing good speakers.