Under 10k - where to go?

[Boerd]

With the tax season coming I might be able to pony up some money to upgrade my speakers. The tricky part is that I already have something I like very much (see signature). I've been looking at 2 towers:

1. PBN B741 (made by PBN)
   • Pros:
     1. Super cabinets
     2. 24db crossover (steep) and phase coherent
     3. A 4" mid - means wide dispersion
     4. Excellent drivers
   • Cons
     1. The looks is not as commercial (though I like it very much)
2. XTZ alpha divine
   • Pros
     • Excellent drivers
     • Bling / finish
   • Cons
     • A 6.5 inch driver for mid crossed over at 2.5Khz. Most likely the dispersion is sacrificed at this point
     • Not a cons just a question mark - The previous release of this speaker was tested by Audioholics and there were signs of poor engineering (CSD looked horrible). Not sure if the new edition is any better.

Which one would you choose and why? Or - if you have another speaker please speak up !

 

[its phillip]

http://www.jtrspeakers.com/noesis-215rt.html

 

[Boerd]

http://www.jtrspeakers.com/noesis-215rt.html

I wonder how they sound... Never heard of them. I only found one thread about them...

 

[Lino]

M&K awesome speakers for home theatre...

Regards Lino..

 

[speakerman39]

If I were in the market for towers and had $10K to spend, then these $6K Q Acoustic Concept 500's would be high on my list:


https://www.qacoustics.co.uk/concept500speakers


Here is the price in the US:


https://www.qacoustics.com/floorstanding-speakers/q-acoustics-concept-500-floorstanding-speakers-black.html


I would also be looking very closely at the $3.5K-3.7K Philharmonic Harmonic 3's:


http://philharmonicaudio.com/phil3.html



Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

The B&W 804 D3's look interesting, but are a bit more expensive. They come in at about $9K a set! Here is a link:

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Speakers/Home_Audio/800_Series_Diamond/804-D3.html


The KEF R900's can be had for $5K a set!


https://www.kefdirect.com/speakers/stereo-speakers/floorstanding-loudspeakers/r900-floorstanding-loudspeaker.html


The OP can get the B-stock R900's in white from Acc4less for $3400 a set:


https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/spkfloor/speakers/floor-standing-speakers/1.html?brand_f[]=KEF


Acc4less also has the Focal Aria 936's in Dark Walnut for $4K shipped! These are brand new and not B-stock. Here is a link:


https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/focalaria936dwa/focal-aria-936-6.5-3-way-floorstanding-speakers-dark-walnut-pair/1.html#!specifications



Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Crutchfield has the Monitor Audio Gold 300 towers starting at $5700 a set. For $1100 more the Gold 300's can come in an Piano Ebony finish:


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_893G300W/Monitor-Audio-Gold-300-Walnut.html


Piano Ebony finish:


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_893G300PE/Monitor-Audio-Gold-300-Piano-Ebony.html



Crutchfield also has the PSB Imagine T3 towers in Piano Black and/or Gloss Cherry $7500 a set! Here is a link:


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMNT3GB/PSB-Imagine-T3-High-gloss-Black.html


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMNT3GC/PSB-Imagine-T3-High-gloss-Cherry.html



Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Acc4Less also has the Canton Vento Reference 3 DC towers for $5K a set. But, according to Stereophile these orginally were $16K a set! Wow! However, Acc4Less is showing the normal price at $10K. As such, the Canton Vento's are certainly worth looking at. Here is a link:


https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantventoref3dcblka/canton-vento-reference-3-dc-8.5-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-black-each/1.html


Here is the Sterophile review that mentions $16K a set:


https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/canton_reference_32_dc_loudspeaker/index.html


Cheers,

Phil

 

[sterling shoote]

JBL 4429s for about $8000 would satisfy me.

 

[Boerd]

Crutchfield has the Monitor Audio Gold 300 towers starting at $5700 a set. For $1100 more the Gold 300's can come in an Piano Ebony finish:


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_893G300W/Monitor-Audio-Gold-300-Walnut.html


Piano Ebony finish:


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_893G300PE/Monitor-Audio-Gold-300-Piano-Ebony.html



Crutchfield also has the PSB Imagine T3 towers in Piano Black and/or Gloss Cherry $7500 a set! Here is a link:


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMNT3GB/PSB-Imagine-T3-High-gloss-Black.html


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMNT3GC/PSB-Imagine-T3-High-gloss-Cherry.html



Cheers,

Phil

Monitor audio Gold made it on my list. B&W - not so much - there is something I can't really pinpoint that I don't like about their sound (could be my imagination).

 

[Boerd]

Acc4Less also has the Canton Vento Reference 3 DC towers for $5K a set. But, according to Stereophile these orginally were $16K a set! Wow! However, Acc4Less is showing the normal price at $10K. As such, the Canton Vento's are certainly worth looking at. Here is a link:


https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantventoref3dcblka/canton-vento-reference-3-dc-8.5-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-black-each/1.html


Here is the Sterophile review that mentions $16K a set:


https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/canton_reference_32_dc_loudspeaker/index.html


Cheers,

Phil

Thanks a bunch for reminding me about Canton! I heard them and they very very good.

 

[lovinthehd]

Maybe some Seaton Catalyst 12Cs....this "review" mentions both B&W and JTR, too.

 

[speakerman39]

Monitor audio Gold made it on my list. B&W - not so much - there is something I can't really pinpoint that I don't like about their sound (could be my imagination).

The Q Acoustic speakers are said to have a sound very similar to the B&W. As such, it sounds like you can rule out the Concept 500's that I linked above. Speaking of the Monitor Golds, I have NEVER ready anything bad about them. Also, I strongly urge you to look at the Philharmonic 3's. Lots of bang for your buck with them.


Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks a bunch for reminding me about Canton! I heard them and they very very good.

The Cantons certainly are a huge bargain given that they were originally $16K a set! But, I have never heard them. My guess would be that they would hold their value rather well. The Focal Arias 936's look quite promising as well.


Cheers,

Phil

 

[Boerd]

The Q Acoustic speakers are said to have a sound very similar to the B&W. As such, it sounds like you can rule out the Concept 500's that I linked above. Speaking of the Monitor Golds, I have NEVER ready anything bad about them. Also, I strongly urge you to look at the Philharmonic 3's. Lots of bang for your buck with them.


Cheers,

Phil

I am now catching up on accessories4less on their deals

 

[Boerd]

Is it me or the Cabasse is crossed-eyed?
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cabenc1179a/cabasse-pacific-3-6-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-gloss-mahogany-each/1.html#!specifications

 

[Boerd]

Canton Vento just doesn't measure that well - https://www.stereophile.com/content/canton-reference-32-dc-loudspeaker-measurements - what a pity

 

[speakerman39]

Is it me or the Cabasse is crossed-eyed?
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cabenc1179a/cabasse-pacific-3-6-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-gloss-mahogany-each/1.html#!specifications

Yeah a bit, but I think that they look cool! Kind of on the heavy side though. Certainly would be a load to move around. Bad backs and heavy components not a good mix. BTW, have bought many things from Acc4less over the years. All w/o a hitch. Highly recommend!


Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Canton Vento just doesn't measure that well - https://www.stereophile.com/content/canton-reference-32-dc-loudspeaker-measurements - what a pity

Perhaps, but did you look at the Phil 3's measurements? You might want to see just how flat they are. Even off axis. I would love to own a set of them. Maybe one of these days. Here is a link:

http://philharmonicaudio.com/phil3.html


Dennis Murphy is a member here and can answer all of your questions regarding them. Several forum members also own them and hopefully will chime in. You would certainly get much more for your money with the Philharmonic 3's.


Cheers,

Phil

 

[Boerd]

Perhaps, but did you look at the Phil 3's measurements? You might want to see just how flat they are. Even off axis. I would love to own a set of them. Maybe one of these days. Here is a link:

http://philharmonicaudio.com/phil3.html


Dennis Murphy is a member here and can answer all of your questions regarding them. Several forum members also own them and hopefully will chime in. You would certainly get much more for your money with the Philharmonic 3's.


Cheers,

Phil

The measurements look good - I like their dispersion.