Best Tower Speaker Pick $3,500 or less

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by Big D Design, Feb 20, 2017.

  1. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    I've heard lots of good words about 3A as well. I'd still go with what I currently have, but 3A is great nonetheless.
     
  2. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Emerald Physics KCII (2495 USD)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    It can be ordered with an active dsp crossover also, for 1.8k, a 6 channel Emotiva amplifier will do the trick.

    Considering the room correction, linear phase, "perfect" frequency response and all the benefits of active setups and dsp crossovers plus open baffle 3 way speakers...it would be very hard to beat this system price/performance ratio.
     
  3. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Everything OB I simply adore. If I gad to pick just one speaker topology to grow old with, I'd put my money on open baffles with no questions asked.
     
  4. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    I'm a die hard Apogee fan, also love Piega, but...if I only had 4k to put a complete system, active open baffles like the one I posted is just glorious, you sir have good taste!
     
  5. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Thank you, my good man! To not hear bass-reflex is unbeatable, but not only that. The sensation of scale in music OB topology does is nowhere to be found in anything else.

    The best OB I've heard? Please see Reflector Audio Bespoke P15. This is the one that does it for me. 35K, though. Ouch.
     
  6. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    Wow those look awesome! Would love to hear them :)
    Off topic, but my heart belongs to this, it's one of my lifetime goals
    Active with transformers for 8 ohm impedance, 3 pairs of Atma-sphere Novacron OTL monoblocks, and a full Linn Klimax Katalyst crossover (well, 2 for "dual mono 3 way" as Linn says and a Exakt DSM to control it) configured for them and a custom room (one can dream, right? haha)

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2017
  7. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Heh, some people say that foil is meant to be used only for wrapping one's sandwiches and not in audio :)

    In any case, these look rather nice.
     
  8. Puma Cat

    Puma Cat Friend

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    msommers, I was going to put in another pitch for Harbeths. I don't know what size constraints you may have regarding cabinet and speaker stand size, but if possible, the Harbeth 30.1s are AMAZING. They may well be the best 2-way speakers I've ever heard. There is a pair on Audigon right now for about $3600; these normally retail new for about $5500-$6500, depending on finish. They are incredibly musical and engaging. I listened to them with C-J gear for an entire evening at Tone of Audio in SF one evening with a buddy, and he was very surprised how good they were, and also said they might be "too beautiful sounding", for what that's worth.

    The P3SRS have a great rep, too, but I have not heard them first-hand. I've have heard the Harbeths 30.1s in three different store/settings first-hand and they blew me away every time.

    The other speaker would recommend considering would be Dynaudio Contour S1.4s or Focus 160s.
     
  9. foo_me

    foo_me Friend

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    I'm also looking for speakers in this price range.
    Does anyone know how the 30.1 compares to the shl5/shl5+?
    I did hear the shl5 briefly and really enjoyed it.
     
  10. winders

    winders boomer

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    I would certainly take a hard look at the Tekton Design Double Impact speakers. They have been phenomenal in my setup.
     
  11. Puma Cat

    Puma Cat Friend

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    Can't say I have; I was really only interested in the 30.1s, specifically because of my system, room requirements, etc. I'm sure the Shl5/5+ were great. Was pretty much blown away every time I heard the 30.1s. Big fan of 2-way systems in general, much simpler crossover requirements.
     
  12. alubis

    alubis Acquaintance

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    I have listened to both of them in the Harbeth dealer showroom. I used to own shl5 as well for about 2 years before moving on to ATC SCM40 v2.

    I prefer shl5 to 30.1, especially if you have a medium size room. Shl5 has better bass due to bigger woofer and better treble extension from the super tweeter. Shl5+ is better than shl5 in terms of bass (less slow) and more transparent (kind of like atc scm40 v2, but a bit less transparent).
     
  13. Puma Cat

    Puma Cat Friend

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    Yeah, I haven't heard that particular model, but knowing Harbeth, it's probably pretty darn sweet. I think it's price point, though, is higher that the $3500 cap for this thread. Even used 30.1s sell for about $3500-$3700, and they come up extremely rarely (probably because folks don't ever sell them once they own them). ;)
     
  14. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    My guess as well. I know several individuals with 30.1 being the most affordable piece of a setup. Some people say these speakers have enormous potential.
     
  15. Greg121986

    Greg121986 Almost "Made"

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    I have spent a lot of time with these speakers. The M30.1 is my favorite, but the SHL5+ is better. I would have a very, very hard time choosing between these two. If you are buying new then the original SHL5 should not be on the list unless you're getting it for cheap. If you are buying used, then your budget will help steer you in the right direction. You cannot possibly be unhappy owning any of these speakers.

    That being said, there is another speaker that sounds better than all of the Harbeth speakers IMO. That is from Graham Audio. They are a similar BBC monitor design, but they are officially licensed from BBC. At the end of the day that does not mean much, but they are true to the original BBC designs. To my ears they are more detailed and deliver more "plankton" as compared to the Harbeth speakers. They are more expensive, however. There are also few dealers in the US and I can assure you that you'd never find one used. Full disclosure, there was a period a few years ago when I was a sales rep for Graham Audio. It has been at least 2 years since I was involved with their commercial distribution. They still remain as one of my favorite speakers. If I were to sell my Focal Electra 1028, the Graham Audio LS5/9 would likely be my top choice.
     
  16. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    I thoroughly enjoyed P3ESR. Great speakers for the price, macho slayers for sure.
     
  17. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    I have the SHL5+, the Graham ls59 and P3ESR.

    curious to know more about your experience with the grahams as im not sure id call the ls59 necessarily obviously better then the shl5+.
     
  18. foo_me

    foo_me Friend

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    @murphythecat can you give any impressions so far comparing the ls59 and shl5+?
    I'm currently deciding between the 2 myself.
     
  19. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    @murphythecat have you had much listening time between the two? What is your opinion of how they differ?
     
  20. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    the ls59 are being broken in and ive been sadly delayed. in a week ill start the Shoot out!
     

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