Speaker advice.
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Hopefully I’m posting this in the correct spot, I’m somewhat old and don’t use any social media.
I received excellent help here approximately a year ago regarding my Polk 10a’s I’ve owned since new 1982. The crossovers have been upgraded. Thanks Jesse. I’m overall happy with them but they’re really the only speakers I’ve owned other than some small bookshelf Infinity. I’m just curious what I’m missing and have considered upgrading. Unfortunately there’s not many places to demo anything. The only place near me is a home theater/alarm business. I went there hoping to hear Cornwall and Forte iv and was only able to demo Cornwall 3 as that’s all they had. However they had a pair of Sonus Sonetto iii g2 and I was really impressed but figured I would need the V G2 for room size which they didn’t have. Room is 18x13 10 ft ceilings. I know a Klipsch to a Sonus are complete opposites and probably don’t want a horn speaker. Any previous monitor 10 owners that swapped to something that really blew them away? If I buy anything I don’t really want to spend over 5k although I could probably stretch for what will likely be my final speakers. Again I’m not unhappy with the 10s just thinking I’m probably missing detail and separation compared to modern speakers? I think I really like the Sonus but that’s basically the first thing I heard and it was the 3g2. Thanks for any recommendations.
I received excellent help here approximately a year ago regarding my Polk 10a’s I’ve owned since new 1982. The crossovers have been upgraded. Thanks Jesse. I’m overall happy with them but they’re really the only speakers I’ve owned other than some small bookshelf Infinity. I’m just curious what I’m missing and have considered upgrading. Unfortunately there’s not many places to demo anything. The only place near me is a home theater/alarm business. I went there hoping to hear Cornwall and Forte iv and was only able to demo Cornwall 3 as that’s all they had. However they had a pair of Sonus Sonetto iii g2 and I was really impressed but figured I would need the V G2 for room size which they didn’t have. Room is 18x13 10 ft ceilings. I know a Klipsch to a Sonus are complete opposites and probably don’t want a horn speaker. Any previous monitor 10 owners that swapped to something that really blew them away? If I buy anything I don’t really want to spend over 5k although I could probably stretch for what will likely be my final speakers. Again I’m not unhappy with the 10s just thinking I’m probably missing detail and separation compared to modern speakers? I think I really like the Sonus but that’s basically the first thing I heard and it was the 3g2. Thanks for any recommendations.
Comments
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There are countless other speakers that you could try on the used market that would be a huge step up from the Monitor 10 without dropping $5000. You really just need to look at what's available, see what other forum discussions, and magazine reviews are saying, and go for some more demos. Most of us have tried dozens of speakers before we settled on one (or several) pairs, and even then, we like to change things up occasionally.
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Kinda hard to pick a speaker without demoing them, feel your pain there.
If looking at new… GoldenEar are hard to beat in the apprx $5k range.
They’re a powered speaker, don’t know exactly what type of speaker you’re looking for.
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Some questions to help narrow:
1. Two channel only or home theater too?
2. Stand mounted or floorstanding?
3. Subwoofer or no subwoofer?
4. Warm, neutral, or bright sound signature?
5. High current amp or AV receiver?
If interested in keeping something similar to heritage Polk Monitor speakers the Wharfedale Super Linton with stands may be worth a look. Could get an excellent subwoofer too at $5K total.
Crutchfield has some useful tools to compare a wide range of speakers or you could give them a call and tell a sales rep what you're looking for. -
Yes I guess I’ve left a lot out. 2 channel floor standing, no sub, guessing neutral as I don’t want harsh brightness. Im using a Yamaha as-1200. I have listened to a couple of speakers at Bestbuy and wasn’t blown away but it’s not an ideal listening experience. Didn’t care for Kef r11 meta or a B&W 702 s3 I believe. I wish I lived near something like Crutchfield. I understand they have a good return policy but I’m 60 and not up for unpacking and repackaging speakers. Those Sonus I heard were very interesting but a little weak on bass, I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on the Sonetto V G2 if a deal pops up around the holidays. The 10a’s I have still sound good to me, just feel I’m probably missing detail.
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It also depends on the music you listen to. Sonus Faber are detailed, intimate, and work well for acoustic music, classical, and jazz, but if classic rock is your main line music, you probably want something more dynamic.
Don't be afraid of used speakers. If they were owned by responsible adults, they will usually sound and look as new, with a price at 2/3 or less from new pricing. Polk's LSi-M705 or LSi-M707 would be a good find in the used market, with a much more detailed image than your vintage Polks and with the ability to rock out too. The Polk R700 (still available new) might also be a good fit for you. I have the smaller R200, and they sound incredible for the size and price. I am also a fan of Revel speakers. Their Perfoma line is impressive. There are a bunch of Focal fans here also. Their price can get high, but occasionally you can find good used deals. It takes patience to find used speaker deals.
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The Polk Reserve R700 are worth a look. The Yamaha S-1200 will power them properly and they're not too big for the room.
Understand the risks of ordering and having to return if you don't like them.
Could listen to some sound clips on Youtube can give an idea of how they sound. Bass is big. Some may not appreciate the cabinet finish choices. -
Dynaudio floorstanders may be a good choice. Especially if you get some of the larger versions.
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Thanks for all the input. Classic rock is probably what I listen to most, although I prefer the mellow acoustic tracks the most. But since I’ve been streaming Qubuz for almost a year now, my taste has expanded into jazz, indie rock as well as other things I never imagined listening too. I have considered the R700s but I’m not a huge fan of the wood grain and I’m kind of trying to blend the wood floors with a nice cabinet I bought. The used market hasn’t had much in my area either. It’s odd I live in a relatively large metro area and there’s not many options for demoing.
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Don't discount demoing from private sellers. Most sellers will still have them hooked up and don't mind someone giving them a 10-20 minute demo.
