What floorstanding speakers for CA/Emotiva setup?

juniper

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Having just moved house I am speakerless, and looking for recommendations as to what to buy. I have a Cambridge Audio CXNv2, and a Emotiva BasX 5 amp. My room size is approximately 20 feet x 20 feet, with high 10 feet ceilings. Most of my music is easy listening stuff, light rock, ballads etc. I do like to crank it up, like speakers that are somewhere between neutral and bright, but really appreciate clarity and nuance when played low too. All music is streamed to/from the CXN.

I recently had a demo of some Sonus Faber Sonnetto 3 and B&W 702s2. Both were amazing (but they were also partnered by a Macintosh amp and so should have been!). They are also both sadly a bit out of my price range….

I used to have a pair of Focal 926 and actually loved them. I can also get a pair of 948s online for not much more….but haven’t heard them before. Are they much ‘different/fuller’ than the 926?

So my question really is - if I want to spend as close to say £2k as I can, what would you advise me to buy as a floorstanding pair? I’d change the CXN and amp too if it might give me a better overall ‘quality’ of sound.

Looking forward to any help you might give me - thanks ☺️
 
Spendor A2 if your looking for new, otherwise used spendor A6/A6r, any Spendor that takes your fancy really.
 
Spendor A2 if your looking for new, otherwise used spendor A6/A6r, any Spendor that takes your fancy really.
Thanks - will have a look around. Although they are really small cabinets, and I’d prefer something a bit (or a lot!) more imposing really.
 
If you liked the Sonnetto III, then the Lumina 5 might be worth a listen at some point (£2500 new so may get ex demo or newer second hand around your budget). This is a proper 3 way (Tweeter, Mid 2x woofer) which is always a good thing, downward firing port for easy room placement and they are 89dB/W/m sensitivity so fairly easy to drive. Reviews seem good.

If you can line up a demo of the Lumin 5 and Focal 948 then it would be worth doing. Listen and let your ears decide.

In Bristol if that is anywhere close -


Guess you have seen th4e ex demo/nearly new 948's


And these 703s2's


These three would be good to back to back audition if possible.
 
The 703 and 704 are between £900 and £1399 on Sevonoaks clearance. I have the 704 they sound great for the money
 
If you liked the Sonnetto III, then the Lumina 5 might be worth a listen at some point (£2500 new so may get ex demo or newer second hand around your budget). This is a proper 3 way (Tweeter, Mid 2x woofer) which is always a good thing, downward firing port for easy room placement and they are 89dB/W/m sensitivity so fairly easy to drive. Reviews seem good.

If you can line up a demo of the Lumin 5 and Focal 948 then it would be worth doing. Listen and let your ears decide.

In Bristol if that is anywhere close -


Guess you have seen th4e ex demo/nearly new 948's


And these 703s2's


These three would be good to back to back audition if possible.
Excellent - thank you. Bristol isn't close unfortunately (I'm in the Lakes), but Peter Tyson is. Great deal on the 948s, but that is a pretty bit gouge in the side isn't it. I'll look up some reviews of the Lumina in the meantime....
 
@juniper Sorry didn’t spot that fault, they have new old stock for £1999.


Audio T have a Manchester Branch, if they have the Lumina V in you can at least hear them and then get the Bristol ones shipped to you or use that as a bargaining tool for some new ones.
 
If you’re after impact... both musically and physically you really should hear these.


Brand new warranty and an excellent price.
 
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Personally I’d ring these and see if you can tempt them with a cash offer.

A few small marks but that should make your bargaining position a lot stronger.

Superb speakers by all accounts.

 
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Or say to hell with floorstanders and buy these bad boys.

 
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And for something quite magical if you can’t get the Neat Ekstra, then these are something of a legend.


A review of the slightly less expensive model here.

 
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Or say to hell with floorstanders and buy these bad boys.

I think that may be the most remarkable review I've ever read! If they worked aesthetically for me then I'd have to say that I would!
 

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