Talk me out of purchasing another pair of vintage speakers...something new for under a grand?

Not vintage: But I just bought a set of these (Rega RS3).

 

As others have pointed out I'd pass on the Heresy's. I've owned all the Klipsch Heritage save for the Belles and eventually sold them all off. I'd still like to hear the Chorus/Forte II's with their tractrix horns. They're supposed to be the sweet spot of the Klipsch sound. The exponential horn used in all the Heritage models are extremely colored. They are however excellent for low level listening of jazz/classical. Klipsch himself was a classical music lover and IMO that's what these speakers are for mainly.

 

I'm no fan of the Heresy's, but Cornwall's are sweet! I had to sell mine because tehy were just too large for our living room (according to my wife), but powered by my Fisher 400 or Moth 45 amp they sure made nice music.

 

I think the Belle is a beautiful if rather large loudspeaker.

 

How low does the bass go on those? I have a Rega Maia 3 amplifier and I assume they would be a good match but I'm not finding a lot of specifications on the frequency response.

 

Rega dosent post specifications but I would guess the roll off gets steep somewhere in the mid high forties but produce usable bass even below that . I have them paired with a Rega Brio R and the sound is quite a bit just better than good. Last night listened to Daft Punk "Random Access Memories" and the bass was not wanting in any way. Same with Michael Murray "The young Bach", well balanced and quick. Petal tones reproduced cleanly with no chuff or mud. For the money a very nice compact floor stander that plays much bigger than they look.

 

Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary model. $999 @ Music Direct; my next loudspeakers if I decide to go 'upmarket' from my Marimbas. Sort of the LS3/5a vibe, if you get my meaning.

 

The Dentons are very attractive. I have heard and read nice things about the Marimbas, any comments? Do you use them with a sub?

 

Very fun speakers; but unfortunately, in my setup and room, rather bright. No sub (against my religion).

A great value, though; and, I suspect, ripe for a crossover tweak of some sort. I don't tweak; so, they're probably placeholders 'til I find the next set of speakers; which, I suspect, may be Wharfedales (I like the way Peter Comeau "voices" his designs.)

 

I have renounced subwoofers as well as far as my stereo systems are concerned (except in the TV surround system of course). At one time every system I owned was burdened with some form of sub.

In what way would you change the crossovers?

 

To tame the 10k spike that's currently driving me slightly mad. I don't know the technicals of that.

 

Room treatment? As in more absorptive material?

 

Well, probably not; speakers that measure as reasonably 'flat' in the upper octaves sound fine (all else being equal) in my room. I already have carpeting, tapestries etc.

 

Perhaps the Warfdales are in order then. Isn't this fun

 

Listening to Keith Thompson "HymnPovisations" and the bass is knocking me out! Quality as opposed to just quantity...

 

RS3's rock!

 

I see references to the Tannoy Dual Concentrics and Tannoy's DC4. What are some other models that are really good?

 

Tannoy concentric loudspeakers in general are very good. Auditions are recommended.

 

I have heard a pair that Bill had set up in his shop but I don't remember the model.

 

... and the Mercury series (? Not concentric drivers) are very good value; not sure if still made.

 

At least you know who to ask!

 

Could be... every market has its unique opportunities, I suppose.

 

Tekton Lore gets lots of love, I've not heard it. http://www.tektondesign.com/lore.html

 

For every thread I read praising Tekton I read another about how flaky the owner guy is. My next speakers will be Zu Audio.