Good match for an amp that mates with brighter sounding speakers

A friend of mine is looking for some speakers that are a good match for an Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp. This amp is really good at taming brighter sounding speakers but can sound dull on a laid back speaker.
I've heard the Audio Refinement have great results with Triangle speakers, but I think he would want more bass than what the Triangles offer.
What would you suggest for a floorstanding speaker, new or used under $750

 

How about the Usher Tiny Dancer with berrylium tweeters? Those are bookshelf speakers though, but with a lot of bass in them. Ooops, didn't realize those tiny dancers are still in the neighborhood of $1k used. Maybe you could look at the older Reference 3A MM de Capos, they should be within that price range.

 

I think he's pretty set on floor standing speakers. I've always been curious to hear a set of the de Capos though.

 

Maybe he could look into B&Ws? The 684 floor standers got some pretty good reviews when it came out.

 

So..as a brand in general, are B&W speakers considered on the brighter side of neutral?
I'm more looking at brands as opposed to particular models right now.

 

I personally find the B&W sound a bit bright for my preference. Let's see what others have to say though.

 

No more suggestions of brands that are considered a little on the bright side?
I'm surprised nobody has chimed in a few other brands.

 

The discontinued Paradigm Studio series is bright. May be your friend could find one used within his budget via eBay or Craigslist.

 

Definitely.

Also, horn type speakers tend to be bright.

 

I think B&W (600 series) is pretty close to neutral although I can understand why some would find them bright.

 

I agree with this. At least the B&W I've heard (and owned) have been what I call bright. As for others? I owned a pair of Audio Physic Tempos and found them very detailed. Their ad slogan is "No loss of fine detail." Very true.
Then of course there's Thiel.

And Klipsch for sure.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm sure some will say that these suggestions aren't bright in their system but it's so dependant on the amplifier.
Many people say Triangle speakers are bright. In my system there aren't at all. But it does require the right amp.

 

You might look selectively at Vandersteen.

 

I was curious about Vandersteen. Which model do you have in mind?

 

KLIPSCH

 

I misread your post. I would not consider Vandersteens.

 

Vandersteen is bright? I have never read anything remotely close to describing Vandersteens this way.

OP,
I think your friend should try to listen to a pair or two to develop a reference. Maybe he could start by listening to the Klipsch RF series or any Klipsch floor standers. They're easily accessible in most regions.

One man's bright is another man's detail, is another man's fatigue. Also, don't confuse detail with brightness. The most detailed speakers I've heard are described as warm or neutral by most listeners.

 

I recanted, misread the post. The only one in his price range is the Model 1, and the Ci is actually noted for being brighter with its updated tweeter. I’ve heard the Treos described as bright, but all I've heard and lived with were very musical and pleasing, but not bright.

 

My B&W 803 S2 sound great mated with a warmer amp. I've liked them best with a MC2100

 

Maybe some of the Focal models or perhaps some vintage NHTs.

 

Focal being a french speaker like the Triangles, is suspected they might have the same sonic character. I've never had a chance to hear them.

 

Just about anything under $700 with metal cones should do the trick.

 

I mentioned NHT because the best amp I found to work with my model 2.5i speakers was a Classé CA-100 - it had a somewhat rolled-off and "pleasant" treble and rather warm mids which suited that speaker well. Other amps made these speakers sound too thin and bright in comparison.

 

Well under budget: Athena F2