£3k speakers for SN2

Am I allowed to mention the ESL from Quad? Released in 1957 and still made today in Germany ...

I know that there are newer versions [basically newer versions of the ESL 63, issued 1981 as far as I remember] that are idealised point sources, but the original ESL has something quite special about it though it is not even remotely a point source loudspeaker.

Second hand original ESLs, fully restored, can be had for about half the budget prescribed. And it will draw almost no power so is economic to run as well as still being arguably the best speaker ever made ...

ATB from George

Listen to current ATC SCM 40. Some people on here, may refer to a species of fish, or even suggest you see psychiatrist.

+1

Love my SN2 + HCDR to ATC SCM40 v2 combo. These speakers, simply said, destroyed PMC 20.23 I previously owned. 

Lionel,

ThisIS the internet.................

ProAc D20Rs are worth a listen as they are in your budget.

Have had mine for a while now fed from the SN2 and I'm very happy with them.

A couple of minutes on the internet found some more interesting choices to pitch against the various suggestions so far - all secondhand, as that gets you into the £5-£10k bracket: 3 completely different speakers: PMC PB1i, Martin Logan Prodigy and Wilson Benesch Curve. i haven't heard them, but undoubtedly they will sound completely different from one another.

I'd certainly like to hear these PMCs  and compare them overall with the ATCs that have sublime midrange but a tendency to be a tad thin at the very bottom end.

My choices:

2nd hand Naim SL-2

2nd hand Naim SBL (much less than £3k but get one of the very last built between 2000 and 2002, which sounded better than earlier models in my opinion)

Kudos X3

Totem Model-1 Signature on Heavi-1 stands

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

O.K. I've just updated my will, and my life insurance.

First of all listen, listen, listen.

ATC's, certainly don't sound thin, in our house (We've got 3 pairs to prove it!) Maybe these other speakers are more exciting in some ways, and perhaps, most of that excitement is from speaker distortion or room node problems? And as for bass, what is bass? 

Some speakers, make music with no real bass, sound more exciting. These are probably not made by ATC. There are minority of recordings with significant energy, below 50 Hz, and then, the very few with  this quality, are usually mixed down to mono below 50 hz.

Are there any organ lovers on here to help?

Spending our lives lives trying to re-locate speakers, with loadsa "bass" within in a real room, is a total waste of time, during which, we could have been listening to music. Just take a look at the physics (and the growing bass trap sales) Achieving real bass in a normal lounge is almost impossible, and that's if you can find enough recorded bass, below 50Hz, anyway. Many of us, including me, have been chasing a dream.

I'm not a salesman for ATC btw (any chance of that job guys?),

To Frank. I know you're not big fan of ATC speakers. Do you have any of the old skool Naim speakers, round at your place? If so I'd love to hear them. I've not heard these old beauties, for ages and never with the new black boxes.

Flac Jacket going on right now.

Really don't dismiss Neat, i have momentum SX3i now after previously having momentum 3i which could be a little bright and fatiguing at times - the SX3i are a great match for the Supernait, indeed Bob Sturgeoner (spelling?) used the supernait and NAP250 whilst designing them.  

The SX3i tweeter has cured all the 3i issues of brightness and the isobaric bass is fantastic - focussed, tuneful and quite strong. They are an exciting sound and i've had them for a year and haven't grown tired of them in the way i did with the previous 3is brightness, i really rate the Neat sound which is special; The thing i have really enjoyed with the stand mount is the soundstage which is very focussed whilst not losing the bass because the isobaric setup is so impressive, more so than many floor standers. They do need driving with a good amp but the supernait is up to it.

The ultimatum range are even better but outside my budget although i did see a pair of second hand XLS a few months ago and was tempted; the ultimatum sometimes come up second hand but on the whole people seem to buy Neat and keep them for a long time. I'm waiting for a pair of XL6s but you rarely see them.

Anyhow you should give the momentum range a listen.