D400 Route or new speakers

[goflyshirley]

Womaz,

Like you, I am very restricted in terms of speaker placement in my room, which is very similar to yours in dimensions. It also has asymmetrical walls/ open area and so I am certain that I get erratic reflections depending on the balance of the music. Also like you, I've become more acutely aware of the importance of the room to the quality of the sound reproduction; especially as it affects some of the finer aspects of sonic space, or staging, or tactility of the sound (use any other audio-adjective that suits).

I expect that in your room there is a benefit in a front ported speaker, like your PMC's as I imagine that this makes proximity to the rear wall less critical. However any speaker with a narrow baffle may still have sound that wraps around the speaker, and then bounces off the back wall. (wall behind the speakers, I mean). So would something in a more conventional box, like a Harbeth be a consideration?

I'm also wondering what sort of improvement or change you want. Are you looking for 'more' of the sonic character you have? So, would 'more PMC' be what you want or are you looking for a different personality? Sonus Faber would, to me, definitey be a different sort of character, regardless of niggles like bass or treble performance.

I think that i could live with a variety of speakers, but I don't think I would change the Devialet. To me, it is giving me the source, the material, the way I like it. Different speakers then flavour the music the Devialet provides. My GamuT's give a very easy, natural sound, which is also easy, or gently, on the treble side. The other day I listened to some PMC FACT 3's (stunning price and used for one day only before being returned by the original buyer). They are a completely different character; fast, incisive and more taut, I thought, than the 20 series. So if you wanted 'more PMC' then such a thing might be the path to follow. Or, as was suggested by JeanF, Magico makes some amazing speakers. Just not so easy on the bank balance. Selling the 20 23's will help, certainly.

You can get 'more Devialet' and I doubt that would be a disappointment, but the sonic flavour of your system, in your room, would be very similar, I would guess. So, if you want a change as much as an upgrade, then different speakers would seem to be the way to get that change.

Interesting dilemma.

Yes it is an interesting dilemma, i do like a great deal of what the PMCs offer but I think they are a little too much at the top end. The PMC26s may help with this as they are a three way speaker. Actually I am a real novice as you will probably know and I have no idea why a 3 way may be better than a 2 or 2.5 way. Read something somewhere. My biggest complaint on the PMCs are the awful plinth they have. This is the same on the 26s and I feel for a 6k speaker this is a disappointment.
I may go in a different direction. I am not sure. Sonus Faber maybe and the Venere S or the Olymoica floorstander maybe but yes I would have to hear them. Have heard that they are more suited to Classical music maybe and lack a bit of punch and excitement.
I deally I would like to have the punch, pace and excitement of the 23s without the harshness at the top end.
I guess there is no hurry and the longer I wait the more cash i will have. I know we always feel this , but I fell if I get the speaker right then I will have my ultimate set up. I never dreamt that I would spend this level of cash on my hifi. I can honestly say the 200 has opened my eyes as to how good music can sound. Once I get the speakers sorted I will be done in my eyes. One reason is that for me this is a large amount of cash and I consider it as building my final system. I am 52 and I have only had 4 systems in my lifetime so once I get it sorted and I like it I stick with it.

IMO, going to a 400 will definitely not help your dilemma of a slightly bright speaker... sure, there would be benefits to a 400... just probably not what you're looking for. I was a PMC owner for a week once! ;-)

Go audition some new speakers... take your 200 with you and you will find a great match, that will serve you for years to come!