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$1700 floorstanders

Hello all. I am looking for some new speakers. I have upgraded everything else in the system first, following the "front-end" first school of thought. I feel like I have made some well thought-out decisions. Here is my story. 

I started out with a 5.1 home theater set up: JBL Northridge speakers, an Onkyo AVR, and a Sony blu-ray.  That was it for music too.  I wanted more out of my system for two-channel music, so I decided to upgrade the AVR to the Marantz SR7001 mainly for its pre-outs (I knew I needed the ability to have a separate power amp), but also for its improved DACs. Then I discovered that listening to music in the "pure direct" mode was extremely satisfying, and solved all of the problems I had had trying to integrate the subwoofer for music. 

Then I picked up the Sony sacd player, and this was another step in the right direction. Then came the Cambridge DacMagic, and finally, only a few days ago, a decent power amp: NAD C272. 

Which brings us to the speaker question. What music do I listen to? Mostly symphonic classical, as I am a professional orchestral musician. I listen at pretty loud volumes, but not as loud as some of my colleagues. Sometimes I listen to jazz or big band.  I want something full-range, floorstanding. Not interested in monitors. I am actually fairly pleased with how my JBL E80s have kept up with the electronics upgrades, but I still find them to be unrefined at the high end, and a little lacking (but not totally lacking) in the bottom end.

Budget is $1700 for speakers and interconnects and cables.  I am open to used, but am interested in new mainly because I would like to audition. I have heard some high-end setups already. Magnepan (20.1s maybe(?) powered appropriately with 500-watt mono blocks), Dynaudio C2s, Vandersteen models 2ce sig II and 3a sig. I have to say I enjoyed the Vandersteens 2ce sig II the most, which I heard at a dealer being driven by $5k of electronics. At my price level in stores I have heard PSB Image T6 and Paradigm Studio 60s.  I am excited about the PSBs on paper, but I heard them in a shop that ran them with crappy electronics (cheapo AVR). They sold washing machines too!

One question is how much of that $1700 should be reserved for cables. Right now I am using cheap Monoprice stuff. I would need three pairs of interconnects, two optical cables as I have an Airport Express too, and speaker cables.

I am interested in hearing Monitor Audio RX6 and RX8, Revel Concerta F12, PSB Image T6 (with good electronics), Paradigm Monitor 9 and 11. I would like to hear the new Mag 1.7, although that would stretch the budget and I would have nothing left for cables.  What else should be on my list? Maybe a used Mag 1.6? I know used Vandersteens fall into my price range. Should I get over my hesitation for used speakers?

By the way, I started this journey with a $3000 budget. I have gotten all of the above equipment for $1300, which is why there is $1700 left.    
markhyams
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
ATCs are phenominal speakers when powered and set up right. They need a ton of power - far more than the Marantz you're using. I've heard Naim seperates struggle with them. Unless you're willing to buy at least 200 watt monoblocks from companies like Bryston or Pass, I wouldn't go near them. They sound way too dull and uninvolving.

The Paradigm Studio 60s should also be powered with a seperate amp, but they don't need what the ATCs need. I used to own PSB Image T55s. They were very good, but not as good as the Studio 60s IMO. They're a bit easier on an amp, so that may play a role. I powered them with an NAD 320BEE in a small room with no issues.

PMCs are pretty similar to ATCs. They're far easier to power, making the lower end of the range more appealing to me.

If you liked the Vandersteens as much as you say you do, I'd stick with those. They're excellent speakers. If buying second hand, pay close attention to how much they'll cost to ship. They get pretty heavy, and need multiple boxes - 2 speakers and 2 stands, all individually packed.

If you liked the Vandersteens as much as you say, why not go with those?
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
The Revel F12s are very good as well. I think they're on the same level as the Studio 60s, yet are easier to drive. They need a lot of space to breath, and they're very big physically. If you like bass, they're outstanding for the money.

I think the Vandys and ATCs are easily on another level though.
markhyams OP
28 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the responses. I know my initial post was long, so thanks for reading through it. I do have a separate power amp: Nad C272. It is 150 watts, and lots of dynamic headroom, but certainly is not a Bryston or Pass monoblock. Should I consider the ATCs with this amp?

Thanks,
Mark
Post removed 
tasque
6 posts
 
I'm in the same situation.

Best advice I can give is spend the whole budget on speakers, then add cables when you can afford decent ones and get a better amp whenever it is convenient for you to do so.

I'm on the verge of purchasing my first 'high-end' set of speakers and I only have a mainstream Onkyo receiver, I know it's got to go at some stage, but I'm one of those people who just can't do it all at once.

I don't think the choices that you've mentioned are bad at all, but if you save up a little more for your speaker budget, you'll be able to afford some that are in a different class altogether.
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