$20K to spend on speakers…. . wait! There’s a catch!

@inna > I think, you are leading yourself into a permanent trap.   they are there and you are here - no connection.

Blindjim > you may well be right. I appreciate it. Thanks.
However, this is a hypothetical scenario. A ‘what would you do’ sort of poll.

Its no easy task to get the speakers you desire into your house using your gear, to audition them util they are well run in and then, make a decision.

There are way too many variables and obstacles on that road. Often, the Road Closed signs are put up making it impossible.

I get it better that we will tend to follow our instincts aided with the input from others and wind up making as good a guess as one can.

The issue, is the amount of money, more than anything. Its not a thing if the speakers are $200. $2000. Maybe $5000.

$20K is a chunk that gets people’s attention, usually and why I used that figure, and for a couple reasons. ;-).


@david_ten > D. You don't mention your exit strategy. For me that would be the 'catch.'


Blindjim > thanks Dave… really.
“Be grateful I could throw that kind of dough at speakers.”
Unquestionably.

Looks and area…
You’ve seen the new pr when you heard them on entry level or dissimilar gear. And you’ve seen pics of the used pr. In the Audiogon ad likely spoken with the seller a bit too. So that’s a non issue.
I figure if one is about to pitch 20 large at something, they’re probably OK with the Esthetics and fit to the room right off. No prob.

It’s the ‘exit strategy” I’m not getting. Huh?


@twoleftears > Buy the used, and if you don't like them, sell them on. You're out, what?, 1K for an extended home audition. Compare that to what happens, cost-wise, if you don't like the new ones.

Blindjim > wow. I sure missed thinking about that idea. THANKS.

The sole caveat is the thing that both pr are not uber popular. A more eclectic sort of choice. GamuT, Rogers, Sanders, ESP, etc. not Foacl, Sonus Faber, BW, ML, etc.

Still in all, a very good strategy.

Inna> I have found speakers for you. Get them and send me a bottle of single…

Blindjim > the 7’s? or Gershwins?
The 7s are a tad tall at 69 inches.

The Black swans are doable but due to this proposition, I’d have to spend the balance on other speakers… sub?

Nice pick. I’m guessing you’ve heard Lancias.


@randy-11 > good call. Tanks.

Blindjim > Not a huge panel fan at all. Always impressed with their near tangible imaging though.
As for SF, only the older Cremona’s slightly got me. Their esthetic however is killer.

I’ve heard the SF strats. Nice. But I’ll pass. Again. Lovely wood work.


Inna > utopia? Whoa.


Blindjim > You like ‘em tall, huh? Lol
I may have to rethink a few things given these options of yours and some others input here. Really.

My focus apparently has been narrowed greatly to size and designs.

Alnic and VAC remain on the close in radar. Although, Bermister, PSA BHK, ypsalong, T+A, Gryphon are in the cross hairs too. Depending on the speaker I could go half and half power train, or all tubes. Depending.

Thanks for opening my eyes more. This is a very good thing and why I put up these seemingly inane threads. I sure don’t know it all. I just think I do. Lol
Oh, and I now have a 40 ft. aluminum and steel ramp so access and egress is a breeze. When I move, I’ll have to take this baby with me. That will not be a breeze however.

Randy, New Aida is projected to list at Euro 82.000

I would give Vu at Deja Vu Audio the $20K and ask him to build me a pair of custom horn speakers with vintage drivers.

Well, under these extremely narrow set of variables, I'd have to say go with speakers that rarely offend anyone and that get consistently positive reviews.  Agree with Shadorne that if you love a particular house sound it makes a whole lotta sense to just move up the line.  That aside and in that price range, the likes of Joseph Audio, ProAc, and Usher seem to be able to shoot right down the middle of the fairway and never hit the rough.

He doesn’t want panels and he won’t like Sonus.
Here is a pair of speakers for audiophiles on a budget with interest in tube amplification. Add Allnic or VAC electronics with right cables and be happy.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-world-class-beautiful-condition-2017-11-02-speakers

Audio Research uses 2 brands of speakers for listening tests of their gear: Maggies & Sonus Faber Aida.

I think the new big Maggies may cost $30k and the Aida costs $25, so I'd either get the next cheapest Sonus Faber or the Maggies 20's depending on the size/shape of the listening room, the type of music, WAF, and/or just flip a coin.

I have found speakers for you. Get them and send me a bottle of single malt later.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-reference-speakers-2017-11-09-speakers

With 20K you can afford a bit of a loss.  Buy the used, and if you don't like them, sell them on.  You're out, what?, 1K for an extended home audition.  Compare that to what happens, cost-wise, if you don't like the new ones.

Jim,

A. I'd be grateful and thankful I had 20K to spend on speakers. I feel that way for the 3K speaker pair I currently own.

B. Since they are different speakers, by default, one will / has to be a 'better' fit for your room, amplifier, and cabling. I would choose that one, whether it is new or used or heard / unheard.

C. You don't mention aesthetics. Maybe a factor, maybe not???

D. You don't mention your exit strategy. For me that would be the 'catch.'

E. Despite all our prognosticating, the future is an unknown. That's the second and more important 'catch.' : )

 Then follow your audiophile instinct and make a choice.
I think, you are leading yourself into a permanent trap. You cannot have those speakers, they are there and you are here - no connection.

I would purchase them unheard and then not listen to them (knowingly assuming that I made the correct choice).

So...

#1 with a catch.

DeKay

I only once bought speakers without hearing them - preferably in my own space. That one time was from a manufacturer with a liberal (3 month) return policy.

@Johnk > I would buy a collectible horn based loudspeaker used for 20k

Blindjim > which ones are these? The new pr., or the used pr?
= = = =

@Inna > $20k buy great used speakers, it doesn't buy great new speakers, … so I would proceed with used after auditioning them
… If it fails - to hell with those speakers, there are others, not a big problem.

Blindjim > you always make good sense. Thanks much.

However no auditioning is or will be possible. If any were possible it would be in a completely dissimilar room with unknown electrics.

Hence the scenario.

I’ll take it your inference is roll the dice on the greater valued or higher priced used speakers instead.

BTW… if you are stepping up from a $7K MSRP pair to $26K new, pair, the perception is your position has been improved substantially at least, if not perfected.


@kgturner > I would think that if I had $20k to drop on speakers, I also have enough money to travel to listen to the used speakers.

Blindjim > thanks man.
yeah. I agree. BUT traveling as was said, ain’t part of this scenario.

Say someone is in a wheel chair, or on dialysis or the like. Or has a fear of flying. Etc. whatever. They can’t get there in person.


@shadorne

many thanks as usual. As for moving up in a brand model line up, you would certainly think as you said, only the basics of more would be in play at each step up the ladder.

Alas… this is not one of the proposed avenues outlined above.

I also bought my speakers unheard. It was something I thought I would never do. I bought a new pair of Martin Logan Summit X loudspeakers from an authorized dealer. They were a close-out as the new models were  coming. Price? $8,968.00, including tax and shipping. These speakers were selling for $15,000 retail a year earlier. I bought them based on professional reviews and customer reviews. So they didn't cost $20,000 but sound great in my listening room.

I bought my speakers unheard. I didn’t need to listen as the manufacturer is trusted by the likes of Gilmour, Sting and Knopfler. I also had owned smaller versions of the same manufacturers speakers for years. Funnily enough the manufacturer makes speakers that all sound alike from small to enormous - perhaps the ONLY manufacturer to do so. The only major difference between models being dynamic range (max clean SPL) and bass extension.

My experience begs the question - why is choosing a speaker from the majority of manufacturers such a crap shoot (even when sticking with the same manufacturer, their models differ wildly in sound)?

I would think that if I had $20k to drop on speakers, I also have enough money to travel to listen to the used speakers.

This is easy - never spend $20k on any equipment unless you are absolutely sure that that is what you want. Unless you print the money or have others do it for you. There are a number of people like that, by the way, they collect money without earning it.
$20k buy great used speakers, it doesn't buy great new speakers, as far as I know, so I would proceed with used after auditioning them. If that is impossible I would do my best to make impossible possible. If it fails - to hell with those speakers, there are others, not a big problem. They are just boxes with parts in them, nothing vital.

I would buy a collectible horn based loudspeaker used for 20k enjoy it and if I felt the need for change flip it for 25k