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Best speakers for about $3500

Hi All,

I would appreciate some input on my next speaker purchase. I want to spend no more than $3500. I have a Krell 400xi amp. I listen mostly to rock/jazz on vinyl. I have an Innersound phono pre, VPI Scout, and a ZYX cartridge. My dedicated listening room is on the second floor and is about 12 x 14. I prefer full range speakers but don't need to fill an auditorium.

In the past, I have owned B&W Matrix 802s and loved them. In my opinnion, the nicest speakers I have ever heard were B&W Nautilus 802s. Alas, I can't afford them. Notably, I owned a pair of DM 604s for about a week. They were the most disappointing speaker purchase I have ever made.

So I am considering Nautilus 803s though I would be really dissappointed if they were closer to the 604s than the 802s. But I also have access to a very good deal on Gallo Acoustics ref 3.5s. I have heard the Gallos and, while they sound nice, did not compete with the N802s. However, it is not fair to compare the Gallos to the much more expensive 802s. How would they match up to the 803s? Moreover, it seems that I might not be considering all of the great speakers in my price range. For example, I stumbled across a pair of Talon Khorus speakers for $3200. Based on their $15k retail price, I bet they don't suck. Or how about a pair of Wilson Cubs.

Thanks for the feedback, Jim
jwit

Showing 5 responses by macdadtexas

macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Magnepan 3.6r, with you Pass amplification, it should sound stellar right out of the box.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
LOL, no really Dorkwad, did you really just say that your VMPS speakers have more clarity than 3.6r Magnepans???

Wow,that's bold, I mean I've heard of talking your book, and I wouldn't argue with that statement regarding the B&W's, another box-y speaker, but a large planar like a Maggie 3.6r?? No way. No unless you were way under driving the speaker with less required power.

That's just not reality. I mean I know all of this hobby is subjective, but I have to call "Foul" on that statement.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
LOL, that's classic. That's the best talking your book post I have ever seen on Audiogon. Next one will be someone talking how their Bose Lifestyle system blows away the Wilson Sashas he just heard.

Thanks for the laugh.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I still love a good joke.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
You know I CES have heard the VMPS at CES several times. That's one of the few places to hear them since they are not a popular brand. They are a nice box, with a ribbon tweeter (or array) that sound nice, have excellent bass extension, and are fairly coherent. Not as much so as the Harbeth's or Wilson's, and my point is that there is NO WAY they have more clarity than Magnepan's. I didn't say they were a bad speaker, they are like a lot of other good boxes they sound nice and play loudly, if you like them, that's fine, knock yourself out.

But, there is no way you can say definitively, or even subjectively that they have better clarity than the 3.6R Maggies. No way. They may play louder, and you may find them more dynamic, there is no way they have better clarity, that's my point. Your just loving your gear at that point, which is fine, just admit it.

I don't compare the bass extension in my speakers to Wilson's, or big B&W's, or even Soundlabs, because that would be ridiculous. They are not in the same league. That is my point on this post, the claim of better clarity from the VMPS is not realistic.
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