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Best Used Speaker Under $4,000 w/ Respectable Lows

I was once a member of the audiophile community (Some of the older Audiogon members may remember me) but had to step out for a bit do to life changes. I am thinking about stepping back into it in a limited fashion with the system configuration listed below. I would love opinions on what used, $4000 or less, speaker would best suit the following system. Note that I would prefer NOT to bi-wire and would love something with a respectable low end (A full range speaker would be nice). I tend to treasure transparency, neutrality, high end extension, speed, DYNAMICS, and tight driver control / integration in my speakers and leave bloom/coloring/musicality to the amp. I also prefer speakers that play very well at low volumes with medium power amps. Thanks for the help!

Transport: PC with Windows 7 / WAV Files / Foobar / Lynx AES16 PCI digital I/O card

Dac & Preamp: Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC

Interconnects & Speaker Cable: Nordost SPM

Amp: Sim Audio Moon W 5.3
drhst20
mpit's avatar
mpit
56 posts
 
I had a couple pair of Merlin vsms and the mme. I loved the mids and highs but thw lows were a little weak in my main room which is 20 x 24 x 17. I used 2 jl 113's with them and that gave me some good punch.

My 2nd room has a 9 foot ceiling and they sounded much better there and i didnt need the sub.

I do listen to a lot of dvd's, concerts and movies and the merlins were great in that arena.
earflappin
87 posts
 
I suggest you check out the Abbey speaker designed by Dr. Earl Geddes. They are amongst the best speakers I've heard in my 30+ years in this hobby/obsession. When you take into account price/performance I put them at the top of the list. They punch all of the buttons you listed, except being full range. They are flat to 50hz and then roll off at 12db per octave. You'll need a sub or two to get the low end. IMHO, after having owned several pairs of full range speakers, the best way to get flat low frequency performance in most real rooms is multiple subs located asymmertically in the room.

While I've not heard the Merlins or the Salk's I can say they also have a strong following and appear to be a great value.
faster61woman
28 posts
 
Usher Audio Tiny Dancer Mini One
timber77
39 posts
 
I'll second the used dunlavy's.   Hard to beat a pair of sc=iv's or larger, full range and they just do everything well, fairly efficient, not sure what your amplifiers specs.   They can run on middle of the road  power , really shine with nice amplifiers.   John dunlavy understood speaker and crossover design on a very awesome level.

erik_squires
16,057 posts
 
My goto affordable speakers are Monitor Audio, but with your requirements, maybe a TAD or JBL professional monitor?
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