Pick up slightly used Revel F206s, or something in their league, and mate with a REL or JL Audio sub of $1000-$1500, and you have a KILLER system for under $4000 The vast majority of speakers under $10k just can't do that bottom octave justice.
Curious what people think is the best "value" high end speaker (~5K to 15K)
I am on a long search for speakers and just curious what people think is the best value both new or used in speakers ranging from around $5000 to $15000? I have a set of Paradigm S8's (V1) and love them but looking for another set for another set in a different listening area (25 x 20?, maybe larger). I love the full sound of JBL's and looking for something in that range (it also helps that JBL's seem to hold their value better than most, which will be a consideration). The only drawback to JBL is footprint. I prefer a smaller footprint which is why after reading I hope to listen to several B&W 800 series but open to suggestions across the board. used Watt Puppies? Revels? I am curious about peoples experience with McIntosh XR100's.
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Monitor Audio PL 200 or 300 II. I just have the lower level standmount PL 100II and they are superb. The others have gotten some rave reviews. Monitor tight, clear, accurate with a treble to die for. I've also heard the standmount Aerial and thought them very good, so I imagine the 7t are fine as well. |
I spent hours, days, listening to speakers and the ones which really caught my interest were the Bryston speakers. I started out with a pair of the Middle T's, then went to the passive Model T and finally ended up with the Bryston Signature Series (external PX1 crossovers and three dedicated inputs on the back). You can find these used for around $5K. These are the best speakers to my ears and tastes in music. Plus they have a very small foot print. |
Paradigm Persona 3Fs! $10k beryllium Tweeters and Midrange give resolution unavailable in other speakers with the same neutral balance and coherent tonality top to bottom. The high end of your range is close enough to the Wilson Audio Sabrina's that I'd at least give them a listen. No speakers place music like Wilson's! |
Sanders 10e electrostat. I used to have ML CLX Art speakers with big Pass amps. Then I tried Sopras too. The challenge I always had was the room. If the room is not perfect, the "first reflection" point always messed up the sound stage for me. Roger Sanders (who is an amazing engineer, and great person) designed his speakers to have not first reflection point coming off the side walls, so it largely (though not entirely) eliminates the biggest headache I ever had with speakers. I say not entirely because room generally should have about 30% of softer wall surfaces for other sonic purposes..... same as with other speakers. Absolute Sound recently did review of these speakers, and I heard them at RMAF. Plus, Sanders includes an amp and crossover with the speakers and 100% money back guarantee. We are building a new home and will place them in our main (high ceiling) living room space. The one knock I heard on these speakers is that the sweetspot is really, really small. Yes, I get that and agree with it, but that is true for all speakers in my experience. In walking/staking outside the sweet spot, the sound was still very good (just not epic). On top of that, the price is quite reasonable. From what I heard at RMAF, compared to my ML/Pass set-up (which was many, many times more $$), the sound quality was quite close..... and that was in an non-ideal hotel room space. |
A vote for Vandersteen and Revel/JBL.... I went to RMAF and there were many rooms that had one model or another of the B&W 800 series and every single room exhibited overly prominent high end. Some people like that or have hearing damage, if you like them buy them. The most science is probably behind the JBL and Revels. I'd get used pair of Salon2. That is probably the right answer just based on your stated requirements. |
Get a used Thiel CS3.6. Excellent bargain!! https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649468286-thiel-36-speakers/ |
B&w 800 d-2 ,having just sold my 802 d’s because they where not quite large enough,I have the focal 1038 be for a temporary fix on the way to either the 800 d2 or focal sopra 3.driven by McIntosh 601 mono blocks .skip the 100’s ,you can get the xr 200 used for around 8 k.the Mac xr200’s sound really good at low and medium volume levels and they also will go as high spl as you can take. |
Within the last year and half I had 3 different pairs of Tekton speakers in my dedicated audio room. I started with the DI, progressed to DI SE and now I have a pair of the Encores. If you're looking for the best speakers within a reasonable price, I can't imagine anything else that would fit the bill. If you're looking for "bling" speakers to impress..., yes there are speakers out there that look nicer. BTW, my last pair of speakers before the Tektons were the Kef Blade 2. Great speakers, way more expensive and not sounding as good as the Tektons in my room. |
Hi gene3x, I had B&W 802s until I purchased an MC352 with a C2500 pre to match. Several people’s comments are correct about those tweeters, they were too bright and fatiguing for me, so I sold them. They were ok with my Parasound A21 Halo amp, but McIntosh pushes a much more pure and cleaner signal than the Parasound. So, after reading about JBLs Array line of speakers, I purchased the 1400s. They look like droids to me, but the cabinets are beautiful and wow, what real and unfatiguing mids and highs the compression driver horns put out! They also have a 14” woofer so bass is thundering and plentiful if so desired. There is a large port at the rear, so simply moving them closer or farther from the wall like a sub works great for adjusting the bass to your room, as JBL states in the manual. I also like the idea of having unlimited capability of replacing or repairing the drivers if necessary in the future at a decent price. Buying American is good for that. So as several people mentioned, JBL is a good suggestion and I can vouch for it being a very nice match with McIntosh power. Hope this helps! |
Charney Audio Companion with your choice of driver. Tractrix designed rear loaded horns that deliver sweet engaging sound! Great with solid state and exceptional with SET tube amps. Place them near the front wall or in the corners and bring the artist into your room! http://charneyaudio.com/ CAF room 530 |
I’ve had a lot of speakers hooked up to my McIntosh tube system and the best by far are the Harbeths. They really incredible speakers. I think the 30.1 or 40.1 would work well for you. Other than that, I believe the PSB Imagine T3’s are another to consider. I heard these at a friend’s and was pretty blown away; bought a pair of Imagine T2s for my McIntosh solid state system and they sound fantastic. Lastly, I sometimes swap in a pair of vintage Klipsch Forte’s and am always amazed at how big their sound is, especially with little power. Fun. Good luck and remember, Hell is having everything you want. |
Those not wishing to convert all source material to digital will want to avoid the Linkwitz LX521, as it's x/o is digital. Nelson Pass is working on an analog one for the speaker, price yet to be determined. The LX521 requires 3 stereo power amps, which adds more to the price of the speaker than most. |
Your very best value will be either the Linkwitz LX521 or Orion systems if you build them yourself. And if you're not a wood worker, hire a local cabinet maker to build the enclosures. It'll cost you a lot less than you think. Building the LX521 yourself will probably run you about $5000, including amplification as this is a multi-amplified system. The Orion design, which I run and love, will set you back about $1000 more. You owe it to yourself to hear what this design can do. |
I have spent months trying everything in the $5k/$35k range. There is lots to like for different reasons, neutral & honest to fun and coloured, Electrostatics and DEQX based systems to fun coloured champions like the B&W 803 & 802 D3. I have owned all the Paradigm Signaure V2 & V3’s, Quad 2805 Electrostatics, Big Sanders Sound System Hybrid Electrostatics with full DEQX calibration and spent lots of time with the B&W 802 D2 that were well powered with Bryston & PS Audio. They were all great in their own respects, but in my own quest to get out of audiophilia and just get back to enjoying high end music reproduction there is only one speaker I intend to buy as my end game speaker and that is the Paradigm Persona 3F. Go and listen to some, you will never hear a more reavealing but enjoyably musical speaker thats easy to drive for anywhere like your budget. And they are beautiful to boot :) |
B&W .... over rated, over priced, under perform, IMHO. A room that size - - - n i i i ce, & hopefully a 10+ft high ceiling. Depending on your amplification, (better have plenty), check out MartinLogan’s used gear. The Quest z, the ReQuest, and of course the Prodigy. Used, all can be found for a steal. I’ve heard them with Naim gear and wouldn’t cross the street for them. I’ve heard them with Krell equipment and was spell bound. You have the room that’ll optimize these speakers (long standing sound waves), and the room is the most defining part of any system. |
Silverline SR17 Supreme ($7500 new). It’s been a long time coming but review forthcoming. Competitive with (and IMO often better than) most of what I heard at RMAF up to $20k or so. If you like the 2-way monitor form factor, new Sonus Faber Electa Amator 3 ($10k) is hard to ignore. For something completely different, AudioKinesis Azel ($7k). Thought both of these sounded more “right” than the vast majority of what I heard at RMAF. Cheers, TAWW http://taww.co |
