Never mind the wharfedale 4.2’s....save your money and grab a pair of the wharfedale diamond 225’s (usually $449) now only $299 at music direct!. They won both the Stereophile and Absolute Sound product of the year award a few years back and are still available. I own them and they punch way above their price, as you say...the midrange will be better than the 4.2’s. Read the part time audiophile review on the 4.2’s....he mentioned some things concerning the midrange, which I did not like. The bass on the 225 will be better as well. Stereophile found there to be measurable output at 31.5 HZ! Granted down in DB from the rated 40 HZ...but amazing non the less. I like the 225 so much I have a pair in reserve for when they no longer make them. Right now they are put away, as I’m enjoying my Tannoys....herb Reichert liked the 225’s better than his ls50’s, the elac B6, and even his falcons! "The Diamond 225 had a pacey, easy-flowing transparency that made my KEF LS50s sound slightly thick, my Technics SB-C700s sound slightly dry, my Falcon Acoustics LS3/5as sound a mite bright. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to say those things, but that’s what I heard." Some of the stuffy jerks here can laugh all they want and balk at a pair of 449 dollar speakers all they want, I can care less! I hear what I hear and can see why these speakers are so special! https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/wharfedale-diamond-225-bookshelf-speakers |
I'm going against the grain and recommend the Fritz Carbon 7 mk ll at $2,500 which with 35 -20hz and 87db with the right system has always pushed its weight above most speakers at its price range. Just type in Fritz speakers in Google, the quality of the craftsmanship and accolades from professional audiophiles speaks volumes. I look forward to anyone bringing forth a better quality speaker for this money that pushes WAY above its weight. |
Wharfdale Linton Heritage. Great buy, very good sound and top quality finishwork.....or you can go tekton double impact. I went with tekton and they are incredible. |
Just buy used. Do your due diligence. Punch way above retail. Regardless of design. Bipolars, open baffle, electrostats, stand mounts, floor standers, full range. Whatever floats your boat.But check them out first! |
Ascend Acoustics Sierra2ex. I have them and added a pair of REL tzero. It’s a rad little setup. |
At the low end, I bought a pair of Emotiva B1s for I think $200 on closeout and now they have improved B1+ at $229/pr. I thought with the folded ribbon tweeters they sound really nice. Gave them to a friend to upgrade a cheap mid-fi system. They are very happy. The more expensive floorstanders maybe the T1s ($699) were favorably reviewed in Stereophile. After owner a couple pair of lower end Paradigms ($400-$600/pr), I would rather listen to the Emotivas.
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Take a serious look at Raven Audio CeLest Tower Speaker. Simply wonderful
https://www.ravenaudio.com/product/celest-tower-audiophile-speakers/I have a pair and just love them I have had KEF, Klipsch, Sonus Faber (still have Olymipica I in the bedroom system). 45 day trial period so you have nothing to lose and free shipping using the Part Time Audiophile cupon. |
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Was talking about just the tweeter upgrade. One per speakers total of 500 upcharge. |
Didn’t realize the BE upgrade is $9500 on the Tektons... omg! |
@bdp24 +1.
GR Research has a lot of designs that aren't on their website. Send Danny Ritchie an email or give him a call to discuss what you are looking for. Or spend some time perusing the GR-Research forum on Audio Circle.
From a few hundred dollars to over $10K, if you have the inclination to put in some sweat equity, you'll get a speaker system that delivers incredible value.
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Didn’t realize the Moab has a BE upgrade. That would def. be endgame. Add a couple, or 4, 4-10 subs and omg 😳 |
I would go for Moab with BE tweeter upgrade. Have not heard them but had the DIs. By all accounts I've read the Moabs are quite a bit better. On the other hand a used pair of DIs for around 2k would be really tough to beat. |
@mofojo , not fair... which models and why? All of them is not an acceptable answer, lol |
Well since its allowed. Tekton. Lol |
Yeah, I missed a pair of lsim703 for sale an hour away from me, craigslist, for $350. Kinda kickin myself for ghat one.
will look up Rosso’s for fun 😁 |
At under $5,000, you'd be hard pressed to best the Rosso Fiorentino Elba 2. Francesco made massive improvements from the gen 1. Zero Fidelity and SoundAdvocate have both published reviews on it.
At the bottom of the barrel so to speak, the Polk T50 is an underrated performer that does a lot right and is extremely easy to place. The same can be said of the LSiM series when they were routinely on sale for half off MSRP. At full retail they weren't anything special, but cutting that in half made them punch extremely well for the money. |
@bkeske, 👍 agreed! I had a pair 8 years ago. Picked them up for around $500 and they had ghe stands as well. Outstanding value for the $ |
If you bring used into the discussion.....
I purchased my 2006 Vandersteen 2Ce Signature I’s for $575.00 (actually gave the person $600 because he met me half way for a pick-up).
I think you would be hard pressed to get any other speaker the quality of the 2CE’s Sig I’s for that little. Most I’ve seen are going for $700-1,000. So I think I got a pretty good deal considering they were in great condition, but IMO, could be a good deal at those prices too. |
@ I was researching the 80th anniversary which looked appealing as well. I will look into the 85th as well!
@bdp24 , I will research GR Research also! Thanks for the tip. That is one diy site I have not looked into. Their little Avanti speaker looks like something to research also! Thanks again for the tip 👍 |
If you have the self-confidence and DIY spirit required to build a kit, nothing beats a GR Research loudspeaker (and/or sub). |
Wharfedale - Linton 85th Anniversary Bookshelf Speakers with stands is one of those speakers I had my eye on for a 2nd room system. They are gorgeously proportioned and represents very high value.
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Awww screw it, talk Tekton if you want. No need to take them out if they are an answer to this question! |
