Agree the Meridian DSPs are tough to beat when purchased 2nd hand. The advantage is that you don't have to worry about matching pre-amp, DAC, and amps as these are all already built into the speakers.
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Assuming you are looking at floorstanding speakers, there are a couple pairs of used Raidho’s out here. They would be at the top of my list though you do need to have the right room for them. All Raidho’s need 3’ of space behind them and 9’ of space between the speakers. The X3s that are listed need a good 4’ from side walls because of a side firing bass driver. The Cs that I saw listed can be close to the wall without issue. There are are tons of other speakers that I have seen listed in this thread that are great. I would be biased toward used Wilson’s or Magico Ss if you can find them on your budget. If you were looking at stand mounted speakers the list would be different. |
When I went shopping for speakers with $10,000 I got some salon2’s and usher be20dmd’s and for my Hegel h360 the ushers were better, although I think the salons may have a higher ceiling if I could have matched them with a $$$$ amp. There was a pair of sopra 3’s for sale for the longest time for $10k I nearly bought just because of the price! |
Some very good suggestions have already been offered. Take a look at Wilson-Benesch Geometry Series: http://wilson-benesch.com/geometry-series/ I own the Vertex model which is pretty much the entry level in the series. Superb! Happy hunting |
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So many choices under 10k. You really need to ask yourself a lot of questions. How much is total budget? Room size as many have put out there? Type of music you listen to and how loudly yo listen? How many will listen at the same time? Do you want full range at this price point? Then, how important is tonality? Soundstage? Full extension on both ends of the spectrum? Detail? Looks? Size? Someone mentioned room acoustics. No question that needs to be part of a total budget, but there is no way to say how much it will cost unless you have been in the room and figured it out. I was able to use some inexpensive adn nice looking quilt's and record cases to do what was needed to improve the sound greatly. I will be ordering a nice pair of Hunter Douglas blinds this week thanks to Tomic's advice (thanks dude)! We all will tell you how much we love our gear. I left Proac to go to Vandersteen's. LOVED the Treo's, but wanted more bass in a simple package, so I upgraded to Quatro's. I don't know why folks aren't talking more about Proac's. They are another great value in high end audio to my ears. Their ribbon tweeters are one of the few that I'm able to enjoy without fatigue after a couple of hours. When spending this amount of money, I hope you are able to go audition most of these brands. I know in the past, I've invited folks over to listen as I know how hard it can be to hear things in many markets. |
Hi Asif, I'm Bangladeshi-American, live in NYC. The main problem you'll have with many of the suggestions is to import them to BD which could be extremely pricey. I'd assume your best bet would be to audition speakers in India and purchase from there? That said, I was in the same boat last year with regards to speakers and I'd suggest the Legacy Audio Signature SE, which are what I ultimately went with. These are large and heavy however, but very full sounding and highly resolving. I also auditioned Dynaudio Contours, Persona 3Fs, Endeavor E3 Mk2s and Dalis. Of all these ones, with the type of music you preffer...I'd suggest the Legacy Audio SE. The new Magico A3 would also be high on my list if I was shopping today, but again it's problem with importing them to BD. I believe there are a lot of good dealers in India/Malaysia and Singapore you could possibly purchase from. I'd make a short list based on reviews and budget, pick a region where a few of those brands could be auditioned, fly there and make a decision. |
I recently asked the same question and demoed many speakers and bought a pair of Revel salon2's used for a bit over $10k, BUT my room is 18x26x7 and it absorbs bass. I had several other favorites for a smaller room. Focal Kanta2 $10k Dynaudio Contour 30 $6k Revel f206 $3500? Kef r700 Vienna Acoustics Beethoven!!!!!! It's less of a crapshoot putting a system together now compared to 25 years ago but manufacturers still have their own idea of what makes a 'better' product and matching components still matters. |
I don't usually make suggestions that I haven't actually auditioned at home but I was very taken by a demonstration at last seasons Bay Area audio show in Oakland. The all tube Zesto room was about the same size using a Benz Micro Gullwing mounted on a REAL Turntable by Merrill Williams sourcing Zesto electronics feeding a pair of Marten Django L's. This is a very cohesive two way speaker system using a largish cabinet so you won't hear the woofers just seamless music. I could easily discern Christian McBride playing his Juzek on "Gettin' To It" and his German Bass on "Out Here". There were a number of well set up rooms at this show including the spectacular VAC/Von Schweikert Ultra 11 demonstration. Musically the Zesto room was so enjoyable I don't feel at all uncomfortable suggesting an audition of the Django L. https://www.marten.se/django/django_l.htm Have fun with it. |
Op already answered these questions, ”Dear All I am overwhelmed with so many good suggestions. Let me brief my orientation and incline towards music. I live in Bangladesh, where getting an system audition is difficult as specific brand and model is not readily available, but availability after confirmed order is possible. I listen to a variety of music but specially subcontinental music(bangla), rock and jazz occupies most of the time spent on music. I listen to moderate sound level, and I might keep my vintage Accuphase C200 pre amplifier in my new setup. If I decide to change my pre amplifier I might go for tube pre amplifier. I have a good collection of vinyl. I prefer a speaker with good MF driver. A relatively bigger main driver to deliver solid bass. I auditioned PMC IB2 SE and I liked the sound signature very much, but its out of my limited budget. Seriously considering options of used/demo if i find a good deal. I would welcome your comments and experience on GamuT RS5i speaker which is a open option. Thanks a lot and will wait for your valuable inputs. Asif” |
I have had Bryston Middle T’s, then went up to the Model T’s.... cannot be beat! But, you do need a lot of power; they love power. There are three variations of the Model T’s available; passive, external crossovers and active to be driven by three mono blocks per speaker. I have the basic passive ones and they are just amazing. And you can have them built with custom veneers if you wish to pay for it (I have the Santos Rosewood, gorgeous). You might also check out Axiom Audio in Ontario, they have the new LFR1100 which looks very impressive (Axiom builds the Bryston speakers for Bryston to their specifications). Very high quality speakers and all parts are built in house, no Chinese components used. You can order them and they allow a 30 day in home trial for full refund if you are not happy. You should also look at their subs. I just purchased their EP500 and the monster EP800 dual 12 inch driver model.... the best I have used in my system. Both with very robust heavy toroid high capacitor based amps; but they are not inexpensive. Bryston speakers come with a 20 year warranty. Not too shabby. As noted, you cannot have too much power with the Bryston's or Axioms; I am running the Anthem M1 mono blocks with 2000 watts per channel into each speaker at 4 ohms. |
Try the Paradigm Persona 3 or if you can afford them the Persona 5 Paradigm® | Specifications for Persona Series |
B&W is not the same quality of years gone by now you can purchase them at Best Buy like Bose well advertised in some cases expensive middle of the road sound. I have all Focal speakers in my system. 1038 BE for the price sound as good as any 30k speaker depending on your room set up. One thing to remember speakers in a show room sound different then they are in your home. Cheers |
For far less than $10,000, the Linkwitz LX521 will blow away everything listed here. Most build it as a DIY project, but you could just take the plans to a local cabinet maker and still spend far less than your $10,000 budget. http://linkwitzlab.com/LX521/Description.htm |
If you are going to spend that kind of money... You may want to wait to see what PS Audio is about to produce using special ribbon and drivers. I believe the late Arnie Nudell had a hand in their design. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa8nqlLs3wQ&feature=ytmp4 |
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So the old guy is back after many years. I defer to my younger sons that know much more than I ever knew. I still depend on my ears!!! I’ve been fortunate and owned some awesome Kefs, Infinity Reference 1’s, (1980’s) which by the way were some of the best speakers I ever owned, B& W 800 D’s, Focal Grands, Wilson’s, Vandersteens and more. For my $$$, the new Paradigm Persona line is amazing, each speaker in the lineup is a major “bang for the buck”! Go listen if you are looking for new speakers! There are better speakers, but dollar for dollar I love this speaker line, all of them front to back. For my $$$ the new Paradigm Persona line-up is not to be missed. Their 3F’s at $10k minus 20% from the dealer are my #1 pick under $10K. So I downsized over the years and now, have gone back up - based on hours of listening to this great line-up of quality speakers. I’ve just bought their 7F’s, their Persona sub and Persona center. So when the grandkids come over it will be a FUN movie then great 2 ch for me later by myself! There are many great choices at $10k! First get a 15-20% discount or better, dealers can do that or more, or go find another dealer! Then enjoy and don’t look back! From an old guy go listen to Paradigm Persona lineup! |
I would spend $6k on a pair of Magnepan 3.7i and allocate the balance to better electronics. The 3.7i perform well beyond their cost and are good enough to benefit from the improved electronics. you may chose to spend $600 of that balance on Mye speaker stands which are known to improve imaging and focus on the larger Maggies. |
Something to consider is what are your listening habits? I've always felt that I should have two systems: One for a "quick fix" (listening session of an hour or less). One for day-off extended listening. The first system would have slightly exaggerated response that would give me a boost after work but would be tiring over the long haul (horn speakers?). The second is more neutral and pleasing for hours on end. Knowing how you will use the system makes a difference. |
Dear All I am overwhelmed with so many good suggestions. Let me brief my orientation and incline towards music. I live in Bangladesh, where getting an system audition is difficult as specific brand and model is not readily available, but availability after confirmed order is possible. I listen to a variety of music but specially subcontinental music(bangla), rock and jazz occupies most of the time spent on music. I listen to moderate sound level, and I might keep my vintage Accuphase C200 pre amplifier in my new setup. If I decide to change my pre amplifier I might go for tube pre amplifier. I have a good collection of vinyl. I prefer a speaker with good MF driver. A relatively bigger main driver to deliver solid bass. I auditioned PMC IB2 SE and I liked the sound signature very much, but its out of my limited budget. Seriously considering options of used/demo if i find a good deal. I would welcome your comments and experience on GamuT RS5i speaker which is a open option. Thanks a lot and will wait for your valuable inputs. Asif |
Your room isn’t that big IMO,so I would stay away from anything to big unless you are going to do room treatments and or use a amplifier that has room correction. 10k is a good budget and if you shop around,like I did,you can buy something that retails new for much more but at used or demo prices.It’s currently a huge buyers market if you have money in hand and you are patient. You need to give us more details of the sound preferences that you like,listening levels,do you want lots of solid bass without subs,etc. With your budget I wouldn’t recommend anything from Tekton,way to many other great choices to look at. Good luck to you, Kenny. |
1 - Budget 10% to 20% of that on room acoustics. 2 - Brands, consider Monitor Audio, Revel, JBL, Focal, B&W. All different sounding. 3 - Also, think about what type of speaker. - Full range? - 2.5 way? (the size of the room may make this a good choice) - Satellite + sub? Again, ideal for the size of the room PLUS allows subwoofer EQ without messing your main audio chain. Would you consider a bespoke speaker system? Makers like Fritz can accommodate a wide range of customization, and components for not too much cash. |
That sounds like a decent sized room. The most well-rounded speaker I’ve heard at $10K is the Revel F228be. The Paradigm Persona 3F is also worth a close look, as is the new Magico A3. I preferred the Revels to either, but some swing the other way, and all are worth a demo. The Legacys mentioned above are another strong choice. I haven’t had the chance to hear the Signature or Focus, but I was very impressed by the Aeris (though I’m not sure how much Legacy’s wavelet processor had to do with that). |
