Dear Steve, It gets really good but you need a plan and a budget to stick to. On this site you will get all the advice you need to make "Sound" decisions but nobody will tell you what to do. Here is my take; go to the members systems and find a price range for yourself, then contact these members and get their opinions. Maybe match some of the components you already have for now. Then take that giant set and buy a pair of speakers that you choose. If you do not like them make sure you can resell them without taking a beating. You will get what you like. Look carefully at the combinations of amps/ speakers used by the members, these are well educated people who are passionate about this hobby. We all make mistakes in choices and pass this along to others, NOT pass the same mistake on to others. GOOD LUCK but don't sweat it . ANY of your speaker choices are good ones , of your list I can only comment on the B&W's. Started as my reference but within 2 years moved to home theater duty and are supperb For music I would add Merlin VSM-M to your list with a integrated tube amp of 50+ watts.. I hope this helps. Dredster
How good does it get?
Hello.
I'm trying to complete my modest audio system with a pair of quality speakers. To date I have:
1) Two Citation 7.1 amps- 4x150 W/ch. (2x450 bridged)
2) Arcam FMJ CD-23 cdp
3) Conrad Johnson PF-R pre
Right now I have a pair of speakers which provide GREAT imaging, have a very natural, detailed and spacious sound and are very decent in bass response and lack of coloration. Now I want MORE!
I'm hoping to get a pair of speakers which will; by a VERY, VERY, wide margin; surpass my present speakers.
I'm willing to spend over ten times the money on a used pair of speakers as I spent on my present speakers-NEW.
The bad news is that I presently own a pair of Wharfedale Sapphire 88's (6" woofer, 6" mid in separate enclosure and 1" silk dome tweeter) that I purchased for $79.00 each plus shipping-(Total of $290.00 delivered to my door)
I have no drivers liscence and there are no high end audio shops within 30 miles of me. As a result I have heard none (not a one) of the offerings put out by the various manufacturers that may be of interest to me. This situation results in my having to buy a pair of speakers without the benefit of an audition. I am therefore relying on the opinions and impressions of Audiogon members, (whose opinions I trust) to steer me to the speakers which will satisfy my audio cravings.
I'm sure that by now it's quite clear that I'm VERY inexperienced in high end audio. I have heard absolutly NO high end systems.
So back to my original thought- How much better does it get? (For a guy who is so inexperienced in high end audio) I've been trying to do my homework as far as whats available in my price range- Von Schweikert VR-4,VR-4 Gen II, VR-3.5, Silverline Sonata, Sonatina ,Sonatina II, JM-labs 920.1, 915, Vandersteen 2Ce-sigs,3A-sigs, VMPS RM-2 Neo's, B&W N804, N803,Matrix 802 S-III, Legacy Classic's, Dunlavy SC-III,SC-IV, Norh 9.0 Marble, Dynaudio Audience 82, Contour 3.0, Contour 1.8 Mk II, Hales Rev. IIII, Snell V, NHT-2.9, 3.3, Monitor Audio 9 silver, 20 Gold, Theil 3.6, 1.5, and various others by Joseph, ACI, KEF, Ect,Ect......
So what should I buy? I'd like a highly detailed, smooth speaker with terrific bass response.
I'm looking for a full range floorstander, the thinner dimensionally, the better, the fuller the sound- the best!
Will 10 times the money buy me 10 times the speaker? 5x the speaker? 2x the speaker? A "noticeable difference" or something like "A huge difference in the percieved response of all audio frequencies, audible or not"
Please, looking for a straight shooter to set me straight.
Thanks,
Steve
I'm trying to complete my modest audio system with a pair of quality speakers. To date I have:
1) Two Citation 7.1 amps- 4x150 W/ch. (2x450 bridged)
2) Arcam FMJ CD-23 cdp
3) Conrad Johnson PF-R pre
Right now I have a pair of speakers which provide GREAT imaging, have a very natural, detailed and spacious sound and are very decent in bass response and lack of coloration. Now I want MORE!
I'm hoping to get a pair of speakers which will; by a VERY, VERY, wide margin; surpass my present speakers.
I'm willing to spend over ten times the money on a used pair of speakers as I spent on my present speakers-NEW.
The bad news is that I presently own a pair of Wharfedale Sapphire 88's (6" woofer, 6" mid in separate enclosure and 1" silk dome tweeter) that I purchased for $79.00 each plus shipping-(Total of $290.00 delivered to my door)
I have no drivers liscence and there are no high end audio shops within 30 miles of me. As a result I have heard none (not a one) of the offerings put out by the various manufacturers that may be of interest to me. This situation results in my having to buy a pair of speakers without the benefit of an audition. I am therefore relying on the opinions and impressions of Audiogon members, (whose opinions I trust) to steer me to the speakers which will satisfy my audio cravings.
I'm sure that by now it's quite clear that I'm VERY inexperienced in high end audio. I have heard absolutly NO high end systems.
So back to my original thought- How much better does it get? (For a guy who is so inexperienced in high end audio) I've been trying to do my homework as far as whats available in my price range- Von Schweikert VR-4,VR-4 Gen II, VR-3.5, Silverline Sonata, Sonatina ,Sonatina II, JM-labs 920.1, 915, Vandersteen 2Ce-sigs,3A-sigs, VMPS RM-2 Neo's, B&W N804, N803,Matrix 802 S-III, Legacy Classic's, Dunlavy SC-III,SC-IV, Norh 9.0 Marble, Dynaudio Audience 82, Contour 3.0, Contour 1.8 Mk II, Hales Rev. IIII, Snell V, NHT-2.9, 3.3, Monitor Audio 9 silver, 20 Gold, Theil 3.6, 1.5, and various others by Joseph, ACI, KEF, Ect,Ect......
So what should I buy? I'd like a highly detailed, smooth speaker with terrific bass response.
I'm looking for a full range floorstander, the thinner dimensionally, the better, the fuller the sound- the best!
Will 10 times the money buy me 10 times the speaker? 5x the speaker? 2x the speaker? A "noticeable difference" or something like "A huge difference in the percieved response of all audio frequencies, audible or not"
Please, looking for a straight shooter to set me straight.
Thanks,
Steve