Bache, really? How could one ever make a statement like that and be taken seriously? There is no one best. Not even close. I guess you don't buy into posts that say that we all hear differently. I'm not putting the speaker down at all. I personally feel the Vandy 7 mk 2 is the top speaker I"ve heard, but many other would disagree and some would agree. Others love Magico's and Wilsons. Rock ports are well liked and respected too. I'm sure you were just posting tongue in cheek. ;) All good.
Nice list as you will get a lot of different sounds there. NONE sound even similar to my ear. |
I will have to disagree with ctsooner on buying from smaller enterprises, as well as considering resale values.
Though everyone would like to have their purchases not depreciate. I think it is an unrealistic way to buy equipment (or anything for that matter).
You should buy what you like and enjoy. If it comes from a small manufacturer, then you understand that they may not be around forever.
Way back I purchased a pair of Tamanton Homonyms, they were nearly identical to the Vandy 2's soundwise. I even met the designer and his family in Williamsburg, Brooklyn- way before gentrification.
Long story short, he decided to get out of the stereo business.
Those speakers were nice for their time and I eventually got rid of them, but I don't really feel I lost much, either monetarily or enjoyment-wise.
Even if I got the Vandy's, I wouldn't have reaped a financial windfall.
YMMV
Bob |
Bob, what if you kept the speakers for a long time and you blew a driver? The money you'd get back would be zero as you most probably could never get them fixed properly. When purchasing components at or above the 10k mark, I don't want to take that chance. Again, that's me. I had a DAC that was a 9k DAC. I bought it used for less than half that and was lucky to be able to sell it for a bit more, but the owner is getting older and probably only will be around for another two years at most and if so, then there will be no one who can work on his products as the design is not the norm. There may be someone who can. I get that a great tech should be able to figure it out and replace a component, but what if it got wiped out (seen that happen and thank goodness he was around to rebuild it).
Like I said, there are some outstanding components from smaller companies, but it is just a larger crap shoot I guess you could say. That's all. |
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I have a speaker way under your budget that plays extremely well with the genres you mentioned. My Source Technologies 1.7 SL Reference. Floor standing two way with small footprint. Scanspeak Revelator tweeter and 7" Revelator driver. Built like a tank and has incredibly deep bass with my 37 watt solid state amp! Everyone who has heard it mentions the deep bass. $5,500 brand new. Spend a little north of a grand and they're yours and save a lot of money.
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devilboy704 posts07-12-2016 7:18pm@jond, yes I did sell it. It still is a giant killer IMO. The only reason I sold it is "because my speakers are a bit bright" and the INT, as wonderful and "warm" as it is, in the end was still too much of a good thing. Rather than open a whole new can of worms with shopping for new speakers, worrying about selling mine, etc, I chose to keep the speakers and get a new amp.
----------------------- Those wouldn't work for me devilboy. Thanks for the offer though. Focusing in on the brands I listed |
Great list you have. Not too many and all different tastes. The winner will come to light for you quickly. I'm hearing out to Nepal for a family wedding and will be back on the 10th of Feb. If you are heading out to audition after that, let me know. Would be fun to meet up as you aren't far away. Pete |
Have a great trip Pete. Hopefully we can meet up at AC
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Of course. I'd love that. Would be a lot of fun. You can audition etc, but we'll have to take a listen to the Vandersteen 7's with all the top gear, lol. It will be an eye opener. Also will do the Maggies upstairs. |
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Hi sbrownw - activity is taking place.
I have a line on a used speaker that interests me and is a good deal. Stay tuned.
I have dropped Thiel from the list. |
You owe it to yourself to check out the new Watkins bookshelf size speaker. You can have them for about half what you state your budget is. They also have a two week return privilege should you decide they're not for you. The website for them is www.watkinsstereo.com Seriously, check these out before you buy. You won't regret it. |
Not looking for a bookshelf/monitor style speaker at this point. Thank you |
I'd make sure you went to audition the speakers you have chosen to listen to before purchasing online used. JMHO, but I have seen way too many chasing their tails and losing money trying to find the speaker they would have found if they listened to a few before getting that 'great' online deal. There will always be 'that' deal used if you decide to go that way, or you may feel for a speaker, having the warrantee is important. Again, JMHO |
Understood Pete and great advice. Normally.
However in my situation this is how this shook out for me (which led me to make a purchase without hearing every speaker).
Below was the list I had narrowed down my choices down to in my price range (5K <):
Rank Brand Model
1 Vandersteen Quatro Wood (Used)
2 Vandersteen Model 3A Signature
3 ProAc D48R (Used)
4 Golden Ear Triton One
5 Magnepan 1.7i
6 ProAc D30RS (Used)
7 Revel F208
8 Spatial M3 Turbo S
9 ProAc D20R
I narrowed that down further based on the below factors which were most important to me:
1 respected, longstanding company and/or designer
2 ability to be located near front/side walls
3 integrated sub
4 great a low levels
Which left me here:
Rank Brand Model
1 Vandersteen Quatro Wood (Used)
2 Golden Ear Triton One
Narrowed down again based on which company is more likely to provide outstanding support and speaker appearance/WAF (really do not like the look of the GE sock):
Rank Brand Model
1 Vandersteen Quatro Wood (Used)
I had sent an e-mail to Golden Ear with no response. In contrast I have had 3 different issues sent to Vandersteen with a direct response from RV (the designer) himself (even on an issue as innocuous as importing into the US).
I have entered into a private party deal for a 4 yr old QW. I am sure if for some reason it does not meet my needs I will be able to sell it based on the outstanding reputation and quality of this company/designer.
I know this is a bit anti-climactic but I think I ultimately made a good decision that will work for me.
Thank you everyone for your help. I certainly think I ended up in a better place due to the opinions from the members on this site than I would have alone
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Definitely a good decision. |
Nice move
call AC and get the - 3 db x over correct with dip switches and
nuetalize Back to factory settings
for your main amps input imp.
best JohnnyR
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CooL
do not over equalize !!!!
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I have Vanderseen 5A driven by all Ayre electronics... When I moved from New Jersey to Arizona, Richard himself led me to set the speakers up properly. I thought him going that extra effort was extremely valuable to me, and its so nice to be treated so well like that. John Rutan is another A+ member of this community. Someone said that the 5's aren't impressive. The better the speaker the more important the ancillary equipment...electronics, cables...even wall plugs....all make a very big difference.
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..just read a post above about cabinet finish. I had a pro to do cabinet work in the kitchen.....he looked at my 5A's and told be that those speakers are finished the best he's ever seen ( I have the Kawazinga finish). He offered his opinion without prompts. They are works of art.
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Though I am glad Vandersteen made a more stylish, well built cabinet, I am surprised by the move.
After all, he (Richard) originally chose to put all his effort into the works of the speaker rather than blinging out the cabinets- Hence, the 1,2 and 3's.
This resulted in outstanding performance at a low price point.
I guess market pressure forced him to make changes. |
The market moves - he sold a quarter of a million Model 2 - that does not exist anymore so yes WAF and aesthetics have enteeed the equation - but I would put model 3 a sig up against anything at $10 k
above that price point people want Vandersteen or automotive finishes.
the 7cabinet with the carbon fiber is not capable of veneer Hence the paint
Richard is still hyper frugal - pretty much everything earns its way sonically into the product
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Congrats. So happy for you. Johnny will take care of you as you know. Set up is key. Yes Richard is as available as anyone I've ever met in this or any industry. I'll be in shock if you want to get rid of these in the next many years lol.
Guys, I'm in Nepal for a family wedding for another week or two, but within a few weeks of getting back I'll have my Quatro's painted in Audi Havana Black which to me is gorgeous and had a high metallic look. Ayre is installing my crossovers in my AX-5/20. Then I'll have Johnny come up to CT to set it all up for me. This is so awesome hearing how happy fofolks are. Bob have you set up the Treos yet? Those are going to really sound great. Been missing them lol. Thank goodness I have a nice pair of Noble Savants for the trip. Will be selling these too soon as the upgrade bug has hit for my mobile listening too lol.
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@fdemello - I'm getting to this one a little late, but I do second the recommendation @bache gave. I never heard of Tekton Design until six months ago, and after a lot of research, I purchased the Tekton Lore and I seriously cannot be happier. Given the specs you provided, the Double Impact might work really well for you at $3k/pair: http://tektondesign.com/ddimpact.htmlTekton is run by a guy named Eric Alexander, who has worked at a ton of speaker companies and then even Kimber cable. His speakers are also customizable, both from the finish to the components inside. I had my Lore upgraded to use ClarityCap MR capacitors, but Eric offered me options and pricing for using Mundorf caps, etc. If they are so good, why haven't people heard of them? Well, I have to say Eric isn't exactly a star at marketing. He is a speaker designer and builder at heart. I think you should make a few searches and see what others have to say about Tekton. Best of luck! |
Thanks. Decision made a while back. Quatro Wood's in my home as of yesterday. Just need my bi-wire cables to show up and we're off... |
@milpai
hi, sorry for late reply, was away and busy. I paid USD8,000 for them, delivered at my home in Mauritius, but this is higher than usual since i requested the manufacturer to make it with a walnut veneer for me. His first batches of production are sold out well in advance. They are known in Europe, but really the US are missing out on these ones. Not because his US representation is not well spread that they are not good. They really are exceptional to me, and you would get service direct from the designer/manufacturer if need be (Olle Oliason), very nice guy.
Again, absolutely incredible speakers, but they need some break-in. Let me know if you buy them, i would like your opinion back!! |
@hddg,
Thanks for the information. Will research more into these speakers. |
So happy for you getting the Quatro's. Still waiting on mine as I told them to hold off a bit as I was away for two weeks. I'm missing my system and than goodness I have some good headphones to use while everything is away getting updates and crossovers installed.
You will be most happy with the Vandersteens I'm sure. Keep us posted on everyt8ing . If you need help setting them up and doing the bass eq, let me know as Johnny at Audio Connections will help out Im sure. |
Thanks Pete. Working with John at AC who is great and a wealth of information. I have a list of the setup tasks from him and I'm sure there will be a few questions as I move along. Have a few things done (crossover impedance, potentiometers/controls set to defaults, approximate placement based on room dimensions). Purchased a laser level and SPL meter.
Still waiting for my cables (should be early next week).
I bet you are excited to see your speakers! |
I will be when I get them. They will be very special for sure. |
Whoohoo!
I hope to pick up my cables from Audioconnection this week, so I can finally listen to your old Treo's, ctsooner.
In the meantime, I have my recently installed Atma-sphere amps and preamp connected to a pair of Zu Union's. (Didn't need Biwire's).
I have to say they are approaching magical.
Bob
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Wait until you get the speakers up and running. Like anything, give them a legit break in as they need it every time they are moved. Listen to Johnny and he'll make sure you get everyone out of them that they can do. You heard how good they sounded in my system. I'm sure they will be just as great in yours. Happy they went to a loving home, lol. True audiophiles understand that last statement. |
IF it was me by now I would have hand forged biwire jumpers made from all my spouses single lost gold ear rings.....
man you shoulda been named Job....
smile
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After many months of waiting, since Thankgiving, my system upgrade is finally done. The Ayre AX-5 Twenty and Vandy Treo CT is a magical combo. Johnny@audioconnection is awesome!! Highly recommend going to see him, he came over to my house with Carlos last week and they did an awesome job with setting up the speakers. I'm approaching twenty hours and the speakers without full break in time sounds fantastic. The soundstage and imaging is natural and beautiful. The CT tweeter really sounds nice with the Ayre amp. The mid range is rich, detailed and engaging, I can listening for hours. I will enjoy the break in period.
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NYC, yes, you have a killer set up. Wait until you get that system burned in, lol. Johnny is as good a set up guy as you will find anywhere. Keep us posted on break in. |
I finally got my AQ Rockefeller's reterminated and double bi-wired installed. Ah, the Treo's sound wonderful with Atma-Sphere amp and pre.
They totally dissolve in the room. |
I'm so happy Bob. So glad that you love them and will give them a great home. I know it sound stupid, but when you sell your gear to someone who appreciates it, it makes you happy, lol. |
