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Looking for recommendations for a pair of full range speakers for ~8k or under

What would your recommendation be? These are some of the speakers I have tested and liked:

1. B&W 702–S2 (new) - incredible for only 5k and I love the bass output with 3 drivers but the vocals can be a little harsh on some recordings. Maybe a good warm amplifier can help with this? I am also interested in the 702 Signature version going for 6.5k but not sure how it differs.

2. B&W 804 d3 (used) - Maybe my favorite of everything I’ve heard so far, better that the 702 in almost every way and not as harsh but I miss the extra output from the 702’s 3 bass drivers. I’m just not sure if it’s worth an extra 2-3k plus being used. I love that it goes lower though. Was seeing it used for ~7k online

3. Sonus Faber Sonetto 8 (new) - good bass and musical but Lacks some of the definition of the B&W - 7k

4. Sonus Faber Olympica 2 (used) - I loved this, much better than the sonetto in every way goes lower but lacks some in the bass output vs the sonetto. Was offered a trade-in in my local store for 6.5k

5. Sonus Faber Olympica 3 (used) - I haven’t heard this but I imagine It would be a perfect match for me with the extra bass driver and I’m seeing some used for under 8k online. 

I feel like my comparisons weren’t too good with very different rooms in different stores and amps so I am wondering what you guys would recommend of these options or if you have other recommendations either used or new under 8k. I can’t go too crazy though since I can’t spend too much on an integrated amplifier (~2-4k). Any Focal or other brands I should listen too also? I will also be using them for 2 channel home theater as well as music. I will likely be getting an integrated amplifier that complements the speakers I choose. I listen to a wide variety of music types and my room is about 14 x 22 with high vaulted ceilings. I appreciate any advice since I am new to high end speakers coming from a not so great soundbar. 
km1181
gg107
74 posts
 
@km1181, I'm no expert on amp-speaker matching, but I think the McIntosh MA252 -- which apparently offers 160 wpc into 4 ohms, the speaker impedance of the Sonus Fabers, and 100 wpc into 8 ohms -- should be sufficient, and a good match.  Perhaps others will chime in on this.  

I did not hear the new Olympica Nova 3; I heard the Nova 2, and the Olympica 3.  The Olympica 3 was my clear preference.  And when I auditioned the Olympica 3s, it was with a McIntosh integrated ss amp that was lower-powered than my MC402, though I don't recall the model.  The audition -- with speakers placed in an office building's  hallway, not a room set up for listening -- was so impressive that my spouse and I just wanted to keep listening to  music -- we momentarily forgot why we were there!

There is a worthwhile Youtube video from a Canadian dealer  comparing the Olympica Nova II to the Olympica II.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv8dvVIdguk. The conclusion seems to be that they are very close, with the newer model offering only a slight improvement.  
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
@jasonbourne52 
But I recommend the new versions made in China - better build quality and more reliable!
Huh?!

basser-x
8 posts
 
People can recommend you some great speakers, but at the end of the day you are the one who will have to live with them. Preview as much as you can.
mrklas
441 posts
 
I like the models you are evaluating.

And here’s my two cents....note - I’m on my 3 different set of Sonus fabers and I selected my initial Sonus fabers over the B&Ws.  The B&Ws tweeter irritated me ears - too bright.

I’ve owned the Sonetto Vs...I liked them a lot. I chose not to go with the VIIIs because at that price it’s really close to the Olympica price and there is a difference in the presentation of details between the two lines.

The Olympica provide more 'details' than the Sonettos and from my listening I'd take the Olympica IIIs over the IIs but I do like the Olympica IIs.

And for reference I replaced the Sonetto V with Olympica Nova Vs....they are a significant upgrade even though I felt the Sonetto Vs were amazing especially for $5k.

Good luck and enjoy!
countrybrook
1 posts
 
IF YOU WANT THE BEST FOR YOUR 8,000$, PLEASE GET MAGEPAN SPEAKERS. THE BEST OF THE BEST. NOTHING WOULD COME CLOSE EVEN B&W, SONUS FABER...... ARE FAR BEHIND. IF YOU ARE A HEAD BANGER, GET AN ACTIVE CROSS OVER AND A SUB. YOUR SYSTEM IS THE BEST FOR THE BUCK.
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