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Need recommendations on stand mount speakers

So my secondary system consists of the following:

VPI Prime TT + Nagaoka MP500 cart
Parasound JC3+
AR Classic 60 (60 watt tube amp)
Acurus LS 11 line stage preamp
Vandersteen 2ce speakers

 my room is rather small, 12 x 13 and I’d like to experiment with some stand mount 2 ways that will have a similar sound to the ole Vandersteens but more open.  

Im considering used but my brick and mortar is limited to Magnolia stores. I heard some B&W 2 ways ( not the metal tweeters, but the lower model) and they sounded nice but at $4k +/- that’s more than I’m willing to spend. 

Im thinking $2k +/-.

any thoughts?
last_lemming

Showing 3 responses by last_lemming

last_lemming OP
639 posts
 
Team,

thanks for for all of your input. Lots of interesting suggestions, some in my price range some not, but all very interesting. I will not be able to audition most unfortunately, since I am in a black hole of brick and mortar audio stores, so I will be limited to companies with a decent return policy. 

And while buying speakers unheard  heard is a bad idea, just about all my pieces in my main system I was purchased that way, even my Thiel CS2.4’s (big learning curve there!). But I am very pleased with that rig. So I will probably throw the dice and see what happens and do the same thing again. 

once I make a decision and acquire the loudspeakers I’ll report back!


last_lemming OP
639 posts
 
As far as I know, no manufacturers has called me to set up an in home design charette to design speakers tuned to my ears. But hey, the day is young.

also, shoes wear out. 
last_lemming OP
639 posts
 
Team,

So did as much listening and research as I could handle (patience is not my greatest virtue) and I kept being drawn back to the Canton Reference 9.2 dc.  Not well known in the states, but, like my Thiel, they make their own drivers.  I believe that says a lot about a loudspeaker company.  You can get a general feel of the sound from the YouTube vids on it, bass is a bit better in real life of course, very articulate.   The also have a good soundstage, though my room dimensions limit me a bit here. 

Also their price was right to boot, $1200 shipped, I thought, what the hell.

Visually, they are quite beautiful in gloss piano black with their curved sides and the craftsmanship is on par with the best I’ve seen, and weigh about 25 lbs each. 

So how do they sound.  They are clear, but warm. They are fast as well, and not etched at all.  Highs are quite nice. Very natural. They remind me of my Thiel CS 2.4’s, but a bit warmer, and they are fuller range than they have any right to be.  I get usable 25 hz as the test tones can attest, but I will try a sub I have just for kicks. 

Anyway, I’m greatly pleased, thanks for all the input. 
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