Picking speakers 3000-5000 budget

charleyprice

I have never heard of Linn speakers before.

Is this the company that makes turntables?

arnieco

I only rarely listen to classical,and from what people tell me B&W don’t really represent rock and blues too well.

I have listened to them in person,but only as background music levels.

Thanks for the info though.

Maybe new Fyne F501 or F502 new including shipping on eBay.

If you want a highly efficient speaker, a used Volti Razz is an excellent choice with many very favorable reviews. 

No one has mentioned LINN speakers. I just bought a set, not to replace, but in addition to my Klipsch Heresies. They sound great to me, and I haven't even started bi-amping them.

I don't think I have half the ear or care of most of you guys, but I would be curious to hear the opinions.

without the luxury of brick amd mortar, I’d get the best b&w speakers you can, along with the benchmark ahb2 amp. Rave reviews on the amp, reasonably priced, Made in the US. 

as for type of music. Classical is the most challenging, It has the widest variety of instruments (timbre). If classical music sounds good on a system, everything will sound good, 

I’m still bummed about thiel’s demise. Jim Thiel was an amazing engineer, The drivers are of his own design. When I bought the cs 2.4’s years ago, nothing else came close to the soundstage and frequency response

guscreek

That is what I would like to do.

I'am looking at a pair of Elac FS249 BE that were 8,000 new.

They are asking 2,800 now.

curt_d

Thanks for the offer.

I have been checking out the Revel's this morning.

I really like the F226BE for the price.I;am trying to stay around 5,000

What advantage do the 328's have over them?

If the used market in the area is anything like the SF Bay area I'd take the time to explore it.  Gear at this level has been well treated generally and an in home listen beats a showroom imo.  There are some outstanding deals from folks just looking to move on.  Also of course the bigger speakers become problematic to ship so local buyers have a little leverage.

@twangy57 

I’m located in Lockport,IL if you want to demo the Revel f328be and a buddy nearby with f328s and f228s. Just shoot me a message 👍. I used to have Monitor Audio Silver 10s 5g. 

russbutton

thanks for your suggestion,I will take a look at them.

bishop148

I think If I got a sub to go with my Polk M10's they probably could do the loud rock thing,I guess I'am getting old because I want a big helping of classy sweet finnese on speakers.

I like the JBLs for what they do though.

incorrigable

Thanks but those Moabs are to large for my liking.

I will look at the GR research stuff though.

zx10

I really like what I have heard of the JBL Jubals.

Have you heard them,and if so how do they compare to the ones you mentioned.

panzrwagn

Thanks for the info,Monitor Audio Silver 500 7g will go on the list.

unclewilbur

Man I thought for sure there was a joke at the end of that story.

One thing I can tell you is,I wouldn't of had a problem in that situation because I always go for the Debbie if there is one.

I don't know what it is ,but Debbie's and me have always got along..

Matter of fact I kind of wish I would of married one in particular,maybe I would still be married.

To get the job done I would recommend Tekton Moabs with Wyred 4 Sound SX 1000R's and a preamp of your choice. Not the most congenial speaker brand but there is real independent thinking in the design. You might also like the GR Research Brute/Bully with Benchmark Audio AHB2 amp(s) and their whole suite. 

Notice these are all tariff resistant choices. 

Sounds like you want punchy rock speakers - but refined. JBL 1400 Arrays will do that, a used pair may just fit with your requirements. 

Your very, very, very best value in that price range is a used set of the Linkwitz Orion system - open baffle loudspeakers, active crossover and amplification.  Typically priced at $3000 - $5000.  It's an insane value.  They image well and sound good everywhere in the room.  You don't have to cement yourself into the sweet spot to enjoy great sound.

They are especially good on voices, acoustic piano and acoustic instruments.  They have terrific power handling and can do full orchestral levels in large rooms.

One speaker not mentioned is the Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G. Stereophile Class A rated, Absolute Sound, HI-Fi News, Soundstage, and about any other magazine who listened to them gave them highest reviews and 'Best of ...' awards. My first thought when I heard them were "This is what JBL's should sound like". Same dynamics and punch, but much better balance, tighter more extended bass than any Klipsch and better imaging. The dual rear ports allow a fair amount of bass tuning for your room, and the bulid quality is way above the price point. At $3200 a pair, the Sterophile reviewer thought that was a typo, that they were $3200 each, and a bargain at that price. I also drive mine with an Adcom MOSFET or Marantz amp, they're not a difficult load for 4 Ohm happy amps, and 100 W is just fine. Honestly, I'd have to go well north of $10K per pair into Wilson-land for even incremental improvement.

Hello! I have a  McIntosh MA7900 integrated amp @ 200 w.p.c. since you already have a preamp a MC2200 Mac amp w/ 200 w.p.c. would be nice pick up one for $3,500 or so. Any of the older Mac stuff is good if it's been serviced. My living room's kind of small so best fit for me are the JBL L-100T's  with upgraded crossovers which you can buy on line from the crossover guy. I prefer the sound of these to the more popular JBL L-100's and you can pick up a nice pair for about $2,000. If you have a larger room the JBL4333 studio monitors are just great or their home theater equivlent L-300's , they have a cool glass top. They may need refoaming , rework crossovers or a re-cap but they sound fantastic , cost about $4,000=$5,000. Have fun.

@twangy57 

So what you are saying is that you struggle with indecision!
Well crap!!!

I’m the king of indecision. 

There were three sisters. I met them one at a time, and first was Debbie. She was the most beautiful girl in the world, without a doubt! After school, we  spent every moment together every day for several weeks. She was so sweet!

Then, I met Terri! Wow!!! Oh my, she was definitely the most beautiful in the world, but I was dating Debbie! I didn’t know what to do. My life was a disaster!

But finally, I met Vicki. She was definitely the one for me!!!! She had the most beautiful brown eyes, and soooo sweet!!! We got along so well, she felt like an old friend.

My confusion must have been very apparent to all three of these wonderful young ladies, and I was in complete gridlock!!!!!  I was ruined. ...If I could just pick one without messing up everything...

I was so confused that I avoided them for a week, and then just blew the whole situation!!! Any one of them would have been a match made in heaven.

So, several years later, I met Debbie at a store. She was just perfect in every way that I could imagine. And I knew I would regret my mistakes for the rest of my life!!!

Indecision is the worst.

unclewilbur

No worries deep down I know it is my nature to never be totally sure I made the right choice anyway,and the sooner I accept that,the sooner I can be happy.

Thanks 

I feel sorry for @twangy57  because he could never make sense of the hundreds of speaker/amp recommendations that he's been given! 😵‍💫 

I hope Twangy can get to  a store and experience something that sounds just right for him. That's the worst part of this hobby. There are very few places where someone can hear many of these brands, and it would be a huge city. 

Good luck with that.  Life in a city is a horror for me!!! 

Thanks to all for the quick response.

I will respond more concisely a little later,as I have to go out soon.

Some of you tell me a great speaker can play anything well,and I understand that,but I noticed on the 2, I mentioned in particular ,there is hardly any demo’s of any rock or pop.

Another reason I brought those up was, when new they went for over double of what is being asked now.

On the downside,they seem kind of large

I think both of them sound great,and I’am trying not to rush and buy something,

so I need to mellow a bit and take a time out.

I will take another look at SVS too,got a lot recommendation's on those.

Thanks.

I CAN HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE SVS Ultra Evolution 3-Way Tower Speaker with Quad 5.25" Woofers . I PURCHASED THEM FOR LESS THAN 5 GRAND ! THEY COMPLEMENT MY KLIPSCH CORNSCALLAS ! I RUN THEM WITH MY ROUGE CRONUS MAGNUM TUBE INAGRATED AMP ! OUTSTAND DINAMIC RANGE AND BRODENED MY SOUND STAGE ! BEST SPEAKER FOR THE MONEY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

ALL THE BEST MY AUDIOPHILE BROTHER !

I cannot recommend SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle high enough.

They are $5k for pair. Comparable with 801 D4. But actually sound better IMHO.  In the price range, it really has no competition from sonus perlinston 888 focal and kef.  I own a mac amp 3xs the price, if that isn't proof enough.  

But get them before tariffs tick them up to 10k.

I really like my Spatial open baffle speakers. Yoi can find used ones in your price range. They are a bit under the radar, but the money they save on advertising is money the buyer saves as well. At least that's my take. Lots of reviews out there. 

Vandersteen 2ce Signature III''s are very good - very natural sound. Need some space around them

Focal Vestia No.3 - Outstanding sound for the price.

@twangy57 , As your musical tastes become very eclectic, you will need a lot more than 1 pair of different speakers, i.e. the same reason i have many very differemt speakers, multiple rigs, etc.

But, not everyone has a thick wallet or space and you say you only have 3k to spend (limited budget)....which pretty much narrows you down to 1 option these days...Tekton.

I would recommend a Tekton model called "Epic 15" for your budget. A local friend has that model and it is unbelievable. But, you should call Tektondesign on a weekday and talk to the speaker designer directly. His name is Eric Alexander and he is also a musician. Tell him all about your eclectic taste in music, different artists you like, what you like about them, what tracks you like, etc.

I listen to about 40%classic rock,and about 40% pop,soul,blues,with the last 20% jazz classical and misc.

I really need my speakers to be able to rock at a pretty good volume,I know the Klipsch’s would probably do that,but also would like them to sound great for pop,soul,and acoustic stuff.I really like bluegrass and Celtic acoustic music.

you keep asking if a speaker will do x and y well and we keep telling you a good speaker will do x y and z. I lost track of your swinging from one brand to another, with very different sizes, sounds and sensitivities.

(Good) speakers (good meaning neutral) have two main characteristics: playing at various frequencies and distinguishing details. Everything is a combination of these two qualities. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want details. But let’s say you listen to Les Preludes vs.   Aerosmith. You will get very tired quickly when you listen to Liszt on cheap speakers. You will want very sophisticated sound. The point is: do you want speakers that do complex music well or you want a compromise? Your choices and trade-offs are: number of drivers size, driver size, tweeter quality, frequency range, sensitivity, power handling and PRICE. I would decide the type of speaker that works well in your room and then look for one in your price range. 

The easiest first step is: do you want bass and how much and are you interested in a sub or subs. It will eliminate a lot of speakers with smaller drivers/woofers.

My concern is versatility,can they do rock ,pop,and acoustic singer songwriter stuff.

@twangy57 

The man I bought my current speakers from was helping me load them when he asserted, a propos of nothing, "these are not heavy metal speakers".

I thought it was an odd thing to say (or believe, for that matter), but sure. He seemed to be a bona fide audiophile with a penchant for jazz being played at polite volumes, so I could see where he came from.

I was thinking about that the other night while blasting Sumac’s excellent album The Healer at a solid 105 dB, which my speakers performed admirably, apparently at ease and enjoying themselves. 

The point of this, which has been made before in this thread, is that great speakers will play everything well.

There are exceptions, usually "uncommon" or single-purpose designs. Planars, single-drivers, ultra-high-efficiency coaxials, all have their idiosyncrasies yet excel in certain areas they make them the perfect choice for some folks, although to be fair most of these folks would probably rather undergo an appendectomy without anesthesia than listen to a Sumac album.

If you’ve auditioned the Elac and Dynaudio in person - that is, you being physically present in the same room while the speakers are playing - and you loved them, go for it! 

I'am putting the call out for a face off on 2 speakers that I keep coming back to.

1'Elac FS 249 Black Edition

2.Dynaudio Focal 360

these both sound great to me.

I know they are older designs,but if they sound good that doesn't disqualify them to me.

Anybody have a opinion on either one?

My concern is versatility,can they do rock ,pop,and acoustic singer songwriter stuff.

They are available for around 2-3000 right now.

Thank you.

vinylrestingplace

Thanks for the words of wisdom.

I will try and use it going forward.

I have had my current speakers about 30 years and have tried them in every placement imaginable,and they have been in 5 different locations.

They sound good to me about 20 inches from the back wall and away from side walls.

I do put them on the narrow wall and that is where I like them best.

Thanks again.

everhard

Thanks for the advice,I'am definitely enjoying the hunt.

With all the choice's we have these days it is hard to sort out the instant gratification sound ,from what might serve you well over the long haul.

I like the Wharfedale Linton,and will check out the Eggleston Works.

I would love to get a 8000 speaker used for 3000,and that seems totally doable.

blackbag20

Thanks for the suggestion.I will look at Revel to see what their about.

blackbag20

Thanks for the info.

The Klipsch is a speaker I heard a few times back 20 years ago,and thought I would love to have someday.

I heard them with a tube Mcintosh system,and cranking rockn'roll.

I need to give them another listen to see if I'am just chasing a nostalgic memory.

You are not the first person to recommend the Studio Electric,and I will definitely give them a look.

Check out Tekton Design speakers.  They have several models in your price range and the owner, Eric Alexander, is glad to talk with you on the phone.  I have their Lores, Pendragons, and Moabs.  Love them all.

Pick speakers based on what works in your ROOM! You say you now have the speakers along your long wall but pull them out to play them. Well, most speakers don’t sound good against a wall but some are designed to work that way, e.g. Larsen, and the Klipsch Cornwall (which I‘ve not heard in a long time) but those are just a few. Can you rearrange your room to use the short wall?  Most importantly, learn your room: move your current speakers around, beg or borrow everything you can to find the type of speaker that plays your room.  Once you’ve found the speaker only then buy the amp that will drive your speaker.  Your room will determine the speaker and the speaker will determine the amp. 

refast

Yes,if I'am still looking and I see a show that isn't to far,I would like to see what they have .

As far as active systems.I'am might get some powered speakers for my TV,but I'am not into any high tech eq stuff.

Thanks

kerrybh

T+A Caruso S5

Never heard of them will take a look.Thanks

chenry

Thanks,I need to look at a few stand mounts.If I can get a full sound with a sub,then that will work too.

blackbag20

Revel,another new brand.thanks will give it a search and check it out.

Enjoy the hunt! The journey is half the fun. And I'd suggest not rushing or worrying about finding the perfect speakers right away.

Having said that I've had\have Wharfedale speakers, Axiom, Polk, enjoyed them all. A good friend has Bryston and they are great. 

I would strongly suggest looking at the used market - I bought a pair of Eggleston Works Andra 2 - new this level of speaker would be well out of my range but used I could afford them and they are by far many steps above all the speakers I listed. 

So while I whole heartedly support them as a brand and suggest you add them to the list (do some research on them, worth the time.) my main point is you can get a whole lot more speaker for your money with patience if you're willing to go used. 

E.

P.s. Eggleston Works works knows what a cymbal should sound like 😁 

I have the Forte IV in my main room.  Studio Electric M4 in my second system.   I love my Forte but these Studio Electric are special.   

Probably the best overall speaker for the money i have ever owned.   Well worth the money,  a phenomenal small speaker.   

Buchardt is a great suggestion ...

You have to give Revel a peak ... with your budget you could be awash in glorious sound!

Consider going to an audio expo to be able to look across industry.

If you want to hear what the studio / producer intended and less of the room, go with actively driven speakers and room correction.  

In the $3-5K range:

Amphion Argon 3s--a standmount

Alta Alyssa--a standmount

Studio Electric M4--a standmount

Buchardt A500 Signature--an active standmount with long throw Purifi drivers

All of them can use bass reinforcement with a sub. I would try any one of them with your existing amplifier which is good quality, the Buchardts would only need the preamp.

Another for your consideration.
T+A Caruso S5

I’ve heard these and I was very impressed. Makes a lot of base and a good, transparent sound. Price should be right.

devinplombier

Thanks for the additional info.on the Magnapan's

I’am also a little worried about needing 3 feet from the wall,but I would like to hear them.Wish I would have known about the recent audio show.

skyuka

Were the Tritons made by SVS?or Golden Ear?

Thanks.

unclewilb

Thank you for the detailed and very informative description.

I will give them a look and read up on them

I love idea of a large sound stage,and who doesn't love detail.

Thanks again.