"What's The Best Value Speaker In $5k-$10k Range?"
I'd appreciate some advice from those experienced with great speakers. I'm hoping that this thread will be valuable to lots of others, as well.
On to my question: What are the best value speakers you can buy on the used market in the $5k-$10k price range? I think it's time to get into something world-class for music, and I've found that in each area of life or hobby, there are gems available that might not carry the most popular brand name - or be the latest fashion - but that do deliver the best performance for the money.
I'd appreciate recommendations from any resident speaker gurus. Thank you!
The Legacy Focuses can be had for about $2200 to $2500 a pair. They are 97 db efficient but need good current (no SETs) as they dip below 3 ohms in the bass. They also need a big room (at least 15' X 20'). They currently sell for $13,000 "updated" with better parts but missing a woofer in the rear and just not as good sounding. They are a bargain speaker with excellent frequency response, usable to about 31 Hz -2 db in my room (supposed to go to 13Hz).
I have seen used Soundlab electrostatic speakers in this price range and would provide the most accurate sound reproduction if that is the first criteria
I second the JBL 1400 Array option. Odd looking, but those folks know sound. I love Revel, but might also suggest Salk (new Soundscape 8s, perhaps), Focal, and Dynaudio. Some of the English (ProAc, Harbeth) and German and Austrian brands might be worth exploring.
You have great amps, so keep them, regardless, they can feed most anything.
Not sure about the best value as I have not had the opportunity to hear many other speakers in that price range. I am using the Aerial 7-T's and would throw their name into the list of candidates assembled above.
There are several good speakers listed above, and the list is devoid of real losers. Funny, the lists for really expensive speakers have many more losers than I see in this list. Are the carriage trade items more prone to being overpriced ripoffs or are those well-heeled folks more easily sucked in by fancy looking but deeply flawed speakers?
I'll vote for a standout speaker, one that is not just "good for the price", which is faint praise in my book, but rather one that is just outstanding in many ways and extremely versatile: The JBL 1400 Array. Smooth, detailed, DYNAMIC, subtle, can play softly and sound great, and can scream and sound great. Lastly, deep deep bass that has great tonal qualities at all bass frequencies to go along with the depth.
It's just a little out of the $10k range but it's close....
I second the revel. Get the original studio or salon or studio. Build quality unsurpassed. Love the look too. Screaming bargain. If you want to spend about double, get the Avalon eidolon vision - can be had for less than $10k used. I had both, Avalon is overall the better speaker, but you can't go wrong with either one. Come to think of it revel salon may work better in your relatively large room.
Another idea for a "world-class" used speaker in this price range is the Avalon Ascent Mk II. I confess I haven't heard a pair for a very long time but I'd put them in my top 4 along with Vandersteen 7, TAD Ref 1, and Vivid Giya. A man who owns the Ascents told me he thinks they're every bit as good overall, even better, than the TADs. That's high praise!
In this price range (new), I'd look at Vandersteen Treo or Quattro. Both are made in USA and sound fantastic. I'd also consider the Revel F208 or F308.
@audiowoman: I heard the Idea at RMAF 2011. They sounded really nice! I own an AX-7e and suspect it would be an excelllent match for the Idea.
The Revel Studio speakers are very good, especially for the money. (I owned them for about five years, and sold them for about $4,500 a few years ago.). They do everything very well, although to be honest they are not truly great in any one area. The salons are very similar but with even deeper base response, (and in this category they do achieve great bass response). The Studios, and especially the Salons, need a fair amount of power. (I used a 100 wpc amp and that was not enough power so I upgraded to 200 wpc amplifiers. That was with the Studios and I've heard the Salons need double that.)
I upgraded to the Eggleston Andra II speakers a few years ago. They truly are an upgrade in all aspects. The treble response is much more refined. The bass response is deeper than the Studio, (and as good as the Salon). They are more transparent than the Studios and they completely disappear from the soundstage. The imaging is about as good as I have ever heard. 100 wpc amps will work but 200 wpc works better. Used they run around $8-9K.
I am rephrasing your question to: Given my room size & gear-esp amp, what is the smartest move up in speakers to give me world class performance, reveal the benefits of any other upgrades I make and provides "tremendous value?" Revel Salon 1.for ~$5000. Well below your budget ceiling. You now have money for some power conditioning and perhaps some better i/c's and speaker cables. These will also give you the best bang for the buck if you buy wisely. I am sure many will share some thought on those, myself included. Cheers!
...and I've found that in each area of life or hobby, there are gems available that might not carry the most popular brand name - or be the latest fashion - but that do deliver the best performance for the money.
If, if, if, you can find them used, AudioKinesis (a bit less than your budget used), Daedalus, and Eficion might well end your search.
Metalphoenix,the people love or dont like ML's at all, so depends on yor personal taste. I like some aspects of their sound, but never bought the pair because it seems they are quite a bit fussy to set up, need lots of space, big amp, panels last a limited time, and they sound diffrently depending of weather. All of this are experiences from a friend of mine, who has them, and loves them, despite all. We live near the sea, and there are climate changes, must add.
Audiowoman, another friend of mine has Avalon Ascedents,with new Ayre Ax-5 integrated, together with Ayre dac.Cables are Audioqust, top of the line. I am not sure if Ayre and Avalona are good combination, maybe he needs to put all Cardas cables in system. If I were looking speakers to hook with your amp, I would certainly try Sonus Faber models
Anyone have any thoughts on Avalon Idea Speakers? They run around $8,000 new. My dealer is suggesting these might be our "retirement" speakers. They would be paired with Ayre 7xe integrated amp. Has anyone heard these?
I was on a Taves show and heard Montis setup by ML people. I do not remember the amplifier in the setup but the sound was so dry that I left the room running. Before I run out I asked for the Montis price and they told me $11k. That is a shame since few years earlier I've heard ML Source at a dealer's setup with Parasound A23 which sounded much, much better than this Montis?!
Another comment: I went and heard the high-end MartinLogans yesterday ("Montis") - along with some of the lower-end models. I have to say, I was highly impressed with the higher-end ones. I tend to value dimensionality highest in audio - for example, my favorite headphones are the HD800s. The sound coming out of the MartinLogans was huge, and really took me there. I notice a conspicuous absence of the mention of these speakers in this conversation. Any comments or thoughts?
Revel. they compete with anything at any cost. older salons still sound amazing, f52 amazing, and the new f208 is just amazing for its 5,000 dollar price. you get real science for a real world price.
I spent a long time auditioning speakers in this price range. The 2 I thought best, or my favourites, were Devore gibbon 9's and Daedalus DA-RMa and I bought the latter. Good as the Devore were, the Daedalus were signifucantly better. I think they are both under your price limit.
Hey guys, this has been great - thanks for the recommendations. Gives me fun research and reading time. This is not exactly within the spirit of the question I asked, but does anyone have an opinion about the MBL 126s? I've found MBL in my research, and they just look awesome and sound pretty high-tech. I'm going to have a lot of fun auditioning speakers in my future.
Shelby + Kroll Monitors and Sub will fit your budget and needs perfectly. I have had them for two years and Stereomojo just released the first Pro review of them, and the reviewer got it right!
I've been searching some time for a full range replacement for my Dyn's, looking in the 8-10k range. I had been thinking that used would make more sense, why not let somebody else take the hit on resale. I still might buy used, but right now I'm leaning toward the Vapor Joule after hearing and seeing them at RMAF. They were incredible, exactly the sound I want. And from my months of research seem to offer more parts quality, and build quality than anything I could get used for that price.
I'd say take a look at them and contact the manufacturer. They've been very patient answering my many questions. Might not be what you're looking for, but worth looking into. -Alecs
Montana EPS2's are also excellent and, if used, can be had for under 5K --- and compete upper middle of the pack against 10-12K speakers. Used they are an awesome deal.
Used Vandersteen speakers at all price points are extraordinary values too.
Proac D-28. Very rich warm sounding speaker with excellent full midrange bloom and echo decay. Outstanding dynamics. Smooth as silk. Will play down to 20 hertz in the right room. Crossover design is excellent. I consider Stuart Tyler the best speaker designer in England. Proac's best selling speaker. A remarkable value for $6K.
My favorites are the following: 1. GR Research Super V. These are DIY kits but you can find a builder or Pre-made set on Audiocircle. These will cost you 5-7k. 2. Zu Definition mk IV's (used) or Zu Druid mk V. The new Zu tweeter takes these two speakers up to world class level.
Von Schweikert vr-35's are stunning good. These are my personal speakers and they without exaggeration are as good as speakers costing 2x and 3x their retail price.
Speaker selection is very personal. It depends on the kind of music that you like and your sonic taste. Speakers which are great for classical may not be good for rock. People who like more laid-back sound will prefer a different speaker than someone who like upfront ultra transparent one. If you can provide more details, you might get better suggestions. But whatever suggestions you get are just a starting point, nothing can replace an audition in person. Just a thought.
BTW $4000 is the price for new OHM 3000s. Same drivers in refurbed older cabinets is often offered as an option for even less if interested in saving some money to apply elsewhere as needed.
One of the thing with OHMs is they are seldom ever cited as the bottleneck to better sound in a system. They generally respond to most any improvement made upstream. Whether one takes to the unique design and sonic presentation they offer is the main thing. Also omnis may not be the best solution for use in some rooms where room acoustics are excessively lively to start with.
OHM Walsh 3000 should be up to the task for a room that size at $4000. There are larger models but only of value if room size warrants. Very unique compared to other designs and worth a look if you are not familiar and have any interest in omnidirectional sound and/or Walsh drivers. That would be my choice.
I would have to say Vapor Audio's Joule, the components alone are worth 2 or 3 times as much as the components in some other speakers in this price range, RAAL, and two custom audiotech woofers. I have heard it at a few audio shows and it has blown me away every time. I think I have seen the same audiotech midrange in some 50k plus models from other larger companies. I have heard the B&W diamonds a few times as well, as far as build quality and fit and finish they are pretty hard to beat and they have a pretty phenomenal sound, but for pure sonic bliss, I've gotta give the edge to the Joules.
It looks like the amp you have in there is more built for home theater than music, but it should be plenty of power 5x160W.
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