Speakers to consider around 5k used?

From your original post, my impression is that you are sensitive to edgy highs. I am too, and for the past year or so I've been happily using PBN Montana EPS2s, which often show up here in your price range. Presently, there is a pair of lovely Montana EPXs here for 4800, which probably go deeper than the EPS2s, which might be useful for some of your listening tastes. Both are big speakers, but play well close to walls so the functional space requirements are less than many smaller speakers.

Of those on your list, you could find the SF Cremona (or Cremona M), for around your PP used, and the Gallo Ref 3.5 for considerably less new. I think you'd find the highs on both tolerable. I prefer the Montanas to the Cremona, which is pretty pricey for a small tower. The 3.5s do a lot of things incredibly well; I had a pair in my house this summer, but ended up staying with my Montanas.

Good luck!

John

The lease expensive and most trouble free way for you to do this is to go out and listen to some speakers and then make a decision based on what you thought was best. If you choose a different path, the chance of making a mistake is very high. I would say at least 75% to 80%.

Obviously, listening around is important -- and fun. But I think the confidence this should give one in a purchase is overrated -- unless one can audition in home with the kit you plan to use.

For my last three serious speakers purchases, I bought two pairs unheard, and one after a couple of careful listenings. The two unheard speakers lasted 5 yrs and approaching 2 years (and counting) in my system, the auditioned ones two weeks.

My preference is to listen, of course, but I'd personally not be too anxious about buying a well researched unheard of pair of used speakers at a good price. Also, many internet dealers and manufacturers offer generous home trails, so next to no risk if you go that way.

John

You got lucky. That almost never happens.

This seems an interesting, and debatable, claim -- perhaps we shd start a thread on it. Morgan seems to have had an experience like mine, and he's right that auditioning can be a PITA.

Four things the OP might try:

1. Local stores

2. Local owners, identified through the boards, who have things you might like, and will let you listen.

3. Travel to dealers, manufacturers, owners.

4. Travel to shows (assuming no local shows).

I've done some of all 4, since my work is flexible and involves some travel. In most places, 1 and 2 won't yield much, and it will be a happy coincidence if what's around is what interests you. 3 can result in informative auditions, but it is a lot of work, and may not, depending on your circumstances, yield many chances to listen. 4 is a lot of fun, and you get to hear tons of stuff back to back, but show conditions are often atrocious, and the people exhibiting are often harried and exhausted.

Which brings us to:

5. Arrange in-home demos with non-local dealers/manufacturers.

6. Take informed chances on careful used purchases.

I've never done 5, but I've heard of people having very good experiences; I'd not hesitate to try it with Zu, fr example, which is a great company. I've done a fair bit of 6, and while my good experience may mean I've "gotten lucky," it's not blind luck, since one can develop a set of parameters for their used search. For example, I, like the OP, and sensitive to edgy highs, and would therefore be reluctant to try a speaker with a metal tweeter unheard, and much more likely to try a silk dome. I might miss some things I'd like this way, I'm not shooting in the dark.

Anyway, I hope Aquablu has some fun, and doesn't stress to much about the possibility of mistakes.

John