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The very best new/used under $3k for classical?

Rather than a list of "interesting" speakers, I am looking for opinionated individuals here who regard one or two models as very best for the following purpose:

1. Mostly listen to classical, but all kinds. Extended listening at both high as well as low volumes.
2. Non-fatiguing nature, musicality, quality of sound most important.
3. Full-range floorstanders, small footprint.
4. Medium size room, placement may have to be within 2-3 feet of walls.
5. Should work with a 60 w ss amp (can't upgrade everything at once).

6. Should be sturdy against normal use. No sound is good enough if you are afraid to turn up the volume or the speaker needs repair all the time.

7. Adequate WAF.

8. Must be noticably better than the speakers I have (Spendor BC1) or already know about (SP1/2, Proac D15/25. Dynaudio Contours).

9. New or used, under $3k (tops, 2-2.5 preferred). As the best values may lie in discontinued models and used units, I may have to be prepared to buy without audition.

I am open to small audiophile companies as well as established big names.
aktchi
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Those are pretty good designs you mention in point 8.

My own musical preferences may not be too far off yours, and my amps are similarly powered, my room has similar limits.

I prefer ProAcs to Dynaudios, but I liked Meadowlark Shearwater Hot Rods and Audio Physik Tempo or Spark better than either. ( Haven't heard the Spendor and I know my education is lacking here. ) I bought Shearwaters.

Another make I like a lot is Verity Audio. You might find the little Tamino used in your price range. For orchestral scale its bigger brothers can do better of course, but it is even more refined than my Meadowlarks.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
castle harlech....full range....balanced....beatiful cabinets.....capatable with a very wide variety of ss and tube gear
erniec
23 posts
 
The Vienna Acoustics Beethoven seem to fit your requirements, and of the speakers you mentioned so far they may end up being the most wife friendly.
audioinmyear
10 posts
 
I agree with Herman; if you are thinking about Vandersteens, definitely audition before buying. In addition to the qualities that Herman outlined in his post, I find the 3a sigs, even augmented by two Vandy subs, become confused on big orchestral pieces in passages where the fur is really flying.

In addition to speakers allready suggested, I'd have a listen to Vienna Acoustics and Sonus Faber.
aktchi OP
274 posts
 
Thanks fo all the replies so far. Many of these names are familiar to me, but Castle and Verity were not on my radar screen. I am surprised nobody has nominated Silverline, Tyler, GMA, Zu, etc., the names that get enthusastic support in this forum.

I have the gut feeling that there are many other "unknown" (at least to me) geniuses building truly great speakers and I hope to unearth at least a few other names.

By Googling around I came across Orion and Salk. The Orion (~7k) is beyond my present budget but some revieweres have called it absolutely the best speaker in the world! However, I can consider Salk's speakers.
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