Used speakers

Tish, I know I am going to get absolutely roasted for these comments but here I go... Your nephew has been given a very special gift in your Hafler products. But, he is also 16. As you implied, to him sound quality(most probably) is almost certainly a function of volume and bass output. So, I would recommend a pair of 3 way speakers with 15" woofers. Brands would include Cerwin Vega, Fisher, Infinity, JBL, Kenwood, Klipsch, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony, etc.(mass fi boom and sizzle speakers). I even have a pair of these, a remnant of my quest for an earbleed days. Interestingly, to 99% of people out there, these are as good as speakers get. Sensitivity should be from 92 to 100+ dB, and they are easy to drive(made for integrateds, receivers, and rack systems[YECHH!]). Yes, the price you gave would be right in the ballpark($100 - $350). And down the road, should his tastes evolve into something more "mature", his Hafler equipment will still serve him in an excellent manner. Good Luck!

Thanks, Trelja. I would have given him my old Klipsch 4.5's, which have an excellent sensitivity, but a friend of mine who was,shall we say, feeling no pain cranked my new amp to maximum and blew them. Not an easy thing to do with those!

Actually, Trelja, your comment is so right on it is hard to believe anyone could seriously disagree with it. My SO's 17-year old daughter listened to my system (Hales Rev. Threes/McCormack DNA-1) for 10 minutes before proclaiming, "My friends' systems sound better. Your's doesn't have any bass. Even their car systems are better." She even had the audacity to smirk when she said it, too, the insolent little twerp! Just wait until I'm her Dad... Anyway, I would suggest that less sensitive speakers shouldn't be disregarded if they fit the budget and other parameters. All in all, very good advice.

p.s. I've gotten some used PSB gold i's as you previously recommended. I'm eagerly awaiting their arrival.