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Used vs New vs Vintage vs Floorstanding vs Bookshelf vs ..... OMG!

OK. I am new in this (new in HIFI, in Audiogon, in discussion forums). I need to buy a pair of speakers for a newly-to-be-built HIFI system, and I am getting a little overwhelmed about all the options and possibilities (and opinions). By the way, I am NOT rich so that helps me a lot to discard a bunch of options.

I started checking vintage HIFI speakers for around $500, basically old JBLs, Technics, and the like (eBay, Craiglist, Letgo). Of course as soon as I began I started checking newer and pricier loudspeakers... and I am trying not to be a consumerist… Either way first  I decided for a pair of JBLs vintage. Until I watched John Darko's youtube review on the ELAC Navis ARB-51. So I changed my mind, I raised my budget and changed from vintage to new, from big to small.

Then I learned about the huge immense used HIFI market. For the same price of the Navis I could buy speakers from enormous brands like Sonus Faber and Focal and B&W in the used market. There I could find Sonus Faber Veneres for 1500, B&W 802 for 2000, and so on. When I contacted somebody from another webpage (The music room) about which was the best option.... the response was... Vandersteen 2Ce signature, "by far". I looked for opinions about it and all I read about them was "OK but meeh". 

So I was really confused. Until I learnt about the Tekton Double Impact, and now I started to get some dizziness. "The best loudspeakers for that price range", "the best period", etc. I contacted Eric Alexander, who kindly took his time to explain me why paper speakers are still the best, and so on. So they are great, really great, for "just" $3000... and I raised my budget again.

Either way, I have read so much, heard so much, watched so much, and I haven't learned much really. Different experts have different opinions, whether the speakers should be flat or not, colored or true, whether it is a matter of "taste" or "you should listen and like them". Well I am no expert, I am 45 years old and I probably won't listen wavelengths of 50 Htzs or lower.

I just want a pair of good speakers so I can enjoy King Crimson, Ramones or Beethoven.

Can anybody help? PLEASE???....

tykozen

Showing 3 responses by tykozen

tykozen OP
3 posts
 
Thank you very much you all for your responses. I really appreciate it.

The room is an average Livingroom, around 18 x 8?... 

Budget: 1500 to 2000. although I already stated that I am interested in the Tektons. I also like Focal a lot, at least on paper, and there are the Arias 926...

Active or Passive speakers. I don't have a preference per se. Just heard that these speakers sounded much better than the passive version from the same brand.

I understand that one has to like the sound and so on. But there is "the detail" and there is "the big difference", and I understand the likeness is about the detail. First I would like some input from experts or experienced people to discard, or differentiate the Good from the Bad, or the Better from the Not so good. For instance, do you think it is better to invest on an older used and perhaps outdated pair of big floorstanding with 8" woofers, or would you rather go with a new pair of technologically advanced 15 in small speakers with 5" drivers? When I asked between the Vandersteen and a good pair of B&W 802 S3, I was responded that the later were outdated, whatever that means.  

Thanks again.
tykozen OP
3 posts
 
Hi everyone;
Thank you very much for all your responses. Most of them have been really helpful, although they confirm what I suspected, there is a lot (to say the least) of subjectivity in all this. Which kind of makes sense since we are talking about music. 
I liked very much the suggestion about the synergy between components. That makes sense. Nevertheless, my intention is to make investments spread in time, so I decided to start strong with the speakers. I bought an old Kenwood 6100 (yes I know...). I will update as soon as I get the divorce from my wife due to my several hobbies and "investments"...
So then I will read (bought the book) and listen as much as I can, that is for sure. I appreciate the invitation to AZ, I am in NC. I will look for those clubs and speaker showrooms around.
Oh and I doubt Ramones and Beethoven will be playing in the Madison Square garden but either way thanks for the tip LOL. I saw King Crimson last year and it was probably the best gig I have been in in my life.
Oh I have another question: is there really any difference between a Sony CD/Blu ray reader and an incredibly-expensive used CD reader from Audiophile brands? 
tykozen OP
3 posts
 
So some advice new. I tend to like the idea, I would never be suspicious whether they sound as good as they should. ELAC Navis? Nobody seems to recommend these or any expensive bookshelf speakers, like Harbeth for example. I guess the public for these kind of forums are mostly for big speakers. 
Used speakers: I prefer this idea because I can buy better for less money. Of course the con of this is that I can get crap. Unless I buy from a serious place. What placed do you recommend? The Music Room? Here? Reverb? 
Also there are some B&W 802 S3, they seem fine, "new" woofers installed in B&W, $2000, what do you think? For the same price I get the Navis, new. Your thoughts? Does your preference for Floorstanding only responds to size of room and low frequencies? What do you have to say about the idea that bigger woofers give better sound than modern smaller ones?
I checked some of the suggestions given above, like Zu and Ohm. Don't understand how a speaker with a single driver and tweeter can be more expensive and sound so much better than, let say, the Veneres, for a fraction of the price, more drivers, and supposedly, still good quality components. Are they really so good? 
I appreciate all the opinions said here. Most of you really showed the intention of helping people. It is a good place. 

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