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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
bigkidz
3,330 posts
 
There are so many good speakers that you can find used that you can lose ones mind.  I have a buddy that I all vintage Joe.  He goes to estate sales and gets fantastic bargains on so many of the speakers from the 70's on up.  For example Kef 104/2s, 105s, B&Ws, Sony, IMF, Dalhquist, AR, ADS, etc.  The large IMFs sounded fantastic so did the Kef models especially for the money.  They all sounded really good especially since he paid a few hundred or less for the pairs.  Some he refinished, some he learned to re-foam, etc.  Lots of info on repairs, etc. for all of this for a little research.  They all have a very good sound and most have a warmish sound and maybe a little box sound but very musical.  There are times that I come home and say sell all my stuff and just get one of them and enjoy the music.  They are so cheap that you can buy multiple pairs and try them out for almost nothing.

Happy searching.
ahofer
225 posts
 
The advice about not locking yourself into a difficult speaker to drive is really important.  Thiels are great if you can get them second hand, but you need a LOT of reserve power to make them sound good.

My other advice is to spend time with the speakers you audition. Try to imagine listening to them every night.  Many times the sound attributes that catch your attention initially are things that will annoy you in a long evening of listening.  A lot of speakers are voiced to stand out in a showroom comparison, which isn't how you'll listen over the long haul.  

YMMV, but I've gravitated towards Thiel and Harbeth because of their natural, open, non-fatiguing qualities. A lot of people say the same of Vandersteen.
lakemohawkcc
4 posts
 
Like you said - everyone has an opinion and not all the same.  I think the best thing to do is listen to them before you buy - and if you can listen on the actual components you will be using - all the better.  I love my Vandy 2ce Sig II's (bought them new) - I run them on Quicksilver M120 Tube amps and Audioresearch pre amp -- but have heard B&W's on Macintosh 60's that sound amazing.  there is alot of great stuff out there.  You should listen first
rforddaddyo
2 posts
 
Tannoy Prestige GR any model will sound better than 99% of anything out there 
Sorry if you own something else
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,751 posts
 
I just want a pair of good speakers so I can enjoy King Crimson, Ramones or Beethoven.

Then give these a look ...

Zu Audio Dirty Weekend @$1000

https://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers/omen-dirty-weekend-2

Have been enjoying this hobby for almost 50 years.  Few speakers have ever excited me like these.

Rich
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