What is the best USED Speaker Under $10,000

FYI - I ended up purchasing a pair of KEF Reference 1, complimented by a used Martin Logan Depth Sub. Powered by Hegel amp. Very satisfied.

Vivid speakers kayas

I personally have never cared for the Magico house sound.  I prefer a little more warmth and extension.  For my money, a used pair of Legacy Focus SE, followed by a Legacy Whisper.  But I would take the Focus SE if given the choice

Revel Salon 2
Acoustics Zen crescendo MKII
Technics SB R1
Magico S3
BW 803D3

Thank you for all the input. I like speakers with punch, detail and wide dispersion. I've listened to a few brands. Focal Aria 936 on Yamaha sounded fat and bloated to me. I'm leaning towards Paradigm Persona B with a sub, as my wife has nuked the idea of large speakers. Focal Sopra were nice, but couldn't justify the money to go from Persona to Sopra. My challenge with buying used (and all of your suggestions) is I'd really like to hear them before purchasing, and that's nearly impossible with so many brands. Second issue is matching of components. I really need the help of a good retailer to match the right amp and cable configurations (usually found as a result of trying different combinations). Hence, I think I may need to bite the bullet and buy new from the limited selection available from the retailers within reach.

Jump on MAGICO A3s ASAP!!!!

When was the last advancement in speaker design? I tried a boatload of used $10k speakers and they're all different, some are shams but the legit brands offer their version of the best that $10k is enough  to find for the average room. Most don't need a chronosonic when a sasha will fill a room. the b problem with buying used and the reason I went active dsp is component matching to get the desired sound out of chosen speakers.

As a 3+ year owner of Emerald Physics KCIIs (Open Baffle) where every change Ive made to the system or room was immediately revealed, their full line is amazing with some models, including the KCIIs, winning awards. NOW, they are moving the factory and are offering their line at crazy low prices. Contact them ASAP as supplies are limited

hth

I have had issues with purchases from overseas (to the US).  That's me.  I"m also not a big buyer of used speakers as they can have issues.  Most are fine, but you have zero recourse buying from folks you don't know etc...  That's just my take, because you threw it out there. 

Under 10k, my favorite are Vandersteen Treo CT's.  It's what I like. What do you like?  I need a speaker that conveys the nuance of the music and has micro and macro details.  Wilson and Magico to MY ears are dynamic, but not as coherent as I personally need.  I've never been one to go fo the companies who spend a ton on marketing per say.  We all like different stuff, but man those carbon fiber tweeters are so difficult to beat for detail without fatigue.  

BUMP: Hoping to hijack this thread for Mid-Year 2020.
What would be your <$10K used speaker pick?
Also, would you ever consider HiFiShark purchase from Europe? 

The direct sales approach may save you money or it may not.  It's still all about how good it sound sin your system/room.  Many of these companies still are pricing their products where they would sell if done through a dealer network.  They just make a larger profit margin compared to those sold in stores.  Not picking on EP at all, but making a blanket statement that it's not always the case.  Psychologically many feel they are getting the bargain of their lives, but it still comes down to sounds best.  

If you are a good shopper, you can easily find a great deal used.  There are many companies who don't have as large a dealer mark up as say a Wilson or Magico and are also a great deal new.  No absolutes in audio as we know.  

Interesting conversation though.

I was on the same hunt about a year and a half ago. Did a little traveling and listened to maybe a dozen pairs of speakers. I ended up with the Aerial 7t’s and couldn’t be happier.

I just went active with a pair of DSP8000’s so the big ushers are going on the market, sniff. Then I’m done being tempted by the next best thing.

Why buy used when you can get new but sold direct, saving sealer markup?

Contact Emerald Physics (sold direct) to see who has their 2.8s in your area

2.8s received an Absolute Sound award

MSRP $9998, but they run specials,

I have the KCIIs with upgrades similar to their Pro model. One of the veery best speakers I've owned, including Genesis Vs, Accoustat 2 + 2s, Nearfield Pipedreams, Magnepan 3.5Rs

KCIIs < $2500    

Without a doubt, JBL 4367.

Simply put they are state of the art, amazingly designed and engineered. 

The pair I am selling in USAudioMart.

8-)

I second the Charney Audio Companion with the Voxativ AF 2.6 drivers.  I wasn’t a believe in Brian’s speaker design philosophy until I went and heard them in person.  And then I went to the New York Audio Show to hear systems that are 10’s to 100’s of thousand of dollars to be fully convinced that for <$9K, this is probably the best I can do - and Brian is an awesome guy in general.  Pretty much a no BS-er who let your ears decide for yourself (rather than “pro audio” magazine reviews).

I actually was able to audition the smaller new Dynaudio with the Esotar 3 tweeter. I was really impressed by the sound.  Beautiful looking also.  Very impressive.  

For less than 9k you can have a new pair of Charney Audio Companion with Voxativ AF 2.6 drivers. Your choice of cosmetic design with the wood used and paint colors. Very engaging sound with deep bass that envelops the listener and draws you deep into the music. If you can get to NJ very worth the audition.
http://charneyaudio.com/

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9be89-lansche-audio-no-3-floorstanding-speaker-like-new-reduce-...

If you like Jazz vocal this speaker will be best with pristine treble out of plasma tweeter.

With high efficiency, it can be driven by 300B SET amplifiers.

I had been happy with larger model Lansche 4.1 since 2007.

@steve59 there is a new Confidence line so I expect the prices of the previous generation to crater.

Dynaudio uses 1st order crossovers so the sweet spot tends to be pretty small. They sort of off-set this with a relatively lower crossover point of around 1.8K, but that's still a bit too high to mate a 1" tweeter with a 7" woofer, around 1.4KHz is much better like what Klipsch does. When you are in the listening window they are very very good I agree, but in larger rooms they are going to sound dark due to dispersion issues.

Anybody see the dynaudio C4 for $8800? They are too tall to fit on 1 side of the room so I passed but I would expect them to be hard to beat. 

I just grabbed a pair of Usher BE-20 DMD speakers that list for $18,000 new I got for less than 1/2 price in vgc. BIG. Love the look, 3 days into listening so to soon to judge, I'm enjoying how dynamic they play.

@soix +1. If you can buy JA Pearls for under $10K, do it. Good luck. 

@steve59
Yes, at only $2k higher price, the Kanta No.3 are a no-brainer vs the Kanta No.2, IMO.  If you look at the dimensions and specs of Kanta No.3, they are near identical to those of Sopra No.3. 

I do think it may be the case that the W cones of the Sopra may be able to handle higher output well than the flax cones of Kanta.  I see a Sopra No.2 on audiomart for $8k, which may be a screaming deal.

I got to listen to a pair of kanta 3's at the store and first impressions are very good. Dynamic and detailed with bass that favors 70's rock. My couple of reservations are how far out in the room they were placed, 8' from the front and at least 10' from the sides with a 7' listening triangle. My other concern, and it was only a half hour demo after work, was the woofers output... It was exciting to listen to but I got the feeling the drivers were at on the edge without going over it. Definitely worth another listen and possibly my new favorite speaker new or used in this price range.

There are 2 ProAc D48 on audiogon for much less than $10k. Amazing speakers, to say the least, from experience!

I think Kef Uniq drivers are pretty even out to 30 deg off axis. Revel does work at making the off axis as linear as they can since the data shows first reflections play a significant role in what we hear and like. The speakers don't lack mid range energy from my listening chair. 

Don’t most speakers drop hi frequency when measured off axis? I thought that the Revels actually do this a little less than most due to their waveguide on the tweeter...

The Ultima 2 series trades off air for linearity in the mids. You can see on the off axis graphs the output above 8.5KHz drops off sharply past 15 degrees.

Another thread the OP did what I did and bought a pair of revel salon2's. Someone posted he resold the salons pretty quick after raving about them. Revel is confident their spinorama is a foolproof path to musical perfection, but every speaker is a compromise and so it will still come down to personal preference, associated equipment, and room. IDK maybe 37 years of construction finally caught up with me and the sound i'm listening for is lost, or maybe big speakers are harder to place in a room to get they're best? Dunno, but 2 other speakers i've seen touch the $10k mark here that I REALLY want to hear are the AZ Crescendos and VA 'The Music'. Focal also recently released the Kanta 3, but it may be awhile b4 they come down to $10k.

Another thread had a poster get a used pair of Vandersteen Quatro CT's for under 10k and he is in love.  Said set up was fairly easy and he loves his system again.  Happy for him.  So many top choices here since it's often the sweet spot of folks lines.

If I had ten grand to spend on used speakers it would be big active ATCs.

BUMP, Come on what would you guys spend $10k 2018 dollars or so for a pair of speakers? new or used... watts are cheap these days so just about anything can be powered affordably. 

For me I have the same feelings as Melbguy. Even the diamonds were too hot for me. I heard them with top of the line Classe and Hegel..The Hegel's were way too hot. Classe's were ok, but not smooth in the way live music is for me.

I heard the B&W 802D's in a treated room with Electrompaniet amps and preferred even my old classic Infinity Renaissance 90's. I've never liked B&W's diamond tweeter which I find fatiguing. I would think the TSW Apogee Duetta Signatures, Living Voice OBX-RW or the Marten Coltrane Alto's up for sale on the 'Gon would sound more musical.

B&W 802Ds

A pair of well-kept JBL K2 S9800SE's at or slightly above $10,000 would be if not a steal then a "competitively priced" and very capable alternative to most anything out there - depending of course on ones personal taste.

To my mind the S9800SE's are speakers that haven't received the praise and attention they deserve. Perhaps many an audiophile would hold in scorn whatever resembles the sight of a horn fitted to a compression driver and/or a 15" driver (not least acting as a midrange), and while this driver combination arguably sets itself apart sonically to the more common driver configuration used in "hifi" speakers in general, I'd wager this direction holds more pro's than con's - for several reasons.

I find below linked review (of the non-SE edition) illuminating on the overall sonic nature of the S9800's:

http://www.ultraaudio.com/equipment/jbl_k2_s9800.htm

I'm pretty surprised someone was able to get JA Pearls for under 10 grand and is still looking for speakers. I'd be so done.

Can it be a used REL B1 sub to go with a new pair of monitors? (-:

I have not heard a number of speakers listed here but I have heard a good number and did very extensive auditioning two months ago. I auditioned a new speaker that made me switch from "Dynguy" after following and owning the brand for many years.

After I heard them I was in love! Ordered on the spot over two months ago and my dealer says they may make it by Christmas or at least New Years!

The new KEF Reference 1 stole my heart this time. Really an incredible speaker and the best that I have heard within my budget.

I plan on leaving some nice whiskey for Santa early next week instead of cookies and see what happens? A pre-Christmas delivery would be awesome as I have been in queue for two months as they bring production up in England.

The first review it seems: I think he likes them? I have the REL and I'm ready to go!

http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/807-kef-reference-1-loudspeakers

Happy Holidays all!

Rick

Picked up the audio physics caldera ii for 3500. It's an older speaker but rarely see for resale. Well reviewed in 1998 when they came out. Same drivers as the Wilson Watt. Original list near 20k. Really like them now that I have an amp to drive them.

Guys, John from Audio Connection in Verona NJ will tell you how to set up the 5's in this thread if you ask. He's the best I've met and as I've said, that's why I drive nearly 3 hrs each way to do business with him. I never loved the Theil sound as I"m very very sensitive to fatigue and the highs have always been too much for me, but that may be the equipment they use...The Vandy's will give a more musical presentation. Richard listens a ton of live music. We spoke about that last month. Many don't understand his 'sound' as it's not really a sound. It's what he feels live sounds like. Bigger amp will give you more dynamics. No feedback amp (ayre) will give you a quiet noise floor...they are as neutral as I've heard and that includes Rockports and other exotics. I can listen to music all day long on them as they stage and image but only what's being passed to them from the source and amps. Harbeth and speakers like that are listenable, but aren't as detailed in the attacks as the Vandys are. That's where even more emotion is located. Some shops say listen how detailed these are or how clear and they probably haven't heard live in years. It's the mid bass through midrange that matters and when you are as quick as the Vandy's are in this range, THAT'S what makes them so special. As you already know Michael, even the Treo's are faster than most panels, but convey more emotion and sound like you are THERE....plus the 5's are easy to set up with that powered woofer due to the Q or something like that..I listen and am not an engineer, lol...Ask John though and you'll die with the difference...I was a Proac guy and nearly got new D40's, but side by side(John also sells and loves Proacs) it wasn't close and the Treo's new are a lot less. JMHO

Great amp Mtrot! I have both 2.4's and 5's right now. I have compared the two speakers side by side driven by the Krell FPB300, and of course the 5's are full range with 24 hz bass, so they outperform the 2.4's, but the smaller speakers hold up pretty well. The 2.4's image precisely, with a broad soundstage and detailed presentation. I use the 2.4's with the HT as mains, but only because the 5's are so strong, with a huge soundstage. I wish I had a room they could set up with 5' on rear and sides, but can't. The 5A's are more of a full range speaker with lower base than the 2.4's, so that's a fairly easy call, but these 5's are something. I couldn't make the call right now. For 3k, which is what I paid, the 5's or 5i's are a killer deal if you have the amplification, and you do! I have no reason to try some 7.2's, as Thiel dealers have admitted to me that if you can set them up right, with the right power, the 5's are the best Thiel made..I'm waiting for delivery of a CAT 660.2 I found on Audiogon at Saturday Audio ...Stay tuned!

@michaeljbrown,

I feel your pain about not being able to audition many speakers, as I am in East Texas! I've been researching a lot lately on speakers under $10,000 as well. I recently got a Krell FPB400cx, so I should be able to power most any speaker I get.

How do you compare the Vandersteen 5A sound to Thiel 2.4 sound? I never tried any Thiel in the past because they always said you need a powerful amp, which I did not have at the time. How are the Thiel 5s?

JPrice-

I would 2nd any chance to get the Joseph Audio Pearl2.
These speakers are on my short-list to demo. I did hear, on several occasions, the JA Pulsar & Perspective models. Very nice speaker, but each is missing (at least) the top octave and bottom (2) in their respective registers.

The Vocals are outstanding! Keep me posted on the models you do demo and happy listening!

This is a good thread, especially since it is what I've been considering lately. I would agree with the Vandersteen 5A's and the Treos, as I have actually heard them both. All you big city guys can audition speakers, I guess, although the changes in the business have forced out a lot of retail audio places who carried a good speaker line. I am in the wilds of west Texas, and I don't get to listen to a lot of different speaker brands. I have a pair of Thiel 2.4's, added a Krell fpb 300 and Krell Evolution 222 to feed them, and was impressed. So then I shipped in a pair of Thiel 5's, and now am adding a CAT 600.2, can't wait to hear those together. If not totally happy, I will go with some Thiel 3.7's or 2.7's, and get my house back.

Another speaker that represents excellent 2nd hand value is the Living Voice OBX-RW which can be had under $10k used.

I don't know if it is the best, but I bought a used pair of ProAc Response D-40r for less than $10K and I am very impressed with them. You can see my system in the link below.

Best of luck in your search.

gator, didn't really hurt my feelings at all. Was enjoying this thread as are others and didn't want it threadjacked. You can be anyway you want. Your references would have been funnier if you had anything to share, but your post has nothing to do with this thread and a few of us construed it as you putting us down by making fun of it and pointing out when it was started. I would assume that anyone who's reading this thread knows the dates of it.

It' the internet and folks often don't come off as they think they are. Your thread just came off as someone who thought it was a stupid thread because it was started a few years ago. I was emailed by two about your post, so when I read it and it had nothing to do with the thread other than making fun of it, I read it the some way as the others. Why do you feel the need to mess with anyone, especially when you don't know us? I would say most of us are pretty 'lightened up' and I sure don't need anyone to tell me to lighten up. I'd have to care about you or have you make a personal attack before my feelings would be hurt, however I've been posting on boards since the net opened and have learned not to take anything, including my self that seriously (well, most of the time).

So do you have anything to add to the thread? What speakers have you heard that you would buy under 10k?

Lighten up, Ctsooner, I was just messing with you guys. Didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings, or make anyone feel smaller. I'll try to be more serious going forward - no more Travolta or Stigmata references, promise.