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Best Speaker under $3K - New or Used

In my other thread, I asked about the B&W 804 but I decided to pass on it since it's a 13-year speaker with a high asking price.

Anyhow, it seems I'm going backwards in building my system since I've settled on a Parasound JC2 as the pre-amp. Now I'm back to the drawing board for the choice of speakers. Any reommendation of a great, balance speaker with excellent mid range, sweet and open treble, tight bass under $3K - New or Used, bookshelf or floor stand?

I listen to a wide range of musics, including symphony, chamber, jazz, vocal, light music, pop songs.

FYI, I auditioned the Vandersteen 2CE Sig. II, 3A, Proac Response D2, Studio 140II, 100, Totem Hawk and Totem Mani 2 Sig.

While I read rave reviews about the 2CE Sig. II, I didn't find the clarity and imaging I heard from typical British speakers (ProcAc D2, Harbeth). It might be due to the set up and gears used at the dealer showroom.

Totem Mani 2 Sig. has great bass and imaging to me. Anyone had experience with it? How does it compare to Harbeth, ProAc bookshelfs? Is it neutral, natrual, accurate?

Thanks for your input.
r0817
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jazzerdave
163 posts
 
This will be on the low end of the budget, but I'll thow in a vote for a used set of Martin Logan Aerius i. If you're concerned about imaging and clarity, you won't find much better, and you should be able to find them for under $1000. It would free up some change to improve your other components. I would give them a chance.
jazzman463's avatar
jazzman463
48 posts
 
I just got a pair of mint DCM time windows for $250.00.for a backup system. My mains are Magenpans. Nothing at even over $3000.00 will beat the time windows .It took me several months to find a mint pair ,but it is doable.I am using a vintage Marantz 1070 to drive, and the sound is unbelievable for the $$$ . My back-up system is now my main system.
PS Spica TC 50 's are worth a look.
schw06
88 posts
 
I would take a long look at the Zu Soul Superfly's. They absolutely disappear when properly placed with killer tone, fantastic dynamics, no phase or timing issues because there's no crossover and can be driven by just about every amp that was ever made so the world is your oyster.
levy03
442 posts
 
Aerial 10t or 7b might be worth a look. very good at almost everything and at bargain basement prices. 3k will get you 10t's and if they are to big...2k will easily get you a nice set of 7b's.
rufipennis
118 posts
 
"about the 2CE Sig. II, I didn't find the clarity and imaging I heard from typical British speakers"

My Sig IIs were somewhat veiled in the midrange at first (much like what Art Dudley wrote about in Stereophile). Break-in, set-up, and (especially) cables really opened up the midrange. The newest iteration is said to have a new midrange driver, the woven cone from the 5A. I haven't heard it but presume it has greater transparency.

Regarding imaging, I'm surprised by your comment because I find the Vandy's to throw as big of a soundstage as any speaker I've heard (that list includes stuff like TAD Ref Ones and Avalon Ascent) with stable, palpable images. Years ago, I owned Chartwell monitors and still have B&W DM12s in a secondary system. To my ears, the Sig IIs are better than those British montiors in every parameter I can think of. Never heard a ProAc or Harbeth, tho'.

Also, Ayre is a great match with Vandersteen.
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