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Best speakers for 2000-USED

I'd like some suggestions on speakers. Are there any high quality speakers out there that really excell at producing a very big and very 3 dimensional atmosphere for around $2000 -USED. Good tight bass (hearing detail in an acoustic bass in jazz), timbre and smooth detail are also very important. I listen at moderate levels although I sometimes like to really fill up the room with music as long as it remains smooth and clear and not start to get edgy or harsh. My tastes in music range from rock to jazz to pop to symphonies to blues, with more of a emphasis on guitar pieces; artists like R.E.M., James Taylor, The Beatles, Acoustic Alchemy, B.B. King, Pat Matheny, Mannheim Steamroller, Lynard Skynard, Dave Crusin, Dianna Krall,Micheal Hedges, Mark Knopfler- Dire Straits, Heart, ZZ Top. I'm trying to get that sence of presence and 3 dimensionality I get with good headphones.
Amplification:
Citation 7.1 amp (4 x 150)-will bi-amp or bridge to
2 x 450-Which is best?
Adcom GTP-750 Pre-amp-another Citation 7.1 in the sys.
for movies
CD player:
Luxman DZ-111 (old 16-bit dual DAC unit
Cambrige Audio D500-SE
P.S. I don't drive and there's no audio places within 20-plus miles so I don't get much of a chance to audition. Also; I haven't been in the market for audio equipment for the last 12 years so I'm not up on what's out there that's new and exciting and what's mid to high quality nowadays
say811
travis's avatar
travis
239 posts
 
Go figure? Everytime I go to a dealer showroom (which seems to be rarer and rarer), I'm always appalled at the way the systems are set up, even the real expensive ones. Sorry, but, of all places, the dealer is NOT the place to get a real handle on speakers. Got to get 'em home and check 'em out there. Having said that, I did check the Maggie 3.6s out at a dealer and heard just enough that I knew I had to have a pair. Go figure.
danheather
108 posts
 
Fiddler, the topic is best speakers for 2000-USED! When I refer to buying locally, I'm talking about from a private party, not a dealer - necessarily. You said it yourself, the Newforms are rarely seen in the used market. If you think that's because they're such a tremendous speaker that nobody ever sells them, don't kid yourself. Honda's have a great resale value because they're well known and are famous for having great reliability. Does that mean that you never see a used Honda?? I don't care how great a product is, if it's not marketed well, nobody will know about it. If nobody knows about it, they're unlikely to pony up their money to buy it. My only point here is that if SAY811 is uncertain about what to buy, he's better off getting something that's a "safe" bet. By that I mean that it's got a good chance of meeting his expectations, but if it doesn't, he can turn around and sell it w/o getting burned. Hence, a speaker like the Thiel 3.6 or Vandersteen 3A, or Magnepan 1.6QR, etc., is a safe bet. I'm sure the Newform is quite good, but let's face it, since they aren't available for audition at the local audio salon, most of us can't give a recommendation one way or the other. Which is also why a potential buyer might shy away from such a speaker, especially in the USED market!! Know what I mean??
fiddler
581 posts
 
Aloha Dan,

You make some very good points.

However, the author established a reference point of $2000. My point was exactly contrary to yours. Why buy used when for $2000 when you can buy an incredible bargain (IMHO) for $2300.

Also contrary to your point, if you buy in the secondary market and you are unhappy when you get them home, 99% of the time you can't return them.

Hey, I live in Hawaii. I was certainly taking a chance on the Newforms due to the shipping from the manufacturer, but what more can a company do than offer a 30 day in home trial. If you don't like them send them back. I had rather get stuck with a couple hundred dollars in shipping than $1000-$2000 in a speaker that I can't return.

Yes, some Newforms have been sold in the used market, but I think you would be surprised at what the % might be to many other similar speakers.

You also refer to marketing, I think you would also be surprised to know how many speakers Newform is selling per year. I have heard anecdotal numbers and it is rather impressive. Advertising in slick magazines doesn't impress me, word-of-mouth does. That's why I and so many others have purchased Newforms.

Hey Dan, they aren't for everyone, but I was just trying to offer Say811 my opinion, that for the "used" dollars that he was considering, with a slight stretch, he could purchase new with little or no risk.
travis's avatar
travis
239 posts
 
http://audiogo5.iserver.net/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1004188645&openflup&32&4#32
say811 OP
27 posts
 
So many speakers, so little money. Well I've got to start somewhere so maybe I'll try either Vandersteen 3A sigs, Von Schweikert VR-4 Gen 11's or Theil 3.6's. OK, so of these three, is there one which is hands down clearly a superior speaker? (Though I must admit to being intrigued by the possibilities of those Newforms that Fiddler mentions)
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