Best main speakers, new or used, under $2000

gkinberg · « **on:** 15 Nov 2009, 06:50 am »

I am in the market for a new to me pair of main speakers. New or used and my budget is 2K. I am looking for excellent mid and high sound. Of course bass extension is great and the deeper the better but these speakers will due dual duty of music and HT so they will be paired with a sub crossed around 60 ? 80 Hz. Also, a matching available center channel is important. In particular, I am looking for accurate and realistic voice reproduction, great imaging and great sound-staging.

My room is good size but my small five boston acoustics fill the room fine so I don?t need dB monsters. I?m looking for suggestions regarding the best new or used speakers to fit this bill under 2K.

Thanks

Woodsea · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Nov 2009, 07:23 am »

check out the RM30 that are for sale, just a quick drive down by the Bay and they can be yours.

TomS · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Nov 2009, 11:34 am »

Salk SongTower QWT would have to be something to look at for $1795 in standard veneers. Matching center, sub, surrounds are available too.

mshan · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Nov 2009, 09:53 pm »

Magnepan home theater, but I think they require a sub that crosses over at 100 hz (?): http://www.magnepan.com/review_MMGWandMMGC_by_Wes_Philips

S Clark · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Nov 2009, 10:18 pm »

Occasionally you see the GR-Research/AV123 LS6 come up at that price. If you have a fairly large room, it would hard to find better. You could sell the sub.

jeffjazz · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Nov 2009, 10:23 pm »

Eminent Technology 8Bs. Excellent sound some like better than Maggies.
Including me. I would also inquire about those VMPS speakers near you.

ecramer · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Nov 2009, 11:29 pm »

Vandersteen 3A Signature or Von Schweikert Audio VR-4 JR both can be had at the $2k range with a little luck on Agon. and both to my ear sound really good.

ED

rodge827 · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Nov 2009, 11:54 pm »

OMEGA!!

Louis has a few that may be right for you. Check out his forum here in the Circle.

Chris

rahimlee54 · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 12:18 am »

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=73602.msg694771;topicseen#new these are probably pretty nice speakers. I haven't heard them but I have heard the Dancer series. If they are close to that you will be really good.

toobluvr · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 12:59 am »

Aerial 10T

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1263308978&/Aerial-Acoustics-10T-Loudspeak

I know it's getting long in the tooth, but $1700 is an insane price for this speaker! A buddy owned them years ago and I remember them as being incredible. Cosmetics, overall looks , or something else about this speaker may not meet your needs, but sonically you will be seriously hard pressed to beat its performance at this price....new or used!

Even more insanity.....2 pair of 10T for $2000!!

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1261595516&/Aerial-10T-10T-Two-pairs

Meadowlark Heron i.....another excellent choice, shipped for $1900 total.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72921.0

I owned the Herons for several years. They are excellent.

All are on the west coast.

Barry_NJ · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 02:18 am »

Gallo Reference 3.x, I love mine.

satfrat · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 02:32 am »

Odyssey Audio Lorelei

These are a $2700 loudspeaker but there currently are 2 sets on Audiogon, $1800 & $1500. The trademark of these loudspeakers which require minimal toe-in are an expansive soundstage, sweet dynamic midrange, smooth highs and a solid bass from the rear ported cabinet. If you have the room to give these loudspeakers 3 feet from the front wall, then no subwoofer will be required. But you can always use one as I do which only enhances the midrange dynamics. While not the most highly accurate sound as say a Salk loudspeaker, the Lorelei is highly musical and will draw you into it's sound stage.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1261935278&/Odyssey-Audio-Lorelei-reduced-
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1263270609&/Odyssey-Kismet/Lorelei-Speaker

Cheers,
Robin

hmen · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 02:33 am »

Quote from: Woodsea on 15 Nov 2009, 07:23 am

check out the RM30 that are for sale, just a quick drive down by the Bay and they can be yours.

This is something you should definitely check out.

funkmonkey · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 02:42 am »

If you want new then I must second the recommendation for Salk SongTowers. Used I would look to Totem Hawks or Usher Tiny Dancers, or perhaps you can find something in the Dali Helicon series for under $2g... Ultimately only you can tell what sounds the best to your ears, but those were my favorites in my search (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=995082) for $2000 floor standers... I listened to everything I could find in that range, and if nothing else you may get some new ideas if you explore that thread...

Cheers, and good luck in your search.
Greg

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 05:08 am »

gkinberg...

It would be helpful if we knew what is in your system...

doug s. · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 06:28 pm »

used - thiel 3.6's, or coincident victory's. i also heard the ariel 10t's years ago, and was wery impressed.

victory, 97db/1w/1m; i owned these for a while, really nice speakers:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1263411757&/Coincident-Victory-

thiel 3.6; ridiculous price:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1261014952&/Thiel-3.6%27s-Black

links to the aerial's have awreddy been posted.

doug s.

marvda1 · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 06:43 pm »

how about usher 6391's from a circle member for $2200.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=73602.0

toobluvr · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 07:11 pm »

I have owned several Coincident models in the past.

Seriously fast with a sound that is big, bold, dynamic and detailed. Huge soundstage.

avahifi · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 10:40 pm »

This is an easy choice, Salk Songtowers.

www.salksound.com

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 11:19 pm »

Forget all the junk listed above. The only right answer is Quad electrostats.

Truth be told there is no best of anything in the absolute sense. You just have to explore what's available and find something you really like.