[Merle]

I am in the market for what I hope will be my last pair of speakers for awhile. I'm looking for advice on models I should audition. My current system is as follows:
Myryad T40 integrated amp. 50wpc
Arcam CD72T cd player.
Audioquest Slate speaker wire.
Audioquest Viper interconnects.
The Myryad is very musical if not a little underpowered. I believe it is the equal of the current Arcam Diva integrateds. [A65+, A75] The Arcam cd player is quite good enough for me. Really a nice, musical player. The music I listen to is mostly classical, quite a bit of acoustic and some blues and jazz here and there. My room is a dedicated listening room [my basement] approx. 18' x 14' x 8'. I am open to bookshelfs or floorstanders, new or used. Now, for what I'm looking for. My budget is between $1000 - $2500. Of course I'd like to stay low if possible. I would be willing to also buy a more powerful amp if I found the right speaker and it needed more power. That being said, I'm actually quite happy with the Myryad, it's quite the musical little amp. So, I want a very "musical" speaker with good bass response. It should be good looking, with real wood and excellent fit and finish. I have considered something like the Totem Hawk but I believe I would need more power. Maybe Spendor or Harbeth? Possibly Audio Note? I'm looking at the SEAS kits on Madisound. I've looked at the GR Research A/V3's. I would like to be able to listen to the speakers prior to purchase, making things like the GR Research or Tyler Acoustics difficult. I've had a lot of speakers and I really want to settle down with my next pair so I want to get this right. What sounds fantastic, looks good, is easy to drive and fits my equipment and budget? Thanks in advance for any good advice you may offer.

[Hantra]

I have considered something like the Totem Hawk but I believe I would need more power. Maybe Spendor or Harbeth?

Hawk would absolutely want more power.  Spendor and Harbeth both LOVE power.  They are very low sensitivity compared to most speakers nowadays.  I would take a close look at Von Schweikert.  For the money, I seriously DOUBT they can be beaten.  They will handle a wide range of music, and they should compete way above their pricepoint.

Good luck, and make sure you listen before you buy. . .

[Arctos]

Hi Merle,
I'm not sure, but you may be someone I was in contact with regarding some System Audio speakers a few weeks ago on HD.  If this is so, then you like the sound of System Audio gear.  You may want to check out their floor standers, like the 1250.  Very nice, clean sound and they don't need tons of power (I heard them at Holm Audio near Chicago).  The others I thought of (but, to be fair, have not heard) would be something from Meadowlark.  I love the design (transmission line), the look and the company.  Check out the new Kestrel 2.  The reviews are very good.  Both of these options don't need much power to play loud and they are well within your budget.

Good Luck,

RDS

[DARTH AUDIO]

I agree with Hantra. I own the Von Schweikert VR-2's. They are a great speaker for the price and more. They are power friendly. I ran them with a 8 watt MiniMax amp with great success.. I'm also driving them with the Solar HiFi Fusion H1 digital amp(250 watts a side). Find a dealer that has a pair and take a listen. The bass will blow you away!! The soundstage is HUGE!! Highs and mids are to die for..

Have fun looking..

[_scotty_]

Merle, you might look at the Reimer Speaker Systems McCullough GS.
It is 94db efficient and 3db down at 35 Hz. http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1078942063

[Merle]

Does anyone know the retail price of the VS VR-2's?

[Carlman]

I bought my VR1's from a local dealer called 'Audio Broker' who is always advertising Von Schweikert's.
Here's the LINK.

It's at the top of your budget.  The VR1's are all I've heard but, can imagine the VR2's being stellar.  I compared the VR1 to the GR-Research Diluceo this past weekend.  (Review coming soon in Critic's Circle)  The Diluceo had a more refined sound but, cost twice as much.  Also, I have a very small room so, a ribbon speaker works well for me.  With the room you have, a wide-dispersion tweeter will provide a wide soundstage without having to stay within too small of a sweet spot.  The ribbons will have a much smaller sweet spot.  Also, the Diluceo's like a little juice.  100-watts of SS power would be enough... that's what I had and they sounded great.  

Another option if you can find it used, is the Revel F30.  I sold mine for about 2,k in flawless condition.  These speakers are very lively and detailed.  If you have hardwoods, I do not recommend them.  If you have a slightly dead room, these speakers will sound excellent.  They're pretty easy to drive.

At this point, I'd say I like the sound of the Von Schweikert's more than the Revel's... and at the price, they will be tough to beat even with DIY kits.

Best of luck,
Carl

[JackStraw]

Hi Merle,
I'm not sure, but you may be someone I was in contact with regarding some System Audio speakers a few weeks ago on HD.  If this is so, then you like the sound of System Audio gear.  You may want to check out their floor standers, like the 1250.  Very nice, clean sound and they don't need tons of power (I heard them at Holm Audio near Chicago).  The others I thought of (but, to be fair, have not heard) would be something from Meadowlark.  I love the design (transmission line), the look and the com ...

I'll parrot the Kestrel2 recommendation. Fantastic sounding, beautiful wood, and nice tight bass response.

Here is a link to a photo of the innards of the Transmission line...

http://meadowlarkaudio.com/pow/tl.htm

Enjoy your search.[/url]

[SWG255]

Hi,

I've also heard the Von Schweikert VR-2 and VR-4. I ended up with the VMPS RM40, but I think the VR-2 offers excellent sound for the money. They are easy to drive, have excellent bass response which can be "tuned" to some extent by adding shot to the bass cabinet, and the tweeter they use in the VR-2 and VR-4 is the sweetest dome I've heard in a long while. I also concur about the excellent imaging and large "sweet spot". They'll be a little above your $2,000 range, but I think they'll be worth the stretch to buy them. Of course, it goes without saying, you should listen first

[lkosova]

After you listen go to my buddy at www.decibel.com and tell him Larry Kosova sent you. He is a dealer in Chicago. I would also check out the www.vmpsaudio.com line

Personally, I like the vr2 over the vr1 with a sub. As Darth said the bass is great and these were my brother-in-laws favorite speaker at last years CES.

Larry

[JackD]

Merle

Having been through a lot of the "current rave" floorstanders and monitors in you price range over the last two years, I would recommend you look at the Green Mountain Audio Europa monitors and a good fast musical sub like the Rava SE or the ACI Force run underneath at around 50hz for fill.  In my main system they followed a pair of Vandersteen 3A Sigs, Reynaud Offrandes, and Reynaud Trentes, augmented by a pair of Vandersteen subs.  They more than hold there own with the others with the cheapest being 3X the price.  If the looks put you off, substitute the Reynaud Twin MKIII instead.  A little more romantic in character, but another steal.

[manek]

B&W 604.S3
Cadence Diva
Jamo D590
monitor audio bronze B4/B6, Silver S6/S8

[byteme]

Odyssey lorelei on the high end and Odyssey Epiphony on the really low end of the price range.

Reviews here:

Lorelei - http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/odyssey/lorelei.html

Epiphony - http://www.tnt-audio.com/casse/epiphony_e.html

More Lorelei info - http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/urltrurl?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.symphonic-line.de%2Flegato.htm&lp=de_en&tt=url

The Lorelei are exact copies of the Legato which sells for 5,100 Euro ($6500 US).