Name Some Great Floorstander Towers Under $3,000/pair

Music Maven · « **on:** 5 Oct 2004, 05:19 am »

Hi,

I have a nice, rather modest two-channel system, just interested in music. Folk/bluegrass and religious music, heavy emphasis on female voice. I have a soft spot for Creedence Clearwater Revival and happy that John Fogerty just released a CD after six years.

Anyway, 12 by 15 listening room, 8 foot ceiling, solid state Myryad MA-120 amp, rated at 120 watts per channel at 4 ohms, Audio Research preamp, source is Audio Refinement Complete CD player, speaker cable by van den Hul, The Clearwater, and modest interconnects by Prisma and WireWorld.

I'm interested in traditional tower loudspeakers, not planars or electrostatic or self amplified, just the simple tower floorstander. I like imports, whether from Canada, England, Denmark, Italy, Germany, etc.
I'm not near many "high end" dealers, so tell me some of the floorstanders that you like from owning or auditioning.

I've given thought to many but haven't heard them... Salk 1801's, PMC FB1+, Dali Grand Divas, Phase Technology PC 9.1, some new speakers coming from Acoustic Zen, the cable people. But I'm open to suggestions, just don't want to miss anything great under $3k. It's a sickness!

Thanx,
Jerry

Hifi Nut · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 08:06 am »

Hi,

If you could stretch your budget a little more. The entry level model, Venus from Duevel, Germany is an exellent speaker.

check it out at the following URL.

http://www.cd-konzert.de/loudspeaker.htm

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 10:54 am »

With your room size and musical interests I wouldn't be married to just floorstanders (as you don't need deep bass or lots of bass for that matter). In fact many good $3,000 floorstanders could easily be too bass heavy for your room.

Why not U.S. made? With the vendors here you can usually talk to the owner, a huge plus IMO.

VMPS have several very nice options within your range (including the 626 if you can live with standmounts).

Odyssey also have a very good selection.

Meadowlark speakers are nice, but you pay for the woodworking.

tvyankee · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 11:58 am »

the vr2's from vsa are very good for $2495.00 retail.

you can get about 20 off usally.

good luck in your search.

byteme · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 12:12 pm »

The odyssey Lorelei is a fantastic speaker and while assembled in Indiana the cabinets are Canadian, crossovers from Germany and drivers Danish. They are based on and exact duplicates of the Symphonic Line Legato. Wonderful speakers.

http://www.odysseyaudio.com/loudspeakers.html

http://www.symphonic-line.de/produktbeschr_legato.htm

mcgsxr · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 04:32 pm »

Being a lover of Totem speakers, I would first recommend the Totem Model 1 Signature for you. BUT those are standmounts...

If you are hung up on floorstanders, the Arro, Sttaf, and Hawk can all fit into your budget, and should deliver some great music with the associated gear you list.

mark in Canada

Music Maven · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 05:05 pm »

Thanks to all of you for your replies thusfar.

I've just always owned floorstanders...for one thing, a practical matter since we have a very active cat that might tip standmounted speakers.

I will consider your suggestions so far.

Somebody mentioned Meadowlark speakers, and having gorgeous woodwork. I haven't seen them in person, but from pictures, I agree.

Also, I have nothing against American loudspeakers, just a kind of fascination with imports- "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?"

Jerry

F-100 · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 05:28 pm »

If you want an American design speaker that is fabricated oversea with an outstanding woodwork finish and great sounding, then may I suggest Onix Reference speaker from AV123.

http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=9

JCC · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 05:32 pm »

Call Lou Hinkley from Daedalus Audio, and you might be surprised at the special price that he will offer. These are absolutely great speakers. You can read my review on AC.

F-100 · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 05:37 pm »

If the Onix Reference line doesn't appeal to you then take a look at the Mini Strata. I like the look of this speaker so much that I had to order a pair eventhough I'm already happy with my Onix Ref1. It's a disease

http://forum.av123.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4595&highlight=Mini+strata

Cens · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 06:26 pm »

Quote from: Music Maven

for one thing, a practical matter since we have a very active cat that might tip standmounted speakers.

I opened this thread because I'm thinking about relatively inexpensive floorstanders for my second system. My cats have dumped the stand-mounted speakers I currently use with it on several occasions. Thankfully no damage to the speakers of so far.

Regards,

Chris

mcgsxr · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 09:29 pm »

Interesting about the cats - scratch (oh, that's cheap isn't it...

) the Totem Arro then, it is not a wide based, stable design.

On the other hand, I have had small stand mounts for 10 years, cats for 4 years, and never had an incident - then again, the stands are filled with 30 pounds of sand per side, and the speakers are blu-takked to the stands - I can barely get them off on the rare occasion I have tried, and I have backed into them a few times vacuuming, with no falls yet either.

mark in canada

Zero · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 09:40 pm »

Another vote goes to Totem Acoustics. I personally love the "sttaf". It just has this draw that I couldnt find in the Arro's and Hawks, let alone many of the other floor standers I have tried. Unfortunately the "sttaf" seems to be the ignored - bastard child of the group.

While my bias definately leans towards Totem Acoustics (specifically the Sttaf), tons of great speakers can be had... and for 3k - man it just seems limitless.

GerryD · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 09:59 pm »

Meadowlark Swifts would work nicely in your room. I have them in a room approximately the same size as yours. They do have great cabinet work. I believe the current price is around $1195. You could also move up the Meadowlark line to Kestral 2's, which I think are in the $1995-$2295 range. Going with the Swifts would give you excellent sound and money left over for other goodies.javascript:emoticon(':D')

srclose · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 10:08 pm »

Merlin might be an option for you. Here is a current listing:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1100199632

SRC

marvda1 · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 10:09 pm »

check out the usher 6311's or 6371's both are in your price range and i am willing to bet you a case of beer the cat(s) will not turn them over.
you go to www.theehighend.com to see the models and read some reviews. i can't the web site to come up.
email me and i can send you some reviews.

Tyson · « **Reply #16 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 10:12 pm »

I think the base model is a little bit above $3k, but I really like the VMPS RM30's I heard the other day.

jasonc · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Oct 2004, 11:25 pm »

I'm 100% satisfied with my Odyssey Loreleis, excellent speakers!

Good luck!

sturgus · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Oct 2004, 01:58 am »

I got a chance to hear the Gallo RefIII the other day and was very impressed. They were being driven with a 55w BAT tube amp and matching pre. Very impressive sound. I think they are worth checking out.
http://www.roundsound.com/ref3.html

Sturgus

satfrat · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Oct 2004, 04:29 am »

Quote from: jasonc

I'm 100% satisfied with my Odyssey Loreleis, excellent speakers!

Good luck!

I'm with you Jason, I LOVE my 2 sets of Lorelei's. They are surely worth a listen.

Regards, Robin