[rhmmmm]

I'd like to get a pair of hi-end speakers, as the subject says.  I currently have a HT system built around the Paradigm Studio Reference line, of which I like the overall sonic signature.  I am looking for a pair of speakers to use with an integrated amp that I just purchased - the Accuphase E-211.  

What I want in a pair of speakers:
-Some musicality - I listen to a wide variety of music, including Jazz, Rock, Country (yes, country), Classical and Vocal.  I want a pair that I can get lost in the music, but the below requirements matter more....
-Lots of details - I want to be able to hear all the microdynamics of every recording.  I want good layering and wide, realistic soundstage.
-Dynamism - I like to sometimes "feel" the music, I like the dynamic "punch" that my Paradigms can give on rock tracks.
-Non-fatiguing - I want to be able to stand listening to them for extended periods.
-Good looks - I know I shouldn't care about how they look as long as they sound good...but if I'm going to shell out the $$$ they better look their price.  I'm not just talking about finish color, etc.- I would like a work of art if I can.  Of course this category is subjective and I'll be the final approver.
-High resale value - If I decide to sell them, I don't want to take a $1000 hit.
-Form factor - Floorstanding or bookshelf?  I don't care, as long as it sounds good.


I love my Paradigm Studios (40's, 20's and CC470).  They are an excellent value and I like their sound, but it's not detailed enough for me (I'm keeping them for home theater for a long time).  I'd like something close to the sound of these but more hi-end.

I have demo'ed the following:
-Dynaudio Contour s1.4:  Liked them, but they did not seem worth the price (2400 + stands).  Like people always say about Dyn's, they seemed dark.  The detail was there, but sometimes I had to strain to hear it.  Natural, but too laid back sounding and lifeless.

-B&W Nautilus 805:  Too harsh and bright.  I liked the detail but felt that it was too "hot" or being forced into my face and ears.  It was like they were trying too hard.  Bass response was not great.  I love the looks, fit and finish though.      

-JM Lab Electra 906:  I listened to these in the Spring and remembered liking them, but there isn't a place locally (Atlanta) where I can go to demo them again.  Would these work well with my Accuphase integrated?  I know people recommend tubes for these and that's what I heard them with - Rogue Audio setup.

Thiel 1.6 and 2.4 (if I recall the #'s right...) - Nicely balanced and sounded good in my brief demo, but ugly - won't buy them because they look cheap (IMO of course).

Tannoy TD10 - Nice, good looks, but out of my price range and didn't seem worth the price.

Paradigm Signature S2 and S4 - I wanted to like these so much, and they had the Paradigm sound that I liked, but they didn't seem worth the money.  They had an excellent soundstage but something was wrong with their midrange.  The S2's did not reproduce female vocals correctly, it sounded hollow.  The S4's were good but sounded like they had funky imaging - I tried a lot - I thought I would find the sweet spot but then it would fade away and sound thumpy.  Also, they had some kind of cabinet resonance "howl" sound going on (could have been the room?).  Whenever, on any of my demo CD's there was an "OOooh" sound, it sounded like the cabinets were howling.

Magnepan 3.6 - Awesome, loved them but they were too big and expensive.  Also, I don't really like the metal feet that stick out on Maggies...$4500 for that pair, come on Magnepan, you can do better than 2 metal legs that look like you can get at Home Depot for $2.

Idealy, I know it would be wise to take the Accuphase integrated along with me to hear them all, but I don't have it yet.

I plan on demoing the following soon:

-Usher 6-series (look awesome, sound good?, detailed?)
-VS VR4jr (look boxy and boring, sound might convince me otherwise)
-Audes Blues (look ok, I hear good reviews)

The only thing that worries me about these is resale value.  Ideally I'd like to buy a pair of speakers and be happy with them for a long time and won't even want to sell them, but if I choose/have to, I want to recoup the most.



Finally, my question:  knowing everything you do about my speaker search endeavor so far, what else should I look at and what other places are there in Atlanta where I can see them?  I have been to GA Home Theater, Audio Automation and Theater, and finally Sound and Cinema.

Thanks for reading all my B.S. and even more thanks if you can help me!

[neoprufrok]

I was in the same boat as you, but ended up getting Gallo Reference 3's.  I love them.  They are very revealing and transparent through the mid and highs.  Soundstage is wide and images are focused.  The thing that really sets them apart is that feeling that you are listening to a "wall" of sound, although that wall is not floor to ceiling more like 7-8 ft tall wall of sound.  Its impossible to tell that the music is coming from the speakers themselves, and so the instruments and voices take on a little bit of their own magical life which is something I've rarely heard at all.

Other speakers I've auditioned in your price range:

1)  Proac D15 or something like that... Nice sound but a little too dry for me.

2)  Paradigm S2 - Dry and a little too much treble emphasis... something I don't particularly like.

3)  Quad 21L - Liked this one a lot.  Second choice after the Gallos.

4)  B&W 804 - Didn't like this a whole lot.  Just seemed a little midbass boosted and a little relaxed.

5)  Dynaudio Contour 1.3se - Liked this, but sounded a little muted and not as dynamic as I was hoping.

Hope this helps.

[Carlman]

I will help but only if you change the subject to add the word 'please'.

[rhmmmm]

I was in the same boat as you, but ended up getting Gallo Reference 3's. I love them.

I have just been reading out them, actually.  Think I found a dealer about an hour away.  

5) Dynaudio Contour 1.3se - Liked this, but sounded a little muted and not as dynamic as I was hoping.

I agree with this on Dynaudio's "muted and not as dynamic."

I will help but only if you change the subject to add the word 'please'.

Done, sometimes I forget my P's and Q's, forgive me.

[jackman]

I'd give Jim Salk a call and pick up a pair of these:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=14034.msg121266#121266

They are near your pricepoint and are a very good value.  Jim's also a great guy and master woodworker.  Are you near the Detroit area?  If not, it might be worth the drive.  

J

[TheChairGuy]

Seems you loved the Maggies...why not buy a 1.6 and buy/make feet more to your liking.  If you're a planar kinda' guy, the other stuff you're looking at will be lacking that certain 'something' that makes music fun for you.

There is lots of recipes for Maggie stands on AudioAsylum and other places.

Good luck - $2-3K is a nice speaker budget to work with.

[Randy]

You have to check out the Odyssey Loreli speakers before you buy anything else.

[Chris_B]

I have not heard any of these yet (does that disqualify me   ) but a decent list would be:

Odyssey Loreli
Von Schweikert VR-4Jr
Vandersteen 3A Signitures
Hyperion HPS-938 http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/hyperion/938.html

If anyone can compare or make general comments on these, please go ahead  

[Hantra]

Of your list, I'd make a strong effort to go listen to the Von Schweikerts.  In my experience, they provide amazing value for the dollar.  

Let us know what you decide on!

[gitarretyp]

You really should check out the usher 6 series if you have a nearby dealer. I have the 6311s and don't consider them hyper detailed, but i only find them slightly lacking compared to my previous speakers, which were eminient tech planars (known for being rather detailed). However, i would add that being extremely detailed is not of utmost importance to me. Other than that, they seem to statify everything you're looking for in a pair of speakers (at least in my opinion, or i probably wouldn't own them  )

[rhmmmm]

Thanks for the comments so far guys, keep them coming, please!

I'm going to audition the VR4jr's and Usher 6311/71's this week or weekend hopefully as my integrated amp comes in tomorrow - gonna take it with me to audition all speakers from now on.

Can you give me more info on the Gallo Ref 3's?  Are they as much a value as the Ushers and Von Schweikerts or do they just look cool?

[byteme]

Seconds on the Lorelei's.  While not "known" for being extremely detailed I'd sure be interested in what you think of them because on top of being supremely musical I also think they provide a great deal of detial, it's just overshadowed by that darn toe tapping!

[OBF]

One thing about the Gallos is I think they will hold resale value for a while.  I hear they are selling lots of them but you rarely see a used pair.  It's weird though, some people seem to think they are one of the best speakers ever, and others are underwhelmed.  The review in 6moons is about as glowing as you can get.  This should provide plenty of info.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/gallo/ref3.html

Definitely a speaker to hear with your equipment if you can.

[doug s.]

well, there are prolly 100 speakers in that price range that would all sound better than wery good, in all categories that are important to you.  yust look at aintjomomma's recent threads about the same topic...
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=13761
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=13966.msg120101#120101

as i suggested in those threads, if ya are not really awreddy set on a single pair, i would *strongly* recommend buying used, so ya don't take a financial hit if/when ya wanna try something else, & this will actually allow you to buy several different speakers, & live with them for a while in yer own listening room.  this is really the best way to hear what *you* like, in *your* system...  nothing like a-b'ing two speakers in yer own room, & ya own both pairs!   if yure a judicial shopper, ya may actually be able to *make* a few bucks...     and, if nothing else, hearing for yourself several different speakers in yer own room is *fun*!    

doug s.

[rhmmmm]

I went and heard the Anthony Gallo Reference 3's today, they were pretty good, although the room that I was in was fairly noisy.  I really enjoyed the wide soundstage, like others said, if you close your eyes, you can't pinpoint where the speakers are.

Also, what would be a good pair of speakers that are good at low volumes?

[Music Maven]

Horns should be a definite answer for low volume situations- if you like horns.

Otherwise, I'd certainly look for an efficiency above 89db. There are other factors that I don't know.

Obviously the smaller and less absorbtive the room, the further fewer watts will go.

Jerry

[alotaklipsch]

Call me nutz, call me crazy, but, the least expensive thing in my system are my speakers, cause I cannot find any I like better for under 10 grand.

I use Klipsch Cornwalls, redone with new crossovers and a few mods.  Come listen if my room with you eyes closed, you would be amazed.  Horns are only great with great equipment all around.  But for under a grand, you will never loose $$$, be able to listen at any volume, have accuracy, soundstage, dynamics, ect ect ect....check it out.  Yhese are about 98 db, with 60 good watts you can blow your self up.  with 1 great watt, you can listen at 85-90 db with headroom.  go figure.  

[drseid]

You may want to take a look at the Linbrook Signature speakers from Tyler Acoustics.  They sell used including the matching Tyler stands for about $1800-$2000.  They are very nice looking in my opinion, and they throw a tremendous soundstage (both width and height).  Highs are very life-like, but non fatigueing.  You can find more information on them (specs, pictures and other info) at Tyler's web site www.tyleracoustics.com .

Also worth a look are some used Signature IIIs from Legacy Audio.  These are great looking and sounding full range floor standers that sell used for about $2300-$2400 on Audiogon.  If you are looking for 20 Hz-20 Khz sound these may be what you are looking for, especially if you tend to like Rock and Roll and other dynamic music.  The Sigs would probably be a good fit for a medium to somewhat large sized room.

Enjoy,

---Dave

[Corbin Johnson]

May I suggest that you condider a pair of VMPS 626's BC Signature series.  These would be at the low end of your budget and should meet all your criteria except a large sweet spot when walking around.  The ribbon tweeter's sweet spot is somewhat limited vertically.  

I upgraded a Paradigm monitor system that I loved for HT, but found lacking for 2-channel music to VMPS RM40 fronts with a 626r as center channel.  I still have the paradigm rear surrounds and recently traded the PS1200 sub for a larger VMPS sub.  

For me, the VMPS ribbon speakers produce the detail and musical sound I was searching for after auditioning but not liking the Paradigm Studio 90's (not enough midrange detail), and initially liking but not willing to pay the price for B&W 801's or Martin Logan Prodidys.  I also have had a pair of old Theil bookshelf speakers for many years that are very nice, which I prefer over the Paradigm for 2-channel, but the VMPS ribbon speakers sound better to me than all the speakers I auditioned above.  I have since gone back to listened to both the B&W & ML's to confirm my decision on the RM40's.  Clear & detailed without any harshness.  

A friend bought a pair of 626's after he heard my RM40's.  We've compared his 626's to my 40's side by side.  At normal listening levels, there is little difference.  Both produce great musical detail.  Plus, you can adjust the tweeter and midrange level to suit your preference.  If you don't like them, send them back within the 30 day free trial period.

Good Luck,

Corbin

[rhmmmm]

Hey guys - just an update:

I ended up getting a perfect pair of JM Lab Electra 906's off Audiogon for a pretty decent price.  I'm glad I went with them and they look and sound great.

Thanks for the posts you guys made above.  I love how these sound and think I'll stick with them for a while.