[rmihai0]

It is about the time for an upgrade of my wonderful bookshelfs - JM Reynaud MK3. My budget is limited to $1100. I am looking for a pair of speakers to be used for classical music (escpecially vocals and drums). I do NOT need to be efficient speakers - I just need to sound as good as posible for this money.

Altough I would prefer to buy an used pair for $1100 or less, I might consider also to buy a new pair for no more than $2200. The speakers will be used with AKSA amplification and mainly with a Thorens 125 turntable with a ZYX cartridge.

Thank you very much

[doug s.]

It is about the time for an upgrade of my wonderful bookshelfs - JM Reynaud MK3. My budget is limited to $1100. I am looking for a pair of speakers to be used for classical music (escpecially vocals and drums). I do NOT need to be efficient speakers - I just need to sound as good as posible for this money.

Altough I would prefer to buy an used pair for $1100 or less, I might consider also to buy a new pair for no more than $2200. The speakers will be used with AKSA amplification and mainly with a Thorens 125 turntable with a ZYX cartridge.

Thank you very much

from what yure saying, i would *definitely* consider buying a *used* pair for $2200.  you can really get world-class sound at this level, imho...  as far as what speaker to recommend, i think more info as to room size, whether or not you want true full range (ie: bass) or not, etc, would come into play...  1st thing that pops into *my* head as a no-brainer recommendation for a true full-range two-box solution would be a pair of used thiel 3.6's.  these usually go for <$2k.  (or thiel 3.5's for <$1k.)  my personal preference, tho, is for a pair of subs, which opens up a lot of other possibilities...

doug s.

[Red Dragon Audio]

I agree with Doug on this point:  If you're willing to buy used speakers at all, then just go with your $2200 budget but buy used speakers at that price point.

I have seen a couple Meadowlark 'Osprey' speakers come up use for about $1900-$2100.   That's a great speaker.

I might also suggest Vandersteen 3A's with an accompanying sub from them as well (the 2WQ).  One sweet setup.  Maybe to keep it under your $2200 budget, you could get the 2CE signatures with the vandy sub.

Here is a stretch for your budget: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1106143945">Hyperion HPS-938's  Maybe you could talk him down a bit more and stretch yoru top end out just a bit.  I've never heard these, but this would be quite a change from what you have which can be a very good way to go.  Go from one type to something very different overall

I have another suggestion:  Get a plane ticket to Vegas for January 6th-9th and attend T.H.E. Show as well as CES.  Go listen to as many speakers as you can in those few days to get a feel for what sound you are looking for.  Passes are free for both shows (for CES you better register now though or elses it's $75 later on).

[Hantra]

from what yure saying, i would *definitely* consider buying a *used* pair for $2200.  you can really get world-class sound at this level, imho...  as far as what speaker to recommend, i think more info as to room size, whether or not you want true full range (ie: bass) or not, etc, would come into play......

Excellent advice Doug.  I agree.  Give us some more info, and you're sure to get tons of recommendations. . .

[Occam]

Alons IVs or Vs. The Vs are a step up from the IVs in all but the lowest of bass, easier to drive, and smaller. I drive my IVs with a AKSA 100. There is a pair of black Vs on audiogon for $1500. Rosewood is generally more expensive, but is beautiful. The IVs are less. If you value 'truth of timbre' and soundstaging/imaging, you'll fall in love with these speaks.  You need space behind the floorstanders, 3', and must triwire with Black Orpheus, or similar.

I've had the IVs for 11+yrs, and while I've upgraded all other components, I've never felt the urge to upgrade my speakers.
http://www.nolaspeakers.com/
at the Nola website go to reviews and scroll down to see the IVs and Vs.


How large a room do you have? If a smaller room, consider a Arum Cantus Leisure 2SE bookshelf speakers, stands required. I'd never been impressed by these until I heard them driven by the AKSA N+ and Tara Phase II Return speaker cable. Truly a wonderful combo. Dunno why. New, they're in your price range, and used, should be substantially cheaper.