High End Speakers

Harmon · « **on:** 19 Mar 2003, 01:51 am »

Is their an audio company that makes truly high end speakers at a reasonable price? I am talking about true high end sound. Or is this idea only a fantasy.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 01:56 am »

What kind of equipment do you have? (i.e. Tubes or SS)

How big or small of a speaker are you loooking for? (Full range floor standers or monitors)

How much do you want to spend?

The answer is YES. There are many. You must first answer a few questions, and then above all else, synergy rules.

Carlman · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 02:05 am »

What's a reasonable price? Define 'high-end'.

John Casler · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Mar 2003, 09:27 pm »

Please consider that I am a dealer (for several speaker companies) but I think VMPS fits that description perfectly. Also I like to think I am a hobbyist first and a dealer later, since I have a tendency to exhalt the equipment I personally own and use.

Although it is a given that speaker preferences are subjective, if you have the listening biases for the qualities of:

Soundstage
Imaging
Detail
Resolution
Dynamics
Frequency Response
Limited room interaction
and the ability to accuratley reproduce the originial event

Then you have how I perceive VMPS.

I also have to admit to a second bias, I am a VMPS RM40 owner. In light of the fact that I offer over 15 other speaker lines I think that says it all.

In fact to carry your theme one step further, I generally search for components that offer "supreme" value/performance interactions.

I have a total system that costs less than some CD players, and I regularly amaze the "high end" junkies who swear everything I use is secretly "modded".

Except for DIY, it would be hard to beat the value. As far as performance, if you value the criteria above, there really is (IMO) any alternative.

Price wise, the VMPS ribbon entry level, is around $1580 (less if you go through a dealer like myself).

If you are in the area of the RM40 ($4600 list) you can hear music in a realm previously relegated to systems in excess of $20,000 - $30,000.

Hope that gives you some direction (of course it is just my opinion)

Regards,

John Casler

VMPS LA CA USA
SUMMIT Audio Video
800-320-6884
bioforce.inc@gte.net
http://my.register.com/summitaudiovideo.com/index.html

Harmon · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 02:56 am »

Thanks for the input guys. I have just recently decided what speaker to purchase. When the speakers arrive in the near future I will announce the speaker name give them an extensive review.

Hantra · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 04:29 am »

That was fast. . . Good luck . . .

ABEX · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 05:32 am »

Was that a trick question?

It depends on alot of factors as price does not always equate to performance and synergy within your system and room are dependant on the overall outcome also.

There are 2-ways that I would consider SOTA for $3K that probably are better than 3ways that go for twice that.Then there are Planars that are more transparent then alot of box speaker's.Best to find the speaker that you like and the cost is not the greatest factor.

I have speaker's I only paid $350 for that surpass speakers that go for $3500 that I recently auditioned.Hard to believe ,but true!

Good Luck with your speakers!

Pez · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 07:22 am »

Buy some JBL's and be done with it.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 10:23 am »

JBLs are awesome, but I've heard that Bose and VMPS are just as good.

Tyson · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 10:50 am »

None of those poser brands can hold a candle to Eosone speakers. 3 words - simply the best.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 12:01 pm »

And don't forget KLH- Best Buy wouldn't carry 'em if they weren't THE BEST.

Carlman · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Mar 2003, 05:37 pm »

I'm literally on the edge of my seat to hear the review and unveling of Harman's (sic) speaker choice.

It's been a while since I heard an Eosone.

True high end at an affordable price... hmmm, I don't know. That really sounds like DCM's KX series to me.

Again, can't wait for the mystery speaker review.

audioengr · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Mar 2003, 10:43 pm »

Seriously, guys, here are some options:

KEF Reference 104/2 - ~$750 used
Vandersteen 2Ce - ~$750 used

Both of these are very good with imaging and neutrality. They may be lacking in bass or a bit bloated, but both can be modded with better wire and caps in their crossovers. Highly recommended for first high-end speakers.

mnilan · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Mar 2003, 02:13 pm »

Folks:
I have a small media room (13 X 11 with 8' ceilings) and want to do HT and hi-res multichannel audio (i.e., I need to have at least five full-range speakers that will fit into the room). Note that placement of the center channel and surrounds can be problematic...

On another forum, Ascends, Rockets and VMPS (Hi John

) have been suggested. The Ascend and Rocket speakers are mail order so I can't listen to them and the VMPS center channel solution is 4 ohm (the rest of the speapers in that solution are 8 ohm but I'm not confident that my amp would drive the combined load).

Whadda you guyz think might be a good solution?

John Casler · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Mar 2003, 02:43 pm »

Mnilan,

Glad to see you over here.

As another solution to the "impedance" question, you could always go with the QSO626R for your center, which is 8 ohms.

I forgot what receiver you are using, but in a small room like yours, you would probably be OK.

Regards,

John Casler

VMPS LA CA USA
SUMMIT Audio Video
800-320-6884
bioforce.inc@gte.net
http://my.register.com/summitaudiovideo.com/index.html

Ernest · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Mar 2003, 12:00 am »

You can buy the Rockets and send them back if you don't like them. You'll have to pay the shipping charge though.