[Bingenito]

Any recommendations for a nice full range speaker (for music only) that is good looking, an easy load (will be driven by a Panny XR45)?

This speaker would be for my mother who listens to mostly vocals and jazz. Around $1k-$1500 new or used is the budget.

She does not want to use subwoofers so decent (tight, tuneful) bass is required.

I know allot of monitors that sound great at this price range but they lack the bass response and her room is very large (20Lx18Wx19H) and it is open to the entire first floor. She does not play music over about 85-90db so sens is not much of a concern.

Thank you in advance for any recommendations

Bryan

[maxwalrath]

A used pair of Meadowlark Kestrals might be good for less money, for an amount in your pricerange the Kestral II's look great to boot. They do well with those types of music.

[gary]

here's another option

Well within the price range and if your friend likes the maple color these speakers are absolutely gorgeous.

Gary

[Bingenito]

here's another option

Well within the price range and if your friend likes the maple color these speakers are absolutely gorgeous.

Nice speaker but the impedance is 4 ohm. The 5.25 mid-bass might be pushing it for a solid low end in a room that size.

Thanks for the recommendation.

BTW anyone heard the Usher 6 series speakers? They look like an option...[/quote]

[bubba966]

How 'bout this? http://www.gr-research.com/performer/av3.htm

By far my personal favorite that I've heard in your price range (or a higher price range even...).

[Merle]

I own a pair of KEF Q5's [$1000, new]. I've owned many, many speakers in this price range. The Q5's get my highest recommendation in this price range. If you like vocals, you can't beat them for this kind of money.

[Audi-O]

Spendors "S' series sound like a safe bet. They look nice, need no stands and are easy to place. Above all, highly musical. There are S5e's and better yet, my set of S6e's on Agon.

[warnerwh]

Vandersteen 2c series. Very easy load and decent sound for under a grand used.

[Bingenito]

Vandersteen 2c series. Very easy load and decent sound for under a grand used.

The Vandersteen seems like a good choice. I have a dealer in town that I plan on checking out. I have heard this model once but with unfamilar music so it is hard to judge the sound.

[nature boy]

I think the Vandy 1C and 2c series would both be a good choice.  There are some used Vandy 2ce's for sale on Audiogon, very reasonably priced.

NB

[Bingenito]

Does anyone have a Vandersteen 2 Sig in a large room? If so how is the sweet spot, bass, and overall dispersion?

[doug s.]

here's another option

Well within the price range and if your friend likes the maple color these speakers are absolutely gorgeous.

Nice speaker but the impedance is 4 ohm. The 5.25 mid-bass might be pushing it for a solid low end in a room that size.

Thanks for the recommendation.

BTW anyone heard the Usher 6 series speakers? They look like an option...

a few comments.  you really need subs and/or speakers rated down to a true 20hz to get *real* low end in a room that size that is open to other rooms, imo.  the only speakers (w/o subs) i know of in your price range, new or used, that can fit the bill are a used pair of thiel 3.5's.  but, forget driving them w/that panny receiver - these speakers need mondo hi-current amplification to drive them.

that being said, the onix recommendation is one i would second - that 4 ohm load shouldn't be a problem at all for these speakers w/the 100wpc-rated panny amp, as the onix's are  90db/1w-efficient.  and, being rated at -3db at 35hz is about as good as yure gonna get for speakers in yer price-range that can be driven by that panny receiver, imo.  those two 5.25' drivers will be fine doing it.

along the same lines as the onix, i would also consider the odyssey nightengales - really cool looking, & klaus' products have a good reputation.

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


re: usher audio speakers, considering what's been said about 'em, & considering my experience w/my ridiculously cheap s520 monitors, these would also seem an exxcellent choice.

doug s.

[doug s.]

followup speaker suggestion - jm lab speakers.  there are quite a few colbalts presently on agon in the $1k range.  cobalt 820's & 816's would likely be the best fit.  a bit easier load  (8ohm nominal), & 90+db efficiency make these a good match w/the panny, but you will still have the same bass response issues...  i am extremely fond of jm lab drivers, including their inwerted-dome tweets...

doug s.

[R_burke]

Does anyone have a Vandersteen 2 Sig in a large room? If so how is the sweet spot, bass, and overall dispersion?

I had 2C's in a large room (30L X 18W X 16H) and went to Innersound ISIS Hybrids, but I play loud.  The 2Cs didn't fill the room, but were fine for critical listening sessions.

I still have the 2Cs and would be willing to sell if you decide that is what you want

[Rick Craig]

Does anyone have a Vandersteen 2 Sig in a large room? If so how is the sweet spot, bass, and overall dispersion?

Go visit Robert at Taylor House on Lake Norman. He's been selling Vandersteen for many years. Tell him I sent you  

[doug s.]

listen to vandersteens wery carefully.  bland, veiled, lifeless sound, imo.  (which is why careful auditioning is necessary, imo - i know a lot of folk like the vandersteen sound.)

ymmv,

doug s.

[Carlman]

I've heard the Usher 6311 and was not as impressed as I was with the x-718 monitors.  They're still good speakers but not for me.  I'm very impressed with the bass output I'm getting from the 718's but my room is very small.  Your absolute best bet is to narrow it down and get some speakers in that room... even if they don't work you'll know why and be able to talk about what you liked/disliked.

[Jon L]

listen to vandersteens wery carefully.  bland, veiled, lifeless sound, imo.  (which is why careful auditioning is necessary, imo - i know a lot of folk like the vandersteen sound.)

ymmv,

doug s.

Hehe.  Any lover of Focal drivers, especially the inverted tweeters will Obviously find Vandies veiled.  My very first set of college speakers were Vandy 2's, and I have many fond memories of pulling these babies into the dorm hallways for some kicking parties.  Yeah, they were not the most transparent transducers in the world, but fed by not-so-expensive SS bruisers, they sure made for some great fun, especially generous bass extension for the price involved.  

When I later moved to some custom speakers using Focal inverted dome tweeter and Focal Kevlars, I automatically had to "upgrade" everything in my system to gear that cost 20x what the Vandies asked for.  Top-of-the-line Focal drivers, especially something like 7K2 midrange which I now use and their tweeters, Absolutely require somebody who knows how to make them sing.  But once they are optimized, oh what glorious transparency they have!

[klh]

If you want to do DIY, there are the new kits designed by Adire Audio with the Exodus 6.8 midwoofer (check the DIY Cable circle). The interesting kits are the KIT 61, KIT 261 and KIT LCR. I'm personally interested in the KIT 261, which is due to be out next month. It's in room response is supposed to  get into the low to mid 20s and only costs $599/pr. I'm waiting for reviews to see how it sounds.

[Bingenito]

Go visit Robert at Taylor House on Lake Norman. He's been selling Vandersteen for many years. Tell him I sent you

Rick I know Robert. He is one of the nicest and knowledgeable dealers. As soon as our schedules align I plan on bringing my parents over there for a listen.

Would the RC3 have sufficient output for a large room? That might be an option for them.

I think I need to stay away from very revealing speakers because she is only using a Panasonic XR45. That is one of the reasons I would check out Vandersteens. I know they are not bright and have good freq ext for their size and price.