What would you buy for speakers for $2500?

Merle · « **on:** 3 Apr 2006, 10:22 pm »

I'm going to be in the market for new speakers shortly. I want to buy new. My budget is $2500 +/- a couple hundred bucks. Room is fairly large, music is classical, acoustic and some rock. I listen at moderate volume. 90% of listening is on vinyl, 5% CD, 5% FM. Will match with a beautiful sounding Plinius integrated amp. Prefer floorstanding but won't rule out stand mount. Must be clear, sweet and detailed and mate well with the Plinius. Decent bass extention is a must. So, where would you spend your money?

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Apr 2006, 10:23 pm »

I'd check out speakers in the Totem line. They mate very well with Plinius IMO.

kfr01 · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Apr 2006, 10:25 pm »

Bass extension and detail?

Finished Exodus Audio 2641.

http://www.diycable.com/main/default.php?cPath=24_92

miklorsmith · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Apr 2006, 10:26 pm »

Zu Druids would be my first, second, and third choice.

bunky · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Apr 2006, 10:33 pm »

The Odyssey Loreleis are only $300.00 over your budget and if you dont think they are the cats meow in your system Klaus will gladly refund your money. thanks....WCW III

sickboymech5 · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Apr 2006, 10:34 pm »

i would give louis a call at omega. you need a great speaker i have the new xrs floor standing and have not heard any better, even the zu cant compair for the price

WEEZ · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Apr 2006, 10:43 pm »

Speaker Art Super Clef. (approx. $2k)

www.speakerart.com

WEEZ

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Apr 2006, 10:57 pm »

Depending on your existing amplification and personal tastes, proposed choices are:

1) Zu Druids Mk IV if you have and love low powered amps (less than 15wpc), and don't mind paying $300 higher than your preset budget. 60 days money back, cool people and great support. May need a subwoofer in the long run.

2) Bob Brines LT-2000 Lowther based speakers (ranging from $1,595 to $2,045 depending on which drivers, DX2 or DX3 respectively) if your amp is low powered and you love details.

3) Bob Brines FTA-2000 Fostex based speakers ($1,595) if you can't live without deep bass and your amp is at least 30wpc. Smooth throughout the entire frequency spectrum. No need a subwoofer.

zybar · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Apr 2006, 11:11 pm »

Quote from: Merle

I'm going to be in the market for new speakers shortly. I want to buy new. My budget is $2500 +/- a couple hundred bucks. Room is fairly large, music is classical, acoustic and some rock. I listen at moderate volume. 90% of listening is on vinyl, 5% CD, 5% FM. Will match with a beautiful sounding Plinius integrated amp. Prefer floorstanding but won't rule out stand mount. Must be clear, sweet and detailed and mate well with the Plinius. Decent bass extention is a must. So, where would you spend your money?

I would buy this pair of Silverline Sonata II speakers. They are 95db's, full range, and clear, sweet, and detailed.

George

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Apr 2006, 11:14 pm »

Hello Merle,

How about checking out Bill Baker's new speaker....the Musica Bella SP/AV-1......might fit the bill. Good luck with your search.....

[/list:u]

Hogg · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 01:44 am »

Consider the Veracity QW either by Salk Sound or Selah.

Jim

woodsyi · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 02:00 am »

Why new, Merle? You will take a 40% hit when you sell. I am sure you can get a good 9/10 pair that will fit your bill, which can be sold later without much depreciation.

woodsyi · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 02:13 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42

Hello Merle,
How about checking out Bill Baker's new speaker....
the Musica Bella SP/AV-1......might fit the bill. Good luck with your search..... [/list:u]

It would fit the bill but SP/AV2 would fit more bettter with more extension.

SP/AV1 has a special thing for acoustic music. If you or someone plays mostly classical recording expecially on vinyl, SP/AV series speakers will be really good. There is a certain synergistic euphony (I am not talking about tube bloom) created when a good recording of acoustic music is played on these speakers. It could be the SP Tech but I think it's the way Bill voiced them.

David Ellis · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 02:38 am »

I must ask... are you Merle Scruggs?? I remember your name from years ago, and the gent was in the D.C. area.

I recommend Jim Salk's Veracity QW. They will look so good that you will never want to get rid of them. Oh, they sound great too. And, they have more $$ in parts than any of the afore mentioned speakers - except possibly the Silverline Sonata. I can't really discern if these drivers are Morel, Dynaudio, or Chinese?? Jim Salk uses arguably the very best parts in his speakers.

Dave

eric the red · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 02:55 am »

Save yourself $1800.00 and buy Eric's Paradox 3s if they're still available.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=26951&highlight=paradox
http://www.gr-research.com/discontinued/paradox_3.htm
I've had mine now for over 4 years now and couldn't be happier.

David Ellis · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 03:02 am »

That is a really good price for those speakers, and they are in Merle's neighborhood.

Dave

Folsom · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 04:02 am »

Gallos Reference are really nice too. At least I personally really like them, of all speakers, and my DIY fairly strict agenda...... I would buy the Gallos if I had the money to mess around, they are that nice in my opinion.

Personally I like a little obscure type drivers, boxes, speakers in general..... I think the Gallos design and pleasing sound is better than say some Focal speakers at more than twice the price in traditional "line array" of drivers (not the same drivers, just the usually order of one on top of another).

Aside from that.... build your own! I smell Accuton's brewing.

bhobba · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 04:13 am »

Quote from: woodsyi

It would fit the bill but SP/AV2 would fit more bettter with more extension.

Even better and still fits in with being a couple of hundred dollars from $2500 is the timepiece 2.1. Now that has extension. I am sure one of the dealers will do a bit of a deal to make it even closer to $2500 expecially if you purchased other stuff from them.

To the original poster you can't go past the Timepiece 2.1 IMHO.
http://www.4sptech.com/version2/index.html

Contact an agent like Tweek Geek or Responce audio to arrange an audiiton.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=26936
I am sure you will be impressed.

IMHO much better to spend a little more on the speakers and a little less on an amp and upgrade later if you feel the need. About $3500 all up will ge you the 2.1's, a panasonic XR55 and a CD player. IMHO a hard to beat system at that price.

Thanks
Bill

F-100 · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 04:29 am »

I'm surprisingly that no one had suggested the Von schweikert VR4jr.

Folsom · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Apr 2006, 04:41 am »

Accuton
4x C82-T8 (5" Mid/bass, 86.7dB) $800

Adire
4x Adire Audio Extremis 6.8 $400

Bohlender Graebener
2x NEO8-PDR PLANAR TRANSDUCER $130

That would only be $1330 in drivers.... It would hit 20hz, have an insanely strong mid-bass with endless control, non harsh tweeters that would be nice and open.... Plus it should get pretty loud! Why would I do that? Well because I can! Full range with out the traditional tweeter I am NOT a personal fan of.... This would be like a MTM with stereo subwoofers combined. I kind of was thinking Gallos Reference in mind a little bit under this preception of full range. I would consider substituting the Accutons for some Seas, Scan-Peaks or some thing else but I want to play with ceramic drivers. Plus the control with them, oh man would midbass and even a little into the bass be glorious! Tight controlled bass guitar.... need there be more to say?

That much money.... so much fun ideas to play with!

Bohlender Graebender
2x RD48 PLANAR TRANSDUCER $1300

Seas Excel
4x W26FX-001 (E026) 10" Aluminum Alloy Cone $1043

This would be FUN! The 10 inchers player to 200hz, down to 20hz..... The impact of these bad boys would be flat out powerful. Then the sweet sweet voices and every thing from a Planar "full range", well what else is there to say......

I could have so much fun making speakers!