[2bigears]

in the market for monitors,budget is 2k tops,what do you buy???? used is always good!!!! thks for input

[eric the red]

I'd talk to Mike at ACI

[alwayslearning]

I would check out Focus Audio fs688's.

[lonewolfny42]

Pat.....Is this for the VAC 30/30 amp ? Did you add a preamp yet or just staying with the Opus 21 ?

[2bigears]

hi Chris,how's things???? this will be for a second system,i was going to sell the little VAC,but i am thinkin' hard that on that one.that amp shines.i bought the Audion SET 845 thinking SET will rule,but i am not sure yet on that one????

[lonewolfny42]

hi Chris,how's things???? this will be for a second system,i was going to sell the little VAC,but i am thinkin' hard that on that one.that amp shines.i bought the Audion SET 845 thinking SET will rule,but i am not sure yet on that one????

Things are cold....its winter.

So you need a speaker's that are easy to drive. Check out the Omega's....or Horn Shop speakers....they would fit the bill. Circle's here on AC....

[2bigears]

thks Chris,gotta present the better half with roses now,might-hope it leads to good things!!??

[lonewolfny42]

thks Chris,gotta present the better half with roses now,might-hope it leads to good things!!??

Have fun.....

[Wind Chaser]

in the market for monitors,budget is 2k tops,what do you buy???? used is always good!!!! thks for input

Or you can just do it yourself.  This is what I did - with the help of a few machineshops...

[Scotty]

You should not overlook Reimer Speakers' McCullough GS. They come in within
your budget and offer 94db sensitivity and 36Hz to 26kHz response.

The finish on the pair in the picture is Kevazinga veneer.
Scotty

[Al Garay]

The choices really depend on your electronics and interests. To overly simplify, if you prefer smooth-neutral (go with Scanspeak Revelator) or highly detail-front row (go with Seas Excel).

Here are some proven options by established designers:

Around $2k, complete:

* $1600, Mike Dzurko, Sapphire XL, TM, http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/sapphirexl/sapphirexl.htm
* $1775, Phil Bamberg, BESL Series 5 MTM, http://www.bamberglab.com/s5mtm.shtml
* $1995, Rick Craig, Selah Audio SSR MT, http://www.selahaudio.com/id124.html
* $2100, Jim Salk (Dennis Murphy), Salk Sound HT1 MT, http://www.salksound.com/HT1.html

The BESL's really need a sub to help cover below 80Hz. With a sub, it would be closer to Jim Salk's HT3. The Sapphire uses a 5" Revelator woofer and a silk dome tweeter in a small cabinet. Whereas the Selah SSR uses a 7" Revelator woofer and ribbon tweeter in a larger cabinet, will have more output and extend lower.

If you were open to DIY kits, your choices would grow.

[Zero]

2bigbears,

"bear" with me (thats a groaner, eh) and answer the following questions so we can get a better idea of what it is you may be looking for. The 2g and under weight class is heavily contested and is full of exceptional products. When you factor in the used market, the choices span more far and wide than any one person can lay complete insight to. However, with some info we can help get you started in the right direction.

First;

1) Do you have any specific size restraints? ie: are you looking at compact monitors, or can your space accept relatively large pieces?

2) How important is the 'cosmetic factor' to you?

3) To the best of your ability; describe the kind of sound you are looking for. Whats important to you? Do you like a 'tell it like it is' speaker or a colored and inviting speaker? Do you want lots of bass or do you plan on using a sub? How about imaging..  tell us whats important to you.

4) How critical are you of the companies you purchase your gear from? Do you want to buy from a company with lots of history or are you open to trying out some newcomers?

5) Do you plan on listening very loud, or in a large room? And how far can you put these monitors out from any walls?

6) Lastly, what electronics will you be using?


Ok - thats a good set of questions to get you started with. We all have our different bias's and experience......   but giving us that information will be easier for us, and more beneficial to you.

Cheers

[Zero]

I hope this won't land me in the virtual brig; but I am going to reference my own review at Affordable Audio as an example of two exceptional products that are of two wildely different extremes; (The ACI Sapphire XL and the SIA Rothschilde A2)

http://www.affordableaudio.org/aa2007-02.pdf

Page 29. It's a long read; but a good skim will give you a solid idea of how different two really good speakers can be. It will also illustrate my point as to why the above requested info is so important.

[PhilNYC]

I would check out Focus Audio fs688's.

The Focus line just went up in price due to exchange rates, so the FS-688 might be hard to find used for $2K.  However, a lot of folks feel that the FS-68SE gives you 95% of the performance, and it retails for $2450...

Here's a review of the FS-68SE (a Reviewer's Choice!):
http://www.soundstageav.com/onhifi/20060315.htm

(disclaimer: I'm a Focus dealer)

[TomS]

I've been using the Merlin TSM-MX's which are outstanding in that range.  Not the last word in low end, but their output is smooth and clean to reasonably high levels.  You need to plan in the cost of quality stands as well.  I have Osiris 24's which are no longer available new, but are about $250-300 used when they come up.

As much as I like the TSM's, if I had to live with just one for all duties, the ACI Sapphire XL's are pretty amazing all around speakers as well.  With either one, music is a pleasure, not work.

Tom

[bpape]

Can't speak to the others but I'll second the ACI Sapphire and the Selah SSR.  I'm still breaking in a pair of the SSR's and they just keep getting better.

Just for clarification, the $1995 price on the SSR is for a top of the line cabinet and basic xover.  The deluxe crossover and more basic finish on the cabinet can be had for under $1500 - including shipping.

Bryan

[duggie]

i own two pairs of minimonitors that are hard to top at any price, imo.  i really should sell a pair, but cannot bring myself to do it.  one retails for <$2k, but do not let the price fool you - these are killer, & w/subs, can fill even the largest rooms w/sound.  (or at least 26x38x8.5!    )  i am referring to the diminutive proac tablette 8 reference signatures.  presently a coupla pairs f/s on agon.  (asking $1200?)  but they do not stay f/s long...  these are airy, detailed, dynamic, smooth, excellent soundstaging, etc...  even better, imo, than the also excellent & more expensive proac 1sc's.

the second pair i am referring to, you will only make your price-point if you shop used - these are the diapason adamantes lll's.  drop-dead gorgeous, and all the adjectives that apply to the proacs aplpy here, except, at 91db-efficient, (as opposed to the ref 8 sig's 86db rating), you do not need as much grunt.  and, they go a little bit lower, but not an issue in a smaller room.  the diapasons are perhaps a little more on the warm side of neutral, as compared to the proacs, but i haven't run the proacs in a while - i really need to hook 'em back up, to compare to my recently acquired diapasons.  and, re: efficiency, in defense of the ref 8 sigs, i once heard them in a 14x22x10 room, driven off the 25wpc triode setting of a manley stingray, & they were still awesome, w/decent low-end, & all the loudness you would want, except for serious headbanging.  then, just flip the manley's switch to ultralinera, & you're in biz!   

you cannot go wrong w/either of these monitors, imo...

now if you are wanting floorstanders, & can spend $2k-$2.5k, check out a pair of used coincident victory's.  even better detail & soundstaging than either of these monitors, & they won't take up any more room than monitors properly placed on stands.   and, at 14 ohms, & 97db efficient, you can really have fun playing w/amps...  aa

[crossroadazn]

Focus Audio's very good choice or a pair of Silverline Audio SR-17.5 easy to drive with good bass and soundstage. Good luck and happy listening.

[macrojack]

Zu Audio makes a monitor called the Tone. It is highly efficient, reaches down to 40hz and will play loud without breakup.
Zu has a 60 day home trial program. If you decide not to keep them, you will only be out the freight.

See the reviews in Positive Feedback and 6moons.

[Pez]

This whole thread cracks me up! 2big you asked one question and got 20 different answers. Truth time.  Audition as many as you possibly can. Make up your own mind. 

If you were to ask me? I suggest, of course, the 626's with the FST tweets. I'm not 100% sure how far $2000 will go, but I think you would be overwhelmingly happy... Err at least I would.