[opnly bafld]

I purchased my Boston Acoustics T1000 speakers new in 1987 and they are still very nice sounding speakers and holding up well.

I sold mine 4 years ago for @$200? to a friend (college student). They were in very good condition, but the foam surrounds were showing wear, I thought they would last maybe two years, he had them shredded in a month. 


Like AmpDesigner333 said, be careful when buying older speakers.
Try and find out about replacement parts before you buy.

Lin

[Parnelli777]

Used Avantgarde Duo or Trio horns. New or used Magnepan 1.6 or 3.6.

[doug s.]

Used Avantgarde Duo or Trio horns. New or used Magnepan 1.6 or 3.6.

used avantgarde speakers are best bang for the buck?  i don't think so.  don't get me wrong - i heard the original duo's, and was absolutely blown away.  but, i heard of several folks that sold theirs, (trios), after hearing the oris 150 & 200 horn kits, which are a lot less cash, even comparing them new to the avantgarde's used.  of course, i am also biased - i am presently enamored of my pair of speakers that use oris 150 horns, setting atop heavily modded klipsch lascala bass-bin cabinets.  and, i have ~$2k inwested...  (purchased used, of course!)

ymmv,

doug s.

[Bemopti123]

Energy Pro 22s or Connoiseur 22s, about 20-30 years old in age, but the way I remember a Connoiseur being played along with some Sumos in a store, 2 blocks away from the WTC, still brings impressive memories.  There is a pair of plain vanilla 22s in Audiogon, too bad I have more than enough pairs of speakers and drivers, or else, I would be fetching them right away.

[marvda1]

check out the usher 6 series line, the 6311 or 6371.

[Parnelli777]

used avantgarde speakers are best bang for the buck?  i don't think so.  don't get me wrong - i heard the original duo's, and was absolutely blown away.  but, i heard of several folks that sold theirs, (trios), after hearing the oris 150 & 200 horn kits, which are a lot less cash, even comparing them new to the avantgarde's used.  of course, i am also biased - i am presently enamored of my pair of speakers that use oris 150 horns, setting atop heavily modded klipsch lascala bass-bin cabinets.  and, i have ~$2k inwested...  (purchased used, of course!)

ymmv,

Well, I haven't heard the Oris horn kits, but I have heard the Duo, which a friend owns, and the Trios with the short horns for lengthy sessions at my dealer. Probably the best, or close to the best system I've ever heard. The big MBL gives them a run for the money, but are quite a bit more $$$. As far as the Oris being far less expensive, you're way off the mark. Their current "kits" go for around $15,000 and $40,000 USD respectively. And since they virtually never come up used, you've got a poor candidate, and an even sorrier "bang for the buck".

I'll certainly stick up for the "bang for the buck" on the Magnepans (incredible speakers, less than a lot of 2-way box garbage spanked over on this forum and others), the AG Duos, Trios, and even the Uno, which I've seen come up fairly often at around $5000-6000 used.

ymmv (*_^)

[schw06]

I'm still looking for a speaker under $5000 that can beat my $300 used KEF 104/2's.Yes, the issue of driver replacement is real but the investment is so small it's worth considering. They are fantastic!

[Ericus Rex]

Meadowlark has been mentioned here before and I agree.  On Agon there's a pair of Hot Rod Shearwaters for $850.  I can't think of a better speaker for the money.  Since Meadowlark is out of business there speakers are steals.  I predict they'll eventually go back up in value, kinda like Counterpoint stuff.  Buy now while the price is low!

[fredgarvin]

The Vmps 626jr that Brian is selling for $950 is just rediculous. I can't think of a better price/performance ratio. Another good one at $1000 or so is the GMA Europa. I'd say Ed's Hornshoppe offerings are also a great deal.

[doug s.]

...Their current "kits" go for around $15,000 and $40,000 USD respectively. And since they virtually never come up used, you've got a poor candidate, and an even sorrier "bang for the buck".

I'll certainly stick up for the "bang for the buck" on the Magnepans (incredible speakers, less than a lot of 2-way box garbage spanked over on this forum and others), the AG Duos, Trios, and even the Uno, which I've seen come up fairly often at around $5000-6000 used.

ymmv (*_^)

sorry, you are quite mistaken about the cost of oris kits.  you can build a new full oris system for anywhere between $2k-$6k, depending on your driver choice.  sure, you can spend more on bert doppenberg's hi-end models, but you do not have to.  

re: the maggies, these speakers are polarizing in more ways than one.    i, for one, would rather listen to my $20 craigslist sansui sp2500's than any maggies.  i never liked their sonic presentation...

ymmv,

doug s.

[bunky]

Lots of good recommendations here guys.I never once fell out of love with my Lorelei's and i also had a pair of Usher V602s that sounded way good for the money.I was just starting to play around with my GMA Europas before the fire and they were really something special. I have a pair of Polk LSI 7s that sound really good on 40 tube watts. I just bought a new pair of AV123 X-MTM Encores with the Sonicap equipped Danny Richie designed crossovers and they are also outstanding for the money.thanks....WCW III

[whubbard]

I should add that if you willing to DIY the Orions can be built on a budget.
The instructions, and PCBs cost $300.
The parts for the ASP are about $300.
The drivers are $1832.
If its on a budget than you can get all the wood for around $150.

So the total cost would be about $2600.

For a pair of Orions that pretty good. You can make that price go WAY up, but I'd bet that for $2600 you won't find a better pair of speakers.

-West

[jrebman]

Bunky,

Was considering a pair of those av123s myself.  We have to dismantle the entire main system as it is now, and the plan is to replace it with a much lower cost system for watching movies and casual listening, but that will sound decent.  The X-series Encore mid towers and the x-empower integrated amp when it comes out, is what we're shooting for.

-- Jim

[DaveC113]

My neighbor has the AV123 X-Static... It is certainly a good value. It looks like it's a far more expensive speaker.

[WGH]

In the $1000 range, the Von Schweikert VR2 is a great value. Although no longer in production there is usually a pair for sale on Audiogon. The 40" high tower is only 8" wide so it images like a champ, the sound is well balanced, an adjustable rear ambiance tweeter adds depth and air, and with a solid 25Hz-25,000Hz frequency response a sub-woofer is not necessary.

Wayne

[cujobob]

Bang for the Buck...or 'Value'...is really hard to judge and sound quality is always subjective.

Low-price: AV123 ELT525s

DIY Kit: GR-Research (any, all kits are relatively inexpensive)

~$500: Ascends

~$1,000: AV123 X-Statiks, Ascend Sierras

~$1,000-1,500: AV123 RS850s

~$1,500-2: Salk Songtowers

Others:  the LS-6 and LS-9 from AV123/Danny Richie at the intro or new prices should be pretty spectacular and a great value despite their being over $3K, Hawthorne OB drivers are also really nice at $150 per

I like a neutral speaker that's very dynamic.

[pbrstreetgang]

You need 8 channels of amp power and speaker cables right?

I should add that if you willing to DIY the Orions can be built on a budget.
The instructions, and PCBs cost $300.
The parts for the ASP are about $300.
The drivers are $1832.
If its on a budget than you can get all the wood for around $150.

So the total cost would be about $2600.

For a pair of Orions that pretty good. You can make that price go WAY up, but I'd bet that for $2600 you won't find a better pair of speakers.

-West

[Freo-1]

Haven't seen much on Vanderseen.  I remember reading lots of good prose on them in the past.

[HiFiSoundGuy]

 Sansui sp-5500's......one of the best speakers made from the past or even today!

[NagysAudio]

Pawel Acoustics PA-1 are some of the best speakers in the world and most definitely the best bang for the money. They have also been sold under these brands:

Ensemble PA-1
Ensemble Reference
Ensemble Animata
Goldmud Prologue