Favorite speakers under $1,500?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #20 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 04:12 am »

How about....$1,490.00 per pair ....

The Aether Audio Spirit-1 speakers...

Check this thread...Link...

cujobob · « **Reply #21 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 05:09 am »

It's really hard to say because of the used market prices and kits throwing things for a loop. I would likely ONLY buy used in the lower price ranges...or do a kit. You can pay someone to build them out for you if you'd want to figure it that way...

GR Research, Pi speakers, Selah, and a little higher, the Gedlee speaker kits.

There are very few speakers below 2 grand that I'd consider. The Salk Songtowers are one and there are a few monitor speakers worth consideration.

tesseract · « **Reply #22 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 05:51 am »

Quote from: Construct on 13 Aug 2010, 11:48 pm

If you were stuck (new, used or kit) under $1.500 a pair- what would or did you choose? Ie Axiom Polk lsi Jbl Klipsch Paradigm B&w Etc...

I would consider a used Revel F12.

B&W CM, 700 Series, or 805, used.

Paradigm Studio Series, used, although the highs can be a little much. It doesn't bother most people, depends on what you like.

Right now, my attention is on the new TCA Pro-10's, but they need a sub. With a TCA sub would put you right around $1500.

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #23 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 08:02 am »

Quote from: Construct on 14 Aug 2010, 02:43 am

There really should not be this much agonizing, because it's a choice... $1,500 or less for one pair...that would fit your uses. It doesn't need to be a pair that will fill a massive room, but rather something that really works all-around. (Almost like a desert island choice) I like Harbeth...very nice speakers. I haven't heard OHM in years...I remember those.

Misunderstood the topic...thought you were asking for speaker recommendations for yourself.

eclein · « **Reply #24 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 10:06 am »

Quote from: Construct on 14 Aug 2010, 03:20 am

Where do you set your level controls? Midway or...????

I have them set like in the middle-ish around 5 on the dial...its all personal taste though and room dependent I think. I have another set of 4311Bs that are very bright compared to the 4312A's and I have mid and highs set much lower on them...

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #25 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 11:39 am »

Quote from: avahifi on 14 Aug 2010, 01:02 am

www.Natesaudio.com

Model T5, $900 a pair, by far the best modestly priced very small speaker I have ever heard.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

Yes, very nice.

What about Songbirds?

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #26 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 02:11 pm »

Magneplaner, either 1.2's new or 1.6 used would hit the $1500 price point. If you can stretch the budget a little, the new 1.7's are a slam dunk at $1895.00, but that's cheating. Nothing at the price point can produce such realism.

But of course the OP can produce nothing but a list of each person's preferences and there's not likely any productive discussion to be had of same. Nonetheless I found it interesting to Google several of the selections others made and found some enlightening reviews and articles, especially about the Salk line.

planet10 · « **Reply #27 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 04:56 pm »

I'm a diyer. $1500 is a BIG budget for me. My next big project fits under this cap. A pair of Mark Audio Alpair7 with 4 SDX7 (per side) helper woofers. Alpair 7 by itself in a 1st rate commercisl standmount would easily be competitive at $1500.

dave

Wayner · « **Reply #28 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 05:28 pm »

I've heard Nate's Audio speakers and for a new pair, these things produce awesome bass, extended HF, and produce a large soundstage.

For under $300, you could get a pair of used Dynaco A25XL's that will put to shame a Paradigm Studio 40 (any series). One of my favorite.

Wayner

Kinger · « **Reply #29 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 06:17 pm »

Hmm this is a tough one as obviously there are tons of choices out there. However, I'll stick to what I've heard personally.......

At $1,500 used, I'd go with a pair of Salk ST's or a set of Fritz Carbon 7's as I own the former and have heard the latter. Both are fantastic speakers for the money IMHO and I'd imagine both could be had at that price point on the used market.

At $1,500 new....I'd also give the nod to Nate's bookshelf units. For their size, they really do sound good.

trianglezerius · « **Reply #30 on:** 14 Aug 2010, 06:26 pm »

My favorite speaker currently are the Gr-Research N2X. I've heard quite a few sub $3k speakers which
none make want to change or upgrade.

Gopher · « **Reply #31 on:** 15 Aug 2010, 01:00 am »

Zu Druid's with '08 update.

No, I've never heard them but I own the new Soul Superflys and love what the do.

2bigears · « **Reply #32 on:** 15 Aug 2010, 01:34 am »

hey Chris,,,,can you still get those Spirit-1's for 15hun ???? they look very nice ....

might take a set myself just to try them out.1's pair to Canada....

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #33 on:** 15 Aug 2010, 05:44 am »

Quote from: 2bigears on 15 Aug 2010, 01:34 am

hey Chris,,,,can you still get those Spirit-1's for 15hun ???? they look very nice .... might take a set myself just to try them out.1's pair to Canada....

Wouldn't hurt to ask. If these things are anything like their siblings, then they're pretty scary good.

face · « **Reply #34 on:** 15 Aug 2010, 06:18 am »

Statements or Statement Monitors.

http://speakerdesignworks.com/index_page_2.html

timind · « **Reply #35 on:** 15 Aug 2010, 06:30 am »

As this is not a recomendation type thread, it's a whole lot easier.
Meadowlark Audio Kestrel Hot Rods (or standard version) is my answer. I bought a pair of the hot rodded Kestrels about 6 years ago and have tried numerous speakers to better them. Thiel, Proac, Vandersteen, Silverline, Usher, Revel, Magnepan, Polk Lsi series to name a few. My normal method was to buy a pair of speakers as upgrades, listen to them for 3 to 6 months and then put the Kestrels back in my system. The result has been the same evertime. Kestrels back in...smile on my face.
I even tried the Kestrel IIs and the Shearwater Hot Rods. To be honest I would be listening to the Shearwaters now if I hadn't sold them for a move.
Another speaker that works for me is the Soliloquy 5.0 monitors. They now swap places with the Kestrels for months at a time. They both make me smile.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #36 on:** 15 Aug 2010, 10:07 am »

Quote from: 2bigears on 15 Aug 2010, 01:34 am

hey Chris,,,,can you still get those Spirit-1's for 15hun ???? they look very nice .... might take a set myself just to try them out.1's pair to Canada....

Quote from: ooheadsoo on 15 Aug 2010, 05:44 am

Wouldn't hurt to ask. If these things are anything like their siblings, then they're pretty scary good.

They are quiet good....got to hear them at a fellow Ravers home (Evan1)- part of the listening tour....small package - big sound....another fine speaker that will "knock your socks off"...

Pat....check with Bob..

wilsynet · « **Reply #37 on:** 18 Aug 2010, 10:06 am »

Zu Druid MkIV/08. Pair for sale on Audiogon right now for $1000. If the Soul didn't replace the Druid, they would still fetch $1600 on the used market.

jd3 · « **Reply #38 on:** 18 Aug 2010, 11:48 am »

I'll second Salk Songbirds as I own a pair and they are pretty amazing. Nate's Audio bookshelf speakers are also very impressive.

sunnydaze · « **Reply #39 on:** 18 Aug 2010, 12:53 pm »

Quote from: Ericus Rex on 14 Aug 2010, 01:29 am

Meadowlark Heron i

The bargain of the century.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1285519029&/Meadowlark-Heron-i-Lower-Lower

Agreed!

I owned the Heron i for many years. I can't imagine beating the performance for this price!