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Curious what people think is the best "value" high end speaker (~5K to 15K)

I am on a long search for speakers and just curious what people think is the best value both new or used in speakers ranging from around $5000 to $15000? I have a set of Paradigm S8's (V1) and love them but looking for another set for another set in a different listening area (25 x 20?, maybe larger).  I love the full sound of JBL's and looking for something in that range (it also helps that JBL's seem to hold their value better than most, which will be a consideration). The only drawback to JBL is footprint.  I prefer a smaller footprint which is why after reading I hope to listen to several B&W 800 series but open to suggestions across the board.  used Watt Puppies? Revels?  I am curious about peoples experience with McIntosh XR100's. 
gene3x

Showing 8 responses by steve59

steve59's avatar
steve59
268 posts
 
what i'm noticing about the Salon2's is how neutral they are. I have a pair of VA Beethovens I would consider great bang for the buck, warm side of neutral, but very good sounding. The Revels can change their presentation if I move them 6"! At Axpona few large speakers sounded good in the hotel rooms, the Carver LSA, Maggies, and Raidho's otherwise it was small 2 way's stealing the show. The exhibits on the main floor with wide open spaces sounded exceptional and tho I think Wilson is over rated I gave them best sound at the show, the big VSR even YG sounded pretty common when I was in the rooms
steve59's avatar
steve59
268 posts
 
I snapped up a pair of Vienna Acoustics Strauss locally the other day and considering the line came out in2002 I'm pleasantly surprised. I swap out the salon2's and am treated to a warmer less detailed sound, good for rock not something I would have thought a va speaker would be good for previously.      

I'm considering the kanta 3 as my next, last speaker though my retailer thinks I should give the persona line a shot. Still nothing wrong with the salon2's except they're freaking huge.
steve59's avatar
steve59
268 posts
 
Congrats on the sopra 2, I hope they fit your taste right out of the box. For me I think i'll be keeping my salon2's as long as i can. crazy thing about swapping speakers around is I chanced on a new placement that just overwhelmed me with the playback. more audio nirvana, for free!
steve59's avatar
steve59
268 posts
 
Since stereophile reviewers recommend everything they review I try and pay attention to the specifics they mention about a specific product that makes it stand out, in the case of the 5f the reviewer make considerable mention of brightness enough that if I had a room that was reflective at all I would disregard them. My room with carpet and heavy padding along with acoustic ceiling tiles in an 17x26 room they would probably sound great, wood floors and many windows probably not so much. 
steve59's avatar
steve59
268 posts
 
consider loudspeaker markup is 4x. manufacturing cost $2500 double for profit makes them $5k now entice dealers so double down again and your $2500 speakers list for $10K. Like Cars, trucks, and motorcycles I prefer to let someone else take the hit and i'll buy used. I get closer to the actual value then. How Raidho and Magico come up with pricing their speakers I couldn't guess.
steve59's avatar
steve59
268 posts
 
I heard the Kanta 3 at a local dealers and very nearly bought it myself I was so impressed with its musicality and clarity, that even handled my 70's rock! That's a first for any focal speaker before it in its price. 
steve59's avatar
steve59
268 posts
 
I've been trying to fit some large, tall full range speakers into my basement with little luck. I've sold speakers that i've been happy with that fell a little short in 1 area or another in hopes that throwing more money at the system would bring me closer to the event and somewhere along the way I became a spectator. Maybe I'm getting old and practical, but the music has become intellectual instead of emotional and my intellect can't justify the $$$. Rats
steve59's avatar
steve59
268 posts
 
bo1972, as emotional as music and its reproduction is i'm sure it warrants all the type you've put into it, here's the thing tho'. NO WAY monitor audio is going to fit all that onto a brochure!
 seriously. nearfield listening can and will usually fix the shortcomings all but those MA 200,s suffer, leaving us with tone and clear reproduction. Monitor audio speakers always burned my ears in the past so I haven't listened to any in many years.  
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