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Need help choosing spkrs I've never heard

This is the first time I've used Audio Forum but need assistance fm my fellow 'philes. I need to downsize and I've short listed the following: Paradigm Signature S8, Von Schweikert VR-4 SR and Aerial 9. While I have heard at some point or another, vaious models fm these vendors, I've never heard any of the specific candidates. No dealers of any within 200 mi, so really looking for you input. Other's I have owned - Revel Salon Ultimas, Infinity Betas, Genesis 200 Mk IIs and Legacy Focus 20/20. Hopefully that will give you an idea of my sonic tastes - accuracy, a more forward presence, holographic "you are there" depth and imaging, but this time around, due to being in a connected town house, deep base (so long as it's clean!) is not as important. Front end is Sony SCD-777ES, Kora Hermes, Sonic Frontiers L-3/Power 3s. I read in a thread that a lot of guys have their mind made up before they post "which should I choose, this one or that?" - but in this case it's a level table and I'm open to input. Have to make decision by Monday 3/17/06. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO ASSIST!
triller
jtgofish
209 posts
 
Triller,Only ever buy speakers you can hear in your own home and system.
Find a Hi Fi dealer who will allow you to try at least 3 different speakers after hearing a range of them in their showroom.
There are just too many variables.
Speakers depreciate quickly so it is easy to make an expensive mistake.

JT
drseid
201 posts
 
I agree with all the others who say that you really need to hear the speakers yourself... especially when shelling out the kind of bucks we are talking here.

For what it is worth, I heard the VR4SRs a year ago, and did not like them at all. That said, you may feel otherwise if they are closer to your preferences... I *did* like the DB99s though quite a lot (the next up in the VS line), and would easily recommend those for the money and outright (maybe used you could find them used for the same price or less than the SRs new).

I have not heard the other two you are considering, so I can't comment on them.

Other speakers worth a look in your general price range +/- based on my own listening experiences and preferences are the Dali Helicon 800s, Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature System (I), Merlin VSM MXs, and the already mentioned VS DB99s.

---Dave
michaela
288 posts
 
I'm with Hbarrell. The best thing about this site is that a person can buy a pair of speakers used, try them in their home, and if they don't like them, sell them for the same price they paid for them. Also, I disagree with Duke in that yes, people on this site do tend to recommend what they currently have, but how can that be a bad thing? It's not worthless at all, It's a good starting point to listen to the opinions of others who have the equipment already, and read what they think about it. There's tons and tons of different equipment and combinations of equipment, so much that it's impossible to audition each and every peice or combination of pieces, so sometimes, you just have to take a chance and try it without hearing it first. It's no big deal to do it. Good luck to you.

Mike.
audiokinesis
1,872 posts
 
Michaela,

Well my choice of wording was poor. I see opinions here as quite valuable for letting someone know what the possible contenders are. But the final decision should not rest on other people's opinions.

Duke
bigjoe's avatar
bigjoe
680 posts
 
im with duke,the problem with buying based on recomendations is that even though most of us love what we have right now in 6 months its a different story & reselling speakers is not the easiest thing to sell if you dont like them without taking a hit in the wallet.
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