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Best $1,500-ish New or Used Floorstander -

Hello,

After pouring through many posts over the last few weeks, I thought I would tap the collective Audiogon genius for advice on my quest to get back into the hobby. I have been a many year (decade?) fan of the community (lurker) but wanted to engage directly as I look for a good set of speakers for a 2 channel system I will be building.

What should my short list look like for speakers in the $1,500 range?

I am very open to used, but if there are any current production speakers that eclipse the used value equation I'll certainly give them deep consideration.

My room is "lively" and roughly 15 x 20.

Associated electronics: TBD - but budget commensurate with speaker pricing.

I'd like "well rounded" speakers in terms of music genre - not focusing on speakers that do well for "opera" and not rock, for example. If anything I'd like to make sure they "rock" though.

If you had $1,500 to spend on speakers that you hope last you many years - what would you get?

Thanks!
968firehawk
pvanosta
22 posts
 
I was in the same situation as the OP 6 months ago.
I have always had a soft spot for Martin Logan and got a great pair of ML Ascent for under $1,500.

I use them both as the front speakers in my HT and as the stereo speakers for my audio system and I am VERY happy to be back in the audio hobby...

I also bought a Perreaux 2150B power amp to drive them (less than $500 for 400WPC in 4 Ohm) and again very happy with my purchase.
foster_9
1,610 posts
 
Johnnyb53, my compliments for putting in the extra time and effort to try and help a guy find the right speakers. Too bad there aren't more philes here as consistently willing to help other philes as you demonstrate. You've advised me before too! Thanks. Still dealing with the Mirage OMD 28's.
968firehawk OP
11 posts
 
Many thanks to the community for your guidance - I'll second the special call-out for Johnnyb53. Much appreciated!

I made it out to my local Magnolia/Best Buy to listen to the Monitor RX6&8's lat night. Great advice! The demo conditions were less than ideal, but gave me a good indication of the potential. I'll take some of my music and try to give them a good listen.

To further muddy the waters, I hooked up my old Madisound stand-mount 2-way speakers with a Polk sub... I am now thinking sub/sats could be satisfying in my room. I like the idea of being able to invest in a good sub to match down the road.

So, I'm open to 2 way bookshelf speakers, but still leaning towards floorstanders.

In a perfect world, something not too difficult to drive, keeping my amp options more free. (I know you can't have it all for $1,500....)

Thanks again,
gfcf424892
74 posts
 
Energy RC-70 at Vanns. Beats speakers costing double the original retail price ($2k).
shoff
108 posts
 
I have seen three or four ads in the past two years for Aerial 10T's for around $1700. In my estimation the 10T's are as good as any (and better than most!) speakers mentioned in this thread!
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