Bookshelfs budget is $ 2000.


I am trying to get closer to a decision regarding speakers ( bookshelf). Been reading the speaker section on Audiogon for hours and no closer to any Idea. The music is Jazz and Classical. Kef R 300 or KLH 5? Have not heard either one just going by posters comments. I am looking for a warm mellow sound but not muddy. The amp is SS 100 watts per channel. Any help to narrow the options would be a great help. I know it is a question with many answers but I need to start somehow. New or used? Regards Peter
petrox
I would suggest you go out and listen to as many speakers as you can. Without knowing your room or the rest of your system it will be tough to make a solid recommendation. In the past I bought and sold a bunch of monitors to audition which was a lot of fun and I learned a lot along the way. If you are wise about buying and selling you can do this with little or no loss. You may even find a pair you like that falls well below your stated budget. Best of luck.
I own the Harbeth P3 ESR and think it is outstanding. But if
you are looking for a warm and mellow speaker the Spendor 3/5r
would fit the bill,I have owned that one also. BTW,the
Spendors are more than $500 less so it will give you more to
get some nice stands.
+1 the suggestion to get out and listen to as many speakers as you can. I know it's hard these days with the scarcity of brick and mortar dealers, but it's the best advice. Alternatively, try some of the directly marketed brands that give you an in-home trial period - even better than a dealer because you get to hear the gear in your room and system. Finally, if all else fails, minimize your financial risk by buying used.
I mean, I (or anybody else) could simply tell you what their favorite speaker is in your price range - I'd start going on about the Reference 3A Dulcet - but to be fair, my taste and room are quite probably entirely different from yours.
Good luck! I went though lots of speakers before finding the ones I'm currently enjoying so much.
How big is your room Peter?

Totem speakers are a great choice for jazz/classical and most models will fit your budget. For a really small room you connot go wrong with the Dreamcatchers. For a bigger room you cannot go wrong with a pair of used a Totem Model Ones.

Dreamcatchers are perfect for classical music without breaking the bank.
Model Ones are much better for Jazz/classical in a larger room.
As usual Kiko65 is spot on.
I own both Dreamcatchers and Model 1 signatures.
1 Sigs are one of the best reviewed boxes out there and the Dreamcatchers give up little to them,
Another cheap speaker that will run right with them is the Triangle Titus 202, which was a Stereophile class B and rightly so. In fact the Triangle has a better soundstage than the Totems and will fill a big or small space.