2. speakers
  3. 1321398396

Best Speaker under $3K - New or Used

In my other thread, I asked about the B&W 804 but I decided to pass on it since it's a 13-year speaker with a high asking price.

Anyhow, it seems I'm going backwards in building my system since I've settled on a Parasound JC2 as the pre-amp. Now I'm back to the drawing board for the choice of speakers. Any reommendation of a great, balance speaker with excellent mid range, sweet and open treble, tight bass under $3K - New or Used, bookshelf or floor stand?

I listen to a wide range of musics, including symphony, chamber, jazz, vocal, light music, pop songs.

FYI, I auditioned the Vandersteen 2CE Sig. II, 3A, Proac Response D2, Studio 140II, 100, Totem Hawk and Totem Mani 2 Sig.

While I read rave reviews about the 2CE Sig. II, I didn't find the clarity and imaging I heard from typical British speakers (ProcAc D2, Harbeth). It might be due to the set up and gears used at the dealer showroom.

Totem Mani 2 Sig. has great bass and imaging to me. Anyone had experience with it? How does it compare to Harbeth, ProAc bookshelfs? Is it neutral, natrual, accurate?

Thanks for your input.
r0817
kana813
956 posts
 
Event Opals
donjr
1,311 posts
 
Do you have the ability to audition speakers in your area? I'm a fan of Harbeth. I also love everything Totem, but I haven't heard any Totem's since I bought my Harbeth's. Honestly, you're going to spin in circles with this if you can't audition locally. Please, please try and find a way to do this through a local dealer. You're speaker lineup is awesome. They're all good, but I'm going to tell you to look at Harbeth's because I dumped my money on them and I want everyone to love them because of that. Even the person that owns a Parasound JC is going to convince you that his speakers are perfect, even if they're not. You might have wall to wall carpet and he may have hardwoods. Let the Parasound JC2 salesman give you suggestions. That's what they're good at.

My suggestion is to build a local relationship with your dealer. I'm not a dealer (not even close), but I've found that the easiest way to save money is to buy new. After intensive listening, reading, posting on Agon etc.. you'll be at a point where you know what you want and you can buy used without even thinking about it. This is a serious hobby. Buy new until you figure it out. You're local dealer will have your back. (at least mine does).
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,029 posts
 
I like Parasound products as well and I have been happy with Dynaudio Contour S1.4, and C 1 (35Hz-22kHz). I am also a fan of Volent CL-2 and VL-2 (30Hz-57kHz). I am hoping to get to listen to the LSA-1 Statements (30Hz-34kHz). These are all highly respected and easy to read reviews on them. The type of music you like is also the type they excel at. Your actual listening and system integration will tell the final story.

If you cannot hear them first I would not let that deter you from buying. They can be sold without too much if any loss if they do not please you. Well reviewed pieces of gear are always in demand.
luvs2listen
63 posts
 
The Vapor Breeze is well under your $3000 price at $1250, but it uses very high end components. RAAL 70-10D up high and the Wavecor 6" symmetric drive Nomex cone. After hearing them in Chicago a few weeks ago, your comments on needing clarity and imaging made me respond with the Breeze suggestion. It's a smaller monitor, but your music choices seem like a perfect fit.
jallen
502 posts
 
Maggie 3.6 if you have a little space and power. Very good speaker under 10k. Jallen
More to discover