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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
rufipennis
118 posts
 
"about the 2CE Sig. II, I didn't find the clarity and imaging I heard from typical British speakers"

My Sig IIs were somewhat veiled in the midrange at first (much like what Art Dudley wrote about in Stereophile). Break-in, set-up, and (especially) cables really opened up the midrange. The newest iteration is said to have a new midrange driver, the woven cone from the 5A. I haven't heard it but presume it has greater transparency.

Regarding imaging, I'm surprised by your comment because I find the Vandy's to throw as big of a soundstage as any speaker I've heard (that list includes stuff like TAD Ref Ones and Avalon Ascent) with stable, palpable images. Years ago, I owned Chartwell monitors and still have B&W DM12s in a secondary system. To my ears, the Sig IIs are better than those British montiors in every parameter I can think of. Never heard a ProAc or Harbeth, tho'.

Also, Ayre is a great match with Vandersteen.
jeffga
89 posts
 
By far -- the Coincident Total Eclipses... They image great, have great versatility (tube or SS amps), and great dynamics (and low end bass)...hell, at $5K they would still be the best (used price). Just my opinion...oh, and another good one...Legacy Focus 20/20...again, great value and competes (performs) w/ big buck speakers.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
There's a nice clearance sale right now at Audio Advisor on the MartinLogan Source, at $1347.50/pr + shipping (new), and the MartinLogan Vista, at $2999/pr + shipping (new). I haven't heard them, but they would certainly be among those I would want to consider in that price range. Both models were discontinued by the manufacturer not too long ago, I believe.

The cost of amplification that would do justice to them might be an issue, though.

Good luck in your search. Regards,
-- Al
finsup
289 posts
 
Audition the Salk Songtower with the RAAL tweeter or the GoldenEar Technologies Triton Two.
jp1208
502 posts
 
Luvs2listen cracks me up on his post. He is the one who helped design the Vapor Audio Breeze and brought them to Chicago. He is self promoting his own product here. I know it's an old post but there is bad blood between me and Vapor Audio after buying a set of speakers from them. Nobody knew who this guy was until the cat was out of the bag. It's unfortunate the company has to stoop this low.
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