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Speaker suggestions

I have had the same speakers(signet 280ex) for about 15 years. It is time to replace them. They are really mid-fi. My first listen was comparing them to a pair of Dali Ikon 6's. The Ikon's bested my speaker in every category! Detail, Dynamics, Bass, Bass Clarity, Evenness across the frequencies. BUT I did find the Dali's too bright for my tastes, plus the drop in the American Dollar has caused the price of the Dali's to go from $1550 to $1750 to now $1900! Literally 3 or 4 months ago this same speaker would have cost me nearly $200 less. A year before that $350 less. I considered the Jean-Marie Reynaude Euterpe, but those went from $1995 to $2895 4 months ago- $900 more!!!

Sooooo, I am looking for suggestions for speakers....preferabally something not imported from Europe.

My System:

VPI HW19JR
Audioquest PT6 tonearm
Soon to be Benz Woodbody "S" cartridge
Nova Phonomena Phonostage
Magnum Integrated Amplifier

Qualities I am looking for:

- $1000-$3000 (used is OK)

- Looking for something that plays all kinds of music well - Rock, Jazz, Pop, Classical, Blues, etc.

- Good soundstaging and body

- Neutral (my space has concrete floors...so nothing too bright)

- Dynamic with some slam - I listen to all kinds of music, but mostly Rock.

- Smooth

Thanks in advance!
carter9000
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i agree with chadnliz regarding vandersteen 2 (what ever the model is). i believe the retail is under $2000, new. i have heard them work with tubes and solid state gear.
krell_man
827 posts
 
The Harmonic Precision Caravelle. A used pair is for sale right now on Audiogon: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1215952738

Chuck
bostonbean
241 posts
 
third vote for Gallo's, or at least check them out.
koiman
51 posts
 
I second the Salk speakers.
carter9000 OP
23 posts
 
WOW! Keep the suggestions coming. I am going to have to look all these speakers up and try to track down reviews on them The only ones that I am familiar with are the Vandersteen's and unfortunately I found them too polite and laid back.

I actually listened to 3 speakers when I purchased my Signets waaaaay back when - A pair of NHT (I forgot the model number), the Vandersteen 2c's, and the Signets. The NHT's were too brittle and lean, the Vandersteens were too cloudy and thick, and the signets were just right - somewhere between the two. I then listened to a pair of Vandersteens (not sure of model) again 5 years ago and thought they still had the same qualities, however it wasn't an in depth listen. I'm curious because so many people seem to like these speakers, so I will definitely give another listen.

Haven't even heard of the Gallo speaker, Nola Viper - I will see if I can find out more.

The big thing I am missing on my Signets is Soundstage. Didn't realize it until I compared them to the Dalis. It was a direct side by side comparison. When I switched from the Dalis to the Signets the sound stage really flattened out. The other major difference was the signet's were definitely on the warm side of neutral. The Dalis weren't lean....it was just the very high frequencies were really really present. Cymbals jumped to the forground in mixes where they shouldn't.

Has anyone listened to:

Monitor Audio Siler RS6 or RS8
Revel Concerto F12

Both of which are highly regarded by Stereophile. I briefly heard the Monitor RS6, but it was on a HUGE showroom floor against a window, with gear and equipment surrounding it and on an elevated platform! Not the most ideal situation. My initial impression was that they would be leaner than my signets, but listening in a gigantic show room really isn't a fair way to listen and judge.

Also....anyone have experience with

Tannoy speakers
Snell speakers
Martin Logan
Theil

All of which I haven't listened to, but am curious about.

Thanks eveyone!
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