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Used speakers for $3k? Oh the confusion

Audio speakers, HiFi speakers, studio loudspeakers....
I need help. My first pair was Altec Lansing 510's. Those things could rock and image very well. They were a little shrill, but otherwise very nice. I went to ProAc Response Ones which I thought were even better at everything except dynamics, so off with them and onto kit building starting with Dyaudio drivers. Too much work and then to a North Creek Rhythm kit which was already designed, much easier. Sold them and purchased Merlin VSM-M. These didn't do anything for me so sold them and have now Tyler's Linbrook Signatures. These are very cool, but don't image like the proacs so I just built a pair of Proac Response 1SC clones. Again very nice but lack dynamics for some rock.

I know electronics play a big part. I am using a Audio Mirror PP1 with some mods, a pair of custom EVS 350 watt mono class D UCD amps with a massive power supply. My cd player is a NAD T585.

I am tossing around, used only, VR4jr mkII, Genesis V, Dunlavy SC-IV, Aerial 10 T and Talon Raven. I tossed around Maggies and a few electrostatics, but don't want only one tight sweet spot. Cliffhanger Bulldogs, with a sub, are at the top of my list, but impossible to find.

I need good imaging and good dynamics at a low price ($3000.00-$3500.00). Used is the only way to get a $7K and up speaker for $3k ie. Genesis V.

My electronics are not bright and a little laid back.

I like good old Genesis from the early 70's Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd and some newer rock like Alice in Chains. Head music is my favorite. I want speakers that can disappear into a room and are easy to set up and can play loud. I also want good bass and don't have a problem using a sub.

I know it's allot to ask, but maybe there is a speaker like Neat Acoustics that I am not familiar with or Salk that will be perfect for me.

I need good suggestions from owners that have gone through the same thing and now very happy with their choice.
stereo
stereo OP
147 posts
 
Maybe I am a little afraid of horns. I heard some sub $1k Klipsch years ago and they just screamed at me. Never got any closer to see if they image great or not.

I am also looking at Gemme Audio Tanto and AAD 2003. These are getting some good reviews too especially the Tanto.

I don't want to wind up with the same sound as Merlin VSM-M's. I want to explore all in my used price range.

I am planning to go to a local retailer soon and I'll check out some horns there too.
mrjstark
1,112 posts
 
AADs are also nice. I own 2001s monitors. Using them in my second system - that is voiced for heavy Rock and Metal.
You should also look into Zu speakers like Druids.

Best
Mariusz
learsfool
1,206 posts
 
You can drive horns to ear-splitting levels if you are not careful, that's one reason why they are usually matched up with tubes. A friend drives a single Klipschorn in mono with an SET amp that puts out just half a watt. I am currently driving my Cornwalls with the PrimaLuna Dialogue 2, so I get a choice of triode or ultralinear mode. You might give horns another chance, Stereo. No other speakers can give you so much dynamic difference (on the soft end as well as the loud), and they image fantastic. They also create bigger and more realistic soundstages, and resolve instrumental and vocal timbres better than any other type. Since I listen mainly to full-scale orchestral works and opera, these things are very important to me. However, they also sound great when I listen to a jazz combo as well. I just listened to the Oscar Peterson 6 Live at the Montreaux Festival (from I think 1975?) the other day, and you could clearly hear EXACTLY where each musician was placed on the stage, almost as well as if I had been there.
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
Familiar with most of your list except the Talons and Bulldogs. Although they are all capable of both dynamics and bass, they are quite different. The Vandy is the understated. SCIVA is precise, sometimes to a fault. Genesis smears some vocals in exchange for dipole ambience. The 10T, nevermind, it was probably broken.

Both the Genesis and Dunlavy are fairly needy as far as placement and room but are good used bargains. Between the two, it's a choice between a concert and a studio.
mrmitch
359 posts
 
Hi Stereo, I had a pair of Klipsch Fortes years ago, and while they do rock on not a lot of power, I could never get them to do the "disappearing" thing. Tried all sorts of differing placement, room treatments, spikes, cones, cable...never happened. I also found acoustic instruments to have a distinct lack of body and richness to them, which may not be a big deal for you if you favor Genesis, Giant, and Pink Floyd. Just my two cents worth.........Mrmitch
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