Honing down the speaker shortlist ~$5K


After 20+ years, it's time to replace my restored and very we'll-loved pair of Snell Type Es with something new. Aiming for a budget cap of ~$5k (likely used) I've narrowed it down to a short-list:

Harbeth Super HL5
Harbeth M30.1
Acoustic Zen Adagio
Vandersten 2ce signature

I've been able to audition the Harbeths at a dealer, but haven't heard them yet at home.
As for the others, I'll need to travel a bit to hear them so any input would be welcome.

My room is woody and old. It's 12x16x9 but opens through large archways on three sides to other rooms, each about 12' across. The speakers are currently at the closed end of the room, 3' from the side walls, 4' out from the back walls and 8' feet from the seating position. I listen to jazz, folk, alternative and a little classical. Primarily vinyl. Nothing that requires floor shaking bass. I live in a multi-family building and try to keep the neighbors happy.

For power I'm using a Creek 5350se integrated at 80w per channel. This is prime for a future upgrade, but one thing at a time. The rest of my system should be visible in my profile. 

I'm looking for something that resolves well without being overly analytical, yet retains the openness that I've always enjoyed with the Snells. The Harbeths seem to fit that bill, though the 30.1s sounded a little closed-in at the dealer audition. The 5s were much better in that regard, though struck me as a bit recessed.

Thanks for the advice.
It's a wonderful resource to have the collected wisdom exhibited on this forum!






krabbypantz
I will second the mention of Vandersteen Quatro's.  I owned them for 5 years, running them in my 11.25' x 15' x 8' room, and when I spent the time to dial them in using their powered subwoofer 11 band equalizer (huge advantage IME), they worked extremely well.  Yes, as the previous poster noted, they will tempt you to upgrade your amp (and will reward you for it!).  Under $5k used, for sure.
I'd wait for a pair of used Joseph Audio Pulsars or go listen to the Prisms if you have a JA dealer within reach.  I'd think either would nicely check all your boxes.  Best of luck. 

Build the Linkwitz LX521 or Orion systems.  You can readily do it within your budget.  You'll get a loudspeaker system to rival ANYTHING.   Absolutely killer.  Great imaging.

AND it's a LOT more fun than just wandering down to the audio salon and listen to some droid play on your ego while he tries to get you to spend $10k instead of $5k.  And you'll learn a lot more too.

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/
Check out some used Thiel 2.7s or the 2.4 se.  Both great speakers if you have good upstream equipment.  You might look for a pair of used Vandersteen Treos.
I owned the M30.1s and found them ok.  I get the attraction but there's way too much emphasis on the high mid to treble which results in a distracting attention to detail.

I went back to my first love, Quads.  You can get a fully rebuilt set of quads from Quads Unlimited for less than 5k.  Or get a pair of 63s for even less.  The sound is so much more balanced and just right compared to box speakers.