Speakers to consider around 5k used?

Good suggestions, Thank You!!

What online dealers do home trials? Thx.

jdoris,

"Obviously, listening around is important -- and fun. But I think the confidence this should give one in a purchase is overrated -- unless one can audition in home with the kit you plan to use.

For my last three serious speakers purchases, I bought two pairs unheard, and one after a couple of careful listenings. The two unheard speakers lasted 5 yrs and approaching 2 years (and counting) in my system, the auditioned ones two weeks."

I know your comment is nothing other than well meaning, but I feel that it proves my point. You got lucky. That almost never happens. I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't do any research. By all means; do anything that gives you an advantage. I feel, though, listening to a pair of speakers before you buy them, is the biggest advantage you can have. I understand that the sound won't be identical because of the room, and possibly different equipment, but its way better than nothing. Also, high frequencies are not that difficult to judge in another system. Most dealers will let you bring your own components in to use for the demo.

As far as internet dealers go, I agree. If they allow for a return if you are not happy, why not. I can't think of a better way to demo something.

Heres an example of what I'm trying to say.

Morganc posts: "Zu Definition mkiii fits your budget and your music tastes perfectly. The powered subs are perfect for rock and electronica. They are also tone dense and rich on folk and acoustic material. Plus excellent customer service."

I agree. That would probably be a very good speaker to look at. The problem I have is that I can name other speakers that have those characteristics but sound very different than the Zu. The only way to be sure is to listen to them first. You can still make a mistake (I'm no exception. I've made more mistakes than I can remember.), it just lowers your chances.

Zd542 has good advice, however it is not easy to find ID speakers to demo, unless you can find a generous owner near you. I never demo'd any speaker that I bought except for the first pair that I bought new ( and overpaid for) and I did waste a lot of time and money on shipping lots of speakers to and fro.......however, now I know online whose opinions I trust and who's ears I trust and who has similar taste in music and systems as do I! There is however no substitute to experiencing the speakers in your home with your music so that you can enjoy it on your time.

You got lucky. That almost never happens.

This seems an interesting, and debatable, claim -- perhaps we shd start a thread on it. Morgan seems to have had an experience like mine, and he's right that auditioning can be a PITA.

Four things the OP might try:

1. Local stores

2. Local owners, identified through the boards, who have things you might like, and will let you listen.

3. Travel to dealers, manufacturers, owners.

4. Travel to shows (assuming no local shows).

I've done some of all 4, since my work is flexible and involves some travel. In most places, 1 and 2 won't yield much, and it will be a happy coincidence if what's around is what interests you. 3 can result in informative auditions, but it is a lot of work, and may not, depending on your circumstances, yield many chances to listen. 4 is a lot of fun, and you get to hear tons of stuff back to back, but show conditions are often atrocious, and the people exhibiting are often harried and exhausted.

Which brings us to:

5. Arrange in-home demos with non-local dealers/manufacturers.

6. Take informed chances on careful used purchases.

I've never done 5, but I've heard of people having very good experiences; I'd not hesitate to try it with Zu, fr example, which is a great company. I've done a fair bit of 6, and while my good experience may mean I've "gotten lucky," it's not blind luck, since one can develop a set of parameters for their used search. For example, I, like the OP, and sensitive to edgy highs, and would therefore be reluctant to try a speaker with a metal tweeter unheard, and much more likely to try a silk dome. I might miss some things I'd like this way, I'm not shooting in the dark.

Anyway, I hope Aquablu has some fun, and doesn't stress to much about the possibility of mistakes.

John

Check out the Signatures SEs from Legacy. Legacy pound for pound dollar for dollar is the best value on the planet.If you can get a demo pair from an authorized dealer you get the seven year warranty too!