$6-8k Speaker Options

[Intamin]

So after much debate, research, and decision making, I've settled on a price point of 6-8k for a pair of towers. I'll be saving my money up over the course of this next year or half year (I'm a college student with no expenses at all, lucky me!). Anyways, I've decided on this price range as it seems it's generally the top of line area for most speaker brands, without going into the 5 figure range. So I'm trying to weigh my options and figure out which brands I should be listening to in the upcoming months so that way I can plan out the trips (if needed) and get it all lined up. I want these speakers to last me at least 10-15 years so I can enjoy my setup hopefully without getting the upgrade bug. Here's my current list of options:

Paradigm Signature S8's
B&W 803D's (right at 8k a pair I believe, if more, not really a problem)
Revel F52's
Dali (not sure which ones fall in that price range)
Monitor Audio PL300 (I have no idea what these run, but the GS series is 3k, so I would figure that the PL's would be in the range).

So are there any other big name brands I'm missing that need to be listened to? Thanks all, and any advice or insight to the speakers if you have heard them yourself would be great.

Finally, I'm located in Indianapolis, so if you happen to know of dealers in my area (I've done the dealer locater bit on the websites) that you would recommend that would also be preferable. Let the quest begin!

[sinister184]

Pioneer S1-EX, except i dont see them much.

[RUR]

Are you willing to buy gently used gear off A-gon (for example)? You can get a whole lot more speaker for your money that way. It's also helpful if you could give us a list of your other gear.

No Martin Logans on the list? I'm crushed.

[Intamin]

With my purchase I'll be buying a pre/pro and amp. I'd prefer new gear as well.

[RUR]

Dali Helicon Mk2 is right in this price range. I'll conjure up some others.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Intamin

With my purchase I'll be buying a pre/pro and amp. I'd prefer new gear as well.

Are the electronics included in your $8K budget?

I second RUR's Martin Logan recommendation. With a budget of $8K for a pair of speakers, you can go wayyyy beyond the usual fare here! Another speaker to consider is the Reference 3a Grand Veena, and Usher audio's stuff too.

[Intamin]

Quick update just listened to 802ds next to 703s on McIntosh amps and I honestly couldn't hear the price difference considering there is such a gap in price ($14000 vs $3500). I'm wondering if I'll hear similar results with different brands.

[MPDIEHL]

At two ends of the spectrum... Martin logan Vantage, with a Depth sub...
and keeping with my all time favorites: Klipsch
Check their Heritage series, in that price you could get a pair of K-Horns
or a Pair of LaScala's with a sub

[billt928]

Same here Martin Logan, New or used Have seen pairs of reQuest on audiogon in the $1500 range, then just make a call to ML and order up a pair of updated panels for $650 and still have plenty of $$ left for a Depth sub. If I recall they sold in the $5k range new

Even though the ReQuest have a 12" driver they only play down to 28-30Hz

They play crystal clear well past 114db and a soundstage to die for. but plan on a amp in the 200wpc+ range to drive them, they also play well bi-amped

Link to a review of the reQuest

[Dagger]

I'm in the market for speakers in about the same price range.

These two keep coming up as recommended in that price range based on my research:

http://www.soundscapeav.com/vonschwe...VR-4JRMkII.htm

http://www.usheraudiousa.com/product...series/cp-8571


Also, I've looked into the Signature S8's just because I love my Paradigm Monitors. However, I've heard more often than not that the Signature S8's are almost too revealing, too detailed.

[DBlackGT]

Originally Posted by Dagger

I'm in the market for speakers in about the same price range.

These two keep coming up as recommended in that price range based on my research:

http://www.soundscapeav.com/vonschwe...VR-4JRMkII.htm

http://www.usheraudiousa.com/product...series/cp-8571


Also, I've looked into the Signature S8's just because I love my Paradigm Monitors. However, I've heard more often than not that the Signature S8's are almost too revealing, too detailed.

I would have to disagree. My dad just got the S8's along with the whole S series from Paradigm. He got S2's for the rears, C3 for the center, and the signature servo for the sub. And i'll tell you what...the S8's are about the sweetest things ive ever heard and seen. I cant even watch movies or listen to music on my system after hearing those babies. They are are simply put Amazing!!

[Clark Kent]

Check out what Vandersteen and Dynaudio have to offer in that price range. What type of listening will you be doing? Most of the speakers in that price range are geared for quality music playback though of course they will handle movies also. When sinking that much money into speakers be sure you enjoy the sound. Some dealers will let you listen at home to try out. I would take advantage of that.

[Dagger]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

I would have to disagree. My dad just got the S8's along with the whole S series from Paradigm. He got S2's for the rears, C3 for the center, and the signature servo for the sub. And i'll tell you what...the S8's are about the sweetest things ive ever heard and seen. I cant even watch movies or listen to music on my system after hearing those babies. They are are simply put Amazing!!

Wow, nice rig. Not putting down Paradigm, I have a Paradigm set-up although I have the more humble Monitor series. Love them!

[CasualKiller]

The Monitor PL300's are $8500-10000 per pair, I think the smaller bookshelf speakers in the line, the pl100's run around 5000.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by richteer

I second RUR's Martin Logan recommendation. With a budget of $8K for a pair of speakers, you can go wayyyy beyond the usual fare here!

Indeed, new Summits may now be had for $6,995, or even a bit less, as they're being discontinued in anticipation of a new model. That's $2-3K off the normal price. I'm not sure there's another speaker anywhere near this price range which can compete, provided one is willing to accept the smaller sweet spot.

[twoboyz]

I would do myself a favor and at least check out the Definitive Technology Mythos ST super towers. with built in subs. With the money left over you could easliy get the top of the line Def Tech (I believe TRINITY) sub and probably blow most anything out of the water. These have gotten amazing reviews from a number of hi end reports. You may even have enough for a center also if so inclined.

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by twoboyz

I would do myself a favor and at least check out the Definitive Technology Mythos ST super towers. with built in subs. With the money left over you could easliy get the top of the line Def Tech (I believe TRINITY) sub and probably blow most anything out of the water. These have gotten amazing reviews from a number of hi end reports. You may even have enough for a center also if so inclined.

I've listened to them. They're good speakers and I enjoyed the sound, but not detailed enough for me.

As far as the budget goes, I'll be adding the surrounds and everything else as I go, so it's not like I only have the 6-8k and nothing else will be added.

Oh, and I really enjoyed the B&W 703's. I didn't get to listen to the 803s when I went today as they weren't actually set up, but I plan on taking in some music and giving them a listen to see if I can hear a difference. This place also has Martin Logans and Dynaudio gear as well. And McIntosh amps to boot! Today was my first time hearing/seeing them, and they are sweet, although I'm not entirely convinced that 5-6k amps really have that much off a difference in sound compared to lesser amps or even for that matter a powerful avr. I'm considering an Integra 9.8 pre/pro or a rotel (assuming they come out with something with hdmi 1.3) pre/pro with the rotel 5 channel 200watt per channel amp, but I'm also not sure if it's honestly worth the extra money for the pre/pro when some of the avrs have some serious power as is. Decisions decisions!

Ope, forgot to mention that I primarily watch movies and thus will be using my speakers for home theater purposes. So I'm not sure if my budget may be a little overkill for what I'm trying to achieve, and if I can achieve a great home theater for less then by all means I'll gladly do it. The 703s sounded very impressive so it'll be interesting to hear the 803s.

[Gremal]

My advice would be to find a pair of B&W 802D used. The speaker was introduced only relatively recently and owners tend to take very good care of them, so it is not a problem to purchase used. More importantly, it puts you into an altogether higher echelon of performance than any other choice on your list. The 803D are nice and have that articulate diamond tweeter that resolves all treble so well, but it doesn't have the tweeter/midrange marlin unit, and that makes a huge difference. I got my pair for $8800, as demo models and I occasionally see them go for a bit less than that. List price is $14,000.

[sokrman14]

My favorite is definitely the Sonus Faber Cremona. They run $12k I think. They are by far the best speakers I have heard. You can find their previous model (not the M model) still for about $9k I believe. I have listened to them on MacIntosh and Primare (Swedish made) amps. They sounded very smooth and sonically detailed on both to be honest. I liked the slightly more detailed highs out of the MacIntosh though. But I have never heard a speaker that I like more. http://sumikoaudio.net/

The Vienna Acoustics on that website are pretty amazing. The Beethoven Grand are their flagship and are very impressive.

[blu-Is]

I've listened to a complete Paradigm S series set-up in a dealer's demo room and it was pretty spectacular. They're also just as gorgeous to look at!!