Best Speakers for $3K??

[BluElite]

Anyone have any suggestions for the best quality/sounding speakers available for $3k??

[JJ]

I just posted in your other thread. You have a lot of options here - Paradigm, Monitor Audio, Bowers & Wilkins, Definitive Technology, Swan, PSB, KEF - to name a few I'd go with in that price range - check their websites out, find local dealers, and go listen to them. Most of us are going to push our own respective speakers on you, lol.

[Glassroots]

Originally Posted by BluElite

Anyone have any suggestions for the best quality/sounding speakers available for $3k??

Coming from an owner of Paradigm speakers, they offer great value considering they sound as good as some speakers that cost 3x more.
The Studio series that they offer will probably run you over your budget but I have heard good things from there Monitor series lineup. That's just me though.
Your best bet is to demo a bunch of different speakers and let your ear be your guide. Good luck!

[callas01]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

I just posted in your other thread. You have a lot of options here - Paradigm, Monitor Audio, Bowers & Wilkins, Definitive Technology, Swan, PSB, KEF - to name a few I'd go with in that price range - check their websites out, find local dealers, and go listen to them. Most of us are going to push our own respective speakers on you, lol.

I agree, I think you should add Dali speakers, Energy RC series, Totem Acoustics, Axiom, Jamo, Vienna Acoustics, Klipsch, Mirage.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by callas01

I agree, I think you should add Dali speakers, Energy RC series, Totem Acoustics, Axiom, Jamo, Vienna Acoustics, Klipsch, Mirage.

Are you kidding? Of course! My mistake, how could I forget those. Although, I don't think anybody within their right mind would audition 2 or 3 lines from 12 different brands. Even I didn't do that,

[Dase]

The Dynaudio Focus 220 II towers are right around that much and they are absolutely awesome in build quality and sound.

[BluElite]

Originally Posted by callas01

I agree, I think you should add Dali speakers, Energy RC series, Totem Acoustics, Axiom, Jamo, Vienna Acoustics, Klipsch, Mirage.

Thanks man, I asked the same question in the other thread so just ignore it. I appreciate your input. I saw a great review on Atlantic Technology speakers as well... familiar with those? The set goes for just over $3k

[callas01]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Are you kidding? Of course! My mistake, how could I forget those. Although, I don't think anybody within their right mind would audition 2 or 3 lines from 12 different brands. Even I didn't do that,

Next time I buy speakers I will be looking into a lot of different speakers. I will probably audition all the speakers you and I have listed. Heck... I have listened to about half of them or more already. Well, except Kef, Klipsch and Vienna, I know I won't be buying those 3 so the rest are all gonna get an audition.

Besides, you listed mostly more forward sounding speakers, so I listed some warmer ones.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BluElite

Thanks man, I asked the same question in the other thread so just ignore it. I appreciate your input. I saw a great review on Atlantic Technology speakers as well... familiar with those? The set goes for just over $3k

No, I haven't heard those or read much about them, so that may be a new one for me to look into. I spent this past summer auditioning as many speakers as I could so I would have a better idea of what was out there and what type of speakers I like. Personally I like warmer sounding speakers, although I really appreciate the sound of a few more forward sounding speakers also.

[Big Daddy]

Add these speakers to your list.

Martin Logan Source:
http://www.amazon.com/MartinLogan-So...2503257&sr=1-4

Martin Logan Purity:
http://www.amazon.com/MartinLogan-Pu...503257&sr=1-10

Definitive Technology Mytos STS:
http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Tec...503433&sr=1-15

Definitive Technology BP7002:
http://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Tec...503562&sr=1-56

PSB Platinum T6 Speakers:
https://dmc-electronics.com/Default.htm

Odyssey Lorelei Speakers:
http://www.odysseyaudio.com/products-lorelei.html

AV123 Rocket Speakers:
http://www.av123.com//index.php?page...mart&Itemid=37

Crystal Audio THX-T3:
http://www.crystalaudiovideo.com/productcategory.aspx

[gamebred]

Depending on your musical tastes, there are many choices at that pricerange, as I have auditioned quite a few different speakers in that budget recently and found myself appreciating the Danish speakers more and more. I really liked those Dynaudio Focus 220 II's and the Dali Helicon 400 MK2. These were the two I kept coming back to in my audition. They are both really quite neutral (tonally) and do a wonderful job with music that has a bit of piano and strings. They are more "polite" with rock and heavy metal not having as much bass and coloration of many similar designed floorstanders in their pricerange. The Dalis Helicons were over a thousand more than the Focus 220s so I ended up scratching them off my list. There's a demo pair of the Focus 220 in a rosewood finish on audiogon for just over $2000 right now. They're basically the same as the newer Focus 220 II but with a different crossover, I believe. Too bad I'm broke right now.

Totem, Salk, Vandersteen, Focal/JM Lab, Epos, Wharfdale and PSB are definately all worth a listen.

You can also buy DIY kits that will rival speakers costing twice as much if you were looking for high quality at a decent price. The downside is not being able to audition them first.

Good luck to you. It only gets harder to decide as you start auditioning them.

[rded]

Originally Posted by gamebred

Depending on your musical tastes, there are many choices at that pricerange, as I have auditioned quite a few different speakers in that budget recently and found myself appreciating the Danish speakers more and more. I really liked those Dynaudio Focus 220 II's and the Dali Helicon 400 MK2. These were the two I kept coming back to in my audition. They are both really quite neutral (tonally) and do a wonderful job with music that has a bit of piano and strings. They are more "polite" with rock and heavy metal not having as much bass and coloration of many similar designed floorstanders in their pricerange. The Dalis Helicons were over a thousand more than the Focus 220s so I ended up scratching them off my list. There's a demo pair of the Focus 220 in a rosewood finish on audiogon for just over $2000 right now. They're basically the same as the newer Focus 220 II but with a different crossover, I believe. Too bad I'm broke right now.

Totem, Salk, Vandersteen, Focal/JM Lab, Epos, Wharfdale and PSB are definately all worth a listen.

You can also buy DIY kits that will rival speakers costing twice as much if you were looking for high quality at a decent price. The downside is not being able to audition them first.

Good luck to you. It only gets harder to decide as you start auditioning them.

Hey Gamebred! The Focus 220 MkII has a different crossover just like you said. It is said that they're more linear now like the Contour seriers. A lot of true die-hard Dyn fans believe that the Focus 220(mk1) was a little heavy on the bass.

But in my case, the love for original Focus 220 was the spark that started my Dynaudio mania.

[red_5ive]

While I think "Best" is really up to the listener, for music the Mangepan 1.6 (which looks like it just was replaced by the 1.7) are easily among my favorite in the < $3k price point, considering they sell for less than $2k.

[ryan4blu]

PSB's all the way. i just bought a 5 speaker setup for $2k last month and i love them. go audition the PSB Image line, they are amazing speakers.

Axiom is another setup you can get for under your $3k budget, but personally i am happy i went with PSB

good luck

[gamebred]

Originally Posted by rded

Hey Gamebred! The Focus 220 MkII has a different crossover just like you said. It is said that they're more linear now like the Contour seriers. A lot of true die-hard Dyn fans believe that the Focus 220(mk1) was a little heavy on the bass.

But in my case, the love for original Focus 220 was the spark that started my Dynaudio mania.

I would like to hear the original 220s. A little added bass probably wouldn't hurt with my musical tastes. I do like to rock out every now and then.

I've really fallen in love with the Dynas, though. Just excellent speakers all around. I didn't get a chance to hear anything from the "Excite" line as the Focus 220 II were just a bit more for the pair and were being compared to the Helicons at the time. The salesperson told me the Excites were less demanding and could easily be driven on a higher end AV receiver. I will give them a listen next, though I believe I'd probably still prefer the Focus line for 2 channel listening.

I had my heart set on the Dalis after hearing the Helicon monitors set up in a home office that belonged to my 'ol man's best friend. I was sure I would be hooked on the Helicon 400s but after really listening to them beside the Dynaudios, they didn't seem to shine as much. Don't get me wrong, I would love to own either pair but the Dynas are in my crosshairs at the moment. I just need to start selling off a bunch of stuff on Ebay and craigslist first.

[rded]

Originally Posted by gamebred

I would like to hear the original 220s. A little added bass probably wouldn't hurt with my musical tastes. I do like to rock out every now and then.

I've really fallen in love with the Dynas, though. Just excellent speakers all around. I didn't get a chance to hear anything from the "Excite" line as the Focus 220 II were just a bit more for the pair and were being compared to the Helicons at the time. The salesperson told me the Excites were less demanding and could easily be driven on a higher end AV receiver. I will give them a listen next, though I believe I'd probably still prefer the Focus line for 2 channel listening.

I had my heart set on the Dalis after hearing the Helicon monitors set up in a home office that belonged to my 'ol man's best friend. I was sure I would be hooked on the Helicon 400s but after really listening to them beside the Dynaudios, they didn't seem to shine as much. Don't get me wrong, I would love to own either pair but the Dynas are in my crosshairs at the moment. I just need to start selling off a bunch of stuff on Ebay and craigslist first.

Hey gamebred! I've pretty much heard all the Dynaudio line up except the Evidence series and I wouldn't say they're(all Dyns) polite with rock music at all, it just depends on source and the quality of the recording.

Truthfully, I really liked the original Focus 220 as it was really fun and has a lot of slam making it ideal for rock music.

The Excite series OTOH is more linear but not as musical and revealing as the focus. You really don't need a high end receiver to power the Exite line at all. A Denon 3808 or onkyo 805 should make them come alive.

If you can swing it, I really suggest that you go after that focus 220 on a-gon

[gamebred]

Originally Posted by rded

Hey gamebred! I've pretty much heard all the Dynaudio line up except the Evidence series and I wouldn't say they're(all Dyns) polite with rock music at all, it just depends on source and the quality of the recording.

Truthfully, I really liked the original Focus 220 as it was really fun and has a lot of slam making it ideal for rock music.

The Excite series OTOH is more linear but not as musical and revealing as the focus. You really don't need a high end receiver to power the Exite line at all. A Denon 3808 or onkyo 805 should make them come alive.

If you can swing it, I really suggest that you go after that focus 220 on a-gon

Yeah, they were $1999 for awhile but now they are $2200...which is still a bargain considering they wanted $3400 for the 220 II's at my (somewhat) local A/V store. I've been stalking them on audiogon for the last couple of weeks. I just can't swing it yet. Between x-mas damage, Sears.com ripping me off on $1100 and the wife's b-day right around the corner, I'm S.O.L.!!!!

It really sux having high tastes and a light wallet.

[Intamin]

I'm biased due to owning these speakers, but they perform much higher than their price point, and have won a few awards in the process. http://www.salksound.com/speakers_so...towerqwt.shtml They're also under 2k, and having listened to most of the stuff in this range, these were hands down my favorite. At the 3k point, Jim also created a new speaker, the HT-1TL. More info can be found here, http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72061.0 I think for a new speaker, the HT1-TL would be damn near impossible to beat for sound quality. The only way I see you potentially getting more for your money would be if you purchased used and got a great deal. Salk also got glowing reviews in the latest edition of The Absolute Sound. If I were searching, my personal tastes would lead me towards Salk, used Dyns, or Dalis, but that's just me. Happy listening!

Oh, and just for fun...

[rded]

Originally Posted by gamebred

Yeah, they were $1999 for awhile but now they are $2200...which is still a bargain considering they wanted $3400 for the 220 II's at my (somewhat) local A/V store. I've been stalking them on audiogon for the last couple of weeks. I just can't swing it yet. Between x-mas damage, Sears.com ripping me off on $1100 and the wife's b-day right around the corner, I'm S.O.L.!!!!

It really sux having high tastes and a light wallet.

I hear you Sir! I had to wait 1 full year before I could afford to buy my first Dynaudio. After that, it was one upgrade to another

BTW, it's important that you find the right dealer that wants to work with you

[Twitch9]

Personal preference would be for 2 channel Paradigm studio 100's for 5.1 or 7.1 studio 20's all around or go to the monitor series and get a killer set up with monitor 11's cc-390 and adp-390 for the surrounds