What are the best 2 channel speakers for $3000?

[stobbart]

I have been looking at the Usher CP-6311, the Sonus Faber Concerto DOMUS, or the Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand. I am not at all means limited to these but they give you an idea of style I am looking for (elegant) yet have the ability to produce great sound. I will only be using 2 channel sound and may add a sub but that wont be for awhile and only if I deem it necessary. So if you have any suggestions as to what would be kind of what Im looking at please post some speakers. Thank you.

[StimpsonJCat]

Take a look at the offerings from Salk Sound.

[rded]

You're in the market for soft dome tweeter floor standing speakers huh?

Dynaudio Focus 220 mkIIMSRP $3300- don't let the 2 way design fool you! This little babay packs a punch and delivers superb bass especially now with the mkII sorry but the picture is from the MKI. The cosmetic difference is that the grulls for the MkII cover the full length of the speakr while the older model only covers half.


Dynaudio Excite X36 MSRP $3600


Pick your poison 2 way or 3 way but the focus 220 is more musical than the excite x36 IMO, but the X36 is easier to drive even with a receiver.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Woohoo...I finally have a chance to recommend a Totem speaker!

The Totem Hawk is a 6-ohm speaker and are very elegant, somehwat diminuative and have great WAF. Their sound is sublime and they excel in a 2-channel setup. The only problem is that their dealer network is not extensive and depending where you live, you may not have the easiest time in trying to find a place for auditioning them.

Totem Hawk - http://www.totemacoustic.com/products/columns/hawk/

Totem Hawk Ad.jpg

John

[stobbart]

Or am I looking at this the wrong way. Would I be better off investing this kind of money in some bookshelf speakers with stands or are tower speakers the better bang for the buck. Im pretty new to this so I dont really know what would be better. Hmmm I may need to start a new thread "Floorstanding vs bookshelf speakers" lol.

And these will not just be for 2 channel music but running blu-rays at 2 channel. I cant see trying to fit a good 5.1 in my small area.

[rded]

Originally Posted by John72953

Woohoo...I finally have a chance to recommend a Totem speaker!

The Totem Hawk is a 6-ohm speaker and are very elegant, somehwat diminuative and have great WAF. Their sound is sublime and they excel in a 2-channel setup. The only problem is that their dealer network is not extensive and depending where you live, you may not have the easiest time in trying to find a place for auditioning them.

Totem Hawk - http://www.totemacoustic.com/products/columns/hawk/

Attachment 6545

John

I was gonna post that but I figure you would eventually and didn't wann steal your thunder as "THE TOTEM" guy

[rded]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Or am I looking at this the wrong way. Would I be better off investing this kind of money in some bookshelf speakers with stands or are tower speakers the better bang for the buck. Im pretty new to this so I dont really know what would be better. Hmmm I may need to start a new thread "Floorstanding vs bookshelf speakers" lol.

I only went with what you've posted above as they are floor standers...Its really up to you.

BTW what are you thinking as far as amplification?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hey Rhett!,

Are you sure we're not each salesman for our Totem's and Dynaudios? LOL

To the OP...you should know that the Hawk's use a Dynaudio driver, but highly modified. So, if you like the Dynaudio's, chances are you'll absolutely LOVE the Totems.

John

[rded]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hey Rhett!,

Are you sure we're not each salesman for our Totem's and Dynaudios? LOL

To the OP...you should know that the Hawk's use a Dynaudio driver, but highly modified. So, if you like the Dynaudio's, changes are you'll absolutely LOVE the Totems.

John

I'm not a salesman and wouldn't even get a penny for saying great things about Dynaudio

To the OP, how big is your listening space??

[StimpsonJCat]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Or am I looking at this the wrong way. Would I be better off investing this kind of money in some bookshelf speakers with stands or are tower speakers the better bang for the buck. Im pretty new to this so I dont really know what would be better. Hmmm I may need to start a new thread "Floorstanding vs bookshelf speakers" lol.

And these will not just be for 2 channel music but running blu-rays at 2 channel. I cant see trying to fit a good 5.1 in my small area.

I don't recommend going with bookshelves for 2 channel. You might get away it if you add a decent sub for 2.1, but I'd go with towers if music is your main concern.

[rded]

Originally Posted by StimpsonJCat

I don't recommend going with bookshelves for 2 channel. You might get away it if you add a decent sub for 2.1, but I'd go with towers if music is your main concern.

I would have to disagree with you on that. Some bookshelves have plenty of bass and can overwhelm a small room easily. That's why I asked how big his dedicated are is.

[stobbart]

Originally Posted by rded

BTW what are you thinking as far as amplification?

I have an old monster receiver. Hitachi SR-2004. So I dont think Ill have a problem getting the most out of the speakers I go with.

And you seem to have more knowledge and experience then me so what is your opinion on floorstanding vs bookshelf? I want to gather all opinions and thoughts before I make my descision. I originally said floorstanding because I want them displayed and like that look. I dont really know about the quality of sound between the two. For instance a $3000 floor vs a $3000 bookshelf.

[stobbart]

Originally Posted by rded

To the OP, how big is your listening space??

12x12

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by StimpsonJCat

I don't recommend going with bookshelves for 2 channel. You might get away it if you add a decent sub for 2.1, but I'd go with towers if music is your main concern.

I would have to agree with that as well. There are a few bookshelf speaker exceptions to this, but in general I'd also stay with floorstanders.

John

[Johnny Vinyl]

Is that Hitachi receiver still what you are using? If so, how much power does that unit put out?

John

[rded]

Originally Posted by stobbart

I have an old monster receiver. Hitachi SR-2004. So I dont think Ill have a problem getting the most out of the speakers I go with.

And you seem to have more knowledge and experience then me so what is your opinion on floorstanding vs bookshelf? I want to gather all opinions and thoughts before I make my descision. I originally said floorstanding because I want them displayed and like that look. I dont really know about the quality of sound between the two. For instance a $3000 floor vs a $3000 bookshelf.

Bud, it really depends on personal taste and space, even WAF restrictions. With your budget you can go either way. I personally prefer floorstanders but I have a pretty big listening area 24' x 12' x11' but only use half. Floorstnader have better dynamics but its not necessarily a good thing. I personally prefer speakers that are neutral and linear-meaning no frequency jumps out at you. The bass is not over, the top the midrange is not glaring in short I want speakers that don't lie The more you audition, the more you get the feel of what you want in a speaker. Dynaudio and Totem make neutral speakers and so does Sonus faber and Vienna Acoustics(but they are more on the warm side of neutral).

EDIT: at 12 by 12, you should be ok with floor standers but you're ganna need better amplification than the hitachi... Sorry.

[stobbart]

Originally Posted by John72953

Is that Hitachi receiver still what you are using? If so, how much power does that unit put out?

John

200 WPC and its able to double to 400 as required for short outputs.

Found this online:
1978 Hitachi SR-2004 Class G Receiver
Fifth most powerful "all in one" Monster Receiver made during the "Power Wars" of the late 1970's
SR-2004 were made by Hitachi, making this receiver a real rarity and somewhat of a "purebread".
What really made the SR-2004 stand out was its "Class G" Amplifier, with a prodigious 200 watt RMS per channel power output, placing it among the most powerful receivers ever made. In fact, according to a review from the November 1978 issue of "High Fidelity" Magazine, it was capable of dynamic peaks of 400 watts/ch "that gives it a shot a first place in the receiver power race". When High Fidelity tested the SR-2004, it found that the power output was actually more like 240 watt/ch RMS.
http://www.electricalhobby.com/monst...achiSR2004.htm

[rded]

Originally Posted by stobbart

200 WPC and its able to double to 400 as required for short outputs.

Nahh...I wouldn't go with specs especially with Japanese-manufactured receivers. Speakers will appreciate Clean high-current before power and lets not start that debate here ok?

[stobbart]

Originally Posted by rded

EDIT: at 12 by 12, you should be ok with floor standers but you're ganna need better amplification than the hitachi... Sorry.

Really? How much amplification do these types of speakers need? 200 wpc is not going to cut it?

[richteer]

I'd be remiss if I didn't suggest you audition the MartinLogan Source. At only $2200, it's well inside your budget (unusual for recommendations from me!).