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 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?

[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.

[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.

[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

[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

[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??

[stobbart]

Originally Posted by rded

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

12x12

[Twitch9]

Originally Posted by 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.

I did see anything on this post about Paradigm so i'm going to throw the Paradigm Studio 100's into the mix, IMO the best speaker $3000 can buy

[Scooby Blu]

What a fun thread. For all you two channel freaks check these out

http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/index.php The sound is stunning !

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by 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.

I know you said "elegant", but since you said it'll be 2-channel I'll throw this into the mix anyway. How about the Magnepan 1.6? These have to be $1900 of the best dollars I've ever heard. I'd have gotten them when I was shopping speakers a month back, but they didn't pass wife approval in my main room. I'm looking to add a dedicated 2-channel in my loft maybe early next year, and these are at the top of the list. Only drawback is Planars are finicky and require proper placement and are also power hungry, but they're definitely worth the audition IMO if you can find a dealer in your area.

[CasualKiller]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

I know you said "elegant", but since you said it'll be 2-channel I'll throw this into the mix anyway. How about the Magnepan 1.6? These have to be $1900 of the best dollars I've ever heard. I'd have gotten them when I was shopping speakers a month back, but they didn't pass wife approval in my main room. I'm looking to add a dedicated 2-channel in my loft maybe early next year, and these are at the top of the list. Only drawback is Planars are finicky and require proper placement and are also power hungry, but they're definitely worth the audition IMO if you can find a dealer in your area.

That would be a great match up in my opinion, you would however need a very fast, musical sub to fill in the low range and be able to keep up with them. I believe there is a used Monitor Audio RSW-12 (1000 watt 12 inch diaphragm sub) on Audiogon for 900 at the moment.

[got rice]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

on Audiogon for 900 at the moment.

If you don't mind used, then audiogon.com opens a whole new realm of speaker choices. Basically, slightly used to new at 30% to 50% off, conservatively.
There is a search feature under the Sitemap.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

That would be a great match up in my opinion, you would however need a very fast, musical sub to fill in the low range and be able to keep up with them. I believe there is a used Monitor Audio RSW-12 (1000 watt 12 inch diaphragm sub) on Audiogon for 900 at the moment.

I actually thought that the bass the 1.6s put out was more than acceptable. Of course this was at the shop where I auditioned them, but even then they were in a room that wasn't optimal. They were at least dialed in correctly. I also don't listen to music that's particularly bass heavy so what I heard was more than ok to me. Nevertheless, I think the MA RSW-12 would be an excellent choice.