Best Speakers For $2K USD

Just got a Yamaha RX-V 2500 receiver. What are the best speakers in the $2,000-$3,000 range? I know it's a very personal choice, but curious as to where to begin. (Paradigm, BW, Audience, Monitor Audio?) Thanks all.

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Originally Posted by MusicLG

Just got a Yamaha RX-V 2500 receiver. What are the best speakers in the $2,000-$3,000 range? I know it's a very personal choice, but curious as to where to begin. (Paradigm, BW, Audience, Monitor Audio?) Thanks all.

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If space permits, I would encourage hearing some Magneplanars. I was seduced by planar speakers long ago.

rw

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Originally Posted by MusicLG

Just got a Yamaha RX-V 2500 receiver. What are the best speakers in the $2,000-$3,000 range? I know it's a very personal choice, but curious as to where to begin. (Paradigm, BW, Audience, Monitor Audio?) Thanks all.

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Well, I tend to go for some of the lesser known brands... so it may be hard to find these, but here goes:

My first choice would be Tyler Acoustics 7Us ($3250/pr. on the tyleracoustics.com web site, but Ty always will sell them for about $2850/pr.). These are built to order through Internet sales only. VERY nice sound and build quality. These sound particularly good with acoustic instruments, female vocalists and jazz or blues.

My second choice would be the Opera Audio Consonance Eric-3 floorstanders. These retail for about $1850/pr. I heard these at THE Show in Vegas, and was *quite* impressed indeed. They don't sound as good as the 7Us, but they also offer tremendous bang for the buck. The Eric-3s are more of an all-arounder (master of nothing, but does almost everything very good).

My third choice would be the Legacy Audio Classics. Very good overall floorstander that sells for about 3K nowadays... Not as good bang for the buck as either of the first 2, nor do they offer the resolution of the 7Us... but they do get quite low, and I love the look of the Classics. Great rock speaker (if that is your music of choice).

---Dave

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Originally Posted by MusicLG

Just got a Yamaha RX-V 2500 receiver. What are the best speakers in the $2,000-$3,000 range? I know it's a very personal choice, but curious as to where to begin. (Paradigm, BW, Audience, Monitor Audio?) Thanks all.

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I would definitely look into Magnepan. I used to own B&W but now own Magnepan. Very detailed and open in sound. You have to make sure you have enough room behind them to get the very best out of them.

Obviously it's the B&W's I own.

No, no, no...What am I thinking?

My Von Schweikerts are much better.....

sorta....

I GOT IT! It has to be RGA's Audio Notes.

Wait, wait...sorry, that's not right either.

The best $2K speakers are definitely Wooch's Paradigms.

No?

Maybe Worf's Ohm Walsh's? Geoffcin's Maggies or Gallo's? How 'bout Kexodusc's EFE's?

Now that I think about it, I have no idea what the best $2K speaker is.



Why don't you tell me?

Magnepan MG 1.6

if you have the space....

Many Maggie pictures can be found here

http://gallery.audioreview.com/showg...&ppuser=238671

Depend on what you want the speakers to do - what kind of system you intend on building and ultimately the sound you like. The best thing is to listen a LOT - it took me four years to find something and I made sure to listen to as many of the touted speakers in Stereophile as I could and to take samples froma breadth of designs from Ribbons, panels stats, stat hybrids, horns and even just weird looking speakers like Cabasse - the one with the big eyeball looking drivers. That is really the best suggestion I can give you and it really is the only suggestion worth giving you because no matter the reviews and forum hype not everyone and not you are going to like em all.

The more you hear the better off you'll be - you don;t want to just by a $2k speaker of one kind of design when all you hear is 4-6 others all of which are pretty much exactly the same. Trouble is to get the auditions - not every place carries a lot of this 'other' stuff. Then some of them don;t make surround sound packages - if that;s what you want a lof of companies get lopped off the list.

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Originally Posted by topspeed

Obviously it's the B&W's I own.

No, no, no...What am I thinking?

My Von Schweikerts are much better.....

sorta....

I GOT IT! It has to be RGA's Audio Notes.

Wait, wait...sorry, that's not right either.

The best $2K speakers are definitely Wooch's Paradigms.

No?

Maybe Worf's Ohm Walsh's? Geoffcin's Maggies or Gallo's? How 'bout Kexodusc's EFE's?

Now that I think about it, I have no idea what the best $2K speaker is.



Why don't you tell me?

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Thank you for your extraordinarily insightful comments. (I hope the time you spent crafting your response was a worthwhile use of your time.) I would still be interested in the feedback from people that are knowledgeable.

Seriously, the absolut best bet is to go to www.magnepan.com and try the MMG (550$ a pair) for 60 days. I am 100% sure you will love them. If you dont like them, return them for a full refund. But be warned, once you listen to a Maggie there is no going back. The MMGs will most likely kill any other 2K box in terms of inner detail, soundstage, depth and reproduction of voices.lik

Here is the 2K$ recommend system from Enjoy the music .com

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin.../donibbles.htm

Lord Maggie

Just one thing I had my K's for 6 months and I got 100% trade-in on them. I have heard 2 Maggies now - and they have very obvious strengths - I still think it's unwise to buy based solely on recommendations. I do LIKE Maggie in that they let you try em and return them - more companies should do that. And if the MMG sounds better than the SMG then at $500 they're a solid buy - if you have a subwoofer. The big maggie I heard I need more time on before I say anything.

http://www.genelec.se/news/images/8000_launch1.jpg
After you have listened to the ANs, B&Ws, Monitor Audios, Paradigms and other passives ;), visit the pro audio shop and listen to the active Genelec 8000 series, hear and see why quite a number of pros are excited about these speakers, the bass is so articulate:D, midrange clarity exceptional:D and the top end openess of the 8030 and 8050 are superb:D. In short the 8050 is a bargain premium speaker, I will happily live with the 8030, similar qualities but less bass, it costs USD1200, the 8050 is the real deal, it has one of the best midrange performances I have heard in a long time, but at USD3500, it is not cheap:(. And they are not bad looking either.:D

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Originally Posted by MusicLG

Thank you for your extraordinarily insightful comments. (I hope the time you spent crafting your response was a worthwhile use of your time.) I would still be interested in the feedback from people that are knowledgeable.

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LG, and I'm only telling you this because I care, there are plenty of decaffinated brands out there that are just as tasty as the real thing.

You missed my point entirely, so I'll spell it out for you.

The opinions you get are going to be based on that particular poster's individual tastes, needs, room acoustics, and experience. You'll notice that none of these factors has anything to do with you. Lord Magnepan is going to push Maggies on you all day because, as his moniker so boldly proclaims, he's a fan. RGA, who is being remarkeably reserved, usually crams Audio Note down your throat, but so far has given you the most worthwhile advice.

The bottom line is that if you want to find the best speaker for you, at any price, you are the one that is going to have to do the leg work and find it. Our opinions have absolutely zero value. So get out there and listen, take your time, and enjoy the ride. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Who knows, maybe you'll find some speaker that no one here has encountered and come back to enlighten all of us? It's happened before.

In other words this board and the entire website is complete garbage and useless :p

MusicLG: There is a mountain of wisdom in Topspeed's original post. If there was one almighty best $2000 speaker, we'd all have the same speakers right now.
I like what I have (I might add mine were the cheapest lol!) but I also liked the Paradigm's I still have that they replaced, the AN J's, some Totem speaker, Focus Audio, B&W, etc, etc...

There's just too much personal and subjective preference involved with speakers to determine what the universal best is...as for what's best for you, well the models listed in this thread are a start...
There's not a single one I've seen listed here that I don't like yet (though I haven't heard the Legacy Audio's).

Usually when someone asks the "what's the best question", a brutal flame war of epic proportions breaks out...that hasn't happened...yet.

Wanna start one ? ;)

J/K

It all very much makes sense to me and you are all very helpful...including Topspeed, with your explanation of the first posting. I certainly intend on taking as much time as necessary to hear what is available...but I gotta tell you. In a hundred years, I would not have thought about Magnepan...but based on the advice in this thread, I scheduled an audition. It's a function of room configuration, music preference...and the rest is how we're wired. Your comments have been extremely helpful.
LG

You will not be dissapointed :) If your near Charlotte, come on by !!!

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Originally Posted by Lord_Magnepan

You will not be dissapointed :) If your near Charlotte, come on by !!!

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Do you get a commission on each pr. of Maggies sold.

Hahah :)

I wish, id be rich and die a happy man. Well every person, every single one i have shown Maggies ended up buying one and sometimes ditching and selling speakers which they owned for years and spend several thousands of dollars on.

Which modell you gonna listen to and what equipment?

whatever trips yer trigger make it "used" and steal a set as people upgrade.....


now go get'em!!


Peace, Pogue

Properbly the best deal period, is a used 1.6 for 1200$......

I will cast my usual vote for Totem.

As long as you don't buy Bose, most on the Forum will not think ill of you.

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Originally Posted by Lord_Magnepan

Properbly the best deal period, is a used 1.6 for 1200$......

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I owned the 3.6's for quite awhile and then found a good deal on a used pair of 20.1's which I currently own. It took a long time to find a pair that wasn't going for $7-8K. Maggies certainly hold their value! It's nice now that I own them but when I was looking for them, it quite frankly pissed me off! :)

The biggest problem with Maggies is that they spoil you! It's not an easy thing at all to listen to box speakers anymore. But, too, they are hard to dial in. Took me quite awhile but they're singing sweetly as I type!

For what an opinion is worth, Maggie 1.6's are the best bang for the buck... and even new, there will be change coming back from the $2K!

I called Magnepan this afternoon and spoke with a couple of people there. Looks like I'll be listening the the 12's. Got to go one state over, but I'm sure the audition will be worth it. :)

Trust me it will :)

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Originally Posted by kexodusc

Usually when someone asks the "what's the best question", a brutal flame war of epic proportions breaks out...that hasn't happened...yet.

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I was sorely tempted to dip my hat ;) ;) ;) but since my main speakers costs USD7K :( :(it was kind of pointless saying that have reference class off-axis dispersion and impulse response ;) ;) ;), so I had to settle for a darkhorse.

MusicLG There are a variety technologies out there

1. Traditional Box speakers like AN, B&W, Paradigm etc.
2. Panels like Magnepan, Martin Logan and Martin Logan
3. Ribbon Hybrids such Elac, Precide etc.

I will suggest that you listen to the speakers across the technologies because the technologies the differing strengths and weaknesses, for example, the panels tend to the midrange thing very well but have narrower sweet spots and trickier positioning issues, the traditional boxes tend to better do bass and lower midrange dynamics better but rarely match the midrange ability and treble performance of the panels or indeed some hybrids at lower price points. Your choice will ultimately boil down to what compromises you are willing to live with.

I'd also add a word of caution...anyone touting a particular brand of speaker as "The Best" (be it value or sounding) is giving you their opinion..... which has some value but is not to be taken as gospel...as we all know different strokes for different folks...so do yourself a favor and listen to as many types and brands as possible. I've put my ear on quite a few and as far as the "stats vs. box" type speakers each has a strength...when positioned correctly I heard Martin Logans sound as magical as I ever heard any music!! The huge down side was that the sweet spot was so narrow that only one person (maybe two at best) at a time could be in that "magic zone"...but with that said I WILL own a set of stats someday. (But will never have them as my only speakers) OTOH boxy type speakers just "kick" some types of music in a way that I've not heard any stats do...I've spent quite a bit of time listing to Linn's upper line, B&W 802's, and the full Revel line (and of course my Paradigm 100's) and as stated I don't think I'd so without a quality box speaker as I enjoy rock too much too fully move to stats...but I'd love to have a set of ML Prodigy's in the mix!!...woohoo...and to be fair I've not had the pleasure of listening to the upper end of Maggies line which I'd love to do at some point...in fact I would make that happen before I threw down the $$ for the Prodigy's....but I digress....bottom line...nobody here (or elsewhere) know what you prefer.........so get out there and make it happen...listen to all you can and don't forget to have fun while doing so!!


Peace out, Pogue

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Originally Posted by theaudiohobby

I was sorely tempted to dip my hat ;) ;) ;) but since my main speakers costs USD7K :( :(it was kind of pointless saying that have reference class off-axis dispersion and impulse response ;) ;) ;), so I had to settle for a darkhorse.

MusicLG There are a variety technologies out there

1. Traditional Box speakers like AN, B&W, Paradigm etc.
2. Panels like Magnepan, Martin Logan and Martin Logan
3. Ribbon Hybrids such Elac, Precide etc.

I will suggest that you listen to the speakers across the technologies because the technologies the differing strengths and weaknesses, for example, the panels tend to the midrange thing very well but have narrower sweet spots and trickier positioning issues, the traditional boxes tend to better do bass and lower midrange dynamics better but rarely match the midrange ability and treble performance of the panels or indeed some hybrids at lower price points. Your choice will ultimately boil down to what compromises you are willing to live with.

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Always a crap shot this "best" or "vs" stuff. What somebody tells your are and what your ears hears will most likly be different,not to mention room setup,shape of room,reciever and all that jazz. Only good way to find best or what will work is to stay with proven brands and a lot of testing with your disks. Like thepogue said, caustion and dont rush it.

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Originally Posted by shokhead

Always a crap shot this "best" or "vs" stuff. Only good way to find best or what will work is to stay with proven brands.

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This I will have to respectfully disagree with... While I would agree that using a "proven" brand (such as B&W, for example) is a good place to *start*... I would argue that if you stay only with the "big boys" you may miss out on *a lot* of speakers you may prefer.

The brands I personally liked the most at THE Show and CES were not mainstream brands, for the most part (Von Schweikert being a notable exception)... That is not to say some mainstream brands do not offer superb sound (and may be the brand chosen)... It just is to say that you are missing out on *a lot* of stuff by sticking to "proven brands." I say let your ears decide which speakers "prove" themselves, and are worthy of your money (large company or small).

---Dave

There's one "alternative" design not mentioned that I'm always pushing which are the Ohm Walsh series. I've heard all of the above and feel that they are a nice middle ground between stats and "boxes." Huge, open soundstage, very easy to place, big sweet spot and the abilty to hang with heavy music. I really like the sound of Maggies and Vandersteens, but you really have to sit in a very specific spot to hear what they're capable of.

As RGA has mentioned many times, and something that I discovered with Ohm's in home demo, is the A/B test. It's very difficult to run from store to store and properly evaluate sonic differences. With the speakers in the same room, the differences become very obvious.

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Originally Posted by drseid

This I will have to respectfully disagree with... While I would agree that using a "proven" brand (such as B&W, for example) is a good place to *start*... I would argue that if you stay only with the "big boys" you may miss out on *a lot* of speakers you may prefer.

The brands I personally liked the most at THE Show and CES were not mainstream brands, for the most part (Von Schweikert being a notable exception)... That is not to say some mainstream brands do not offer superb sound (and may be the brand chosen)... It just is to say that you are missing out on *a lot* of stuff by sticking to "proven brands." I say let your ears decide which speakers "prove" themselves, and are worthy of your money (large company or small).

---Dave

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I would say true if you know what your doing and maybe not true if you dont. If i'm getting something and not up on it,i'll stick to the well known brands. If i know what i'm doing,i'll check everything.

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Originally Posted by shokhead

I would say true if you know what your doing and maybe not true if you dont. If i'm getting something and not up on it,i'll stick to the well known brands. If i know what i'm doing,i'll check everything.

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I would hope each individual would know what sounds good to *them*. To me, that is all the experience required. :-)

---Dave

I have years visiting this forum almost all days. Nobody will tell you which is the best speaker around $2000. You will get 200 different answers and might be any of them is right for you. Go and listen, we can suggest you, but you have to choose acoording what you like. By the way, I have heard Magnepan many times at my dealer show room and I don't like them for me. Don't allow anybody to push any brand to you.
Good Luck,
Jorge

Thanks for the collective wisdom...it's helpful. I'm going to search...with an open mind (and wallet) and listen and listen and listen and listen and listen and listen to both the well known brands as well as some of the obscure ones, too, including boxes and ribbons. I'll keep ye posted.
MusicLG

Get MTX Monitor series loudspeakers.....

:confused: why are you guys looking at me that way :confused:

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Originally Posted by MusicLG

Thanks for the collective wisdom...it's helpful. I'm going to search...with an open mind (and wallet) and listen and listen and listen and listen and listen and listen to both the well known brands as well as some of the obscure ones, too, including boxes and ribbons. I'll keep ye posted.
MusicLG

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Try some Martin-Logans, great sound and, IMHO, much better looking than the Maggies.

A very good speaker for (Giant slayer) is this one http://www.vmpseurope.com/pics/626rpb.jpg



I think its around 1300$ its the VMPS QSO 626R

Hey Lord M...I thought you were a die hard, Maggie man only...what gives?

I suggest that you include Amphion on your audition list.

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Originally Posted by bargainseeker

I suggest that you include Amphion on your audition list.

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If you like the Amphions, then you really should also listen to the Genelec, the superior cabinet construction and optimal amplifier coupling of the Genelec 8000 series make a hugh difference.