Favorite standmount speaker under $2,500

[LeRoy]

My next step up will be speakers. I have decided that I would stick with stand mount speakers. I like the OML1's over the RS6's due to less interference from the cabinets. I believe any speaker under $4-5,000 should be a standmount. I enjoy on some music the extra bass of the floorstander but the loss of detail is not worth the trade-offs.

I am not looking for speakers that are very highly efficient or work in a corner. Nothing wrong with either but my amp puts out plenty of power and I have things already in the corners. I am also not interested in panel loudspeakers again due to room size.

I have a local dealer who carries both the Reference 3A and Joseph Audio lines. They both have bookshelf speakers a little under my budget. I recently heard the de Cappo's and really liked them. I have not heard the Joseph Audio speaker but years ago I was impressed by an Infinite Slope bookshelf that had incredible imaging. Joseph Audio uses a refined version of the infinite slope crossover.

Imaging and soundstage layering is important. I do not like bright speakers. I like a speaker that can groove and sound funky when needed like the OML1's where the RS6's are more about the leading edge of notes and less about sustain and decay. I think that is why to my ears I would either get tired of the RS6's or miss the OML1's. Lately I have felt like the Mitt of the audio world.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I have SA Aura 1's in the Ebony finish. Frenchmon has been auditioning them for the last month or so. Maybe he will provide his impressions of the speaker.

Here is the link to SA.

SA aura 1

[JohnMichael]

Has anyone heard the Nola Boxer? From reviews I have read I think I should hear that speaker.

[JohnMichael]

I will try to talk you out of standmounts.

Think bout the reason most people buy standmounts? Price and size. But size is a non issue since you have to buy a stand - they they still take up the SAME footprint in your room. If you have to have a free standing loudspeaker then you have gutted most of the living space around the speakers anyway.

r.

A speaker stand and a tower speaker may have the same footprint but a tower speaker takes up more visual space. Interior design is important to me and I live in a smaller space. I find a standmount on dual front and back column speaker stand to take up less of the room visually. The OML1's on the Sanus SF22 stand is less obtrusive than the RS6 floor standers. I have to keep the audiophile and interior designer in me happy.

[blackraven]

PSB Synchrony 1 is $5.5K - so well over the $4K budget... Synchrony 2 is $3.5K, so almost a $4K tower (never heard it though)... I've not heard the Thiels or the Salks... and Maggies aren't my cup of tea...

You can occasionally find the Synchrony 1's for $3500. A good friend of mine bought a pair from audiophile liquidator for $3500 2 yrs ago.

PSB -$3,599pr, down from $5,500

Psb Synchrony One Tower For Sale | AudiogoN


PSB B-Stock Sale

[Jack in Wilmington]

Has anyone heard the Nola Boxer? From reviews I have read I think I should hear that speaker.

Hey John, I've heard the Nola Boxer at a local shop and it had a enchanting sound to say the least. Fit and finish were first rate also. One thing to consider is, that this is a HE speaker with a 90 db sensitivity. The shop I heard it at was running it off a 20 watt tube amp. But next to it was a speaker that I forgot to mention before. They had a pair of Dali Helicon 300's that were being fed by a Musical Fidelity amp. They sounded so good. It was that kind of sound that when you walk into the room, you start looking for a nice comfy chair, cause you know you're going to be there awhile. I think new they're like $4000, but I just saw a mint pair on Audiogon for $1475.

[JohnMichael]

Hey John, I've heard the Nola Boxer at a local shop and it had a enchanting sound to say the least. Fit and finish were first rate also. One thing to consider is, that this is a HE speaker with a 90 db sensitivity. The shop I heard it at was running it off a 20 watt tube amp. But next to it was a speaker that I forgot to mention before. They had a pair of Dali Helicon 300's that were being fed by a Musical Fidelity amp. They sounded so good. It was that kind of sound that when you walk into the room, you start looking for a nice comfy chair, cause you know you're going to be there awhile. I think new they're like $4000, but I just saw a mint pair on Audiogon for $1475.

The Boxer sounds interesting. When I wrote about high efficiency speakers I was thinking of speakers designed primarily for HE. 90 db should not be a problem. The Dali sounds interesting. I think a local dealer may stock some of the Dali's. Now I just need some time to follow up on some good suggestions.

[JohnMichael]

As I am shopping I need to listen to both Paradigm and PSB speakers. Odd that I have never heard either. I would also like to hear the Vienna Acoustics bookshelf speaker. Oh and Bose 901's are stand mounted and in my price range. ;-)

[blackraven]

JM, here's the PSB Synchrony sound in a nut shell. Smooth and airy with deep but tight bass. Warmer sound with articulate but laid back treble. Plays well with SS and tubes. The new Image and Imagine line has similar sound due to the trickle down technology.

[Feanor]

I should mention that my room is 12x15 ft. and the speakers will be in front of the 12 ft. wall. That is not a lot of space and I have to be somewhat considerate of my neighbors below. Oh and my budget is still$2,500.

Thanks for the responses so far I have been looking up the speakers and checking for local dealers.

Likely this kit from Parts Express, (here), based on Usher drivers, would compete will against speakers up to $2500. $700 for a pair. They look easy to assemble; there is no soldering.



Add a pair of these Dayton speaker stands, (here), for $77 and you'd be all set.

[blackraven]

Those crossovers look like they would be easy to swap out the caps for some nice Mundorf Oil Caps if you decided that you don't care for the sound.

[JohnMichael]

Likely this kit from Parts Express, (here), based on Usher drivers, would compete will against speakers up to $2500. $700 for a pair. They look easy to assemble; there is no soldering.



Add a pair of these Dayton speaker stands, (here), for $77 and you'd be all set.

Nice speaker suggestion but I do not want to buy a speaker I have not heard before. The OML1's use quality drivers in a quality enclosure. The front baffle is 1 inch thick and the rest 3/4 inch thick plus vertical and horizontal bracing. The cabinet does not contribute to the sound the way the cabinet of the RS6 does.

As far as stands I have two pair of Sanus stands and one pair of Pangea. They are 22, 24, and 26 inches tall. So I am set for stands.

I also have a pair of Ascend CBM 170's in the closet that I liked at first until I realized they were too forward for my tastes. If I find a speaker I like I plan on listening to them on multiple visits to the shop before I make the purchase.

[Feanor]

Nice speaker suggestion but I do not want to buy a speaker I have not heard before. ...

I can't argue with wanting to hear the speakers first, although I will insist that listening in the store vs. at home cannot be a definitive test.

Of course it's ideal if you can borrow speakers home, or at least buy them with free return.

[frenchmon]

Hey John, I've heard the Nola Boxer at a local shop and it had a enchanting sound to say the least. Fit and finish were first rate also. One thing to consider is, that this is a HE speaker with a 90 db sensitivity. The shop I heard it at was running it off a 20 watt tube amp. But next to it was a speaker that I forgot to mention before. They had a pair of Dali Helicon 300's that were being fed by a Musical Fidelity amp. They sounded so good. It was that kind of sound that when you walk into the room, you start looking for a nice comfy chair, cause you know you're going to be there awhile. I think new they're like $4000, but I just saw a mint pair on Audiogon for $1475.

I have a pair of Nola Mini's which are similar to the Boxers I assume...and have heard the Dali Helicons as well...no match whatsoever...I would snatch a pair of Helicons in a heart beat if I had the coin. That is an outstanding speaker that no one I know of even knows about....but very popular out on the east cost.

[frenchmon]

As I am shopping I need to listen to both Paradigm and PSB speakers. Odd that I have never heard either. I would also like to hear the Vienna Acoustics bookshelf speaker. Oh and Bose 901's are stand mounted and in my price range. ;-)

I've heard Paradigms studio's and Sig series and they have a very good midrange that draws you in. The Signature series has that Be tweeter thats very good. Some say the studio series are bright....I find them neither bright or boring but lively speakers...very engaging. They are not forward, but if you want something that is laid back...then PSB may be more to your liking. If you can, you should go and take a listen to them. Its the type of speaker you have to listen too. I suspect the Sig series may be more to your liking, but they may be out of your price range I assume...I know about 5 years ago a pair of Paradigm Reference Signature S2 cost tops about $2200. Dont know what a pair would retail today. Oh...RGA....please no Paradigm bashing...we know your stance on Paradigm.

[frenchmon]

Let me know if you go take a listen to the Paradigm....They are a beautiful speaker

And I wonder if you have a Wharfedale dealer in your area? I am very interested in these puppies as well. Its the new Warfedale Jade 3. They are a 3 way stand monitor with great balance. They go for $1900 a pair. Very little reviews sense it's new but I think What Hi-Fi did a review on the Jade 7 floor speaker and said they where really good but need power to make it come alive....You will have no problem with the Krell.



Here's Focus Audio FC 6 II. Classic Series II, and FS 6 ll Signature Series II...both in your price range.



And here is FP 60 SE

and FP 50 SE

If interested in the FP 50 or 60, you may have to check pricing at

Focus Audio - High End Audiophile Loudspeaker

[Hyfi]

Though the Dynaudio Focus was mentioned, the Excite X16 is getting rave reviews, and you could buy a few bottles of wine with what you have left over with your budget. I was blown away by the X32s driven by $400 NAD Receiver and $400 CDP.

A suggestion I gave someone over at AVS Forums, which several thought a great idea, is to advertise on Craigslist or similar for someone local that would allow you to hear speakers that you do not have a local dealer for. I would have no problem demoing my Danes. The Dynaudio tweeters are not quite as laid back with the right gear as someone commented earlier, they are just more true to life than many others that somehow effect the output to go with the signature sound of the MFG. The Dynaudio signature sound is Truth!

[frenchmon]

These are the puppies I have on lone from LeRoy... same color and everything.





The stand at the bottom is actually double ported...one on each side where you see the emblem SA on the front bottom. This port puts out unbelievable bass and it has a very good tweeter with a lush mid section. Female voices are great with that warmth you expect from a good speaker. They are romantic. It really is a 3-D sound for such a small speaker. And the cabinets are real wood. Its a heavy speaker as well. The only problem is you may not have a dealer in your area....I think they are new to the States. The Speaker is made in Denmark.

[devuonoste]

Other speakers to consider would be the Fritz Speakers.

They are sold via audiogon I believe and they have home auditions also but I'm not sure about the details.

I have not heard them personally but based on reviews of them and the RMAF 2011show, I think they may be great speakers.

[Ajani]

Though the Dynaudio Focus was mentioned, the Excite X16 is getting rave reviews, and you could buy a few bottles of wine with what you have left over with your budget. I was blown away by the X32s driven by $400 NAD Receiver and $400 CDP.

A suggestion I gave someone over at AVS Forums, which several thought a great idea, is to advertise on Craigslist or similar for someone local that would allow you to hear speakers that you do not have a local dealer for. I would have no problem demoing my Danes. The Dynaudio tweeters are not quite as laid back with the right gear as someone commented earlier, they are just more true to life than many others that somehow effect the output to go with the signature sound of the MFG. The Dynaudio signature sound is Truth!

I have no idea about how the Excite series sounds, but the Focus 220 and 140 (which I auditioned) have rolled off treble. My listening impressions were later verified when I saw the Frequency response graphs for the Focus line in reviews... I won't judge Dynaudio as a whole as I have not heard their other lines, but the Focus line is indeed laid back...

However, all that said, I think JM should audition the Focus line as that treble presentation may be exactly what he is looking for...

[blackraven]

I second the Fritz if you can find a pair to audition. They are thought very highly of. Also consider the PSB Synchrony 1B's, a wonderful sounding speaker. The Wharfedale's are worth looking at if you can find a dealer, I have always liked the Diamond Series.

[JohnMichael]

Likely this kit from Parts Express, (here), based on Usher drivers, would compete will against speakers up to $2500. $700 for a pair. They look easy to assemble; there is no soldering.



Add a pair of these Dayton speaker stands, (here), for $77 and you'd be all set.

Feanor I looked in my Parts Express catalog and was surprised by who designed the speaker. The cabinets also seem like they would be well made. Dayton is not that far away and when I was a student in Dayton I walked passed the downtown store. The larger cabinet would provide a little more bass than the OML1's. Thanks and I may make a trip to hear them.

[Feanor]

Feanor I looked in my Parts Express catalog and was surprised by who designed the speaker. The cabinets also seem like they would be well made. Dayton is not that far away and when I was a student in Dayton I walked passed the downtown store. The larger cabinet would provide a little more bass than the OML1's. Thanks and I may make a trip to hear them.

Yeah, according to PE they were designed by Joseph D'Appolito himself. PE advertizes -3 dB at 41 Hz which is good for a stand-mount.

I mentioned them in my own post wondering about stand-mounts under $1200, and if I decide to go that way I'll either go for the Dayton Audio UA701CCK or buy used.

[Pat D]

Paradigm Signature speakers are very neutral. The Signature S2 should work well in your size room.

The PSB Synchrony One B is another nice speaker, somewhat less sensitive and going along with that, somewhat deeper bass response.

Someone suggested the Totem Mani-2 Signature, which you might find used in your price category. It has quite deep bass response, which might be a bit much for your room. It is very smooth, and I only found one anomaly in the sound, evident on only one recording which you are unlikely to have, anyway. I didn't look up your amp but they are fairly insensitive and low impedance. A Bryston 3B would be about the minimum, better a 4B. But if your amp can drive fairly low impedances, it should be OK.

[JohnMichael]

While visiting the Totem site I happened to see the Totem "Hawks". If I was going to have a floor standing speaker something simple in aesthetics like the Hawks might work. The RS6's sound better than they look.

[BadAssJazz]

As I am shopping I need to listen to both Paradigm and PSB speakers. Odd that I have never heard either. I would also like to hear the Vienna Acoustics bookshelf speaker. Oh and Bose 901's are stand mounted and in my price range. ;-)

For my tastes, yes to the Paradigms, no to the Vienna Acoustic Haydens. Haven't heard the PSBs or Bose anything.

Has someone already mentioned Gamut speakers or Raidhos? Oh wait, what was the price range again?