What’s Your Favorite Speakers < $3,000?

[abboudc]

For the poll, i voted Rocket, but if i had my pick, it'd be M&K S-150's.

 

[pearsall001]

AAD 2001 monitors. Another Phil Jones masterpiece. I loved them, I bought them!!!

 

[speakerman39]

If I ever have that kind of money, I'll probably order some speakers from Tyler Acoustics. I just love those SEAS Excel drivers

Would have to recommend Tyler Acoustics as well. More specifically, the Taylo Refernce Monitors are awesome. One of the best speakers I have ever heard. However, the Linbrook Signature Monitors are the ABSOLUTE best speakers I have heard to date. Nothing is even close. The Linbrooks are so open and airy yet smooth and refined. Not to mention that cabinets are beautiful to say the least. I live less than 30 miles from Ty's location and have been there to see it for myself. Ty himself is a class act and one thing is for sure-he is the real deal when it comes to buliding speakers that will make you say WOW!!!!!! I am still in awe as to how good the Linbrooks sound.

 

[Fastnbulbous]

The Phast 'Est is not a Salk speaker- it's by Selah Audio. Jim Salk did indeed build one pair of Phast 'Est's for a customer on a one-shot custom basis. He's also built 1801's when Dave Ellis was too backed up to ship in reasonable time.

Okay, but I found it on the Salk site here http://www.salksound.com/phast.html

 

[zumbo]

I voted for the 703s because they are the only B&Ws on your list. I love my 705s. If I were to make that big of a jump in price, I would be more inclined to get the 805s than the 703s. I am satisfied enough with my 705s that I am not sure I could justify the cost of upgrading to either one, though.

805S over 704S for shure. I havn't heard the 703S.

 

[ChrisJam]

AAD 2001 monitors. Another Phil Jones masterpiece. I loved them, I bought them!!!

They were high on my audition list, but I learned a few weeks ago that the whole AAD 2000 line is discontinued.

Chris

 

[indcrimdefense]

i have yet to hear a vienna accoustics speaker that i didn't like, still may get a pair for the office (maybe the bach or mozart grand). this weekend spend a lengthy demo session with the new paradigm reference 100 v.3 & was very impressed. demoed the 100 v.2 last year for use as a center & surrounds (i have S8 for fronts) & did not purchase as the signature & reference speakers had different tweeters & did not play well together. my dad then took the 100 v.2 to his house for a demo, & i was impressed by the sound once we bi-amped his 2805. WAF prevented him from buying. the 100 v.3 has the same tweeter as the old signature line, which now has new tweeters. system was all mcintosh, the 2 channel cd/sacd, a tube pre-amp, & the 250 watt stereo amp. have yet to hear the new signature line (arrival at dealer scheduled for feb. 07) & if the new signature 8 is not an improvement over mine, going to buy 2 pairs of the 100 v.3 for centers & surrounds. if the new S8 is an improvement, then will trade mine in or sell them

 

[Fastnbulbous]

I added some more to the list after reading an excellent thread from last year. AMG_Roadster was doing an impressively thorough job in listening to a lot of the speakers in this poll. Unfortunately he disappeared back in May without saying what he finally got. Perhaps his wife murdered him for dragging out the task for so long

I had trouble finding pricing for the AAD and Devore models. Anyone got more info? Those who already voted who have heard and would recommend any of the ones below, please say so and I'll add to the tally. Interesting how severely B&W 703 is thrashing the competition popularity wise -- 15 votes so far, with Polk LSi25 and Revel Performa F32 tied for 2nd at 5 votes each.

AAD Silver-7, $?
Devore Fidelity Gibbon 8, $?
Focal-JM Labs Electra 926, $2,700
KEF Reference 203, $2,600
Gallo Nucleus Reference 3.1, $2,600

 

[goodman]

I voted for the Gallos, because I liked the Reference 3.0s enough to buy them after listening to them at home. I've heard the Totems and the Vienna Mozarts and liked them, but I would need to either bring them home or bring my Gallos to the Totem and Vienna dealers for an audition.

 

[Fastnbulbous]

A loudspeaker poll haiku:

The winter air hums
And the choosiest ears choose
B&W

 

[Fastnbulbous]

The poll so far:

1 B&W 703 18 votes
2 Revel Performa F32 6 votes
3 Polk LSi25 5 votes
3 Onix Rocket RS1000 Signature 5 votes
3 Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand 5 votes
6 Von Schweikert VR-2 (The Vigilance) 3 votes
7 Energy Veritas V2.3i 2 votes
7 Totem Forest 2 votes
7 Wharfedale Opus 2 2 votes

 

[zumbo]

The poll so far:

1 B&W 703 18 votes
2 Revel Performa F32 6 votes
3 Polk LSi25 5 votes
3 Onix Rocket RS1000 Signature 5 votes
3 Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand 5 votes
6 Von Schweikert VR-2 (The Vigilance) 3 votes
7 Energy Veritas V2.3i 2 votes
7 Totem Forest 2 votes
7 Wharfedale Opus 2 2 votes

Or, you could just click "View Poll Results".

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I spent my money on PSB platinums.

My "cheap" HT speakers are Paradigm. (Atoms & cc170). Funny, I don't think all the loudspeakers my extended family has ever bought, combined equal the $200 MSRP of the Atoms

wait.... no, my dad bought a Bose wave radio maybe 15 years ago.

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Or, you could just click "View Poll Results".

Except the Energy Veritas were one of the "write in" votes.

 

[JoeE SP9]

None of the choices work for me.
Magneplanar 1.6QR's would leave some money for a killer Dayton 15" sealed box sub. I would still be somewhere close to the budget. I would take this rig over any of the listed selections.

 

[emorphien]

I'm surprised as the popularity of the B&W 703.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I'm surprised as the popularity of the B&W 703.

What is surprising about it? They are great speakers.

 

[Tom Cecc]

None of the choices work for me.
Magneplanar 1.6QR's would leave some money for a killer Dayton 15" sealed box sub. I would still be somewhere close to the budget. I would take this rig over any of the listed selections.

I second that. I love my Maggies and wouldn't trade them.

 

[smitty78]

My favorite isn't up there either. WTF? j/k

If I had to pick one it would have to be a toss up between the Totems or the Viennas.

None of the speakers on the list satisfies my particular tastes such as the Dynaudios and Dalis. The Dynaudio Focus 220 is very close to that budget and would be my top pick in this price range.

Haha, I just realized that this was an old azz thread. That's okay, I would have still have picked the Dyn Focus 220 back in '07.

 

[mcghee33]

my vote goes to the AAD silver 7

my vote goes to the AAD Silver 7. Absolutely amazing one of the best speakers I have ever had the chance to listen to