Dear All,
Thank you for persevering through this thread! To give an update:
I am continuing the hunt for some quality speakers. I have inquired with both Salk & Dennis from Philharmonic Audio. Total costs of getting some Philharmonic or Salk Songtowers out here would realistically be about ~$800-1000 on top of the standard price. This is a bit sad - as shipping itself is only 400, but then the Australian government decides to slap duties and taxes on.
Anyway, I am waiting on a final quote on the Philharmonics. I should add that it has been a pleasure to deal with Dennis and I guess I really do hope I can find out a way of getting them over here. Out of curiosity - the model I am looking at is the Phil 3 (I figured if I was going to get them I might as well go all out!) - including shipping to Australia I'd be looking at close to 4k. Please consider that figure in mind when viewing below what I have been looking at in the interim.
Anyway, so I have been continuing to immerse myself in speakers and learn more about them, and where they are sold over here.
I have got the following few quotes - and I would appreciate comments on these models, particularly the first two!
1. One option is a DIY setup by a speaker hobbyist in Melbourne who has made many pairs of speakers and has got rave reviews from those who have heard (ie he seems to know what he is doing). The model is: Vifa/Scanspeak Standmounts [Sealed ZD5s] plus stands. Link to the thread is here:
http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/showthread.php/8938-Vifa-Scan-Speak-Standmounts
He is asking $1500 AUD, which seems to me, considering the components, to be a very reasonable price. Indeed, compared to similar offerings, it seems to be in a league of its own. I am off to hear these on Wednesday. My main concern is lack of bass, but hopefully they are OK! - they have the he Scan Speak 15W8530K00 and the Vifa XT25TG30-04.
2. I have been given a quote on the Paradigm Monitor 11's for $1700 AUD, or the studio 9's for about $1200 - this is a reasonable reduction from the usual price over here of $2300. I feel with these the bass would be better than the above. I asked the shop owner about the KEF Q900/Q700 and he said: 'The new KEF range is unsuitable for Classical music as they’re aimed at the youth market (Rap, heavy metal etc.) – all bass and treble with no midrange.' - I am not sure how much weight to give this comment, and this leads me to question the choice of paradigms, as in this thread at least the KEF have got a very positive rap.
3. I have found some Revel F12's for $2500 (RRP) - I am going in to hear these tomorrow and imagine that I could probably get it down to perhaps $2000.
4. Definitive Technology Mythos STS - these are slightly outside my price range ($2990 AUD) but are reduced from the $5000 RRP. I'm going to hear these tomorrow as well. I feel these may be a bit overkill for classical music/my small room though.
5. ELAC Elac FS 67 ($839) & 68 ($1259) - these are at the dealer I am going to tomorrow, so I might as well hear these too.
6. KEF Q900/Q700 (~$2200) & PSB Image T6 (~$2000) - I have yet to hear these but intend to soon.
7. Canton Vento 870DC - I don't know much about these, but can be purchased for $2100 (apparant RRP is $4899)
8. Thiel 2.4, 2nd hand for $3000. This would require a 9 hour drive to Sydney and back, but from my understanding these speakers are rather good?
Your thoughts would be appreciated. Ultimately, I wonder if bang for buck, even including importation costs, the Phil 3's are the ones to go for. I would welcome thoughts on this.
Best wishes