Best speakers money can buy...within reason

[jaxvon]

OEM= Original Equipment Manufacturer, which means that RBH would make the drivers for McIntosh.

 

[Stone]

I would chose Martin Logan over any RBH speakers.

Well, that's why there are so many speaker companies. I have listened to several Martin Logans and am just the opposite, I would take my T2's over any set of Martin Logans!

 

[Takeereasy]

I would suggest a little known company called BOSE. They don't take up much space, have a catchy slogan and a great marketing departent. The 2" paper cones faithfully reproduce the entire sound spectrum down to the point where the booming 6.5" paper bass module takes over to fill the room with roaring bass. Propritary tecnology prevents inferior non-Bose products from intuding on your masterpiece of a system. Sonic Utopia can be yours, in cube form even.

P.S. they make headphones and clockradios too, so music bliss can assail you from every room of the house.

 

[flyv65]

Used? Why the hell would anyone buy used? Buying used is like reusing toilet paper. Anyways the Mcintosh speakers that I put up are more then double the Martin Logan speakers. When I said high end B&W I meant high end and not the CDM 9NT, the Ascent i's would slaughter them without trying.

Because that's the ONLY way you're going to afford the Avalon Eidolon Diamond speakers that will stomp the piss out of all challengers (including, IMHO, the JMLab Nova Utopias).

So for $8000 you're recommending the McIntoshs when he could actually buy a pair of ______ instead (everyone insert the name of their favorite speakers here). The point I was making was that he listed a pair of $1500 speakers and that is what we should be recommending...as opposed to the mental masturbation of "what I will buy when I hit the lottery" posts.

Bryan...and I've heard the B&W S800 speakers-they're nice (if you can call $20,000 speakers "nice"), but I still prefer the Avalon and JMLabs stuff...

 

[flyv65]

I would suggest a little known company called BOSE.

Indeed; a voice of reason has drowned out the ignorant cries of the masses.

Bryan...nicely done, Takeereasy...

 

[Privateer]

OEM= Original Equipment Manufacturer, which means that RBH would make the drivers for McIntosh.

We would have to email Mcintosh and see, obviously that was in the past.

Well, that's why there are so many speaker companies. I have listened to several Martin Logans and am just the opposite, I would take my T2's over any set of Martin Logans!

Any set? Even the Statement E2's, I highly doubt that. I am glad you found a speaker that performs well for its price but when it comes down to it they are simply out classed and out performed by leaps and bounds. What electronics were running the Martin Logan speakers?

 

[Privateer]

Because that's the ONLY way you're going to afford the Avalon Eidolon Diamond speakers that will stomp the piss out of all challengers

Please, you can buy diamond drivers allot cheaper and build your own speaker.

as opposed to the mental masturbation of "what I will buy when I hit the lottery" posts.

Some people work real jobs and make real money.

 

[flyv65]

Please, you can buy diamond drivers allot cheaper and build your own speaker.

Some people work real jobs and make real money.

This post has me puzzled: your grammer doesn't suggest that you are a twelve year old, yet hubris of this magnitude almost always indicates the onset of puberty. Perhaps you're suffering from arrested development?

Bryan...or you're shilling for McIntosh (doubtful)...

 

[warpdrive]

The new NHT XD system blew me away when I heard it at the audio show last weekend. The expansiveness of the sound, and the dynamics and neutrality really won me over, even in the much less than ideal room they were playing in.

I think the future of speakers is DSP....

 

[Takeereasy]

Frankinberry I am only kidding about the Bose. Please don't consider them as serious components. You really should post back with a dollar figure your boss is looking to spend and what he plans on using the system for, room size etc.., and do it quick, this post could get ugly. I think Flyv65 is closer than most to what you are looking for with regards to your initial post. It seems like you're looking to spend around $1500 a pair. Those paradigms you pointed out are pretty darn sweet (I think you may have a winner). There are literally dozens of speakers that the good folks on this site can suggest in almost any price category. Two more brands I'd feel safe offering are PSB and Monitor Audio. Also look into the Energy line of floor standers. I think that the Energy and especially the Monitor Audio are the Sexier looking of the ones I've suggested. Models I think you should consider include Monitor Audio S8 able to get for about $1500-$1650 at local dealer only (might have to haggle a bit), Energy Connoisseur C-9 at $1300 a pair retail (you can get these a little cheaper), and last but not least, my thing de resistance, the PSB Image 6T. Ok the 6T is a discontinued model so you'll have to look around a little on the page the link brings you to in order to find the specs. But look at what I've found ya my boy. These great speakers at $700 a pair plus shipping from Sound City. You could get two pairs and an image 9c center for $1650. Now you'd be rocking, and I'm seeing promotion in your future. Good luck with the hunt in any case. I'm sure you'll do fine. One parting suggestion, audition, audition, audition. Ok so that's 3, sue me. Let us know how it goes.

 

[flyv65]

Bryan I am only kidding about the Bose.

I know-I was kidding too! Also, I wasn't the fellow who posted asking for suggestions, simply one of the people who responded with opinions and advice.

Bryan...and we all know what an opinion is like...

 

[Takeereasy]

Oh, I knew you were, kidding, I thought what you said was funny, I just don't want to take a chance on someone not getting the joke. I should have addressed the post to Frakninberry though. Sorry about that. I knew you weren't the one asking for help, it was just that you were the only one who had listed speakers on par with the price of those in the original post. Got confused, must of taken the blue pills instead of the red ones when the nurse was handing out meds today. LOL The pink pills keep you from screaming.

 

[Privateer]

You really should post back with a dollar figure your boss is looking to spend and what he plans on using the system for, room size etc.

That is what everyone is waiting for.

 

[zumbo]

B&W Nautilus 800, 800 series, or Signature. I know we all wish we could fill our rooms with all those monster speakers, but I live in the real world. So, IMHO, B&W is the best I have heard in a practicle size.

 

[eddiem67]

How about a pair of Aerial Acoustics Model 20T (25,000/pr) and a pair of Bryston 7B-SST's (3295.00/ea) Or you can step up to the next level. Let me know if your interested.

 

[Mega2000]

since your boss wants you to do all the work, I say get him some cool looking good speakers, like maybe some Paradigm Signature S8's. tell him that they cost twice as much as they did and pocket the difference. everybody wins

 

[conchyjoe]

The $ figure IS the key...

I have to agree with Eddie regarding the Aerial 20Ts; that is of course if you have the cash. As to whoever posted the incredibly disparaging remark about buying used...you're way out of line! I bought my Aerial 10Ts used a few years ago along with an Aerial CC3B center channel and a Parasound HCA-2205A amp and have never looked back. For what I paid, the performance I received could have NEVER been rivaled by purchasing new. In fact I don't think I would ever (unless of course I ding the lottery) buy new again. Admittedly one must be careful, but the man I bought my Aerials from was so concerned that they get a "good home" as well as them arriving safely, they were double boxed with the originals cartons packed inside custom made external boxes. To the eye they looked for all purposes brand new, and to the ear nothing but sweetness that I still love each and every day. The same goes for the Parasound. While I can't say I would put this combo up against anything that's been mentioned here, I'd certainly put them up against most. Aerial continues it's tradition of excellence by winning Stereophile's "speaker of the year 2004"...no small accomplishment.
Well, I dropped in my 2 cents worth on buying used and kind of got away from the original question the poster was after. I, along with everyone else await his dollar figure as that dictates everything, but in midrange speakers, I'd have to say Energy's Veritas line is as good as anything you're likely to find if you have the power to fire them up.
Cheers

 

[MrClean]

I'm going to catch a LOT of flack for this, but I just bought an NHT Xd system - speakers, stands, subwoofer, cables and a DSP processor/amp for ~$6000. You have to hear it to believe it. I just sold a pair of Genesis V speakers and a Pass Labs X250 amp to make room for it.

In my listening room, it trounces the Gens. I would put this thing up against virtually anything. The only thing I would change - a little more bass extensions (just barely misses the mark set by my Vs) and the ability to play even louder.

Among a laundry list of things they do better than just about anything else out there, they virtually eliminate the "sweet spot". I was amazed at this, and you probably will be too when you hear them. Huge, detailed cohesive sound out of a very compact package. These are special.

At the price, they are a steal. I am off the merry-go-round - these guys are staying put for the foreseeable future.

Before you dismiss these outright, please take the time to audition them. If I were producing competing loudspeakers, or amplifiers for that matter, I would be *very* nervous right now...

J

 

[snickelfritz]

If I were in his position, I'd start with professionally installed acoustic treatments for the room.
Once you get the room corrected, virtually any loudspeaker you choose is going to sound excellent.

My stock answer to anyone asking for audio advise is the Paradigm Studio or Signature series.
You can't go wrong with these speakers, and if you truly need something "better", you wouldn't be asking for advise in the first place.
Speakers are very personal; I certainly wouldn't allow anyone to help me choose mine!

 

[samNOISE]

Loudspeakers

Getting back on track with the thread...

I'd like to second the earlier vote for Magneplanars. They are some of the most transparent, realistic transducers that I have ever owned (or auditioned). I have the 1.6QRs, slightly tweaked, (stands) and just bloody love em’! All that stuff you may hear about “they need a huge room” and/or “they need a massive amplifier” is bunk! Sure they sound better (bigger sound stage) when you pull them out from the wall a few feet, but so do all loudspeakers! And the amplifier myth – I have run mine with a number of amplifiers: Carver, Adcom, Roksan, and a Pioneer receiver – all work perfectly with the 1.6’s.

The only caveat: Magneplanar Corporation has a thing or two to learn about aesthetics! The ‘feet’ that they supply are something out a back alley blacksmith shop in the low-rent district of Somalia.

I ended up sawing off the fronts of mine and weighing down the backs of them with some nice chunks of mortuary-cut marble. They now look great!

Aside from that, for $2500.00 or so Canadian, you can own some of the best sounding loudspeakers on the market! If you have a little extra coin, you might want to look a little higher up the line to the 3.6’s. I don’t recommend going much lower than the 1.6QRs however, I have extensively auditioned lower models in the line, and they simply lack – after having heard the 1.6QR’s

It’s a ‘realism of presentation / height of soundstage’ thing. Get down to a dealer and audition some – you’ll be floored! A list of dealers is available on the www.Magneplanar.com site.

Andrew D.
www.cdnav.com