Speakers Needed ~$2000

[korndawg]

Posting this for a friend of mine.
His current Equipment:
Soundblaster Audigy
Yamaha RX-Z1
Ebtech Lineshifter
Rane RPM2
Crown XLS402
Cerwin Vega E715 speakers
1 15" CV sub
1 10" CV sub


He's obviously huge into SQ, but i feel his Vega's are not for the audiophile. He's looking into spending ~2000 on either a new set of speakers or spending that money on a DA converter. What do u all recommend. He was absolute SQ but he likes shaking stuff off his walls Music only, zero HT. Recommendations?

 

[jinjuku]

Posting this for a friend of mine.
His current Equipment:
Soundblaster Audigy
Yamaha RX-Z1
Ebtech Lineshifter
Rane RPM2
Crown XLS402
Cerwin Vega E715 speakers
1 15" CV sub
1 10" CV sub


He's obviously huge into SQ, but i feel his Vega's are not for the audiophile. He's looking into spending ~2000 on either a new set of speakers or spending that money on a DA converter. What do u all recommend. He was absolute SQ but he likes shaking stuff off his walls Music only, zero HT. Recommendations?

Zaph has a new design that would fit the bill: The SB 12.3

 

[jamie2112]

I would get new speakers over a d/a converter.$2000 is a good budget and he could get a great set of speakers for that.

 

[korndawg]

Agreed. So what speakers for the 2G range? I know there is a ton of choices. SQ with lots of impact.

 

[jinjuku]

Agreed. So what speakers for the 2G range? I know there is a ton of choices. SQ with lots of impact.

The SB 12.3 would be a good 2.0 setup. The SQ would be there with the impact of having a ton of driver surface.

There is no replacement for displacement.

Find a local cabinet builder. Google cabinet maker + your zip code. Should be around the $1500-$1800 or so mark with cabinets.

 

[Swerd]

For $2000 or less, I think Salk SongTowers would be excellent.

They are sold internet direct, but have been widely reviewed, both by owners and professional reviewers:

Owners Reviews:
fsimms SongTower Impressions
http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=44172.0

My SongTower Impressions
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36600
and some photo links:
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7e53687d13c747d28ccec9a6980c7256/adobe-px-assets/a0c5734bee194fdb9a8c51a0bb77220e
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7e53687d13c747d28ccec9a6980c7256/adobe-px-assets/763dd32e03c64e46a5d3209c017a7481
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7e53687d13c747d28ccec9a6980c7256/adobe-px-assets/1fe476c13cc44c14a769654cf21c19bd
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7e53687d13c747d28ccec9a6980c7256/adobe-px-assets/2b778c95c2ce45f6aa432373d67150a3
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7e53687d13c747d28ccec9a6980c7256/adobe-px-assets/5e32892df5334d48abd18b49b2da3c2b
http://api.photoshop.com/home_7e53687d13c747d28ccec9a6980c7256/adobe-px-assets/ba771834cf1041849f263d0eb0a728c8

Boybee's SongTower Impressions - Read the whole thread to find all 3 installments
http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=49037.0
and at AudioAsylum:
http://www.audioasylum.com/reviews/Speakers/Salk-Sound/SongTower-QWT/speakers/26/265096.html

Nuance's Impressions of SongTowers with ribbon tweeters
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47314
and at AVS Forum
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=14575239&postcount=3475

funkmonkey's SongTower Impressions (scroll down about half way)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13285847&postcount=168

Professional Reviews
Enjoy The Music Review by Nels Ferre "Best of 2008 award"
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0408/stalk_signature_songtower.htm

Audioholics Review by Tom Andry
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/salk-songtower-qwt

Also see the interesting forum discussion that followed this review
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47528

Audioholics 2008 Products of the Year announcement
http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/product-awards-and-gift-guides/audioholics-2008-product-awards

Sonic Flare Review by Sean Fowler
http://www.sonicflare.com/archives/salk-signature-sound-song-tower-review.php

Audioholics features SongTowers in Floorstanding Speaker Shootout
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/1500-2000-floor-shootout-2009

 

[jamie2112]

x1 on the Salks.They are really an amazing sounding speaker......big plus they are in your price range.

 

[lsiberian]

Posting this for a friend of mine.
His current Equipment:
Soundblaster Audigy
Yamaha RX-Z1
Ebtech Lineshifter
Rane RPM2
Crown XLS402
Cerwin Vega E715 speakers
1 15" CV sub
1 10" CV sub


He's obviously huge into SQ, but i feel his Vega's are not for the audiophile. He's looking into spending ~2000 on either a new set of speakers or spending that money on a DA converter. What do u all recommend. He was absolute SQ but he likes shaking stuff off his walls Music only, zero HT. Recommendations?

I'd suggest he audition some 700 series B&Ws if possible. I personally enjoyed my session with a pair of 705's and would consider them in a listening set.

The Salks are also excellent.

 

[davidtwotrees]

See my ad in the classifieds for a set of Canton L800DCs.

 

[BigSkreen]

I like the Salks tons of low end thanks to their design. I think B&Ws sound nice but not the best bang for the buck. I personally find Klipsch a bit harsh.

Notice all the I's above. What you think sounds great I might hate. My best suggestion is to listen to all the speakers in his price range that he can and decide for yourself.