Dream Speakers

falconcry72
falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
edited November 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
5k. You have to spend it on a pair of 2-channel music speakers. What do you buy? Go!!!...:biggrin:
2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited October 2011
    Dynaudio no doubt
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2011
    I'd have to give the new LSiM's a demo since 5K isn't going to buy a decent Sonus Faber or TAD speaker.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2011
    I need more than $5K.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited October 2011
    FYI, they could be used... Top of my list are the Magnepan 3.7's, but I'm open to everything. I searched the 'gon for both full range speakers and monitors in the 3k-6k range, and I couldn't believe how much stuff is out there! Dozens of manufacturers I've never heard of. There are a lot of people out there playing at what I consider to be a "dream" level. :smile:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited October 2011
    Harbeth!!
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2011
    $5k in the used market wouldn't buy what I need.
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited October 2011
    I think most folks would need more than 5K for "dream" speakers. I know I would.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • ShadesPG
    ShadesPG Posts: 89
    edited October 2011
    5k on the used market would buy some pretty amazing speakers, but im afraid my dreams are a bit higher
    My Living Room
    2 Channel
    source > Sony DA555ES >
    Kenwood GE-74 > Marantz SR4400 > Rotel RB980BX > Polk SDA2.
    Pioneer VSX-D909S > Carver TFM-25 > Polk SDA1c.
    Pioneer Elite VSX-99 > PSB imageB25.
    Marantz 2226 > Polk SDA CRS.
    Yamaha RX-V690 > Velodyne Servo F1000.
    Home Theater
    source > Onkyo TX-DS898 > B&W CC6 (center), B&W DM603, B&W DM601, B&W Rock Solid (rears), B&W AS6.
    Bedroom
    source > Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH> ML Quest, B&W DM600 (center), B&W DM601 (rears), Velodyne Servo F1000.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited October 2011
    I've got 'em*. "Surprisingly affordable" when it was all said and done.


    * Altec 604E Duplexes with Mastering Labs XOs in 9 ft^3 vented corner cabinets designed by "Billfort". See http://www.wardsweb.org/Billfort/ (for somewhat prettier ones than mine)
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited October 2011
    I've got my 5K dream speakers...

    For me, I'd need about 3x that amount...MAYBE.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited October 2011
    OK NEW UPDATE:

    Forget that I used the word "dream". That was obviously a mistake.

    Let's say that you were forced to spend only 5k on a pair of 2-channel music speakers; what would you buy?



    I should have been more clear in my original post. I'm looking for speaker recommendations here; I'm not explicitly looking for opinions on what dollar value can conceivably constitute a "dream speaker". Sorry for the confusion. Now recommend me some speakers, dammit!!!:cheesygrin:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited October 2011
    oh, that's different.
    a used pair of Quad electrostatics; modern or vintage. Pocket the change.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2011
    You need more than $5k to get something significantly better than your Maggies. Most any speaker within the $5k range will be a lateral move from the Maggies. If you want a different sound, that's a different consideration.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2011
    Here are mine - Proac D100's. A little more than $5K.
    ar02s.jpg
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited October 2011
    OK, I rescind my suggestion, since the Quads won't be that different than Magneplanars.
    I am now going to recommend Altec Duplexes or Altec Voice of the Theatres. Perhaps (!) for 5k one could snag a pair of A5s with 1505 horns and 288 compression drivers. That would be sweet (especially if they'd been treated to a pair of Hiraga crossovers). They might make you wonder why you lived with the polite Magneplanars for so long. If aesthetics are a factor, retrench and find a pair of Altec Magnificents. You should be able to pocket substantial change from your $5k bill.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2011
    Horns need tubes, and will compete with the best out there, no doubt. I also have my 5k speakers of choice, but in reality were only 4k as a demo when I bought them.

    Find yourself a pair of Legacy focus HD'S used. They play everything well. One of my beefs over the years of speaker buying and selling has been speaker X is only great on jazz, classical, speaker A is great on rock/roll, but sucks on the smaller detail needed for classical. In other words, I had a hard time finding something that did all genre's well. Not saying they are the only one's that can, not by a long shot, but if you want to smile everytime you sit down, knowing no matter what you throw at it, find some Focus HD'S, the SE version maybe out of your price range.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Jim Shearer
    Jim Shearer Posts: 369
    edited October 2011
    To begin: I would take the $5K and use it to fund my speaker building addiction. That should fund YEARS of projects for me and give me way more enjoyment than just buying speakers.

    Second: way settle for only ONE PAIR of speakers? I have yet to see a pair of speakers that fits all needs and situations.

    So I probably would buy a pair of Totem Hawks for one room, a pair of Maggie 1.7s for another room, then spend the change on some small used speakers like RS Minimus 7s and what not for other rooms.

    But it's your money, so you should find out what gives you the most joy!

    Cheers, Jim
    A day without music is like a day without food.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited October 2011
    tonyb wrote: »
    Horns need tubes, and will compete with the best out there, no doubt. I...
    Do they still make any other kind of amplifiers any more? ;-)
    Jim Shearer wrote: »
    To begin: I would take the $5K and use it to fund my speaker building addiction. That should fund YEARS of projects for me and give me way more enjoyment than just buying speakers.

    Second: way settle for only ONE PAIR of speakers? I have yet to see a pair of speakers that fits all needs and situations.

    So I probably would buy a pair of Totem Hawks for one room, a pair of Maggie 1.7s for another room, then spend the change on some small used speakers like RS Minimus 7s and what not for other rooms.

    But it's your money, so you should find out what gives you the most joy!

    Cheers, Jim
    DIY markedly increases the bang per buck; in my case, it would markedly decrease the number of intact thumbs per buck. DIY with a third-party, skilled cabinetmaker is my preferred route - still more cost-effective than the traditional manufacturer's finished product, bang per buck wise (I'd opine).
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited October 2011
    tonyb wrote: »
    Horns need tubes, and will compete with the best out there, no doubt. I also have my 5k speakers of choice, but in reality were only 4k as a demo when I bought them.

    Find yourself a pair of Legacy focus HD'S used. They play everything well. One of my beefs over the years of speaker buying and selling has been speaker X is only great on jazz, classical, speaker A is great on rock/roll, but sucks on the smaller detail needed for classical. In other words, I had a hard time finding something that did all genre's well. Not saying they are the only one's that can, not by a long shot, but if you want to smile everytime you sit down, knowing no matter what you throw at it, find some Focus HD'S, the SE version maybe out of your price range.

    Tony the Legacys were gonna be my recommendation as well. I have also seen used Whispers in that range as well. On the 'gone there are 2 pr of Wilson Audio Watt/Puppies in that range. Theil CS3.6 and bank a little or get the 3.7' used. B&W 802N. Man I could almost go on for days.

    I am aware that each of these speakers are different animals but they are speakers I have enjoyed over the years.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited October 2011
    Used pair of ML Summit x
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2011
    xsmi wrote: »
    Tony the Legacys were gonna be my recommendation as well. I have also seen used Whispers in that range as well. On the 'gone there are 2 pr of Wilson Audio Watt/Puppies in that range. Theil CS3.6 and bank a little or get the 3.7' used. B&W 802N. Man I could almost go on for days.

    I am aware that each of these speakers are different animals but they are speakers I have enjoyed over the years.


    Yep, the used market on speakers is flying right now. You can pick up some steals on speakers you could live with for a very long time. Plenty of 5k ones right now that previously would have been out of touch for alot of folks. Plenty of flavors too to float anyones boat.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2011
    The pair of DIY speakers I'm currently building will be over $5K in parts when done. :twisted:
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited October 2011
    Magnepan MG 20.1's and still have more than 3k left over!:cheesygrin:
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited October 2011
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Magnepan MG 20.1's and still have more than 3k left over!:cheesygrin:

    :eek: you've got to be kidding me.

    You said they were a steal.... but DAMN, John!!!:razz:


    Are they busted or something???!!!



    You did great. I payed 2 even for my 3.6's (with mye stands and mye spikes), and I thought I was the king of Magnepan deals! I have been dethroned!!!:cheesygrin:




    Anyway, I'm thinking that I'm not going to do better than the 3.6's for under 5k. The 3.7's are tempting, but with tax and mye stands you're looking at 6.5k! I payed less than a third that for my 3.6's! I think I'd be better off keeping the 3.6's and investing the rest in a new power amp (Bryston 4BSST), cables, and sick transport... and still have some leftover to start attacking the HT!
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited October 2011
    There are so many to choose from for $5k lol

    For me, it would be the Klipsch La Scala II. After buying them, I'd still have about $2k left to spend on music amp, pre, etc.
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  • Evrythngmatters
    Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
    edited October 2011
    My dream speaker cannot be had for a mere 5K. For 2k though I would get the Onkyo D-TK10. Listening to this speaker will make you question traditional loudspeaker design. One little speaker that must be heard to understand it. Amazing sound.

    In upping the price a little the new B&W PM1 is amazing. Another speaker imo that must be heard to be appreciated fully. Not the typical B&W house sound you are use to. Much better imo.
    Everything matters. That is all.
    Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited October 2011
    Evrythngmatters wrote: »
    My dream speaker cannot be had for a mere 5K. For 2k though I would get the Onkyo D-TK10. Listening to this speaker will make you question traditional loudspeaker design. One little speaker that must be heard to understand it. Amazing sound.

    In upping the price a little the new B&W PM1 is amazing. Another speaker imo that must be heard to be appreciated fully. Not the typical B&W house sound you are use to. Much better imo.

    Really? The Onkyo's?!
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    edited October 2011
    Usher 6391's
    I have never read a bad review on these and new they were right around 5k. Unfortunately, they are discontinued so coming about them will be hard but i will find them. I don't even have to hear them to know i want them.

    Modest...
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,603
    edited October 2011
    Face wrote: »
    The pair of DIY speakers I'm currently building will be over $5K in parts when done. :twisted:

    Can't wait to see those!
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • Evrythngmatters
    Evrythngmatters Posts: 187
    edited October 2011
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Really? The Onkyo's?!

    My exact reaction when I was first introduced to them. When I felt how light they were I was expecting boombox type sound to come out of these. Man was I wrong. I don't think these are the best for 2k at all, just something different that puts out a very satisfying musical experience. I listened to Alison Krauss for a bit and then some Dire Straits. Was a very fun hour spent listening to great tunes. Looking back at all the bookshelf speakers I have been listening to recently and not so recently these I remembered vividly. Cannot say the same for some much higher end speakers. So many "vanilla" choices it was refreshing to hear something out in left field. I may revisit left field soon to take another listen and see if I am still taken with these.
    Everything matters. That is all.
    Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a bad **** boat to pull up along side it though.
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