So I'm looking for a pair of speakers...

VR3
VR3 Posts: 28,793
edited September 2007 in Speakers
Just to have fun with, to keep a while - maybe for a couple of years.

Range of price? Not really sure ---

Lets say I wanted to spend roughly 1-2,500 a pair. I don't mind saving up for a year or so to have a pair of fun speakers to dick around with...

Whats the goal?

A product that pushes the envelope. I mean absolutely does something different and better than anyone else.

I'm not looking to get these anytime soon as I obviously have other obligations in my current system to take care of.

I'm thinking late 2008, early to mid 2009. But I want to start looking now and get an idea of what I can get in this price range.

My top choice as of right now is by far is Gallo Acoustics. I am intrigued by his engineering of the drivers with their natural roll off and little crossover work. This is something I really like.

My second choice is Martin Logan --- and looks like I can get into ML for very little money. This would obviously be to have a different sound.

And basically all rolled into one is...

Wilson Audio, Avalon, JM Lab, Von schweikert, Totem

Then speakers I wouldnt mind trying brings up -

Polk Audio SDA and VMPS.

I say VMPS because I like the idea, but I don't like Brian. Haha, if it werent for Brian, they'd be up with number one with the ribbon tweeter.

But in all honesty, the closer to 1,000 it is - the more I will like it. I know the Gallo Ref 3.1 cost around 2,000 a pair used -- which is fine. With the engineering involved in those things, Id spend 2 grand - take some time. But thats fine.

Just looking for brands and opinions on the brands mentioned.
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
Post edited by VR3 on

Comments

  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited August 2007
    If you have the chance listen to some of the speakers from Proac. The Response 2.5's and 1SC's are two that would potentially fit that initial price range. They may or may not fit your music preferences. Good luck.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!

    NORTH of 60°
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited August 2007
    How about...

    Von Schweikert VR4?

    Definitive BP7001SC?

    Or something like Splendor?
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
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    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited August 2007
    Carver Amazings
    Magnepans

    Are you going to have them in the same room you are in now? If so, SDA's probably won't work well and maybe even the Amazings won't either. You really need to consider your listening area before making a purchase.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited August 2007
    what about the klipschorn or la scala? Mirage has made tons of good speakers with omnipolar technology too I've heard a pair of 1295is from mirage that my uncle has and WOW and the om-8's were wild too

    http://miragespeakers.com/PDFs/classic_manuals/OM/OM-14/OM14brochure.pdf

    http://www.miragespeakers.com/v2/PDFs/OMNISERIESbrochure.pdf
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited August 2007
    I am considering the room - Magnepan would of been cool, except for my room.

    SDA - same thing, thats why its at the bottom...

    Carver Amazings seem to have to much "what ifs" to them...

    Mirage and their omni technology is pretty cool.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited August 2007
    In your price range, I think you'll be hard pressed to find anything better than what you've got. Maybe different, but not better. You'll have to swim further upstream for a significantly better speaker. In fact, you probably haven't heard just how good your current speakers are yet. The room thing, ya know.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited August 2007
    Early B. wrote: »
    In your price range, I think you'll be hard pressed to find anything better than what you've got. Maybe different, but not better. You'll have to swim further upstream for a significantly better speaker. In fact, you probably haven't heard just how good your current speakers are yet. The room thing, ya know.

    +1

    I think room acoustics would have a HUGE impact on the sound vs. the speakers. If I were you I'd be tempted to try those Tylers in a larger room...even if only for a 1/2 hour...
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited August 2007
    Spendors... will have to add them to the list.

    Keep in mind I am not looking to replace the Tylers - just add another set of speakers with maybe a polar opposite sound.

    And yes, I know, my room sucks. Thanks for letting me know.. AGAIN ;)

    Keep em coming.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited August 2007
    What about a pair of AR 9's? Those will certainly be different than what you have.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited August 2007
    Sid, you need to get some BALLS! To join the rest of us Gallo owners :D
    Venom
  • Jim Shearer
    Jim Shearer Posts: 369
    edited August 2007
    Let's see something different...;)

    how about Ohm's MicroWalsh?

    or Magnapans? (available in a variety of sizes)

    Cheers, Jim
    A day without music is like a day without food.
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited August 2007
    I would imagine that Sid would experience significant placement issues with Maggies and other similar speakers.

    Once again, with your skills, you ought to consider some sort of DIYer, especially if they're just gonna be a secondary speaker.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited August 2007
    Are you looking for new speakers or a totally new system?

    I personally always wanted to try a pair of high effs with battery power, something like the Zu Druids that get very mixed reviews with some battery powered amps like the Red Wine Sig 30. Maybe go entirely off the grid, RWA SB3 to a Ack Dack to the Sig 30, pure clean battery power.

    Single driver speakers would be quite different, something like Omega Audio or perhaps Cain & Cain. Only one driver to do full duty and no x-over to mess things up, as simple as can be.

    The Gallos are quite a different beast all together, them image very well and just disappear when music is playing, freaky actually their little disappearing act.

    I would say Odyssey Audio Loreleis but they are supposed to be just really great overall speakers, don't seem to be that different in that regard, just great speakers for the money.

    Jared
  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited August 2007
    those micro walshes look cool too, they have free frieght right now too
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
  • Grimster74
    Grimster74 Posts: 2,576
    edited September 2007
    What about a pair of THIEL's, I know nothing about this line but it's a suggestion. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-OZtmPzj3gyZ/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=12000&nvpair=FFBrand%7CThiel
    Money Talks, Mine says Goodbye Rob!!!!
  • Jim Shearer
    Jim Shearer Posts: 369
    edited September 2007
    If you have the tools & time, then I'm w/ Early on some DIY projects.

    Recently finished building a pair of Metronome style speakers w/ Fostex FE108E(sigma) drivers. Simply amazing what those 4" drivers can do! (Check out DIYaudio.com under speakers:full range.)

    Cheers, Jim
    A day without music is like a day without food.
  • auto_pilot
    auto_pilot Posts: 256
    edited September 2007
    Outlaw Bookshelves are $999 for the pair.
    Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
    KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
    Sub Outlaw LFM2
    Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
    Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
    Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner
  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited September 2007
    Altec Lansing - Model 19
    Make it Funky! :)
  • Yashu
    Yashu Posts: 772
    edited September 2007
    Ohhh... how about some JBL 4412s. TOTL studio monitors from the 90s.

    Or, how about some PSB G•Design GB1s or Synchrony One Bs (both lines are replacements for their venerable Stratus series, they look fun to try).
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited September 2007
    Well Trey, I'm obviously biased here but, I'd go for a nice pair of InnerSound Eros over Martin Logan. Just my $.02 here.

    Pair # 1 : LINK

    Pair # 2 : LINK

    I also like the idea of a DIY from someone like GR Research / GR Research AC
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited September 2007
    So - have you decided?
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2007
    I have an idea: B&W recently released their diamond tweeter. They are in their new 8 series and are supposed to be amazing. Granted they are pricey, but they are different and they do push the envelope.

    http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1159&terid=1232