Because you have nothing else to do today: Tell Me Which Speakers To Buy.

[tutomac]

Hello All!

I blew my speakers up It has been discussed elsewhere on this forum, and you can look it up if your life is sooooo boring nowadays

Otherwise, what better way to pass your leisure time than reading this plea and offering your suggestion(s)?

The defunct subjects were a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.5.

A couple of facts:

1) I am new to hifi. I have been putting together my rig for the last 2 years. I have always loved listening to music, and watching movies, but never seemed to have the right time to set up a rig.

2) I live in a big town/small city where the only audition rooms availabe are the hallways of Target, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy. Not complaining, but sometimes I wish I had a little bit more/better choices...

3)The first item I bought was the speakers, and built my rig thereof. I did this because I remember a pair of Paradigm speakers a college fraternity brother of mine had in his room that sounded "fantastic" compared to my Technics of old... It was sweet vindication that I reached a point in my life where I could afford such speakers

4) I do not have a dedicated listening room. I am lucky enough my wife tolerated the idea, and allotted space for my rig in the family room. It is open to the kitchen, and has no acoustics worth a penny. I have since we moved updated/renovated the room with a more decent set up of shelves/cabinets, but it is still a recording engineer's living nightmare

5) I am not independently wealthy. I will have to save up for this enterprise. That or rob a bank, which limits my options greatly.

6)My rig is described in my signature below. However, a picture IS worth 1K words (for good or bad) so here is a pick of the room and rig:



Sooo, I always thought my Paradigms are too bright for my liking. With such an open inefficient space I felt they had no bass/punch. I added two JLA subs and this helped immensely. Yet I still kept thinking my speakers are on the bright side. I like a more warm, natural sound, with solid, clear mids and solid decisive bass. I am not attracted to ice-cold, tingling highs. I, of course, want definition in the high frequencies, but again, do not enjoy "surgical" precision. I think of a dark, smokey (although I do not smoke or drink anymore), musky, warm cocktail lounge, rather than a new-age, techno vodka bar...

Budget: this hurts me. I spent a little over $3K for the 100's. I, like most of us no doubt, would like to have indefinite funds for this, but alas, I do have some level of fiscal responsibility to uphold. I still have two children to send to college, and THEY know how much this shit costs... So I think $10,000 is my highest number. I am always willing to spend less for more, of course. Therefore, I am willing to buy used, if the source is reputable like the members of this forum

Finally, I have now an affinity for "made in USA" components, although it is not a must. I undserstand how almost nothing is truly made in the USA anymore, but Iwant to contribute to the local work force and R&D as much as I can.

What say you? I hope I gave you enough info to contribute. Please remember auditioning is essentially out of the question, and these speakers would ideally be the last ones I will buy.

Thank you all for your time and patience:thumbs:
Cheers!

[djwhog]

I would get a nice pair of 2 way book shelf speakers on a stand and JL small sub or subs depending on $$$s spent on mains

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[tutomac]

Originally Posted by djwhog

I would get a nice pair of 2 way book shelf speakers on a stand and JL small sub or subs depending on $$$s spent on mains

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

Sorry, I am afraid i don't follow you:
I already have two JL Audio e-112 subs

Are you suggesting I add two bookshelf speakers plus the two main?

I am looking for brand suggestions for a pair of tower speakers to replace my Paradigm 100's...

Cheers!

[Masterlu]

Revel Salon 2's

[audioguy3107]

Hector - Don't be too hard on yourself, that's a great looking space you got even if the acoustics aren't perfect! One of the first things I would do would be to decide 100% if used/demos are OK with you (they would be for me). You can get some incredible deals....I would probably stay away from ebay and be careful on Audiogon as well, some scammers there but many reputable dealers advertise on there as well. Obviously anything sold here on this forum is probably perfectly fine. That's how I ended up with me Avalons which I paid around 30% of retail for from an authorized dealer. It's hard to give recommendations on sound since all our ears are different, but I'll throw out some models I'd be looking at if my budget was between $5000 and $10000.

On my very short list (and I mean short) would be a used pair of Sonus Faber Cremonas in maple (which would look great in your room IMO).....Paragon Sight and Sound (in Michigan) has a used pair advertised right now for $5750...they retailed for around $10,000 I believe...I only know since I just bought a pair of interconnects from them recently so I saw these on the sale page....This would be a great value.
Hi-end Used Audio Equipment

I'd also take a look at a pair of Aerial Acoustics 7T...a used pair would be in that range as well.

That'a just a few that would be on my list, there are tons of others but I would think long and hard about those Cremonas that Paragon has listed.....those are fantastic.

- Buck

[audioguy3107]

BTW, I second Ivan's opinion on the Salon 2s.....the Revels are one of the better loudspeakers for the money, but you're wayyyy over $10,000 for a pair of new ones...I've seen used pairs go for between $11 and 15K......perhaps Ivan can hook you up...maybe he can work some Revel magic?

- Buck

[Cohibaman]

Ok I'll chime in, but there are others here with vastly more experience with speakers, especially in your price range than I have...

1) Look for a used pair from a reputable seller. This will stretch your buying power. Your amp will pair very nicely with B&W (e.g., 803's or 802's) or Sonus Faber.

2) As Dave suggested, since you have good subs, go with a descent set of smaller speakers (bookshelves) on stands.

3) Ivan can give you a ridiculous deal on the Brystons. I've heard them only briefly though, but what I did hear I liked.

Again, there's a lot of experience on this site. You have time and a descent hunk of cash so I'd wait for more advice.

Best,

Mike

[crwilli]

$10,000 will buy A LOT of speaker. I would second the idea of giving Ivan a call. Look for used. Lastly, take your time. That budget will get you firmly into "audiophile" territory - whatever that means - especially if you buy used.

I have not heard the Bystons but there are nothing but good things said about them. A pair of Revel Performa F208s would also be something to look at. Those you could buy new.

[2fastdriving]

If you like made in America, look for used wilson Sophia's.

I'm not sure if aerial is made here, but I second that suggestion because the 7t is a steal.

Bryston is also very good at this price point but not made in America.

Zu audio is made in America.

Of course, McIntosh speakers would make a great match for your McIntosh gear.

[Mikado463]

Given what you said about your budget along with the thought of 'spending less and getting more', combined with Ivan's broadband endorsement and dealer capabilities …………… Bryston Model T.

Your choice as to passive or the active / external crossover, but going with the passive allows you some $$ allocation perhaps for some acoustical treatments that could hopefully have a WAF.