$8k for speakers - new or used


With an $8k budget, what floor standing speaker would you recommend?  Currently have B&W 804 D3.  Levinson #333 amp, McIntosh pre amp.  Thx

goducks44

One area of Interest to myself is which floor structure the D3’s are seated on and if the Speakers Sub-Plinth and Supplied Feet is the only mount in use being in direct contact with the Floor.

Additionally, my experience had with Diamond D4's did require the that the owner was informed there was a improvement to be found if the Toe was adjusted. Toeing Out found the better alignment. This can be discovered as a selected placement where reviews are done on B&W Diamonds where those with the speakers are familiar with other Speaker Designs.       

An improvement put in place in a particular environment for mounting a Cabinet Speaker, is in my experience usually ubiquitous. The benefits discovered will transfer to all Cabinet Speakers used in the same environment, as long as the Speaker Weight is compatible with the chosen mounting method.

There is much to be read/discovered where the benefits of mounting methodologies adopted have brought something that has quire an increased attraction for the end sound int the home audio system.

Any monies spent on alternative mounting will not be wasteful, as it is future proofing. There is the strong likelihood that the Speakers present in a way that is an increased attraction to you. At the upper end of options that can be considered, only one eighth of the $8K may be needed to be spent, if items of interest can be sourced used, maybe one sixteenth of the budget will be used, if such a purchase method is agreeable.

The Link brings to the forefront a selection of options for Speaker Mounting that can be considered,

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/townshend-audio-podiums-the-full-review

If you would consider a powered bass section might look at the Paradigm Founder 120H. Very detailed and textured with bass that you can feel. Once you run Arc for room correction you can also make some adjustments. I have a 2db boost I put in at 80hz. 

A used pair of Von Schweikert speakers, generally easy to drive, generally no flaws in the sound and great dispersion.  For half your price, the VR35 export would be great.  For 1/3 your price, a pair of Legacy Signature IIIs (1990s) would be great (rear tweeters for great dispersion and 3 10" punchy deep woofers, 30 tube watts sufficient).  For $8k, maybe a higher end older used Von Schweikert.