Best speakers for about $3500


Hi All,

I would appreciate some input on my next speaker purchase. I want to spend no more than $3500. I have a Krell 400xi amp. I listen mostly to rock/jazz on vinyl. I have an Innersound phono pre, VPI Scout, and a ZYX cartridge. My dedicated listening room is on the second floor and is about 12 x 14. I prefer full range speakers but don't need to fill an auditorium.

In the past, I have owned B&W Matrix 802s and loved them. In my opinnion, the nicest speakers I have ever heard were B&W Nautilus 802s. Alas, I can't afford them. Notably, I owned a pair of DM 604s for about a week. They were the most disappointing speaker purchase I have ever made.

So I am considering Nautilus 803s though I would be really dissappointed if they were closer to the 604s than the 802s. But I also have access to a very good deal on Gallo Acoustics ref 3.5s. I have heard the Gallos and, while they sound nice, did not compete with the N802s. However, it is not fair to compare the Gallos to the much more expensive 802s. How would they match up to the 803s? Moreover, it seems that I might not be considering all of the great speakers in my price range. For example, I stumbled across a pair of Talon Khorus speakers for $3200. Based on their $15k retail price, I bet they don't suck. Or how about a pair of Wilson Cubs.

Thanks for the feedback, Jim
jwit
Thanks for the suggestions. Based on all of the comments, I think that I can't buy anything without giving it an audition. I will seek out a few opportunities to audition because I can't afford to get this choice wrong and clearly a lot of this stuff boils down to personal preference. I appreciate the input.
Legacy 20/20 are not the answer (my father owned them 5 years and were EASILY bested by Vandesteen Quatro in every regard).
Bass was so much better in Vandersteen it was laughable, image, warmth, depth all in Vandersteens favor.
Jimwit,
This forum can be very helpful as it can open your mind to different possibilities or in this case, speakers. I'll still stand behind VMPS speakers with auricaps, fst tweeters, megawoofers, and sound deadening as having stunning clarity, dynamics and basically excellent at all the little audiophile goodies and if you get VMPS subs with the 626R's or RM-30's, you'll experience a royal eargasm with any type of music you like. The only possible drawbacks of VMPS speakers is you have (get) to adjust the sound for your room and it takes some time to get it right--you definitely can do it, and secondly, they're not free. Hey, Brian's got to eat too. By the way, MacDad, I like the 3.6R's and if I had never heard the 626R's that I was lucky enough to buy from a former A'gon owner, I'd been tempted to buy a pair. Just one dork's opinion. I could use a hug, man. These little forum ditties are loads of fun--like farting in 5 colors. Later, Bob