Understood Pete and great advice. Normally.
However in my situation this is how this shook out for me (which led me to make a purchase without hearing every speaker).
Below was the list I had narrowed down my choices down to in my price range (5K <):
Rank Brand Model
1 Vandersteen Quatro Wood (Used)
2 Vandersteen Model 3A Signature
3 ProAc D48R (Used)
4 Golden Ear Triton One
5 Magnepan 1.7i
6 ProAc D30RS (Used)
7 Revel F208
8 Spatial M3 Turbo S
9 ProAc D20R
I narrowed that down further based on the below factors which were most important to me:
1 respected, longstanding company and/or designer
2 ability to be located near front/side walls
3 integrated sub
4 great a low levels
Which left me here:
Rank Brand Model
1 Vandersteen Quatro Wood (Used)
2 Golden Ear Triton One
Narrowed down again based on which company is more likely to provide outstanding support and speaker appearance/WAF (really do not like the look of the GE sock):
Rank Brand Model
1 Vandersteen Quatro Wood (Used)
I had sent an e-mail to Golden Ear with no response. In contrast I have had 3 different issues sent to Vandersteen with a direct response from RV (the designer) himself (even on an issue as innocuous as importing into the US).
I have entered into a private party deal for a 4 yr old QW. I am sure if for some reason it does not meet my needs I will be able to sell it based on the outstanding reputation and quality of this company/designer.
I know this is a bit anti-climactic but I think I ultimately made a good decision that will work for me.
Thank you everyone for your help. I certainly think I ended up in a better place due to the opinions from the members on this site than I would have alone
However in my situation this is how this shook out for me (which led me to make a purchase without hearing every speaker).
Below was the list I had narrowed down my choices down to in my price range (5K <):
Rank Brand Model
1 Vandersteen Quatro Wood (Used)
2 Vandersteen Model 3A Signature
3 ProAc D48R (Used)
4 Golden Ear Triton One
5 Magnepan 1.7i
6 ProAc D30RS (Used)
7 Revel F208
8 Spatial M3 Turbo S
9 ProAc D20R
I narrowed that down further based on the below factors which were most important to me:
1 respected, longstanding company and/or designer
2 ability to be located near front/side walls
3 integrated sub
4 great a low levels
Which left me here:
Rank Brand Model
1 Vandersteen Quatro Wood (Used)
2 Golden Ear Triton One
Narrowed down again based on which company is more likely to provide outstanding support and speaker appearance/WAF (really do not like the look of the GE sock):
Rank Brand Model
1 Vandersteen Quatro Wood (Used)
I had sent an e-mail to Golden Ear with no response. In contrast I have had 3 different issues sent to Vandersteen with a direct response from RV (the designer) himself (even on an issue as innocuous as importing into the US).
I have entered into a private party deal for a 4 yr old QW. I am sure if for some reason it does not meet my needs I will be able to sell it based on the outstanding reputation and quality of this company/designer.
I know this is a bit anti-climactic but I think I ultimately made a good decision that will work for me.
Thank you everyone for your help. I certainly think I ended up in a better place due to the opinions from the members on this site than I would have alone