Persona 9H price is $35000.
Speaker recommendation thread (Organised by tiers of price)
The aim of this thread is to create a list of speakers that people enjoy and recommend and to organise the speakers into a list based on their MSRP. Please recommend speakers that you have personally heard or own and enjoy. I will add the names of the users who recommend a speaker next to the speaker name (and if someone already recommended the speaker you had in mind please feel free to recommend it again because I will add your name as well).
Please feel free to include gear that was used to listen to your recommendation and some impressions (although you do not have to).
This list may be useful to new buyers to get a general sense of popular models to help guide what to audition during the purchase process.
[Under $1000]
[$1000-$5000]
[$5001-$10,000]
[$10,001-$20,000]
[$20,001-$30,000]
Pardigm Persona 9H @smodtactical
[$30,001-$50,000]
[$50,001-$70,000]
Magico M2 @smodtactical
[$70,001-$100,000]
[$100,001-$200,000]
[Over $200,000]
Please feel free to include gear that was used to listen to your recommendation and some impressions (although you do not have to).
This list may be useful to new buyers to get a general sense of popular models to help guide what to audition during the purchase process.
[Under $1000]
[$1000-$5000]
[$5001-$10,000]
[$10,001-$20,000]
[$20,001-$30,000]
Pardigm Persona 9H @smodtactical
[$30,001-$50,000]
[$50,001-$70,000]
Magico M2 @smodtactical
[$70,001-$100,000]
[$100,001-$200,000]
[Over $200,000]
89 responses Add your response
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Guys so apparently I cannot edit the original post... bummer. So I will make this post the full list: [Under $1000] Dali Oberon series @audiotroy Kef Q 550 @audiotroy Kef Q 750 @audiotroy Quad S1 @audiotroy [$1000-$5000] Quad S4 @audiotroy Quad S5 @audiotroy Quad Z3 @audiotroy Qaud Z4 @audiotroy Kef R 5 @audiotroy Kef R 7 @audiotroy [$5001-$10,000] Golden Ear Tritron 1R @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 6 @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 8 @audiotroy Legacy Signatures @audiotroy Paradigm Persona 3F @audiotroy Kef Ref 1 @audiotroy ATC SCM 19 @audiotroy SCM 40 @audiotroy [$10,001-$20,000] Pardigm Persona 5F @audiotroy Kef Reference 3 @audiotroy Kef Reference 5 @audiotroy Dali Epicon 8 @audiotroy Wilson Yvette @audiotroy [$20,001-$30,000] Legacy Aeris @audiotroy Kef Blades @audiotroy [$30,001-$50,000] Pardigm Persona 9H @smodtactical, @audiotroy Vimberg (model?) @audiotroy Wilson DAW @audiotroy [$50,001-$70,000] Magico M2 @smodtactical [$70,001-$100,000] [$100,001-$200,000] Wilson Alexia @audiotroy [Over $200,000] Kharma (which model?) @audiotroy |
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In the $1000 - $5000 range, while that is a wide range in that price band, my personal choice is the Dynaudio Special 40. Especially if looking for standmounts. I auditioned many standmounts in that range, and for my listening preference it was far and away the right choice. Have a pair in two different residences. |
I can only comment on speakers I've personally owned and listened to over extended intervals (with the exception of #2 on my list of 3): 1) <$200 = Audioengine 2 which is a really good speaker for background listening and occasionally for more attentive focus, especially when coupled with an Audioquest Dragon Red and an Audioquest Jitterbug. 2) <$1000 = Magnepan LRS which I just recently purchased to replace #3. This speaker has had rave reviews but - as I just got mine a few days ago, a purchase I made based on reports from sophisticated audiophiles - I can't give a listening impression based on personal experience. 3) ~$2000+ range = Vandersteen 2C series which have been favorably commented on favorably by many knowledgeable reviewers. That's my very limited list and it's based on a price ceiling, as you can see, with listening pleasure being the main parameter within those ranges. Keith |
$2k Dynaudio Special 40's. I have these at work at they are amazing $6k Dynaudio C1 Confidence Platinum. I have these in my lounge and the are outstanding stand mount speakers. (coupled with a Dynaudio Sub6 subwoofer) $16k Dynaudio C4 Confidence Platinum. These are in my listening room and are just killer. $60k Dynaudio Evidence Platinum. I have listened to these and have chosen not to leave my wife over owning a pair. They are outstanding. They had a Dohmann Helix 2 turn table hooked up thorugh Thrax amps and they were just revelatory in such an effortless way. You get the Dynaudio theme here, coupled electrocompaniet amplification they just sound so clean and detailed. Be warned though Dynaudio's like a lot of juice to really shine. |
You know what I’m going to say (and what herb Reichert says) Under $500 Wharfedale diamond 225’s ($449/on sale now for $349) Believe it or not, the diamond 220's sounded fantastic as well at $349. I sold them to buy the 225's I love them so much I have two pairs. I own other speakers but can’t comment on those, as I have not even removed them from their boxes due the fact I love the above diamonds so much. When I tire of the diamonds then maybe I’ll give the others a go....(harbeth & spendor) bought and own them just because of the legend lol, who knows, maybe they will sound better than the diamonds, and maybe not...price point is meaningless...its all in the design and expertise of the designer. |
<<thank god this place isn't just guys, there's enough testosterone on these pages to float a boat
>> Over the past 10-20 years I've been noticing the use of "guys" and "you guys" to refer to a mixed gender group. I wasn't raised that way, but it seems to have become the norm, so I've succumbed. None of the females I know have objected. |
Hello guys and girls (@keegiam) ;) @sfseay He was the first one to make recommendations so I simply added them to the list... for some reason he deleted them. @mijostyn I am not trying to say 1 speaker is better than another based on price. Simply that these are speakers people enjoy organised by price that way if you say 'Hey I have $2500 to spend... what should I listen to ?' you can consult the list and get a quick list of speakers in that price range that people enjoy. Ok updated list as follows (Thanks for the suggestions! Keep them coming): [Under $1000] Dali Oberon series: @audiotroy Kef Q 550: @audiotroy Kef Q 750: @audiotroy Quad S1: @audiotroy Audioengine 2: @kacomess Buchart S400: @mrdon Tekton Pendragons: @technick Mark Audio Sota CestiB: @dseltz Wharfedale diamond 225: @audioguy85 [$1000-$5000] Quad S4: @audiotroy Quad S5: @audiotroy Quad Z3: @audiotroy Qaud Z4: @audiotroy Kef R 5: @audiotroy Kef R 7: @audiotroy Revel F208: @hemi04 Dynaudio Special 40: @bwaterme, @manorsessions Harbeth C7es3: @biscorbit Magnepan LRS: @kacomess Vandersteen 2C: @kacomess [$5001-$10,000] Golden Ear Tritron 1R: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 6: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 8: @audiotroy Legacy Signatures: @audiotroy Paradigm Persona 3F: @audiotroy Kef Ref 1: @audiotroy ATC SCM 19: @audiotroy SCM 40: @audiotroy Dynaudio C1 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions [$10,001-$20,000] Pardigm Persona 5F: @audiotroy Kef Reference 3: @audiotroy Kef Reference 5: @audiotroy Dali Epicon 8: @audiotroy Wilson Yvette: @audiotroy Rethm Saadhana: @dseltz Dynaudio C4 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions [$20,001-$30,000] Legacy Aeris: @audiotroy Kef Blades: @audiotroy Sonus Faber Amati: @pfank12 [$30,001-$50,000] Pardigm Persona 9H: @smodtactical, @audiotroy Vimberg (model?): @audiotroy Wilson DAW: @audiotroy Egglestonworks Vigniti: @liamowen [$50,001-$70,000] Magico M2: @smodtactical Dynaudio Evidence Platinum: @manorsessions [$70,001-$100,000] [$100,001-$200,000] Wilson Alexia: @audiotroy [Over $200,000] Kharma (which model?): @audiotroy |
1K-5K, there are a number Emerald Physics options. I have owned a pair of EP KCIIs . Base MSRP $2499, but I had mine built at factory with WireWorld internals and upgraded caps. Slowly since purchase I have upgraded every element in my system from PLC, to cables/wires to the various components. Each time I could hear the change I have owned Genesis Vs, Accoustats 2+2s, Magnepan 3.5Rs, Usher 6371s, and the KCIIs, which gives them all a run for the money, but the 2 upgrades are important. EP is currently offering $8K+ at $4999: run, don't walk |
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[Under $1000] Dali Oberon series: @audiotroy Kef Q 550: @audiotroy Kef Q 750: @audiotroy Quad S1: @audiotroy Audioengine 2: @kacomess Buchart S400: @mrdon Mark Audio Sota CestiB: @dseltz Wharfedale diamond 225: @audioguy85 Omega Super 3i Monitors: @melvinjames [$1000-$5000] Tekton Pendragons: @technick Quad S4: @audiotroy Quad S5: @audiotroy Quad Z3: @audiotroy Qaud Z4: @audiotroy Kef R 5: @audiotroy Kef R 7: @audiotroy Revel F208: @hemi04 Dynaudio Special 40: @bwaterme, @manorsessions Harbeth C7es3: @biscorbit Magnepan LRS: @kacomess Vandersteen 2C: @kacomess Emerald physiscs KCII: @tweak1 Paradigm Prestige 15B, 75F, 85F, 95F: @mtdining Revel Performa 3 M106: @plinytheelder Watkins Stereo Generation 4: @lightin [$5001-$10,000] Golden Ear Tritron 1R: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 6: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 8: @audiotroy Legacy Signatures: @audiotroy Paradigm Persona 3F: @audiotroy Kef Ref 1: @audiotroy ATC SCM 19: @audiotroy SCM 40: @audiotroy Dynaudio C1 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions [$10,001-$20,000] Pardigm Persona 5F: @audiotroy Kef Reference 3: @audiotroy Kef Reference 5: @audiotroy Dali Epicon 8: @audiotroy Wilson Sabrina: @mtdining Kaya 45: @mtdining Wilson Yvette: @audiotroy, @mtdining Rethm Saadhana: @dseltz Dynaudio C4 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions [$20,001-$30,000] Legacy Aeris: @audiotroy Kef Blades: @audiotroy Sonus Faber Amati: @pfank12 [$30,001-$50,000] Pardigm Persona 9H: @smodtactical, @audiotroy Vimberg (model?): @audiotroy Wilson DAW: @audiotroy, @mtdining Egglestonworks Vigniti: @liamowen [$50,001-$70,000] Magico M2: @smodtactical Dynaudio Evidence Platinum: @manorsessions Wilson Alexxia 2: @mtdining [$70,001-$100,000] [$100,001-$200,000] Wilson Alexia: @audiotroy, @mtdining [Over $200,000] Kharma (which model?): @audiotroy Wilson WAMM: @mtdining |
not having read the complete thread, one should be aware that right after digital tech, speaker tech moves along rather quickly. meaning each year there will be new contestants, or new itterations of whatever past models as many are revised often. I suggest annual, or keeper speaker lists, segregated by price and or type, i.e., monitors, high eff, floor standing, active, etc. I do get the thinking behind developing this topic, but to do it justice so those seeking particular types don't have tos lug through a littany of unrelated versions, more segregation is needed. as such, each thread will then take care of itself. well, for a year or so, or until a posted itteration see's its update orexclusion. from the line Threads on Keeper speakers or desert island sorts however will remain endlessly without need for constant management. in fact, as subjective as is this hobby and given its wealth og applications and varied arrangements, threads on 'forever' speakers is as good a place to look for new ideas speakerwise, as any more specific supposed ongoing all inclusive posting. |
@blindjim great suggestion... maybe we make this thread a yearly one and each year we do a fresh list we ask the question, which speakers from prior list should stay on? Anything thats not voted over will be deleted. But as you know there are also older speakers that are long time favorites (like Salon 2) so the nice thing about just doing the list as is... you will be able to see all the people who like a certain speaker with all their names next to it... that kind of helps highlight certain speakers as crowd favorites. |
As much as I respect this idea, I don't think it's useful for any real-world applications. If I've learned anything concrete in all my years as an audiophile, it's that we all hear differently. We all have different rooms and partnering gear, so speaker recommendations based solely on a price range are useless, mostly. Even the pro reviewer lists (Stereophile) are generally useless IME. There is a wide range of performance among the same "class" of speakers. For example, the "class B" Stirling Broadcast LS3/6 far surpasses the class B Monitor Audio Silver 8s in resolution, imaging, and overall musicality - so much so that I would have placed them at least two classes apart (I've owned both), even with my most modest partnering gear. I recently preferred an old pair of New Large Advents to a brand-new pair of popular and highly-regarded $3K speakers (and by a wide margin). Similar Advents can be bought for $250 - $400 on fleaBay, so I guess you can add those to both the [under $1000] and [$1000 - $5000] lists. |
I will only respond to what I've owned. With that, I've owned; Focal Chorus 710's B&W 702's (Original Series) Sonus Faber Venere 2.5's And Now, Sonus Faber Sonetto V's. I have enjoyed all of them, but have progressed upward as money allows. In the $1K to $5K category, you just can't imagine how good the Sonetto V's are. SF has built an addition to their Italian Factory just to produce the Sonettos. They have modeled the tweeter after the Olympica's tweeter, have reconstructed the midrange from the Venere line, and have built an entirely new woofer of aluminum. The highs are remarkable with the damped design from trusted, tried and true more costly models, the midrange is unbelievable with male and particularly female voices, and the base response is incredible with the fast response aluminum drivers and the downward firing port. My brother-in-law owns Vandersteen Treos and he loves the Sonettos. The Sonetto V's compare easily to considerably more costly speakers, and for the money, simply can't be beat. They are an outstanding value for the money. Highly recommended in $1K to $5K range. |
[Under $1000] Dali Oberon series: @audiotroy Kef Q 550: @audiotroy Kef Q 750: @audiotroy Quad S1: @audiotroy Audioengine 2: @kacomess Buchart S400: @mrdon Mark Audio Sota CestiB: @dseltz Wharfedale diamond 225: @audioguy85 Omega Super 3i Monitors: @melvinjames Large advents: @helomech [$1000-$5000] Tekton Pendragons: @technick Quad S4: @audiotroy Quad S5: @audiotroy Quad Z3: @audiotroy Quad Z4: @audiotroy Kef R 5: @audiotroy Kef R 7: @audiotroy Revel F208: @hemi04 Dynaudio Special 40: @bwaterme, @manorsessions Harbeth C7es3: @biscorbit Magnepan LRS: @kacomess Vandersteen 2C: @kacomess Emerald physiscs KCII: @tweak1 Paradigm Prestige 15B, 75F, 85F, 95F: @mtdining Revel Performa 3 M106: @plinytheelder Watkins Stereo Generation 4: @lightin Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekend: @jmarini2 Sonus Faber Sonetto V: @lradder7 [$5001-$10,000] Golden Ear Tritron 1R: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 6: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 8: @audiotroy Legacy Signatures: @audiotroy Paradigm Persona 3F: @audiotroy Kef Ref 1: @audiotroy ATC SCM 19: @audiotroy SCM 40: @audiotroy Dynaudio C1 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions [$10,001-$20,000] Pardigm Persona 5F: @audiotroy Kef Reference 3: @audiotroy Kef Reference 5: @audiotroy Dali Epicon 8: @audiotroy Wilson Sabrina: @mtdining Kaya 45: @mtdining Wilson Yvette: @audiotroy, @mtdining Rethm Saadhana: @dseltz Dynaudio C4 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions Dynaudio Contour 60: @wanderingmoo [$20,001-$30,000] Legacy Aeris: @audiotroy Kef Blades: @audiotroy Sonus Faber Amati: @pfank12 [$30,001-$50,000] Pardigm Persona 9H: @smodtactical, @audiotroy Vimberg (model?): @audiotroy Wilson DAW: @audiotroy, @mtdining Egglestonworks Vigniti: @liamowen [$50,001-$70,000] Magico M2: @smodtactical Dynaudio Evidence Platinum: @manorsessions Wilson Alexxia 2: @mtdining [$70,001-$100,000] [$100,001-$200,000] Wilson Alexia: @audiotroy, @mtdining [Over $200,000] Kharma (which model?): @audiotroy Wilson WAMM: @mtdining |
