First I never heard the Ushers. In my personal opinion the B&W's would be best for HT but not for 2 channel. They are forward and punchy. For 2 channel they will most likely give you listeners fatigue in the long term. That's why I didn't get them. The Sonus faber is very nice but just a little too laid back. While I was still in the market I heard Dynaudio. That was the only speaker I ever heard that I HAD to have. Yes I got the C1's. Tried to upgrade to the C2's but my room is too small. Your room is a great size. In fact I would consider stretching your budget a tad and consider the C4's (my favorites to date) because of your room size. I like the Dyn's so much I did upgrade to the signatures and couldn't be happier.
I can never recommend enough to try and listen for yourself - after all it's your money and ears.
Good Luck |
I am a big fan of Dynaudio as well Contour S1.4 and S5.4. Their complete line up is very very good and will integrate well with each other. The also make a sub that will compliment the lowest bass for home theater and large scale works. A great pairing. Try to listen for yourself if possible. |
Thanks for your input. So far I have listened to the B & W 804D, The Dyno C2, Dyno 3.2 Contour and Paradigm S6. I really liked the C2 and so far the only one that I would consider a huge upgrade over my current B & W Matix 803's. My wife and I agreed that the sound was superior on the C2's and we also love the look. The 803D's were not in stock, hoping they will come in. Tomorrow we are going to listen to the Sonus Fabers. I have read great reviews of the Ushers however have nowhere to audition them in my area. Also was impressed with the Vandersteen CE2 that together with an integrated tube amp was far superior to the paradigm S6's that we auditioned in store # 2 in our opinion. Great sound for a $2000 speaker. We won't consider the Vandy's due to the cloth socks and the fact that we have cats.
A few members suggested a two channel integrated or pre with home theater by pass with a great two channel amp as a necessary investment prior to upgrading the speakers.
I am looking to purchase used here on Audiogon. |
Don't you feel kinda' bad going to stores and auditioning speakers, and then buying used here? |
Why not consider the Vandersteen Quatro Woods at your price point? That would help you avoid the cat/sock issue, and give you a great pair of speakers with their own integrated subs. |
I do feel bad going to stores to audition speakers however I can't think of any other way to listen to that variety of speakers. Any suggestions?
The place that handles the Vandersteen's I think are discontinuing the line. They pushed us away from them and all they stocked were the CE2. They were shocked when we told them how much we liked them. I rarely see the Vandy woods for sale used and would like to listen to them prior to purchasing. That being said I would surely consider them.
I have owned my present speakers for the better part of 20 years so I want to make the best choice possible.
Thanks for the responses. |
>>11-30-11: Pkelly1504
I do feel bad going to stores to audition speakers however I can't think of any other way to listen to that variety of speakers. Any suggestions<<
Glad to help.
Make sure you tell the dealer you have absolutely no intention of buying anything from him. |
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Shows are a great thought.
I am in the Philadelphia Area and I am not aware of shows in our region.
Regarding wasting the dealers time if they gave me a great deal I would buy. I also in the past have purchased many pieces of equipment from local dealers. |
Take up the dealers time. It's pay back for the 80's when the dealers would not give you the time of day unless you drove a Mercedes. |
Xt16,
What signatures did you get? |
C1 signatures in mocha. I was also able to find a pair of black/chrome stand 4. |
Taters, I'd hazard a guess that some of the staff might have changed over the last 30+ years. |
>>11-30-11: Taters
Take up the dealers time. It's pay back for the 80's when the dealers would not give you the time of day unless you drove a Mercedes.<<
Well let's apply this logic to a modern day scenario.
Your kids should be treated lousy in school by the same teachers who knew you were a toasted-out knot-headed stoner 25 years ago.
Yeah, that works. |
Am I the only person who thinks a near CUBIC room of 20x20x18 may have some acoustic problems? |
^^^ All rooms have problems unless they are treated with bass traps, first reflection zone trapping and or diffusers. A treated cube can sound great... |
Xt16,
I recently purchased a pair of C-1's and I think they are really great speakers. Do you use a sub with them? |
Audiofeil,
I guess my comments were a bit harsh but I'll never forget all the times I was Ignored at the audio store. Now the dealers call me begging to come in and audition the latest and greatest. I mostly just buy on Audiogon and take my chances. Luckily things have worked out so far. |
Pkelly1504 I am in south jersey have you been to overture audio in Wilmington Deleware and soundex in Willow Grove PA yet;pretty knowledgable guys and a nice selection as well. |
Pkelly1504,
The speakers you're listing have so different characteristics, that I'm not sure what you really aim for upgrade or listening needs in general.
I would subtract B&W mentioned since they will not sound right with your amp.
Due to your extreamly high celiings, it's encouraged that you will build an acoustic trap another words building a stage 'tent'.
Please keep in mind that dealers often sell used speakers so you can pick them up to avoid shipping problems and charges. Not that I encourage or have any kind of interest recommending any dealers or stores, but definitely if possible, buy them locally. In Phili/Jersey I think there's a tons of possibilities from dealers and private sellers. |
Magfan, I saw that too, but was so put off by the window shopping, I refrained from posting. |
I am heading to Overtures and Hi Fi House this evening.
Soundex is appointment only and it has been tough nailing down a time.
Thanks |
Put off by window shopping.... are you serious? They put in a cd, give me a remote and walk away. Such is business.... if their prices are reasonable I will buy. How do you select gear? Do you send someone thousands of $$$ without listening? |
I go to shows, listen to other's systems, etc. If I go to a shop to audition gear, I go with intention of buying if I like the gear. I don't try to compare the prices of new gear from those with overhead to the prices of used gear from those that don't have the same overhead. If buy used gear and like it, I keep it, if I don't like it, I sell it. I try to treat others as I would like to be treated. |
Taters Yes I use a Rel B3. Really sounds great.
Pkelly1504 I would ask to hear some speakers and once you ask the price you can always ask about pre owned or demo. |
Xti16, wouldn't it be more honest to ask about pre owned or demo pieces first, if that's what your in the market for? |
I own a retail store. People looking with no intention of buying is part of the reality of retail. We treat every visitor as a potential buyer. You never know, they may tell their friends they were treated well or they may come back and buy something later. There is no harm in shopping whether your buying or not thats what were there for. Internet commerce is the new reality of retail and its our job as retailers to make shopping at brick & mortar a comparable value. I'd go for the Ushers. |
Unsound - Not necessarily in my opinion. The reason is when I was speaker shopping and first heard the C1's I was floored by the price meaning I was looking to spent about 1/2 the MSRP. I knew absolutely nothing about Dynaudio prior to that day especially pricing. I told the dealer I need at least another year to save unless he knew of a customer that wanted to upgrade or even 'B' stock. He told me he would ask around. About 2 weeks later he told me he had a 'A' stock at 'B' stock price. We split the difference and I was able to buy new from an authorized dealer.
Now since I had first demo'ed the C1's there was 1 sold pair on A'gon. Kept looking but nothing before he called. I pulled the trigger - got them and yes there were a couple of pair on A'gon shortly thereafter. The point is I found and established a good business relationship with this dealer. I get a great price on new equipment but most importantly service like I never thought existed. NO PRESSURE - in home demos with delivery and pick up. In fact he let me demo in my home for 9 days a pair of C2's. They were too much for my room. He picked them up and said thanks. I asked why he was thanking me and he said if they don't work in your room they may never. You need what you think sounds best and in my case it was the C1's. He loaned me his CDP when mine (bought elsewhere) needed to be sent in for service. I'll admit his prices were just a little higher than A'gon used prices but should there be a problem he is right there. His upgrade policy is simple. Should you ever decide to upgrade he will take what you paid (less taxes) and that's your trade in value. So it was really a no brainer to jump on the signatures when they came out.
No other dealer I've been to in 36 years ever treated me so good. I would rather pay a bit more than used and get new with the service I get. Great peace of mind.
I'll also admit I found the 'holy grail' of dealers and they are very very few in the world. So by inquiring about what you really want without mentioning a price range it may work out. |
XT-16,
What dealer are you talking about? |
Tyler at Nextlevelav in Bartlett Illinois..
His home is his store but everything is through appointment only. That my help explain why the pick-up and delivery. Also I am local. He does sell across the nation. He has had quite a few people fly in to hear different setups. In fact I met 2 A'goners because I had a setup that he didn't have. One guy was from NY to hear my Octave V70SE w/C1's that Tyler didn't have (he has the V40 and V80). The second was from Calif and wanted to hear the signatures with Naim. I got Tylers Sig's when they arrived. The first arrived at the Dyn warehouse on a Mon and he delivered them on Sat (was out of town). Tyler brought a Naim cd5xs - hicap p/s and XS integrated to my home 3 days before the guy came in. To my knowledge neither has purchased anything from Tyler yet. |
xti16,
I gave that guy some Information at one time and his wife promised me a set up cables. To this day I haven't seen the cables. |
