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Speaker upgrade help needed: 4500$ used

Like you all I have the upgrade itch and have decided that the speakers are what I want to change out next.

1. My goal is the most holographic soundstage and best imaging I can afford at this price range
2. I have no preference between bookshelf and tower speakers
3. I have no bass requirements as I currently live in an apartment and wouldn't want the bass to annoy the neighbors anyway!
4. Resale value and demand is very important, so rare/old models or companies that come out with new versions/revisions each year are out of the question.
5. My next speaker upgrade probably wont be for 2-5 years
6. Appearence isn't important, although I'd like to keep a reasonable footprint for the speakers
7. This is for a 2 channel only system

My current system:
Tyler Reference Monitors
Plinius 8200 mkII integrated
Muse model 9 Sig version 4 (cdp)
Ridge Street MSE gII interconnect
Harmonic Tech ProAC-11 powercord
Signal Audio biwire shotgun speaker cable

Current room is 14x18, but I do consulting work and move every year or two (so not shopping for room specific speakers!)

The cd's I've been playing a lot of lately:
Cyndi Lauper - At Last
Patricia Barber - Cafe Blue
Cowboy Junkies - Trinity Sessions
Paul Simon - Graceland
Peter, Paul & Mary - 1st LP
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Steely Dan - 2 Against Nature
Laureena McKennit - The Visit
Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac and Rumors

I have enjoyed the Tylers. They are my first step into home audio unless you count NHT SuperTwos. The Tylers were an ENORMOUS step-up from them in terms of clarity, seperation, imaging and soundstage. However, they dont get me to the toe tapping, emersed in the music state that I am looking for eventually.

My ear and audio vocabulary isn't at a point where I could say what I would like to improve upon or what in particular I'm looking for.

Speakers I'm considering:
B&W N 803
SF Electa Amator II
Merlin VSM-M
Aerial 10T
Von Schweikert VR4 JR
Martin Logan Request

any of these stand out above the rest?
any to remove? other recommendations?

Thanks for any help!
Geoff
geoffgarcia
usblues
1,217 posts
 
All good choices.I vote for the Merlins,they have soooo many positives,good luck,Bob
herman
2,259 posts
 
The new Gallo's are toe tappers with the soundstage and imaging you are looking for. Better yet they are below your target price new. A friend has these and they are very good.
steelhead
318 posts
 
With the music you have listed, and with very deep bass not being a primary concern, and with wanting a holographic soundstage and imaging, you would be a very happy camper with ReQuests I'll bet .

I still enjoy mine and have no plans to upgrade other than to get the gen 2 panel at some point. They are great speakers for the money and I think you are looking at more like 2200-2500 for ReQuests in the used market.

Don't know if they will hold value as you wish.

Have Fun
711smilin
513 posts
 
Check out the Reimer Tetons, my friend, they will make you smile, big time. Email me.

Steve
kck
184 posts
 
Yeah Maggie 3.6 are nice but don't be fooled by their "low" price -- they are much more expensive when you factor in the high-buck electronics that they demand like a spoiled child. They will punish you severely for any mediocre or second-tier equipment you put before them.

Read the reviews carefully and note the equipment used. Plus they will dominate your apartment unless you are The Donald.

I owned them, no, scratch that, THEY owned ME for 3 years. I had about $10K (retail) in cables, cdp, pre and amp in front of them and they didn't like that. My (box) speakers now (no I am not selling or shilling for them) are revealing but forgiving at the same time. The Maggies were both the best and the worst piece of audio equipment I ever bought.

They also did not sound too good at low or high volumes but that may have been my pauper's equipment.

If you can afford the primo gear to feed them and don't mind the look then run, don't walk to buy them.
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