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When spending less than $5,000 how much of a guide is price?

When spending less than $5,000 for a set of speakers, how much of a guide is price? This question arises out of my current search for a new set of speakers.

Don’t know if anyone here is aware of the massive fire in Fort McMurray Alberta and surrounding area? Well I work there (fortunately don’t live there), was evacuated, and will be off work indefinately.

As a result I reduced my speaker budget to $1,500 (Canadian). I’m quite intriqued by Totem Acoustic’s Arro and Sttaf, and some used Zu Audio.

There is a demo Sttaf with a minor crack in the veneer available for $1,500. There is a used Zu Essence and Zu Omen Def available for approx the same amount. The Zu’s are 5 years old.

So I have available these speakers, well reviewed, thoughtfully and carefully built. But even though the price I can purchase them at is roughly the same, new the price differential is great.

The Sttaf new is $2,200. Five years ago the Zu’s would have been about $1,000 more new (at least).

Does this matter?
128x128jimspov
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,207 posts
 
Hello from Oakville Ontario. We Canadians all share in the sadness of the Fort Mac tragedy.

Pricepoint of speakers: It’s been covered off above ..... In short, pricepoint by itself means diddly .

As pointed out, the system synergy with your selection of speakers with the rest of your gear (or lack thereof) will either make or break your audio satisfaction.

a $1,500 speaker in the "right" system can -- and frequently will -- outperform a $5,000 speaker in the "wrong" system - full stop.

next question: standmounts versus floorstanders? Don't discount the strengths of quality standmounts.

Takeaway;  There are many contenders and a buzzillion pretenders out there, some of which have already been mentioned above. ProAc , REGA, Neat, ATC, PMC, JMR, and Audio Physic speaker brands are some more quality choices, depending on the rest of your gear.

I’ve owned Totem ARROS and Forests in prior systems and I can speak to their respective strengths AND warts (emphasis added ) from personal experience in a PM discussion if you wish.

Used gear on Canuckaudiomart is readily available. Check it out.

good luck
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,078 posts
 

Jimspov,  off the cuff I think that amp will be much more versatile with the Zu's than Totem.   

It will fit the bill nicely with the Zus but I strongly suspect will probably run out of steam early with Totem.


BTW I have heard both and believe either is capable of sounding top notch but only with the right setup as mentioned.

Price/cost alone means nothing and this case is no different.

Much better to choose wisely and save money whenever possible.

Cheers and good luck.

grinnell
1,087 posts
 
I had a Primaluna PL2- went through a few speakers:

1. BW 602's
2. Triangle Comtes
3. Reference 3A De Capos

The de Capos are amazing-detailed, good bass, good at low volumes and sensitive

I am now running a 4 watt Decare 6v6 amp with them and wow

used they run 1200-1600.00 USD
jimspov's avatar
jimspov OP
60 posts
 
Thanks grinnell.

Well the things ya learn on this forum. Reference 3A is (now) a Canadian company about 2 hours away from where I live, and I never heard of them.

Did I read correctly that they don't use crossovers?

Do you know if "phase coherence" is the same as "phase aligned"?
grinnell
1,087 posts
 
they don't use cross overs  just a simple high-pass filter

not sure of the last item
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