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Best Cheap Speakers - New or Old

Sure if money is no object there are many speakers that we all "drool for". But having said that, there something to be said for a good "cheap" (less than $500 a pair MSRP) speakers. Granted they're not going to be in anybody's main system (probably they'll be found in somebody's bedroom, office, garage system, usually with some older vintage components driving them). But nevertheless, they deliver decent performance at a resonable price and they're honest in what they do. Not "state of the art" by a large margin, but still good "musical" friends. My choice is an old pair of Boston Acoustics A-60s, that I bought back in the late '80s for probably $200 a pair. Granted there are tons of better speakers out there, but for what they do, and age they are, and the money I paid, they still deliver some pretty damn good sound and performance. Anyway, curious on what others may think and what "cheap" speakers have held a "soft spot" in their "sonic" hearts?
cleaneduphippy
scramman
43 posts
 
Great thread ... I am in the vintage category so here goes:

- Magnepan SMG any model, there are a few here on Agon.

- Dahlquist DQ-10 with mirror image and cap mods, there are
2 pair on CL in the Chicago area.

- DCM Time Windows (not Time Frame), 2 pair here on Agon.

The DQ-10s eat amps for lunch. SMG's are a bit better. Not sure on the DCM's look like they are pretty efficient from what I have read. I have had DQ-10s, sorry I sold them, now have SMG's and hope to own the DCM's soon.
veroman's avatar
veroman
299 posts
 
as for vintage, my ole' 2 way jbl's from college. 10" woofer and 1" soft tweeter. front ported. forgot the model but paid $400 in early 80's. the old polks were good too.

the little nht's from a few yrs back. sealed design. they rocked for leas than $350. both were very musical albeit not hi'end.
trelja
3,224 posts
 
Some good suggestions here; I'll echo the Spicas.

One I'd like to add are the Fried A/6. They have routinely beat out new loudspeakers in the $2000 - $6000 range in my system, including the winner of a loudspeaker of the year award. Tuneful/tight, nicely extended and weighted bass response, very smooth, relaxed, and natural midrange, with phenomenal imaging. Not so common to come up on the used market here on Audiogon or ebay, but when they do, selling price is usually in the $300 - $400 range.
kbamhi
39 posts
 
I purchased an old pair of KG-4's off ebay and powered them with a vintage Marantz receiver for my garage system. I mounted them up near the ceiling point down at about a 45 degree angle. For a garage system it kicks butt.
scramman
43 posts
 
Update - I have a pair of DCM TimeWindow 1's. Pictures here: (and 1 on my virtual system here on Agon)

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=162450

Check the thread, there is a pair of TW 3's owned by a former co-worker that look to be in fantastic condition for sale in Milwaukee. Modded by him.
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