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Best used speakers under $10000

All
Here is the type of sound I like:

1. A tad bit warm while still having a lot of punch (nothing muddled about it)
2. Vocals (Diana Krall, John Mayer etc) have a level of cleanliness to it
3. Guitar (Gipsy kings, Jesse cook) sound airy without being lean
4. Speakers can fill a medium to large room (16’x16’x9’) even at modest volume and sitting on my sofa (9 ft away from speakers), I feel engulfed by the sound. Key is even at moderate volume.
5. It may be related to my first point above; forgiving of average source (eg high quality Spotify streaming, which isn’t that high quality after all )

Based on reading a lot of threads on Audiogon I have selected the following
1. Dynaudio Contour 60 - I haven’t listened to Contour 60 but 8 years ago had one of the best listening sessions on C1
2. Focal Sopra 2
3. Vandersteen Quattro Wood CT - though their size won’t pass WAF
4. PMC Twenty5.26
5. ATC SCM40
6. Proac Response D48R
7. Wilson Audio Sabrina
8. KEF Reference 3

From a WAF I want to keep height < 45” and width < 12”.

While outside my budget, I am wondering if I also include Joseph Audio Pearl3 (though very rarely available) and Vandersteen Carbon 5A (size is too large). 


I am currently in an assignment in Sydney and back in NY in Nov. So will be able to audition many of these then. Meanwhile I wanted to get opinions here.
marrduk24
theothergreg
222 posts
 
Your experience with the Ref 5 does not surprise me.  I tried mine with an MC275 and, though nice, it lacked in punch and overall dynamics.  They really like a high-current amp with lots of power.  I have switched over to the Electrocompaniet Nemo monoblocks and absolutely nothing is missing now. 

It's a shame your dealer didn't have a pair of fact.8s to audition.  They have nearly the same frequency response but are a bit more sensitive than the Twenty5.26 so you could have more options to drive them. I use an Audia Flight Two integrated with them in my bedroom system and it's a wonderful combination.
marrduk24 OP
36 posts
 
@ebm thanks a lot for bringing up Magico A3. I read soundstage’s impression of A3 vs Sopra 2 and really intrigued by A3. 

Alas there isn’t going to be great used deal for a while :)
falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
+1 for the Legacy. Don't overlook used Legacy Aeris. Here's a listing....
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis946i3-legacy-audio-aeris-full-range
rodge827's avatar
rodge827
621 posts
 
When you get back to NY make an appointment with Charney Audio in Somerset, NJ. His Companion with the Omega RS7 drivers should fit your needs perfectly. The Companion with the RS7 will give you a slightly warm sound with loads of uncongested emotionally engaging detail. He can custom make the cabinet for you specific decor and depending on the type of wood, will cost well under your 10k budget. 

I have a pair of his original Maestro horns with the RS7 driver and like them with both solid state and SET amps.

http://charneyaudio.com/index.html
marrduk24 OP
36 posts
 
Thank you all. Auditioning Focal Sopra 2 vs 802 D3 vs PMC Twenty5.26 tomorrow. It’s not the same dealer. Will see how it goes. 

I really want to like (love) one of these. After these only two I have left on my list are Wilson Sabrina and Magico A3 (unless I compromise on size and start considering Vandersteen or Legacy Aeria). 

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