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Well Rounded Speakers $2500-$3000?

I live in Memphis TN and really don't have a lot of availability in terms of "high-end" stores to audition speakers.

I've been looking for a pair of speakers in the used $2500-$3000 range such as the Eggleston Fontaine II's, Von Schweikert VR4Jr's, Vienna Acoustic's Beethovens, etc...

I listen primarily to classical and jazz but they also have to be able to pound out some Pink Floyd and Zeppelin. My front end is currently an Audible Illusions M3 pre, Odyssey Khartago mono blocks, pro-ject turn-table, and lexicon sacd player.

Which of the speakers I listed would you choose? Other speaker suggestions or places to audition these speakers in my area are welcome! Thanks for the help guys!
mattybvt42
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
OK, I am going to talk my book here, as everyone does, but Magnepan 3.6R's are a sublime speaker, one of the best reviewed of all time, and for good reason.

You can get a set in your price range, the only caveat is the age old truism with Magnepan's about amplification. You need a lot of it, and it should be good.

I have tried many other speakers and always come back to these.

My next favorites in your range would be the Vandersteen 3A sigs, or a wonderful pair of Klipschorns.

good luck.
daverz
487 posts
 
The NHT Xd processor only takes analog inputs, so it doesn't matter if you're system is all digital or not (unless you upgrade to one of the DEQX processors with digital inputs. You'd also need to add 4 channels of amplification for that upgrade).

Not having heard the Xds with anything but the stock electronics, I can't say if the additional A/D->D/A causes a problem, but I don't think it's ever gotten in the way of my enjoyment of these speakers.
daverz
487 posts
 
Oh, and by the way, NHT is now selling the Xds with the dark finish and *two* subwoofers for $3k.
drewfidelity
178 posts
 
There are many really great $2500-$3000 speakers out there. It is, in my opinion, the price point where everything after becomes a diminishing returns purchase. Many good suggestions out there. My suggestion is to go with speakers that have survived the test of time, the Vandersteen 2CE Signature II's. They are very easy to drive and they retain their value well. They also work well with all kinds of music. I used to have a pair of the previous 2CE Signatures and they were very nice. They will sound great with your current system.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
06-27-09: Daverz
The NHT Xd processor only takes analog inputs, so it doesn't matter if you're system is all digital or not ...
I understand, but since I had just laboriously returned to an all analog signal chain after 20 years of digital, I didn't want the signal chain to terminate with digital speakers. It's not that 24/96 digital sounds bad; it's just that I can tell it's not analog, and when I listen to analog I want it so sound analog.

So for me, in a primarily analog system I'd get the Mirage OMD-28s, but for a primarily digital rig I'd go with the NHT XD.
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