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Used vs New vs Vintage vs Floorstanding vs Bookshelf vs ..... OMG!

OK. I am new in this (new in HIFI, in Audiogon, in discussion forums). I need to buy a pair of speakers for a newly-to-be-built HIFI system, and I am getting a little overwhelmed about all the options and possibilities (and opinions). By the way, I am NOT rich so that helps me a lot to discard a bunch of options.

I started checking vintage HIFI speakers for around $500, basically old JBLs, Technics, and the like (eBay, Craiglist, Letgo). Of course as soon as I began I started checking newer and pricier loudspeakers... and I am trying not to be a consumerist… Either way first  I decided for a pair of JBLs vintage. Until I watched John Darko's youtube review on the ELAC Navis ARB-51. So I changed my mind, I raised my budget and changed from vintage to new, from big to small.

Then I learned about the huge immense used HIFI market. For the same price of the Navis I could buy speakers from enormous brands like Sonus Faber and Focal and B&W in the used market. There I could find Sonus Faber Veneres for 1500, B&W 802 for 2000, and so on. When I contacted somebody from another webpage (The music room) about which was the best option.... the response was... Vandersteen 2Ce signature, "by far". I looked for opinions about it and all I read about them was "OK but meeh". 

So I was really confused. Until I learnt about the Tekton Double Impact, and now I started to get some dizziness. "The best loudspeakers for that price range", "the best period", etc. I contacted Eric Alexander, who kindly took his time to explain me why paper speakers are still the best, and so on. So they are great, really great, for "just" $3000... and I raised my budget again.

Either way, I have read so much, heard so much, watched so much, and I haven't learned much really. Different experts have different opinions, whether the speakers should be flat or not, colored or true, whether it is a matter of "taste" or "you should listen and like them". Well I am no expert, I am 45 years old and I probably won't listen wavelengths of 50 Htzs or lower.

I just want a pair of good speakers so I can enjoy King Crimson, Ramones or Beethoven.

Can anybody help? PLEASE???....

tykozen
Post removed 
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,792 posts
 
OMG? What brand is that?
andrew31829's avatar
andrew31829
13 posts
 
OMG.   I wonder if I hear snobbery.  Some of us of necessity start small and progress. Makes the journey more exciting.

If you're responding to my post Arcam are one of the most respected brands in British audio.  If you're not I apologise. 
tlinkie
107 posts
 
I have another question: is there really any difference between a Sony CD/Blu ray reader and an incredibly-expensive used CD reader from Audiophile brands?


Yes, the Sony won't break and if it does it can either be repaired cheaply or simply replaced. 

Don't be afraid of used equipment. Just use your judgment and buy from people who have good track records (feedback). Avoid snobs and forum posts exceeding 5000 words.
larryi
3,788 posts
 
Elizabeth has offered good advice about just finding something you like and not worrying about if there is something "better" out there.  There is too vast an array of candidates to hear even a small fraction of what is out there.  Also, in time, your own taste will change. 

As to your question about floorstanders vs. bookshelf speakers, I have heard many small, compact systems that sound very good.  But, none of them sound that good used as "bookshelf" speakers--they all sound better on speaker stands set off some distance from nearby walls.  I've heard very expensive speakers which where put into wall units or mounted in the walls themselves, and only those specifically designed for in-wall location sounded reasonably good.

A compact, stand mounted speaker can compete soundwise with a tall floorstanding model.  For example, ProAc has a floorstander DT8 which is about the same price as their small stand-mounted speaker the D2 (the D2 is a little bit less but requires a good stand so the costs are comparable).  Both sound very good for the money, but, if it were my dollars being spent, I would go with the D2.  The Harbeth line also offers stand-mounted speakers that sound very good.  If your taste runs to warmer sounding speakers, you must make an effort to hear Audio Note compact speakers.  
 
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