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Best speakers for about $3500

Hi All,

I would appreciate some input on my next speaker purchase. I want to spend no more than $3500. I have a Krell 400xi amp. I listen mostly to rock/jazz on vinyl. I have an Innersound phono pre, VPI Scout, and a ZYX cartridge. My dedicated listening room is on the second floor and is about 12 x 14. I prefer full range speakers but don't need to fill an auditorium.

In the past, I have owned B&W Matrix 802s and loved them. In my opinnion, the nicest speakers I have ever heard were B&W Nautilus 802s. Alas, I can't afford them. Notably, I owned a pair of DM 604s for about a week. They were the most disappointing speaker purchase I have ever made.

So I am considering Nautilus 803s though I would be really dissappointed if they were closer to the 604s than the 802s. But I also have access to a very good deal on Gallo Acoustics ref 3.5s. I have heard the Gallos and, while they sound nice, did not compete with the N802s. However, it is not fair to compare the Gallos to the much more expensive 802s. How would they match up to the 803s? Moreover, it seems that I might not be considering all of the great speakers in my price range. For example, I stumbled across a pair of Talon Khorus speakers for $3200. Based on their $15k retail price, I bet they don't suck. Or how about a pair of Wilson Cubs.

Thanks for the feedback, Jim
jwit
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Magnepan 3.6r, with you Pass amplification, it should sound stellar right out of the box.
jwit OP
1 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I am concerned that the Krell 400xi does not have the juice to drive electrostats. It was fine with my relatively inefficient M802s but from what I understand the electrostats require huge reserves of voltage. The 400xi seems a bit light in the power supply department.

The Joseph's look nice and I like the driver configuration. But would they out perform the Wilson Cubs with a similar driver configuration?
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
If you are willing to go with a less known speaker, look into speakers from Nate's Audio, by Nathan Field. He had two sets of speakers at AKFest this year and both were phenomenal. His model F26TL lists for $2500 and were fabulous.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dave43
108 posts
 
I think if you liked the N802's the N803's would be the best choice in that price range. I'd have to think they're going to be closer in sound to the N802's than the DM604's you did not like. I've owned N805's and thought they were a great speaker for the money. I drove mine with a Levinson No. 331 and McIntosh MC7200 and both sounded great.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Used Sonus Faber.
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