New Speaker Conundrum - Vandy's, Spendors, Salk, Ascend - Mainstream or ID

Based on my auditioning of the BeAT and Encore, I'd endorse everything dep14 says about the SS 9.5.  Unfortunately haven't heard the other models he mentions.  Take a look over at the Salk forum on AudioCircle.

cptkaos,

The Canton 3 DC (brand new - discontinued) are being sold on Accessories4Less dot com. A German speaker that has been favorable reviewed by Stereophile and others. Stereophile had them rate Class A if that matters to you. Canton is one of the largest speaker manufacturer in the world.

There is no way to audition them and even though reviewers have given them high marks as a truly reference caliber speaker they simply do not have the distribution network in the USA. So for many audiophiles such as us there is a problem with the lack of distribution possibly affecting any resell value.

For me at 62 years of age I was looking for my last speaker and to get off this audio merry go round. I believe that I found such a speaker with the Cantons. When Stereophile review them they were $16K a pair, then they dropped to $10K and I recent bought mine for around $3.5k shipped from Accessories4Less (A4L). 

On the A4L website they have both the Canton Reference 3.2 DC for $6k shipped and the Reference 3 DC for $4k shipped. The 3 DC just went up in price but the only difference between the two is the tweeter. But for me $2k more for a different tweeter wasn't worth it. I love these speakers. The free shipping for 108 pound for each speaker and no taxes swung the deal for me.

Because I am not worried about resell also help me with my decision. If resell is a concern and you are still trying to find the next best thing after this you might look in another direction. I find them to be tremendous value for a truly Reference Caliber Speaker for $4K shipped.

Hopefully this will prove helpful on your journey to making the right decision for your audio needs.Please keep us informed.

Peace.

I suggest that you go to Brooklyn and visit Bache Audio and listen to his speakers. I went a few weeks ago after listening to them at the NY show and I have a pair of Tribecas on order. 
I have Quad 57s and Audio Physic Tempo Plus speakers and was considering moving up the Audio Physic line (Midex or Codex). I was looking at speakers that were three times the price. And I have had Theils, ProAc, Verity, Rethm, Coincident, and a few others. 

@jdal 
I need to go visit Bache Audio, too. Especially as I get my hair cut nearby.

I went to the NY Audio show. The Bache were good.
(The QLN was very impressive, but I think it was hindered by either the equipment( Vincent, I think) or interconnects. If I ever get a chance to audition them, I would bring some of my cables).
Bob

Thank you so much for the Canton suggestion @revrob.@jdal - I had not considered Bache Audio.

I did visit JohnnyR@audioconnection today. Had an extended listening session with his Quatro CTs - mostly played through Gilmour (Live at Pompeii) given that I love the mastering on that one. It just blew me away - and this was not my first time auditioning the Quatros.

It looks like I will be moving ahead with a pair from RichardV - fingers x'd. I will keep you all posted.

Once again this thread goes to show how helpful Audiogon is to people looking to pick this hobby up. Thanks all.