Speakers after GMA Europas

So this is all about bass? Sure they have more bass, but still are not the better all around speaker. They sound like they have a blanket over them compared to the Europas.

Shakey

And Thiel 3.5s? That one makes me laugh.

I agree with Rockadanny that Fritz's Carbon 7s are lovely at the price, and also compete with considerably more expensive pieces. I've enjoyed talking to Fritz too.

However, they may be a pretty different animal than the GMAs, if the Eos and Eos HD I auditioned are any indication. The Carbon's compare very favorably, in my view, but again, different animals.

What is it you like about the GMAs?

John

Shakeydeal, Why would that make you laugh? Please remember the OP budget. Time and phase coherent sealed box, 89 dB, 4 Ohms nominal 4 Ohms minimum, 20Hz-20Khz +/- 2 dB. Please tell me of any other speakers any where near the asking used prices, that can offer similar performance. Heck, with the possible exception of the Vandy's, I think you'd be hard pressed to find anything today with similar performance at the price they were charging when new. You seem to dismiss bass rather haphazardly. While I'm not pretending that the speakers recommended offer the SPL levels that true subs will, perhaps you haven't seen the prices that people pay for subs and the frequency extension they provide? Would you consider any other components that deleted frequency response? I understand that some people's rooms can't accommodate such bass, and for them smaller speakers might be more appropriate. BTW, the Thiel 3.5's have different settings for such considerations.

Personally I would pass on the Thiels and Vandersteen speakers. Been there done that. Adjustments or not, the Thiels need at least a medium size room and so do Vandersteens. Not to mention the power requirement of the Thiels whereas many high quality monitors are happy with 50 watts. Want more bass from your mini monitors? Get a subwoofer.

Rrog, the Thiels and the Vandersteens are some of the very few speakers that share similar design considerations with the GMA's the OP seemed to like so much. While not my first choice in power recommendations, both the Thiels and the Vandersteens can get by with 50 Watts in smaller rooms, but given the value these speakers offer, there is enough money left over for higher powered amplifiers. So far the OP has only suggested budget limitations, not room volume limitations. Even if there were in fact room volume limitations, subs would probably not be recommended. That your experience with Thiels and Vandersteens led you elsewhere doesn't negate the potential for the OP applications.