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Best Speaker under $3K - New or Used

In my other thread, I asked about the B&W 804 but I decided to pass on it since it's a 13-year speaker with a high asking price.

Anyhow, it seems I'm going backwards in building my system since I've settled on a Parasound JC2 as the pre-amp. Now I'm back to the drawing board for the choice of speakers. Any reommendation of a great, balance speaker with excellent mid range, sweet and open treble, tight bass under $3K - New or Used, bookshelf or floor stand?

I listen to a wide range of musics, including symphony, chamber, jazz, vocal, light music, pop songs.

FYI, I auditioned the Vandersteen 2CE Sig. II, 3A, Proac Response D2, Studio 140II, 100, Totem Hawk and Totem Mani 2 Sig.

While I read rave reviews about the 2CE Sig. II, I didn't find the clarity and imaging I heard from typical British speakers (ProcAc D2, Harbeth). It might be due to the set up and gears used at the dealer showroom.

Totem Mani 2 Sig. has great bass and imaging to me. Anyone had experience with it? How does it compare to Harbeth, ProAc bookshelfs? Is it neutral, natrual, accurate?

Thanks for your input.
r0817
tom6897's avatar
tom6897
1,484 posts
 
I like Parasound products as well and I have been happy with Dynaudio Contour S1.4, and C 1 (35Hz-22kHz). I am also a fan of Volent CL-2 and VL-2 (30Hz-57kHz). I am hoping to get to listen to the LSA-1 Statements (30Hz-34kHz). These are all highly respected and easy to read reviews on them. The type of music you like is also the type they excel at. Your actual listening and system integration will tell the final story.

If you cannot hear them first I would not let that deter you from buying. They can be sold without too much if any loss if they do not please you. Well reviewed pieces of gear are always in demand.
luvs2listen
63 posts
 
The Vapor Breeze is well under your $3000 price at $1250, but it uses very high end components. RAAL 70-10D up high and the Wavecor 6" symmetric drive Nomex cone. After hearing them in Chicago a few weeks ago, your comments on needing clarity and imaging made me respond with the Breeze suggestion. It's a smaller monitor, but your music choices seem like a perfect fit.
jallen
502 posts
 
Maggie 3.6 if you have a little space and power. Very good speaker under 10k. Jallen
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Mirage OMD-28. I s'pose it's cheating because it was a $7500/pair loudspeaker, but it's available on closeout for $2800/pair from Vanns.com, new with return privileges and full factory warranty. When Chris Martens reviewed these at full price in 2007 he bought the review pair to use as his reference. I have their little brother, the OMD-15 and I feel that the OMD-15 is every bit the equal of the Magnepan 1.7. The OMD-28, however, uses far more sophisticated driver materials, is larger, and has bass that extends strongly to around 26 Hz.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Gallo Reference 3 or 3.1. I've had mine for 7 years and am now in the process of upgrading within the Gallo product line. Superb speakers, IMHO. Can be had for $1200-1500 used. The new Gallo Stradas with floor-mount stand+ TR-3 subwoofer are real contenders at the $3K MSRP price point. Check the review at 6moons.
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