Before the Covid lockdown my speaker budget was under about $1000 used. Then because I had more time at home than usual, with more free time than usual, I started buying, listening for a while, then reselling various gear. I was able to try a pretty wide variety that way with very little extra budget.
When I found a great deal I'd buy, and gradually worked my way up to spending $3,400 on a pair of Tekton Double Impact SE's. As much as I love music, that was a large outlay, but I knew I could resell them if I didn't like them. Loved the DI's in many ways but had the itch to try other's and ended up selling them.
IMHO it's almost a waste of time to listen to speakers anywhere but your own space. I've spent hours and hours listening at various shops over the years and there's no frame of reference to that approach. My family room is far from ideal acoustically, but it's what my ears know. I've gone through a pretty wide variety of speakers, amps, preamps, and other gear as well, and in my space I feel I can assess the sonic differences pretty easily.
I currently have a set of Zu Druid MK4/08's that I bought with the intention of upgrading the drivers, and for the music I enjoy, they sound fantastic! After the upgraded drivers I will be in about $3,500. Two years ago that would have seemed crazy. Today it seems like a serious bargain.
When I found a great deal I'd buy, and gradually worked my way up to spending $3,400 on a pair of Tekton Double Impact SE's. As much as I love music, that was a large outlay, but I knew I could resell them if I didn't like them. Loved the DI's in many ways but had the itch to try other's and ended up selling them.
IMHO it's almost a waste of time to listen to speakers anywhere but your own space. I've spent hours and hours listening at various shops over the years and there's no frame of reference to that approach. My family room is far from ideal acoustically, but it's what my ears know. I've gone through a pretty wide variety of speakers, amps, preamps, and other gear as well, and in my space I feel I can assess the sonic differences pretty easily.
I currently have a set of Zu Druid MK4/08's that I bought with the intention of upgrading the drivers, and for the music I enjoy, they sound fantastic! After the upgraded drivers I will be in about $3,500. Two years ago that would have seemed crazy. Today it seems like a serious bargain.
