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Which used speakers in the 5K range?

Hi,
I have four little kids running around the living room, where my system is, and I'm starting to be too worried about my Alto Utopias and/or any other relatively expensive speakers I might have.
In the past I've owned a few Vintage speakers: Kef 104/2, Celestion Ditton 66, JBL 250 Ti originals, etc and the memories of all of them are very positive.
I'm thinking to maybe go back down the vintage aisle for a more modestly priced pair but can that still play good music.
Would anyone have any thoughts or recommendations where to head, may it be a vintage pair or a more modestly priced modern unit?

I currently have Jadis JA80 to power my speakers.
Room size is about 5x8x3.5 meters and listening point is about half way through the long side of the room.
Speakers are located about 1m from the back wall.

Thanks a lot for your advice.
amuseb
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
I always loved the KEF 105 Series. 105.2s or 105.4s are marvelous speakers. And, they are heavy, sit low to the ground, and are on casters. It would be virtually impossible for the kids to knock these over.

The fact that they sound *sublime* is icing on the cake...

KEF 105.2 - $650
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/kef-105-2-with-optional-full-hoods

KEF 105.4 - $750
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/kef-105-4-reference-speakers

Such a deal!!

-RW-
eugene81
270 posts
 
I am very happy with my Tannoy Turnberry SE. The Prestige series dual concentrics produce a unique and very realistic tone and timbre that I've not heard matched by any other speakers, period, along with fantastic coherence and a huge, deep sound. I highly recommend an audition if you have a dealer in your area. Just make sure the set you listen to are fully broken-in. There is a world of difference in imaging before and after.
tbromgard
814 posts
 
I think Tannoys would be an interesting match with your amp.
jburidan
803 posts
 
IMHO, Tannoy is the only speaker to buy in any price range. Look at the new Definition DC8T, for instance. Or better yet, look for a used pair of 215 DMT II professional studio final playback monitors.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Why do you feel that the Alto Utopias can't be around your kids? They weigh 167 lbs. each and would be very hard to tip. They are also tall enough that smaller kids wouldn't be able to reach the tweeters to poke dents in them (though that changes quickly enough).

Back when my first kid was born (1987) I bought a pair of speakers pretty well suited to toddlers and young kids: ADS L1090 columns. They were sealed enclosures, so there was no tempting port to stuff toys in, the midrange and tweeter were flexible domes, and the grills--difficult for little fingers to remove--were perforated metal, completely protecting the drivers behind. The columns had a narrow footprint, but I got the optional plinth bases to widen the stance, and these days you can get outriggers for nearly anything.

I'm not actually advocating for ADS speakers, though a pair of M12s or M15s might work for you. My point is that if you want speakers that are safe against little kids, they should be difficult to tip, not have ports visible and accessible, and the drivers need to be protected by something better than stretchy cloth.
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