Candidates for best speakers in the $2000-5000 market


I’m asking for listeners’ experience in this bracket, buttressed by reviews and/or data; I am not a fan of "whatever sounds good to you." Ultimately, yes, that will be the case. But in getting to that point, I’m looking to benefit from the advantage of a thousand pairs of ears rather than mine alone. Those ears can include the inanimate. Thank you.

My experience has included my own Elac 403, Elac 407, and Dynaudio Special 40. Auditions have included various Sonus Faber, and Magico. All of this is in preparation for justifying the leap for an Electa Amator lll or its equivalent. But that’s for another day, another forum.

Ag insider logo xs@2xrichardmathes

However good are Magneplanar speakers, the are probably be out of the running.  For smaller stand-mounted speakers and space saving floorstanders, I would look at ProAc speakers, Harbeth 30.2, various LS3/5a clones, Audio Note AN-J or AN-K (particularly if you have to place speakers near the room corners), Vandersteens, and Neat speakers.  At the low end of your range, I like the Rhythm Bahaava.  I also really like the Tekton Double impacts at the low end of your range.  The new Mo-Fi is a contender too.  Good luck on your search.

Vandersteen 2ce.

Mine are still going strong after almost 30 years. I'm sure the newer version sounds even better.

I had Canton Karat 200s for many years and now I have Dynaudio Special 40s with a Luxman integrated. Great synergy.