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

Happy owner for 12 years of Ohm Walsh 2000s.  Provided your room volume is compatible, I would highly recommend an in home audition.  Ohm gives you 120 days to let them break in and sound their best.  

My review is posted in the review section here.  Since that review, I have made many upgrades to my electronics, but have never felt I need to upgrade my speakers.  The 2000s have made each upgrade easy to hear, for better or worse.  Plus, I can barely listen to most box speakers now, since the drivers stand proud of the cabinets on my Ohms.  Plus, John Strohbeen, something of a legend in the industry who owns Ohm, is extremely accessible and helpful.  All his speakers are built in Brooklyn, NY, too.

Since everyone's throwing their hat in the ring here's mine:

- Vandersteen Treo (used if you can find them)
- Magnepan 3.7i (used)
- Ohm Tall 3000 - There's a gorgeous pair for sale on eBay right now

This may be the most asked question in the aspiring audiophile’s mind: best speaker for $2500 ($5000 new in the used market) followed by "but what amp now???"

I know it’s a cliche but Dynaudio Contour 20

(the Evoke 30 is on sale for ridiculous prices btw)

or the Special 40 with a sub, if you can tweak it correctly

 

@robshaw and @nyc_ben +1 for Tekton.  I have Encores and they thump for Rock and Roll and are easy to drive as well.