Quality of Stereophile Class A speakers at 2K?


It seems over the last few years the lower bound of “A – Restricted Extreme LF” in Stereophile’s recommended components is getting much cheaper. I have not had the chance to compare many of the speakers in class A, but I wonder if speakers are getting much better for the money, or if the reviewers are getting older and more complacent in reviewing?

Any thoughts?

Current class “A-Restricted Extreme LF” speakers at about $2000 are:

Infinity Intermezzo 2.6 $2200 (street price $1100)

Revel Performa M20 $2000

Triangle Celius $1995 (street price $1750)

I just wonder how these really compare against the more expensive Class B and Class A speakers

PS I know we should not read reviews etc etc, but it is still a metric that many people use.
sargon2003
Class A means it is worth a listen. For 2K I thought the celius sounded very good.
Tim
TAS is a lot more in line with their rating system

I still think Stereophile is fun reading - just more like fiction these days :)
Tim is exactly right. Worth a listen. I have never been sorry I listened to (or read about) a recommended component. I have liked some of them.

I have never found a $2K speaker that sounds as good as a great $10K speaker. However, I have listened to $10K speakers that do not sound as good as some great $2K speakers.
If Class A == "Worth a Listen", what does Class B == ??

I agree, by the way, that your definition of Class A is how people should take it. Unfortunately, it's the same definition I have for Class B.
Dont confuse price with performance...the quality of affordable speakers...such as the Stereophile CLass B Trinangle Titus...and the Class C paradigm Studio 20...both $500-600...can compete very favorably....and sometimes surpass...many pricier models...just because something has a high pricetag doesnt automatically insure it is a quality product...if anything...the "entry" level hi-end is gaining ground...and more esoteric hi-end companies are struggling...case in point....Dunlavy...