Talon Khorus - Why So Many So Cheap?

I am another audiogon member who got a great deal here on a demo pair late last year. In the $10k-15k range, there are so many choices that I suspect I would ultimately find a speaker I would prefer.....for one minor reason or another. But when it comes to the $3k-4k range, these are an absolute runaway best buy. If only the average audio consumer was aware of such value as this, why would anyone pay as much for new products at their friendly neighborhood chain that do not even begin to come close? So I am forever grateful to designers of products lines like this who never stop improving their line and thus cause a wave of the previous line to go on the used market at a great price.

As a long time Magnepan fan, I miss some of the magical qualities with those, but the Talons bring on a level of dynamics and resolution I had not experienced with the Maggies. There are always tradeoffs. Ideally, I think the Talons on the used market take you close to the point of diminishing returns for a HT system but perhaps not the greatest choice for music-only based systems....unless you are a 130db heavy- metal kind of listener!

I think the talon's are one of the best speakers I've heard. They have outstanding bass response. Their high range and upper mids are 1/2 a notch below the very best (which are in the 20-40k range or have limited bass), but the overall sound is excellent. They fill in the lower registers better than any other speaker of their size and price (the 15k retail one). They are also fairly efficient so they allow you to use a medium sized tube amp (like the tenors). There is nothing quite like having the foundation of a full range system.

I think they just had rocky start with some of their model/manufacturing changes and pricing strategies. Some of the models on the market were kind of 'interim' models. The old style khorus cabinet with the khorus X crossovers for example. There were quite a few of those on the market once the full bore Khorus X was out. I think quite a few dealers were scrambling to get rid of them which in turn hurt the value of the entire brand.

I think they are one of the very best sounding speakers out there. For a full range, they are in the top 4-5 models that I would consider for myself. I hope to see them around for many years to come. Their products deserve it.

Now, I've only heard the (original) Talons once at a dealer (on a very nice Wadia/Rowland setup), but I'd have to say that, if I had $3-4k to spend on a new pair of speakers and a room to fit them, I wouldn't hesitate at all to grab a pair at that price. I don't think that you can be 100% sure that any given set of speakers will work for you in whatever your particular situation happens to be prior to actually giving them a whirl, but I'd be happy, pleased and eager to give the Talons a whirl at that price.

I have listened to the Talon Khorus X MkI & MkII and they are great speakers, I don't think they are worth there silly retail price of 14k or what ever it is. But for what most of them go for used 4k+ or - they are a good option. That being said in the same price range I wouldn't even think of trading my magnepans for them- both are very different creatures and I prefer the magnepan sound hands down.

I had to agree with Tireguy this time.