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Advice on monitor/bookshelves under $2,000

OK - I'm not an audiophile but have been cherishing music since the 70's. I live in the middle of nowhere in northern Michigan and can't drive great distances to audition anything. I'm searching for used monitors or bookshelves under $2,000. I'm more than willing to accept something 5-10 years old so that I can get a better value for my buck (someone else has already paid for the depreciation). Of the many, many speakers I've owned in the past my favorites were Alon IVs and JBL 4311s.

The speakers will be used as part of a 5.1 surround consisting of a Marantz SR-18 receiver, Carver Sunfire Junior sub, a center to be purchased in the future to match the mains, and Klipsch surrounds. I mostly listen to 5.1 concert DVDs - my favorites including Eric Clapton, Sting, Sade and Chris Botti. On the other hand, I occasionally listen to stuff like AC/DC or Insane Clown Posse. And lots of benefit concert stuff with multiple artists of different musical types.

My room is about 15' X 20' with 8' of open space leading into a dining room (to the left of the speakers). Carpeted floors and an L-shaped big sectional.

I've recently purchased B&W VM1s and B&W DM 605 S2s. I'm disappointed in both. The VM1s didn't produce enough of anything, the 605s - even after playing with the settings - sounded "boomy" to me.

Doing research online, I seem to be leaning towards another pair of Alons/Nolas, Dynaudio, Revels and Proacs. Please - don't grump at me for anything I've overlooked since I'm trying my very best. ANY suggestions are sincerely appreciated! THANKS! -Bob
kewadinbob
montytx
138 posts
 
I've owned the same Dynaudio speakers 3 times. I always end up going back to them after trying other monitors for extended periods of time. Read the review of the Excite on the Stereophile site and give them serious consideration. I have the Audience 52se as my primary speaker in my office system, which I'm pretty sure is the earlier incarnation of the now Excite model.

I'll say this about Dynaudio speakers and you can trust me on this...they take FOREVER to settle in. If you end up buying new ones, don't even evaluate them until they have played constantly for a week or more. Each pair I've had has tried my patience to the point of thinking I got a defective pair before they finally started singing.
essrand
297 posts
 
I have really enjoyed Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand monitors that I have owned for 6 yrs now. You find it used for $600 now ($2000 new).
I have liked Sonus Faber Cremona M, but have not owned them, but they do well with the music you like also. Should be able to find them used for around $2000 too. Harbeth monitors might be also something you should look at.
Your speakers will only sound as good as the rest of your system, so you might want to also look at your amps/source if you do not like the sound you are getting now. My Haydn's kept improving as I upgraded the electronics behind them over the last 6 yrs.
michaelkingdom's avatar
michaelkingdom
153 posts
 
For monitor/bookshelves in the sub $2000 range I would not hesitate to recommend the B&W 805N. This is a magic speaker. I had the 605 S2 and there is no correlation at all. 805N do so much right it is unbelievable. Their current model, the 805D at $5k is (in my opinion and many others) not at the same level. They hold their value, selling for $1500-$2k consistently.
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