I would check out monitor audio, dali, dynaudio, devore fidelity, revel, focal, wharfedale, usher

All of these i think are some of the best value out there in the $1000-$2000 range.

paradigm, totem, quad, B&W are something to look at, but in my experience all of their stuff is more expensive due to brand name.

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Oh, well spotted.

I kind of breezed through the ad after I saw the price... Sometimes those ads are just a little too tempting.

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I should add that I don't care how loud a speaker can go unless that quality is simply used to describe its power handling. I usually listen between 75-85 dB, so I'm not looking for speakers that need to be cranked to sound good.

Some very good recommendations so far! Could anyone else recommend specific brand models that might be found in the $1k used range?

How about PSB Image T65? I got mine new for <1k and after having ABed them against B&Ws in the same price range (can't remember the model #s), they really trounce the B&Ws.

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Surprised to hear that Chesebert, I have always thought the Paradigms were pretty good and have had several pairs including the biamped Studio 20's.

If you like the Harbeth sound, I can understand. Those, and most British speakers like the old Rodgers LS3/5A's are nice and voiced differently from the sharper sound of most Paradigms.

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It's not that I don't like Paradigm, (trust me I tried, I really really tried to like them), I had S4 and S2 lined up right next to Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Grand and that is next SF Amati Ann (yeah the dealer carried them). Driven from an all linn stack with linn monoblocks. (not at the same time of course). And there is no doubt in my mind that Paradigm is a level below Vienna and that is a whole big level below Amati. Actually what really struck me down wrt Paradigm is how unmusical they sound. I am just hearing sounds, not music, I told myself.

I think I am just getting really spoiled with my expectation. I have not been wowed by many setups, actually less and less as the years gone by. The last time I said wow was in front of a $25k ATC which I truly thought was world class, and before that it was with the $15k SF Gunaeri (now that's the ultimate bookshelf IMO, actually the damn thing is HEAVY with its stone pedestal).

I think I am getting off-topic here. For $1k your choices are really limited. If I were you I save the $1k.

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What do you mean by "really limited"? $1,000 is definitely one of the more crowded price points in speakers, if not THE most crowded.

btw:
dude i think paradigm isnt that great of a value either, but to say theyre a level below vienna acoustics? yeah right. Vienna acoustics is overpriced, this is recognized even by its biggest dealer, Magnolia hifi.

Paradigm
SVS

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You could say that about any price bracket for any product. There will always be something better at a higher price point, but I can't just sit around with fat pockets and no speakers forever (not that I have the former).

I'm young and on a budget; I don't expect absolute perfection. Besides, my source gear probably isn't nearly good enough to justify extremely expensive speakers at this point.

Be sure it says JBL on them

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I don't know... JBL doesn't exactly strike me as high-end brand. I've heard too many in-store P.A. systems to be told otherwise.

Only kidding. Almost every speaker manufacturer that's been around for a while has developed a high-end line. Even Pioneer, known mostly for their mid-fi source and amplification equipment, has a very expensive speaker, the TAD Model 1. So, I'm open to all suggestions.

I'm very happy with my Polk Audio LSi15 floor standers, sounds like they might fit your description nicely.

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I have been to high priced homes around LA with audiophile home systems installed by sound pros who also do commercial set-ups.

Some systems cost over $20k and I was underwhelmed. I think we are spoiled by our own properly tuned systems that are tweaked to our preferences.

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HSU and SVS make several subs that deliver all the extension and quality you need for well under 2K$. Integration isn't about the price of the sub - it's about making sure things are crossed over/managed properly, placed properly, and that you control the standing waves in your room. It's a foolish notion to think that things can't be good unless they cost a certain amount of money. The best subs I've heard might be REL and Revel units over $4000 - maybe - but they are only shades better than the best that HSU and SVS have to offer.

cmon, even the name says it, JBL pro. lol
actually i am in the middle of setting up a JBL PA system that could "tell" you otherwise
Where i would use them (as monitors or in studio) in my ears, i have found them as my preference. and in my home i have JBL studio s38BE that also seem to do the job as loud and undistorted sound. also have a JBL radial for my ipod that i am happy with, considering the size.

CM

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