[Joey_V]

Just holding one last poll...

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Martin Logan Vantage (the reason why I sold all headphone/amp setup), but would like to hear your speaker favorites. Which of the following (in my price budget) would you choose if you had my budget of $5000 max?

Lets do this for fun and not for serious sakes.

Martin Logan Vantage $4995 new ($3900 discounted):

Dali Euphonia MS4 $9000 new ($4150 from Chicago via Audiogon):

Von Schweikert VR4JR $4000 new ($2900 used on audiogon):

BW 804N $3500 new ($2600 used on audiogon):

BW 703 $2999 new ($2600 discounted at local dealer, new):

JM Labs Electra 927Be 25th Anniversary edition $6000 new ($3100 on audiogon, used):

JM Labs Profile 918Be $3999 new at Tweeter:

Onix Reference 3 $3999 for Bird's Eye Maple new:

Paradigm S8 $5500 new (none on audiogon at the moment):

I was looking at the Wilson WATT/Puppy system and those are crazy expensive. So are Avantgarde Acoustics... yikes!

Anyway... this is all in good fun, nothing serious.

Vote vote!

 

[Joey_V]

My take on all of this.

I have heard more than half of the speakers I posted with the exception of the Onix Reference 3, VR4jr, JMLabs Electra 927, and the Dali MS4 Euphonia... with proper amplification and good upstream electronics.

From what I heard, I preferred them in this order:
ML Vantage
BW804N
JMLabs Profile 918
BW703
Paradigm S8

I would love to hear the rest of the speakers on my list... especially the Dali MS4 and the VR4jr (based on its SOLID reviews all over the internet and forums).

Also, any opinions and speakers you guys have in mind (ones which are attainable at around the <$5000 mark) are all very much welcome! I would love to go to a dealer and listen to them.

I dont really have much free time to truly listen and do an appropriate A/B/C comparison, so I may have to trust my ears and my gut with this particular speaker adventure.

However, lets treat this as a fun adventure... lets not get too nitpicky. Just pick your favorite.

 

[PsychoZX]

I thought you left. Now here we are reading another poll.

Anyways, although my speaker expierence is limited I would suggest getting a pair of System Audio SA-1750. Why System Audio? Because I've had the chance to hear a couple of models in their line up (including the jaw-dropping SA7K) and they were some of the best speakers i've ever heard.

 

[Joey_V]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoZX I thought you left. Now here we are reading another poll.

Last poll...

.

 

[grandenigma1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey_V Last poll... .

Good riddance

What will your other half do with you gone?

*cough cough Dali cough*

 

[mulveling]

Have you tried the Legacy Audio Signature III's ($4500 new)? Man, those things sound SWEET. I'm also looking for speakers in the $3k - $4.5K range, and I'm interested in hearing the ML Vantage (as well as hearing the Aeon again).

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey_V Last poll... .

*Cough Cough BS Cough*

 

[PsychoZX]

Almost forgot. Here are some reviews on the System audio speakers.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/804sa/
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speak...3_1594crx.aspx

 

[ooheadsoo]

Under $5k, I'm only interested in auditioning either the SPTech Continuum or the GedLee Summa.

 

[tom hankins]

I've owned the B&W 804, heard many of the Paradigms, and auditioned the VR4 and VR4jr. Bought the www.legacy-audio.com Signature III in Rosewood. Next Speaker stop (and last) are the Whispers.

 

[bhd812]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins I've owned the B&W 804, heard many of the Paradigms, and auditioned the VR4 and VR4jr. Bought the www.legacy-audio.com Signature III in Rosewood. Next Speaker stop (and last) are the Whispers.

they look so old, so 80's, so bundled up with all the drivers and the tweeters and etc...but they sound amazing! esp with tube stuff!
I first saw these and thought "What? 80's technics speakers from bestbuy?"
then I researched and listened to a few of there stuff.

 

[mulveling]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhd812 they look so old, so 80's, so bundled up with all the drivers and the tweeters and etc...but they sound amazing! esp with tube stuff! I first saw these and thought "What? 80's technics speakers from bestbuy?" then I researched and listened to a few of there stuff.

I think they look awesome in person. Rosewood is a great finish

And of course the sound is crazy good. The Sig III's are at the top of my short list, though the size and weight may be problematic. I may have to look into the smaller classics.

 

[tom hankins]

The Magnepan 3.6 really needs to added to the list of speakers to audition in this price range.

 

[Wmcmanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins The Magnepan 3.6 really needs to added to the list of speakers to audition in this price range.

Agreed. If the ML Vantage is your #1 based on what you've heard so far, then maybe you're just an electrostat/ribbon/planer type of guy and need to explore such possibilities further.

 

[Joey_V]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoZX *Cough Cough BS Cough*

Hahahhahahah!!!

I'll look into Magnepan.. but they are extremely large and they require a sub to mate, right?