Best Speaker New or Used under $1.5K

Denon 53:

Finding a good speaker at your price level shouldn't be the problem ... identifying what you like in a speaker is usually the problem. I recognize up front that my tastes are somewhat different, as I tend not to care for some of the more popular choices around here. With that said, I would suggest taking a look at:

NHT ST4 floorstanders ($1000 list). This speaker is actually 2 speakers in one ... their SB3 sealed box design monitor integrated with a side firing 8" woofer. I had been using a pair of the less expensive SB2's in a bedroom system and decided to pair the NHT's up with my Prima Luna Prologue Two tube amp for a while. I never heard warmer; more detailed; and more nuanced sound from a system. (I use Omega Super 3's now, which are high efficiency, single driver systems made for tube amps, not recommended for Arcams). The NHT's made it back to the bedroom and a vintage Marantz receiver ... not an ideal match, but more than OK ... NAD is slighlty better though.

The other speakers that have really captured my attention (and imagination and if I am not careful, wallet) are somewhat out of your price range. They are made by Focus Audio ... its is their Signature Product line ... FS68 ($2000/pair monitor) and FS78 ($3000 pair floorstander). Simply magical.

There's no best speaker. You have a very good receiver, just find what mates well with it.

Regards, Rich

Interesting. There are a number of good choices. First I've owned several pair of Paradigm and always ending up feeling bored. I have just acquired a pair of Bohlender Z7's on 'Gon for a silly price and they are unreal for the $$. If you like to rock, can't beat some classic Klipsch (Forte's, Quartets, Heresy's) they drive real easy too. PSB has some outstanding values in their Image series. Good places to start. Good Luck

I bet you could get a good deal on a pair of Soliloquy's... I hear that they are out of busines...

I also listen to your taste in music. I have a pair of Tyler acoustics ref monitors and they do the job extremely well. You can pick them up used for about $1000 and new for $1800. They are monitors and have good bass for their size, but if you want deep base, a sub-woofer is needed.

I had the Paradigm Ref 60's and upgraded to Merlin TSM-M's which I purchased used (can be found around $1200 used). I still use Studio 20's for the rears, and Studio CC and was worried that the TSM-M's would not blend in well with the Paradigms when watching movies/TV. It worked out much better than expected and I'm quite happy.

I have a good subwoofer so I don't have a problem with the lower frequencies. The TSM-M's will not improve much on the low end of your Studio 20's, but will improve in every other aspect.