Speakers in the range of $3 to $4.5k per pair?


Upgraditis is setting in, and I'm looking at first replacing my loudspeakers. I'm putting together my first list of candidates which will be narrowed down in the next weeks to 5-10 candidates I will want to audition. What's your recommendation for speakers in the range of $3000 to $4500 per pair (prices in the US), for stereo use?

My current system is a Rotel CD player (RCD-1072), pre-amp (RC-1070), and 200 Wpc amp (RMB-1080), connected to B&W CM-4 (2.5 way floorstanders, recently discontinued; CM line is between the 600 and 700 lines). Having B&W and knowing a dealer, my starting point are the B&W 804 Signature, which I can get for $3000 (MSRP is $4000). Having said that, I want to consider other options as well. My new speakers will have to work well with the Rotel setup for a good 2 years. My next step is likely to be in replacing the pre-amp and then amp, and my guess is I will stick with solid state.

Looking forward to your suggestions.

Horacio
lewinskih01

Showing 1 response by bigkidz

First you did not tell us your musical preference, the sound you are looking for, what your system sounds like now and what you are trying to improve. I could recommend monitor size speakers or floor standers, but I do not have a clue to what you are looking to do with your system. IMO speakers should be selected first and then find an amp that mates the best with them.

Your rotel amp will mate well with Vandersteen spekaers and you can always find a pair of Vandy 3As for sale here, buy them and see if you like them and then resell for no real cost to you if you do not like the sound. They are slightly warm sounding but very musical. The are not rock and roll speakers but overall are a good value and a good starting point to see what you like and dislike about them. The B&Ws will also work well with the amp. Talon Audio Raven C spekaers are another good choice as they are very fast, have deep bass, extended highs, etc. They can be had for $3K used.

Some of the other speakers recommeded are good speakers but are harder to hear in your system and resell IMO.

Happy Listening