Used vs New vs Vintage vs Floorstanding vs Bookshelf vs ..... OMG!


OK. I am new in this (new in HIFI, in Audiogon, in discussion forums). I need to buy a pair of speakers for a newly-to-be-built HIFI system, and I am getting a little overwhelmed about all the options and possibilities (and opinions). By the way, I am NOT rich so that helps me a lot to discard a bunch of options.

I started checking vintage HIFI speakers for around $500, basically old JBLs, Technics, and the like (eBay, Craiglist, Letgo). Of course as soon as I began I started checking newer and pricier loudspeakers... and I am trying not to be a consumerist… Either way first  I decided for a pair of JBLs vintage. Until I watched John Darko's youtube review on the ELAC Navis ARB-51. So I changed my mind, I raised my budget and changed from vintage to new, from big to small.

Then I learned about the huge immense used HIFI market. For the same price of the Navis I could buy speakers from enormous brands like Sonus Faber and Focal and B&W in the used market. There I could find Sonus Faber Veneres for 1500, B&W 802 for 2000, and so on. When I contacted somebody from another webpage (The music room) about which was the best option.... the response was... Vandersteen 2Ce signature, "by far". I looked for opinions about it and all I read about them was "OK but meeh". 

So I was really confused. Until I learnt about the Tekton Double Impact, and now I started to get some dizziness. "The best loudspeakers for that price range", "the best period", etc. I contacted Eric Alexander, who kindly took his time to explain me why paper speakers are still the best, and so on. So they are great, really great, for "just" $3000... and I raised my budget again.

Either way, I have read so much, heard so much, watched so much, and I haven't learned much really. Different experts have different opinions, whether the speakers should be flat or not, colored or true, whether it is a matter of "taste" or "you should listen and like them". Well I am no expert, I am 45 years old and I probably won't listen wavelengths of 50 Htzs or lower.

I just want a pair of good speakers so I can enjoy King Crimson, Ramones or Beethoven.

Can anybody help? PLEASE???....

tykozen

Showing 1 response by dorkwad

In 2007, after getting back to buying stuff again, following an 18 year bout of keeping what I had, I tried to replace good Vortex Screens made in the 1990's by Albert Von Schweikert--maker of Von Schweikert speakers that are very highly praised today.  I went to Emerald Physics CS-2 speakers by what I read--didn't like the highs as they seemed to by closed off.  Then I read about VMPS 626R monitors.  They were very highly praised in the press.  I bought a pair used and loved them.  They were very detailed without having ear bleed, open and transparent.  I later added a VMPS 215 VSS subwoofer and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.  I became a demonstrator for the VMPS speakers and had an opportunity to hear and own VMPS RM40, RM30, and then RM40 BCSE with MLS cabinets.  All were fantastic because, as has been mentioned, I loved the sound the VMPS brand produced.  

I still own the last pair mentioned here.  All the VMPS speakers are great values for the money in all of audio.  To beat the sound of those took a lot of money.  I really only had 2 makers of speakers in mind--Sanders ESL 10e electrostatic speakers and the better Vapor Audio speakers--Cirrus, or the Joule.  The Vapors really hit my sound parameters, but had gone up in price considerably over the last 4 years.  The Sanders required selling most of my other gear and buying all Sanders stuff.  Very tempting except I loved all the gear I now had and it sounded great with the VMPS speakers.  

NO ONE can tell you what sound you prefer in side your budget you're willing to spend.  I have friends that think my system sounds great, but it's still not their cup of tea.  

Listening to other speakers at friend's houses or at the few dealers that are still around is a very good way to see what sound you do like.  IF YOU BUY USED FROM SELLERS ON GOOD WEBSITES THST HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK, you usually can buy and sell without too much of a cost penalty.  You may even make out a little sometimes.  If you buy new and sell, it is much like buying a new car and selling.  You already lost 1/3 of the initial cost when you bought.

Good luck and take your time on the decision.  Check out the seller's feedback and be quick to buy once your decision is made.  The highly praised speakers go quickly on Audiogon or Audio Circle. or US Audio Mart.

Bob