1. Home
  2. speakers
  3. 149114-132096

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
mitchagain
507 posts
 
Tykozen:

If you like watching movies or concert DVD's thru your audio system, then finding a multi - format player is a good idea. But, in doing so you'll probably need to add a stand alone DAC in order to get a higher level of sound quality. Compared to the cost of a high end CD/SACD player, you're probably talking about a similar budget.

You can use the same scenario when it comes to your selection of speakers:
                 Do you go with a larger, full range speaker or something smaller and then add a subwoofer to it? Again, you're looking at a similar budget. The bottom line is figuring out what works best for your wants and needs. Good luck in your search! 
winnardt
174 posts
 
Give the Magnepan LRS a listen. They are 86 db sensitivity at 4 ohm impedance, which means they require quite a bit of power or else they will overheat an amp. But at only $650 per pair, you can also purchase a decent amp to drive them, such as an Emotiva amp. I am a very big fan of getting the most bang for my bucks, not so much interested in spending a lot to impress anyone else. If you do the reviews on Magnepan and Emotiva, I think you'll find there's a lot of agreement that if you purchase them, you will be getting an excellent bang for your bucks.
mapman's avatar
mapman
23,602 posts
 
How big is the room, how loud will you listen, and what amp will you use?

Also any constraints on where the speakers will be located in the room?

Oh and your budget or cost limit for the entire new system including new speakers?

There is always some subjectivity in speaker selection but if you can answer these questions it will help to identify those that have the best chance of fitting the bill.

Thanks.
gsm18439
895 posts
 
As many have said, you have to listen for yourself. Each of us has favorites. The only thing that I would add is to try to listen at home with the speakers set up in your room. It is hard to overemphasize the importance of room-speaker interaction. Some direct to consumer manufacturers offer a generous home audition program. Some B&M stores have demos. 
dwmaggie
222 posts
 
Ty, take cd's or lp's that you are familiar with when listening to different speakers. 
More to discover