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Speaker Suggestions/Opinions

I’m in the market for some new speakers. Budget up to about 3k. I prefer to buy used. Currently running some Totem Rainmakers. Have also Run Totem Forest and Arros. I love the Totem sound clearly, but still curious what I’m missing out on.  
Most important to me is a lush midrange, musical, the ability to disappear, and they have to image very well. I run McIntosh for amplification so I’m comfortable with a speaker that may be a touch hot in the tweeter. I’m very drawn to Harbeths based on everything I’ve read but really don’t dig the look of those fat boxes.  And why for the love of god do they have 20 screws visible on the front baffle. It’s almost as if they trademarked the look, but it’s terrible. Proac, Spendor, and Sonus Faber are few others I also find intriguing. Especially Spendor but they don’t seem to have a large market in the US. I also find there line up a bit confusing, lots of options. I really don’t like to purchase anything that doesn’t have good resale value and a fairly high demand on the used market as well. Anyways look forward to all your thoughts. 
brylandgoodman
donvito
393 posts
 
" Especially Spendor but they don’t seem to have a large market in the US."

That’s not true. Spendor has many dealers in the USA. The Harbeths are to be used with the grills in place so why do you care about the screws? Proac has the least dealers of the ones that you mention. ATC is another one that you can add to your list!
BTW, I have owned many of that type of speaker and the Harbeth is my favorite!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFIaiPT_kY
brylandgoodman OP
83 posts
 
I wasn’t saying they don’t have many dealers, more that the used market doesn’t seem very strong. Far as using the grills with Harbeths I don’t find that much more appealing than staring at the screws. I may still end up with a pair, but I sure wish they were better looking. I can’t imagine anybody is a fan of all the screws and don’t understand why they wouldn’t do away with them. Almost like they are proud to make ugly speakers because the design is classic or something.  
donvito
393 posts
 
In case you didn’t know Harbeth speakers per Alan Shaw are to be used with the grills on. BTW, many including me find the fit and finish great looking!
smrex13
645 posts
 
I've had both the Harbeth P3 and the C7 over the years, and I was impressed by both.  Harbeths are designed to sound their best with the grilles on. With a 3k budget, you can probably find used C7s or (maybe) 30.1s if you're patient.

I would recommend looking at Dynaudio as well.  The Special 40 is a great speaker at 3K, and it seems to fit what you're looking for.  The new Evoke series is very good at a lower price point.  For my taste, Dynaudio tweeters (I've heard four different models) are perfect - smooth, no grain, nice detail.  Dynaudio bookshelf speakers typically have great bass for their size and image very well.  

Just my two cents,
Scott 
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,609 posts
 
proacs and spendors (d series) would be where i would direct you

lively tweeters but well integrated into the overall highly coherent sound, narrow baffles for great imaging, loves tubes (easy to drive impedances, decent efficiency, hot tweeters benefit from a little ’cooling’ from tubes), modern sleek form factors

i think harbeths driven my mac tubes would be a little too round, too warm, too low impact, esp with you being used to what totems do...
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