Can I get "Great" used speakers for $1800??

In answer to Viggen's question: FYI, The B&W Matrix3 series 2 was current in 1989. "Matrix" describes the honeycomb, concrete cabinet design used to reduce vibrations. I owned them 12 years. I sold them because they began to bore me in terms of their presentation of music. I could not perceive anything new about the music I played. Nevertheless, the B&W Matrix 3 was a very good speaker; my acoustic values seemed to have changed over the years..... Whatever you may read about speaker performance on this forum, great speakers, which are often and unfortunately very expensive(overpriced is a better word) seem to be able to communicate some new aspect of the music you may value and treasure.

Actually, the B&W Matrix III take a lot of clean power to wake them up. I used a 100wpc Adcom amp with the B&W's and it sounded real thin. I then ran 450wpc from a Citation 7.1 amp and the speakers finally came alive in 2 channel audio. I changed because I have been leaning more towards Home Theater.

if great is possible at 1800$ then why would anyone spend any more than that?

its my opinion that 1500$ in used speakers is just entering midfi territory, which goes up to probably around the 10k range. Midfi sounds pleasant...but its not gonna give anyone a wow moment. Lowfi isn't engaging whatsoever. And HiFi is so engaging your house could burn down around you and you wouldn't notice cuz you'd be in such a trance from the music.

Calanctus, this was an earlier version of the SS M9's. Not the totally redesigned speaker with the 'super tweeter' on top of the cabinet. Right now there is a guy selling a better pair of my speakers for $1800. These would be a steal, and if they didn't say 'Sony' on the cabinets would have been gone a long time ago. They sound better than virtually every speaker B&W ever made, I consider them to be on the level of a Wilson, or other great speaker!

To answer your question Geoffgarcia..probably because most have figured out they can achieve engaging sound without blowing money on some ones work of art..Most equipment over 10k is bought for statis not sound!Most drivers used in elite highend can be found in a used $1500.00 speaker.As well as the same filters,and wiring.There are only so many driver and filter manufactures in the world.In a blind fold test it will be impossible for you to tell the difference between what you consider midfi and elite hifi!IMHO the best bang for the buck is between $3000 and $5000.Sure some of the speakers you are refering to are beautiful...but beautiful has nothing to do with sounding good IMHO! For those who like spending 50k on some speakers with $25.00 drivers in them ...I wish them well.I guess there is a fool born everyday as the saying goes. Happy Listening!