help narrowing down my list of speakers, $2500


Hi, I will be buying some speakers shortly. I will have them paired with an Odyssey dual mono amp (plenty of power), Tempest (Odyssey) preamp, Ridge Street Audio interconnects and speaker cable, and an Audio Aero Prima cd player. Also I will be adding a sub soon, so bass shouldent be the deciding factor here. I have a small room (12' x 12') and my budget is $2500. I went to listen to some B&W's at the dealer and like what I heard from the Naut. 804's. Wide soundstage, clear, detailed, musical. Im looking for speakers like that. I usually listen to rock (old and new) so I want speakers that can handel that. My choices so far are:
-Dynaudio
-Vandersteen
-Avalon
-Totem
-Sonus Faber
-Aerial Acoustics
-Dali
-Merlin
-Silverline
-Vienna
-Spendor
-Tyler Acoustics
-B&W
-PMC OB-1

Any you think I should add to that list? Suggestions on what to take off? Thanks

-Jamie
jamiec001
Hey Jamiec001,

I don't know who told you that the JMRs don't rock, because they are dead wrong. I've had these speakers for almost two years now and they rock with the best of them. As a matter of fact the speakers I owned before these were Dynaudio 1.3 MkII, and as soon as my wife and I heard the Trentes, I put the Dyn's up for sale. I found the Dyn's a bit too laid back for my taste. Believe me, with the music I listen to, including Metallica, Iron Maiden, Disturbed, Linkin Park, AC/DC and Kid Rock, these speakers rock........John
VMPS are HUGE!!! There is no way they are getting in my room without breaking some walls down.
Don't rule out the Vonschweikert VR2. It is a GREAT speaker that can be had new for less than $2500. Awesome all around performer that may make you think twice about needing a sub. Sorry if this post ignores details in the thread.....I did not read the whole thread.
Why are you ruling out B & W? They have the best resale value so you can buy used and if you do not like them sell them for what you paid for them. I have the 802N and almost everyone on Audiogon wrote that I should not get them. They basically said that they are not audiophile quality and what you really need to audition is ________. Well after trying all of these speakers, I came back to the B & W speakers and love them.
Jamiec001-So......where are you now in your search? Let us know how you made out.

Bryanhod- Funny. thats exactly where I landed also some 2 dozen speakers later...back to the B&W Matrix 801! This time with a much better amp and front end equipment, and upgraded crossovers from NorthCreekMusic. Thats what they needed all along. Glad to hear you are happy with your Nauts.