Need help picking $30k speakers

Wolf_d3

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Jul 5, 2015
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After living with (and enjoying) my Vandersteen 2c speakers for about 25 years, I've decided to treat myself to a significant upgrade. My budget is about $30k. I've been going to the Newport High End show for a few years, and have found that in this price range, I have consistently liked the YG acoustics, Magico and Vandersteen models. The current models for each that I am focusing on are the YG Carmel 2s, the Magico S5s, and the Vandersteen 5a Carbons. Since I'm familiar with the Vandersteen sound, I'm interested in the views of others who either own the YGs or Magicos, or who have compared these models. I'm concerned about whether any of these are prone to listener fatigue, since it's hard to get a sense of how these sound in the long term when you can only hear them for 15 minutes at a show. Also, I'm curious about whether people pay list price for speakers in this price range or expect some discount off that.
 

Barry2013

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Oct 12, 2013
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Loved the Carmel 1s and everything I have read indicates the Carmel 2s are a significant improvement on the 1s
Were very musical, transparent and never experienced any listener fatigue.
Now using Kipod II Signature passives whose sounds have the same character as the Carmels but more of it and bigger scale.
Have you considered a used pair of Kipods?
A great alternative to new Carmel 2s and good examples available for a lot less than new Carmel 2s. Worth checking out the reviews on the YG website.
 

rockitman

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Sep 20, 2011
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Check out lightly used speakers. You may be able to pick up a pair of $60k category speakers for your budget amount. You will have better sounding speakers than those that cost $30k new.
 

still-one

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I would choose a pair of MBL 11f's over any other option in the ~$30k-$60k range. (assuming you have the amps to handle them) To each his own.
 

FrantzM

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Apr 20, 2010
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Check out lightly used speakers. You may be able to pick up a pair of $60k category speakers for your budget amount. You will have better sounding speakers than those that cost $30k new.

would second that ... +1
 

rad

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Jun 13, 2010
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Check out lightly used speakers. You may be able to pick up a pair of $60k category speakers for your budget amount. You will have better sounding speakers than those that cost $30k new.

I would have to agree with rockitman as well.
There are many a great speaker to choose from in this price range ( used ) if you can find them. I would throw the Evolution Acoustics MM2 & 3's in the mix for sure. IMHO better than some already mentioned.
 

Wolf_d3

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Jul 5, 2015
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Wow, this is an amazing forum. A lot of very helpful replies in less than a day. Let me try to respond; (i) I have not heard the Rockports. My bad. (ii) I have heard several models of Wilsons. T.H.E. show in Newport usually has several rooms showing them at different price points. Room setup is key, as I've heard mid-level Wilsons that sounded better (to my ears) than the showcase models. (iii) I've heard Kipods in the past and liked them a lot. I haven't heard them back to back with the Carmels. (iv) I've heard MBLs, but not sure if it was the 111fs. My reaction to the MBLs was that the tweeter called a lot of attention to itself. Extraordinary detail, but my concern was about how well I'd like them after a long period. They have a lot of fans, and this is in my price range, so I will add this to the list for a more serious audition. And they look cool. (v) I hadn't thought of buying used speakers before. Maybe I should. I would not be comfortable spending that kind of money on a mail order, however, so I think I'm limited to buying in the Southern California area. Thanks for the advice. Picking speakers in this range is what we call a high class problem.
 

rockitman

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Sep 20, 2011
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I would have to agree with rockitman as well.
There are many a great speaker to choose from in this price range ( used ) if you can find them. I would throw the Evolution Acoustics MM2 & 3's in the mix for sure. IMHO better than some already mentioned.

I paid $65k for Wilson certified, 5 year warranty Alexandria x-2.2...after XLF went on sale...beats $160k any day.
 

JackD201

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Apr 20, 2010
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What electronics are you using Wolf?
 

JackD201

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You've really got a wide range of option with those :)
 

bonzo75

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Feb 26, 2014
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After living with (and enjoying) my Vandersteen 2c speakers for about 25 years, I've decided to treat myself to a significant upgrade. My budget is about $30k. I've been going to the Newport High End show for a few years, and have found that in this price range, I have consistently liked the YG acoustics, Magico and Vandersteen models. The current models for each that I am focusing on are the YG Carmel 2s, the Magico S5s, and the Vandersteen 5a Carbons. Since I'm familiar with the Vandersteen sound, I'm interested in the views of others who either own the YGs or Magicos, or who have compared these models. I'm concerned about whether any of these are prone to listener fatigue, since it's hard to get a sense of how these sound in the long term when you can only hear them for 15 minutes at a show. Also, I'm curious about whether people pay list price for speakers in this price range or expect some discount off that.

Also try listening to Martin Logan CLX or Analysis Audio Amphitryons modded for a change in box sound. And at that price you can get boxes with 2 subs with a nice high quality DSP box
 

LenWhite

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Feb 11, 2011
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systems.audiogon.com

Nyal Mellor

Industry Expert
Jul 14, 2010
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Magico, Vivid, YG, KEF are all well engineered speakers. Magico don't have the great off axis of the other three but have other strengths IMO. Never had the pleasure of hearing Rockports. People with good ears have been saying Tidal have some great speakers. I don't like Wilson.

If you can find some you might also check out ATC actives, like the SCM50 or SCM100. Kind of under the radar in the US but a lot of professional recording studios use them.
 

KeithR

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May 7, 2010
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If you have loved Vandys for 25 years, I'd probably just buy the best ones you can afford. YG and Magico sound 180 degrees different from Vandy.

Second, I don't think the Stratos can drive several of the speakers mentioned (yes, I owned one and it prefers speakers with moderate impedance).
 

NorthStar

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Feb 8, 2011
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Magico, Vivid, YG, KEF are all well engineered speakers. Magico don't have the great off axis of the other three but have other strengths IMO.
Never had the pleasure of hearing Rockports. People with good ears have been saying Tidal have some great speakers. I don't like Wilson.

If you can find some you might also check out ATC actives, like the SCM50 or SCM100. Kind of under the radar in the US but a lot of professional recording studios use them.

? [POST]223865[/POST] => Link from post #14

? [POST]223834[/POST] => Link from post #11
 

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