Which <$5000 speaker would you choose?

[Joey_V]

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Martin Logan Vantage (within the week), but I would just like to hear your opinions as to which of the following <$5000 speakers would YOU choose for your 2 channel listening?

Lets do this for fun and not for serious sakes.

Martin Logan Vantage $4995 new ($3900 discounted):


Dali Euphonia MS4 $9000 new ($4150 from Chicago via Audiogon):


Von Schweikert VR4JR $4000 new ($2900 used on audiogon):


BW 804N $3500 new ($2600 used on audiogon):


BW 703 $2999 new ($2600 discounted at local dealer, new):


JM Labs Electra 927Be 25th Anniversary edition $6000 new ($3100 on audiogon, used):


JM Labs Profile 918Be $3999 new at Tweeter:


Onix Reference 3 $3999 for Bird's Eye Maple new:


Paradigm S8 $5500 new (none on audiogon at the moment):


I was looking at the Wilson WATT/Puppy system and those are crazy expensive. So are Avantgarde Acoustics... yikes!

Anyway... this is all in good fun, nothing serious.

Vote vote!

[Joey_V]

My take on all of this.

I have heard more than half of the speakers I posted with the exception of the Onix Reference 3, VR4jr, JMLabs Electra 927, and the Dali MS4 Euphonia... with proper amplification and good upstream electronics.

From what I heard, I preferred them in this order:
ML Vantage
BW804N
JMLabs Profile 918
BW703
Paradigm S8

I would love to hear the rest of the speakers on my list... especially the Dali MS4 and the VR4jr (based on its SOLID reviews all over the internet and forums).

Also, any opinions and speakers you guys have in mind (ones which are attainable at around the <$5000 mark) are all very much welcome! I would love to go to a dealer and listen to them.

I dont really have much free time to truly listen and do an appropriate A/B/C comparison, so I may have to trust my ears and my gut with this particular speaker adventure.

However, lets treat this as a fun adventure... lets not get too nitpicky. Just pick your favorite.

[NewBuyer]

From that list, I suppose I would vote for the Onix Reference 3's.

Off that list, but in the same general price range, I would choose the Joseph Audio RM25si Signature Mk2's over any of those however!

-Regards

[Joey_V]

Just as addition FYI, this will be my computer speaker system - running off a computer basically. I am going to grow into these speakers, so to speak, and purchase better upstream electronics (outboard DAC and dedicated source) once I get out of college.

For right now, I'm gonna be using a Rotel RC1070/RB1070 amp with an upgrade to the RB1080/90 real soon.

[grit]

I'da picked Aerials if they were on there.

[DrJRapp]

My choice would now probably be the Vantage since I own Summits.

[GregLett]

I pick the Paradigm S8, at the 5K price point.

[Joey_V]

Heard the s8... thought the 703 was better. Same store, same amplification. IMO.

[GregLett]

What 8O

[Shane Martin]

Other options you should hear:

Merlin VSM MM - easily attainable on audiogon but should listen first
Aerial 7B - as low as 2k on agon if you want used.
Devore Gibbon Super 8

[sarsi]

Dynaudio Contour S3.4 ...

[Joey_V]

What 8O

I felt that the 703's midrange was better.. this isnt to say that the s8's werent great because they were.

[Joey_V]

Alright, heard the Von Schweikert VR4jr (powered by $6000 of gear and a $1000 speaker cable), BW803D/803S/804S/703 again yesterday.

I must say... out of the bunch, I felt that the most disappointing was the VR4jr... absolutely too "artificial" with the top end. I felt that it was too sibilant and it didnt have a good coherence with the rest of the sound... it just sounded off kilter for some reason. I had my other audiophile friend with me and he was disappointed as well.

As for the BW, the 703 were last in overall clarity and ease of sound while the 803D were superb compared to the rest. The 803S/804S were good up to a certain volume... then above that volume, the tweeter sounded a little too harsh. Not too balanced for me. The 803D were very good, however, at $8000 for the pair... it's out of my price league.

I still prefer the Vantage so far. I'll try to listen to some Wilsons this week.

[CP-Mike]

Have you heard the Dali Euphonia's? I'd be interested to see how you think they stack up.

[Joey_V]

Havent heard the Dalis... no time to do so.

[Joey_V]

As popular as the BW and the Paradigms were on this poll... I went with the Martin Logan Vantage. AWESOME SPEAKERS btw... I have them playing right now. Thanks guys!

[RJW1138]

Aww, I wanted to hear followup reports containing your impressions from auditioning the Euphonia MS4, the Electra 927 Be and the Reference 3! Drat. (I know, you weren't able to and had no intention of auditioning them...)

Well, hope you're satisfied with the ML's!

[ml360]

I chose "other',and that other would be the Audio Physic Tempo for $4,000.

[Joey_V]

Aww, I wanted to hear followup reports containing your impressions from auditioning the Euphonia MS4, the Electra 927 Be and the Reference 3! Drat. (I know, you weren't able to and had no intention of auditioning them...)

Well, hope you're satisfied with the ML's!

Had the "intention", but got swamped and got too busy.

[aud19]

Darn I'm late to the party

I was going to recommend my "lotto speakers":

http://www.genesisloudspeakers.com/prd_6series.html

A bargain at ~$4500 each :B :E

[jmschnur]

Vantage really sings after break in!

I have both B&W 801s and ML Vantage. After break in and critcal placment the ML's really shine for HT, vocals, jazz, and classical quartets etc. The 801s are quite good but do not have the intimacy of the MLs or virbracne in terms of plucked notes and speaker presence.

For new age muzak and the like the B&Ws might be bit better since they may be a bit "smoother".


For real lows down to 18 hz both need a sub woofer. For lows to 35 hz or so the Vantage seems have a btter "punch" for bass transients.

Joel

[Audiophiliac]

Martin Logan.....mmmmmmmmartin llllllllogan......yeeeaaahhh!!

Unless you can find a steal on a pair of used Krell LAT-2 and pair them with a Martin Logan Descent.

[Chris D]

I'd go with magenpan, myself. Martin Logan as 2nd choice.

[The13thGryphon]

I'd have to agree with Chris. MAGNEPAN, without a doubt... and the MG 3.6's in particular.

[r100gs]

From that list, I suppose I would vote for the Onix Reference 3's.

Off that list, but in the same general price range, I would choose the Joseph Audio RM25si Signature Mk2's over any of those however!

-Regards

That's a go on the Joseph Audio RM 25's. ;x(

[lane]

I purchased the S-8's because I got a good deal on them. For home theatre with the C-5 they are very good.

[Elmac]

I purchased the S-8's because I got a good deal on them. For home theatre with the C-5 they are very good.

Lane can you PM me how much you paid for them
Thank you

[B&W 700 Guy]

704 w/sub under 5k

I would purchase the 703s only if could buy the matching subwoofer. That would be under 5k. If no sub is alowed,804n.

[Audiophiliac]

Im going to toss the Krell Resolution 3 in the mix.