Best vintage speaker for the money
- Thread starter ArpMoog
- Start date
Surprised it took until #41 for Vandersteens 2 series to make an appearance. Several models of NHT towers will fall into the OP's budget if that's "vintage" enough. I have SuperTwo's, but there are better offerings than those.
I recommend DQ-10's of course as that's what I run in my dedicated room which is 10' x 13' or so. They are powered by a Mitsubishi DA-A10dc 100 wpc amp and I seldom use more than 1/2 of that. Don't be scared-off by their rep for needing big power unless you have a big room. That said, I'm always in the hunt for an Ampzilla ll for them.
Speaker placement is paramount for the imaging magic to show up. A couple of feet off the back wall, slightly toe'd in and a little closer together than the distance to listening chair in the sweet spot is best. If you can't do that, best to stick with box speakers that are more forgiving.
I recommend DQ-10's of course as that's what I run in my dedicated room which is 10' x 13' or so. They are powered by a Mitsubishi DA-A10dc 100 wpc amp and I seldom use more than 1/2 of that. Don't be scared-off by their rep for needing big power unless you have a big room. That said, I'm always in the hunt for an Ampzilla ll for them.
Speaker placement is paramount for the imaging magic to show up. A couple of feet off the back wall, slightly toe'd in and a little closer together than the distance to listening chair in the sweet spot is best. If you can't do that, best to stick with box speakers that are more forgiving.
If you've got $500 I wouldn't go too vintage. Vandersteen IIs, the newer the better.
I bought a pair of Sony SS-m7s, the pyramid shaped ES speakers from the late '90s, which often go for around $500 if you can find them, for $200 4 or 5 years ago. I liked them better than my 1st gen Vandersteen IIs. It took me $5500 Harbeths to find something I liked better...and even then, it wasn't a black and white decision.
I bought a pair of Sony SS-m7s, the pyramid shaped ES speakers from the late '90s, which often go for around $500 if you can find them, for $200 4 or 5 years ago. I liked them better than my 1st gen Vandersteen IIs. It took me $5500 Harbeths to find something I liked better...and even then, it wasn't a black and white decision.
gladiator335
MRTI
So to summarise: start buying and listening. Like the sound (and the look) - keep them (untill something better comes along).
Don't like - flip and move on. $500 budget gives you enough flexibility.
Just don't get too excited and run buying - check prices first (here, eBay completed (and ONLY completed) sales.
Of course it doesn't apply to a one in a million chance you will stumble onto something like Bowers and Wilkins Nautilus for 200 bucks. In this case don't even bother to check eBay - just run!
But it's not gonna happen....
Don't like - flip and move on. $500 budget gives you enough flexibility.
Just don't get too excited and run buying - check prices first (here, eBay completed (and ONLY completed) sales.
Of course it doesn't apply to a one in a million chance you will stumble onto something like Bowers and Wilkins Nautilus for 200 bucks. In this case don't even bother to check eBay - just run!
But it's not gonna happen....
tuffstuff1
Super Member
I think someone said it right, when OP said 500.00 it is like here to eternity........................................... Fun to listen to everyone's opinions though.
bermnerfs
Active Member
I can only speak of what I own, but my two favorite speakers in my current collection are my KLH Model 363, and my KEF C40's.
I picked up some Advent Legacy III's on craigslist this weekend, and performed my first refoam over the last 3 nights. Tonight after work I get to find out if they make my list.
I picked up some Advent Legacy III's on craigslist this weekend, and performed my first refoam over the last 3 nights. Tonight after work I get to find out if they make my list.
MrChisox
New Member
The best? Wow... how to respond? Well, with so many speakers to choose from you just have to take your time and go listen. And this is something that has long fascinated me, but I see or hear people asking this question all the time. When I was young and just starting out I couldn't wait to get over to my local Hi-Fi dealer and have a seat. I lived in the place. It wasn't work, that was play time, and it cost me nothing. I sometimes wonder when I hear this question asked, "If you can't go out and listen for yourself now in order to purchase something that YOU like, then how often are you planning to sit down and listen to music AFTER you have made that purchase?" I'd really hope that the answer is "a LOT" because as I've always thought, a home without music is a dull house! That being said, $500 is a pretty fair amount of cabbage to be spending but it will certainly provide you with plenty of quality options. I picked up a pair of KEF 104/2 in MINT condition last summer from a guy selling on craigslist. I had purchased a pair of KEF 105/2a few years prior for just a little bit more, but they were the "holy grail" for me. I had wanted a pair of them back in the late 1970's but $2800 was way beyond my means. I will never part with either of these, but you might not like them at all. And that's OK. YOU are the only one that has to be happy, so be patient, take your time and go listen.
Robinhawaii
Super Member
I can second this. I have two pair stacked. They are loved in my household, LOVED (thanks Pepper)! :thmbsp:
Take care,
Rob
theclerk74
Active Member
Someone mentioned it a few posts back, but there is so much more than just speakers. My Mitsubishi amp cried like a big baby and just wouldn't play nice with my Infinity RSb's. They did better with my Harman Kardon integrated and really shine with my Phase Linear. I didn't like my Polk Monitor 10b's with the same Phase Linear, but with a tube amp I am almost in awe. The Polks and Heathkit amp set me back $260.
I would accept the offers to listen to what others have... Not just speakers, but the systems because for a $500 bill you can probably get vintage speakers and an amp that your ears love.
All that said, I would personally look for Polk Monitor-somethings, Boston A100's or older Infinity's.
I would accept the offers to listen to what others have... Not just speakers, but the systems because for a $500 bill you can probably get vintage speakers and an amp that your ears love.
All that said, I would personally look for Polk Monitor-somethings, Boston A100's or older Infinity's.
peterfranks
Super Member
Polk Audio 5 series or Boston A series -
Vintage without breaking the bank and damn good sound for the dollar.
Vintage without breaking the bank and damn good sound for the dollar.
Polk SDA's pop up for less than that all the time. I got lucky and got a pair of Monitor Audio S6's for 250 and they are very nice. I recently picked up a pair of Klipsch Quartets in Walnut in mint condition for less than that too.
3 very different flavors for less than your 500 budget.
To Me, JBL's are the Vintage speaker to find and I'd look for 3 ways with a 12" woofer
JBL's, Polk's, Dahlquist's, Kef, Mirage, Infinity, are all available....source, room size, and WAF, if you have one, should influence purchase.
The thrill is in the hunt, Good Luck!!
3 very different flavors for less than your 500 budget.
To Me, JBL's are the Vintage speaker to find and I'd look for 3 ways with a 12" woofer
JBL's, Polk's, Dahlquist's, Kef, Mirage, Infinity, are all available....source, room size, and WAF, if you have one, should influence purchase.
The thrill is in the hunt, Good Luck!!
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portnoy
AK Member
You should get a pair of EMI 711A's. You'll be the only kid on your block with a pair, I guarantee it.
They are heavy beasts, 4 ohms impedance, and very efficient if you're thinking vintage low power SS or tube.
Conversely, I've done what many others here have done and bought what I can on the cheap when I can.
The most I've paid for a pair of vintage speakers is $125 for a pair of Magneplanar MG-I's, and he threw in about 200 albums.
Speaker Rolling is almost as much fun as tube rolling (I don't own any tube power amps so I really don't know that for sure).
Good luck and let us know what you find how it works for you.
Cheers,
Wayne
They are heavy beasts, 4 ohms impedance, and very efficient if you're thinking vintage low power SS or tube.
Conversely, I've done what many others here have done and bought what I can on the cheap when I can.
The most I've paid for a pair of vintage speakers is $125 for a pair of Magneplanar MG-I's, and he threw in about 200 albums.
Speaker Rolling is almost as much fun as tube rolling (I don't own any tube power amps so I really don't know that for sure).
Good luck and let us know what you find how it works for you.
Cheers,
Wayne
theebadone
Super Member
Electrovoice makes a fantastic speaker, and they do not have a large following like JBL or Altec. Their drivers are top notch also, on par with JBL or Altec. I would look for a set of Electrovoice Sentries. The Sentries would give any speaker a run for its money.
Wow!
Which is to say....the best used speaker is really not something anybody can answer. It's all luck, happenstance, and knowing what you're looking at when the deal arrives.
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I want to clear some stuff up.
I don't necessarily want to spend 500.00, I threw that number out
there because i thought it would cover quite a bit and yes i have been
checking completer auctions.
craigslist is or was a jewel but im always late to the party.
I am not a kid i am 45. Im a musician and i always spent my money back in the day on synthesizers so this is why I never tried out speakers.
when i say best i know that is different to everyone I also know alot of you people
have alot of experience with this stuff and frequency response ect so I know
im getting informed opinions.
if some one here was wanting and analog synth i would be a value of info as ive owned about 40 boards over the years and could give the strength and weakness of each of them.
I wrote earlier that i have a kenwood kr 9400 that i love and Listen to mostly rock and jazz. folk to prog to big band to fusion to metal to punk.
lately ive been listening to classical which I never thought i would like so much.
When my infinities took a dump I thought i would like to try something else.
There model sm122 i have had them a long time and always thought they were boomy and not accurate if that makes sense. i just kinda ignored it as my obsession
with synths took all my focus.
Now im older and into making my stereo sound better i have been sick and dont play like i used to so i have time. In know way am I into playing that flip the speaker game. locals that can let me listen are great and whatever i go with I will probably
live with for a bit. it takes time to absorb the gear and become one with it.
I guess that covers it for the moment.
Thanks again to this community I have lurked here a while using the search.
and there is a wealth of knowledge and good people here.
I don't necessarily want to spend 500.00, I threw that number out
there because i thought it would cover quite a bit and yes i have been
checking completer auctions.
craigslist is or was a jewel but im always late to the party.
I am not a kid i am 45. Im a musician and i always spent my money back in the day on synthesizers so this is why I never tried out speakers.
when i say best i know that is different to everyone I also know alot of you people
have alot of experience with this stuff and frequency response ect so I know
im getting informed opinions.
if some one here was wanting and analog synth i would be a value of info as ive owned about 40 boards over the years and could give the strength and weakness of each of them.
I wrote earlier that i have a kenwood kr 9400 that i love and Listen to mostly rock and jazz. folk to prog to big band to fusion to metal to punk.
lately ive been listening to classical which I never thought i would like so much.
When my infinities took a dump I thought i would like to try something else.
There model sm122 i have had them a long time and always thought they were boomy and not accurate if that makes sense. i just kinda ignored it as my obsession
with synths took all my focus.
Now im older and into making my stereo sound better i have been sick and dont play like i used to so i have time. In know way am I into playing that flip the speaker game. locals that can let me listen are great and whatever i go with I will probably
live with for a bit. it takes time to absorb the gear and become one with it.
I guess that covers it for the moment.
Thanks again to this community I have lurked here a while using the search.
and there is a wealth of knowledge and good people here.
ssmith3046
Super Member
A restored KLH Model 5 is great sounding speaker. It was made to compete with the AR-3a. I own both and give the edge to the KLH Model 5.
