What's the best passive (and preferably floorstanding) speaker one can find for $2,500 or less?

[Aprude51]

I noticed there was some discussion of Monitor Audio towers earlier in the thread. I'd previously done some research on the Silver 200s, and found that their measurements were meaningfully improved over previous Monitor Speakers. In particular they appear to have improved integration between tweeter & woofer.

Given these measurements, and presumably good build quality I think they might be a decent option at $1500 for a pair.

Listening Window Measurements from SoundStage

 

[Daverz]

I noticed there was some discussion of Monitor Audio towers earlier in the thread. I'd previously done some research on the Silver 200s, and found that their measurements were meaningfully improved over previous Monitor Speakers. In particular they appear to have improved integration between tweeter & woofer.

Given these measurements, and presumably good build quality I think they might be a decent option at $1500 for a pair.

Listening Window Measurements from SoundStage
View attachment 27195

I haven't heard Monitor Audio speaker for about 10 years. Back then, I found they had a "glassy" sound to massed violins that -- their other considerable virtues aside -- put me off. I love to hear these newer models with the smoother frequency response.

 

[Rja4000]

3-4 years ago, I compared several speakers from 2500€ to 10000€ a pair.
B&W, Kef, PMC, Dali, Triangle, Focal, ...
I ended up with the cheapest of all: a pair of Focal Aria 948.
You could probably find a used pair around 2500$.
Give it a try.

I also have a pair of Genelec 1032A that I got used for less than that money.
An awesone pair of active speakers.
They look a bit Raw, though.

This was obviously MY definition of 'best', related to the set I was able to listen to.
I didn't measure any (although I now use Dirac on the Focal).

 

[noel_fs]

woah, i feel like q150 are bloated, anyone else?

 

[Rja4000]

I'm quite happy with my Focal Aria 948

 

[Krunok]

I'm quite happy with my Focal Aria 948

Aria 936 measured well in this Stereophile test, it is reasonable to assume 948 would also measure well.

 

[vin63]

Another French speaker manufacture is Triangle. I have the Triangle Antal EZ, which after much speaker shopping is the one i took home.
Beautiful mid-range, not a party speaker. Bass needs a little help with a subwoofer. But very dynamic, fast and clean sounding speaker.

 

[Rja4000]

Aria 936 measured well in this Stereophile test, it is reasonable to assume 948 would also measure well.

Or better.
As noted above, I also own a pair of Aria 906.
Although not in the same league at all, they measure pretty well too...
https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/i...&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153

 

[Krunok]

Or better.

Probably not better - 948 is smaller than 936 and is one driver short so it won't measure better as they both use the same technology.

 

[Rja4000]

Another French speaker manufacture is Triangle. I have the Triangle Antal EZ, which after much speaker shopping is the one i took home.
Beautiful mid-range, not a party speaker. Bass needs a little help with a subwoofer. But very dynamic, fast and clean sounding speaker.

The other pre-selected candidate for me was a Triangle delta, indeed. Much more detailed in treble. But I did prefer Focal medium... and price!
Got the 948 pair for less than $2000 new, from renowned shop.
On top of it, they are beautiful.
And I like the LS50... in the small room where we're watching TV. But the big Focal, with proper amp, is much more adequate in a bigger room, IMHO.

 

[Rja4000]

Probably not better - 948 is smaller than 936 and is one driver short so it won't measure better as they both use the same technology.

You're not looking at the right model.
948 is bigger than the 936 and has 2 21cm drivers.
https://www.focal.com/fr/home-audio/enceintes-haute-fidelite/aria-900/enceintes-colonnes/aria-948

Some measurements here
https://www.focal.com/sites/www.focal.fr/files/shared/catalog/presse/aria948_audio.pdf

 

[Krunok]

You're not looking at the right model.
948 is bigger than the 936 and has 2 21cm drivers.
https://www.focal.com/fr/home-audio/enceintes-haute-fidelite/aria-900/enceintes-colonnes/aria-948

Look again..

https://www.focal.com/en/home-audio/high-fidelity-speakers/aria-900/floorstanding-speakers/aria-936

 

[q3cpma]

If you can find them, think about the Yamaha NS-F700. Otherwise, I'm pretty partial to Dali.

Also, obligatory note about passive speakers in 2019 being like two wheel drive in rally cars.

 

[Krunok]

I noticed there was some discussion of Monitor Audio towers earlier in the thread. I'd previously done some research on the Silver 200s, and found that their measurements were meaningfully improved over previous Monitor Speakers. In particular they appear to have improved integration between tweeter & woofer.

Given these measurements, and presumably good build quality I think they might be a decent option at $1500 for a pair.

Listening Window Measurements from SoundStage
View attachment 27195

This recommendation makes sense to me as it is based on objective measurements. Most of the other recommendations are however purely subjective without any objectively relevant criteria..

 

[Rja4000]

Look again..

https://www.focal.com/en/home-audio/high-fidelity-speakers/aria-900/floorstanding-speakers/aria-936

The 936 has 3x16.5cm for bass and weights 29kg, while the 948 has 2x21cm and weights 35kg.
The height is the same but 948 is wider and deeper.
The sensitivity and power are also different.

 

[Krunok]

The 936 has 3x16.5cm and weights 29kg, while the 948 has 2x21cm and weight 35kg.
The height is the same but 948 is wider and deeper.
The sensitivity and power are also different.

Ups, you are right.

 

[Sancus]

This recommendation makes sense to me as it is based on objective measurements. Most of the other recommendations are however purely subjective without any objectively relevant criteria..

Technically this thread was solved by the 2nd post - the relative bought the F206. But every so often somebody comes by and recommends some random product for some reason. Usually without even linking to any measurements or even basic information about why it would be worth considering. And most of them are likely worse than the F206.

 

[Krunok]

Technically this thread was solved by the 2nd post - the relative bought the F206. But every so often somebody comes by and recommends some random product for some reason. Usually without even linking to any measurements or even basic information about why it would be worth considering. And most of them are likely worse than the F206.

For what is worth, if I would be buying speaker in that price range it would definitely also be F206.

 

[direstraitsfan98]

I wish I could get a chance to audition dutch and dutch 8c but that does not seem possible unless a kind member in the area would let me come take a listen. I have a feeling there isn't any since most owners would be using them for work, not personal use in their private homes.

 

[graz_lag]

A relative of mine wants to drop around US$2,500 or less on a pair of passive loudspeakers. Floorstanders are strongly preferred. The speakers will be powered by either a higher-end Marantz AV receiver or an uncharacteristically reliable NAD C370 (formerly owned by me). The relative intends to use the speakers to listen to many genres of music and TV/movie sound at a distance of approximately 15 feet from the loudspeakers. (No, the Dutch & Dutch 8Cs, Kii Threes and various low-priced JBL and Kali Audio monitors are not good options for this use case.)

The relative is currently eyeing a lightly used pair of Revel Performa F206s on Audiogon. I'm concerned about the load these will put on the partnering amplifier, especially in light of the listening distance:

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/i...&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153

If any of you have suggestions or recommendations, or if you think the Revel F206s may be my relative's best bet, I'd be grateful as always for your thoughts.

Did you already check this place?