A list- Best speakers in the $200-$399 range...

A nice spot between the harder-to-find, harder to place models in the $400-up range.

Some of my favorites that I've either heard or owned-

a/d/s/ L630
a/d/s/ L810
a/d/s/ L880
Vandersteen 2c
Royd Doublet (I believe that was the model).


I would speculate the fairly rare DCMTimewindow 3 and DCM Timewindow 7 should be included, as well as the Boston Acoustics A400.

And more a/d/s/. The 1090s? 1290s perhaps?

Any KEFs? Acoustic Research? Mission? Klipsch?

"I'll put my KEF Coda 8's in that list, Paul," he said, bragging shamelessly.
$300 MSRP back in 1997.
45Hz-20kHz ±3dB, 100W power handling.
Giant killers that won awards in the UK.

I would also submit the Tannoy Mercury M2 and the Wharfedale Diamond 7.2

AR-91

(i would put the Vandy 2c in the next category up)

Wharfedale Diamond 9.2 (following adequate break-in).
Boston Acoustics VRB
Sansui (Don't laugh) but the model number escapes me. Good the specs don't though...bought in Germany at PX with (2) 10" woofers, (1) 6" woofer and a ribbon tweeter (very unusual). Military brats got great deals and I'm convinced this was a sleeper. Dorm comparisons to Polk and Klipsch left some looking for their receipts

Dutch

when I was in the service in the early 80's, I listened t a lot of different sansui speakers, and they all sucked, I would have loved to hear a set that sounded good, they always looked pretty cool to me.

elroy

Are we talking vintage? or new?

boston accoustic?

Like I said, don't laugh but the Sansui's sounded great albeit with a weird presentation due to the ribbon tweeter. Let's face it though in the early 80's I didn't care what ya' played as long as you played it LOUD

I was confused with the split post there Mr. Speakerman. The Boston Acoustics VRB's are my hidden gem. My understanding is they were briefly available stateside in 06-07 but further production was for distribution overseas. Few seem to have heard them but based on the greenback they're tough to beat for the $250 I paid c/o Craigslist.

Dutch

Epos M5

Dynaudio Audience 42

Monitor Audio BR1 or BR2

cerwin vega d-1
alittle higher is the best 2 way ive ever heard Epos12.2

Well would you look at what I found...I just knew there would be a pick of these lurking somewhere. My memory must be laughing at me because I don't think that's a ribbon tweeter but as we know...it's the 2nd thing to go

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg57/Mako20ft/Sansui.jpg

paradigm atoms

early omega single drivers

I kinda like my vandersteens for $399 plus a dollar, I kinda, barely out of the price range. but I got them in perfect condition used for 4 bills with the stands. great sounding speaker.

elroy

The only Vandersteens I've seens is are a pair that the guy was powering with a tube setup he had salvaged from a console stereo.
wish I were making that up.

They looked incredible, and I wanted to hear some wattage run thru them.

They were big, looked like 4-way.

I figure if the Vandersteens came with stands then that puts you safely in the price range!

Score one for the good guys!

Dutch