Can't Afford Crazy Expensive Speakers?!? No problem!

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

This is why this is an interesting hobby. There is always a more expensive speaker, there is always a speaker that reaches higher from a technical regard, BUT there is also always a speaker out there that will get you very close without putting you into financial ruin. Yes, 2022 is a good time to be alive as an audiophile.

[@BruceCross]

Yes, many audiophiles don't realize the differences between speakers aren't always black and white. Sometimes they're shades of gray.

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

@@BruceCross Well put!

[@1mctous]

You've sparked the great GR Research vs. Criton debate. Danny didn't disparage the Critons but explained the different trade offs he made vs. CSS.

[@infn]

I'd been curious about the value proposition of DIY speakers for the longest time and wanted to hear for myself if a DIY kit with higher quality drivers and crossover parts could trump production speakers. I finally took the plunge 6 months back. Unfortunately, shipping from the US was a bit much compared to Europe and Danny didn't have drivers in stock at the time, so instead of his designs, I went with Troels Gravesen's Purifi-6R. The kicker? A $2000 DIY speaker beat my $6000 Harbeth Super HL5+ in almost every single way. Clarity, transparency, refinement, imaging and bass definition were all significantly better - it was the clear winner. I was both amazed and saddened at the same time. Amazed at the fidelity possible at that price point, saddened that I hadn't done this a lot sooner than I did. But the new journey has just begun!

[@willbrink]

I can drop that kinda $, I simply can't justify it. I have the Ryan R610 with subs, and I like them more than the more expensive brands I owned. BTW, stand mounts + good subs cost less and set up right, sound better than most floor standers. It's often the best of all wolds.

[@wiebl5266]

Now, you have my attention... This is a great video, a great speaker at half the price or more from the Ultra Rich priced speakers. Thank YOU. Wow you have given the XLS Encore high praise... I don't know if they are that good. I've owned them for 6 years (it's a keeper), but it does need higher volume to sing. BTW, I power them with a 300 Watts Power Amp.

[@JukeboxAlley]

One could happily live with the xls-encore, it is one the best bookshelves I've heard, I regret parting with mine, but i got the itch, I have to give credit to the kef q350, it's pretty close to the encore if not equal to it and gets a little deeper on the lows, I liked those better than the ls50 and meta myself. Other than that I've still been hooked on the proac tablette 2000 model lately.

[@thomaswachter7782]

Welcome back, Ron. Your videos are always a pleasure.

[@rikardekvall3433]

Thanks Ron. You gave my speaker choice a big yes. I’m looking forward to my, soon, done XLS encores, with a sealed servo GR sub.

[@vtkz]

Neumann KH120 + KH750. For ~3.2k € you get an Fullrange System + Room Correction. You only need an DAC and your source. Also flexible for upgrades like bigger mains like a KH310 or other Active Monitor. When youve 5k as Limit you also have Money left for room acoustics wich is the most important point. I pers. wouldnt spend Money on passives again.

[@kamilkashaf2766]

I used to think the same about my KH80's, until I heard the Polk R200's. The Neumanns have immaculate tonality, but the problem is the narrow dispersion waveguide kills the soundstage depth and height, sounds congested like all sounds are coming from a dot. The Polk R200's made me realize its okay to give up very slightly on linearity if they offer better spatial presentation.

[@stohl82]

Glad to see GR finally becoming a real speaker company!

[@Justwantahover]

His 3" FR +woofer speakers would be my favourite GR speaker. Especially for piano and female voice.

[@MrDingaling007]

Thumbs up for concept 500's

[@sleelakrishnan]

My most favourites list 1. KEF THE REFERENCE 5 META PAIR 2. POLK L800 PAIR 3. DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY DM80 PAIR 4. PERLISTEN S7T PAIR And few more and more to pick play enjoy life 💟☮️

[@Foxrock321]

Record Dude, when I lived in the Dallas Fort Worth area, a drummer friend of mine took me to a small speaker company in Fort Worth..I said who’s the company and he said a Bass player friend of mine Toby Guyene…they were simply called Toby speakers ..so I grabbed my favorite Louis Belson big band cd and we went.for a listen..he had a room set up so you could AB his speaker with the commercial stuff and for half the price they beat the commercial stuff..Apparently his sub woofers were winning all the auto shoot outs. So I bought his satellite and sub system, and for what paid for them..they to me were nirvana, and I still have them today..Toby has since then passed away but his company is now owned by his assistant True… I called him the other day and they now make self powered monsters for that $15,000 price tag but they also make great sounding home theatre systems and HiFi stuff for affordable prices..check them out, problem is he can’t keep up with demand..

[@WichitaRed]

Fell asleep within 2min. KZbin on my laptop had “autoplay next” so many times that when I woke up, I was welcomed to the sights and sounds of a live cam view of South Korean nightlife in Seoul. I guess I needed the sleep, so thanks for that and the culture!

[@Newrecordday2013]

Really need to take a good look at my keywords, it should have been highlighting the sights and sounds of western Columbia. Stupid KZbin.

[@tbonet859]

Well done. Still salivating over those Sapphires...

[@lsaideOK]

$7,000 is still crazy expensive for me. I thought I would get more budget friendly ideas along the lines of the r600.

[@JPWinters]

🤦‍♂... he literally already gave you the budget alternative, the R600!

[@lsaideOK]

@@JPWinters yeah, I said that in my reply. 'More ... along the lines of the r600.' rif

[@lukerestlessstudios]

Please, don’t compare that Polk to anything else in Ron’s list let alone the PerListens. That was like a guy wearing parachute pants and an propeller hat to a Gala. You want a good sub three thousand speaker? Sonus faber Lumina V. That’s the king of that price range right now. It makes that recycling dumpster plastic cabinet on the Polk melt in shame. Now does it compare to the PerListens? Heck no, but it’s among the best under $3k and you can take that to the bank.

[@lsaideOK]

@@lukerestlessstudios You own the lumina 5? I've looked at it but unfortunately no one around Tulsa carries it in order for me to check it out in person. I think its wrap is a faux leather so I'm not too sure how much better it's made than the Polk. I've also heard that it has something up of a v curve. Italian crafted is a lot better than Chinese manufactured in my book.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

@@lsaideOK you get what you pay for. I have bought no less than 6 sets of Sonus Faber speakers, and you don't get real wood until you are up in the many tens of thousands of dollars. Don't let the veneer fool you. They are just MDF in the cheaper models.

[@barney6888]

Just from watching GR's youtube, and emailing them, I'm surprised at how helpful and friendly they are, even though I haven't bought anything... yet. Hearing a good review helps me feel comfortable taking the chance when the day comes I can spend some change. I'm on a pension and those 10000 and up speakers are for rich people from Hong Kong. I'm not buying them because I don't even believe they're anywhere near worth 1/2 what they charge (the high-end prices that is). I live music, not status.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 RON,HERE TO SUPPORT YOUR CHANNEL 👍💚💚💚

[@Herbert_Knavs]

Thank you Ron. I am always missing your content when you disappear for a while. Can't wait for the next one. :)

[@kyleo2113]

What about Salks? They look very nice and seem well priced but wonder if they compete with these other speakers

[@askara.3671]

Why have you never reviewed such unusual speakers as Ohm Walsh, or Larsen? Both use different technologies in order to achieve the same goal: holographic, tri dimensional sound with "being there" effect. No doubt a lot of audiophiles would appreciate your review of this kind of speakers and comparison them with traditional box and open baffle ones.

[@RennieAsh]

Maybe they are defunct now?

[@stevenmoore1443]

Ohm and Larsen are still making new speakers today.

[@klewja]

In the world of speakers the Perlisten ranges are not crazy expensive. I also think there are better options than the Perlistens too. I would go for the Magio A3 over them or even the Sabrina X.

[@filmses]

Can you review Arendal sound 1723 series? I am hearing a lot about them and trying to chose between them and Polk R700. Thanks ❤

[@filmses]

Fishing pishing. Aren’t you tired of fooling people. It’s obvious that you’re not him 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@matthewhilty4209]

I own Ryan R620's not the R630's but I like them a lot. Perfect little towers IMO.

[@REX4340]

Nice to hear an honest opinion 👍

[@darrylgaston7009]

Agree Randy, Send them to Mike if they want someone to make them for them :) Love Mikes work!

[@georgethompson5538]

Good review/mention of affordable speakers. When you went to open baffle speakers, I was hoping that you would have discussed the X-Statik, which is not that much more than the XLS. Have you ever reviewed them, or are you planning on doing that review?

[@andreasmoller9798]

B&w 702 s2 is what i was getting $5000 range i just love them beautiful sound and looks

[@Justwantahover]

Speakers have to be the worst value for money for performance compared to any other component. I got my B&W 706 bookshelf speakers that cost me AU $2400 and I built some other speakers with $5 (modified) FR drivers and $35 woofers that absolutely flog my B&W reference speakers. Especially on PIANO. And also on female voice and brass you can easily hear the difference. And in image and spacial sound. Just a lot more fun and satisfying.

[@judebronner9520]

excellent to the point video! still all over my budget but I love to dream :,)

[@leo11877]

I agree 100% on the XLS Encore. It is a poor man's audiophile solution :)

[@sammencia7945]

Make them. 2 x $100 fullrange drivers and a sheet of plywood. $250 Will sound better than anything under $3k

[@PaulRx4]

Just expensive, not crazy expensive. Still good video!

[@kenspo]

I got a pair of hardly used Dali Oberon 7 and happy with that. Paid usd 650 😂😂

[@Nightjar726]

What percentage do the Concept 500’s get to the Perlisten S7t? 90%? Thanks Ron!

[@mikehuntington4440]

Never heard of the Ryan speakers before. I’ll have to read up on them. Do you still have the buchardt review still in the pipeline? Thanks again Ron for your great content.

[@Newrecordday2013]

You bet, right around the corner.

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Love your videos. Even though I don’t understand half of what the say, 😂. Keep them coming

[@MrRourk]

Diy Voigt Tubes are a great option. There is a new design Le Petit that can sound really great.

[@cedman498]

Glad to see Ryan Speakers getting some attention!!

[@Diatonic5th]

I have a pair of Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2EX's now and they're a great bargain for $1,650. They completely blow away the KEF LS50's that I've had for the past 7 years.

[@ChicagoRob2]

An audio buddy of mine has the Sierra-LX speakers, and they are amazing. Driver quality is ridiculously good for the price point.

[@blue6point62]

Why do I hear nothing about GR-Research NX-Studio Kit bookshelf speakers? Only the X-LS Encore gets reviewed. Why is that and how do they perform?

[@ibakedit5850]

Hi Ron, Perfect topic for my question and I enjoy your channel. I have Sonus Faber Venere 2.5's, to keep within my budget I have in my thoughts Audio Vector QR3's and Q Concept 40's, do you think this is a lateral move or upgrade over my current Venere 2.5's? Thanks.

[@HeyWaj10]

This video answered my main question following the Perlisten video. That said, I would REALLY be interested to see you review the Vandersteen Treo CT, as that falls in this price range and represents a very well engineered speaker as well.

[@twistyflora]

Maybe you already answered, but how does the CSS Criton 2TD (the ones you reviewed) compare to the GR?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Actually I haven’t spent time with the Criton 2TD

[@twistyflora]

@@Newrecordday2013 it was a little over 2 years ago, but you have several videos about it, so I was just curious.

[@Newrecordday2013]

@@twistyflora ohhhh I prefer the encores to those! Sorry - was thinking of the 1td

[@twistyflora]

@@Newrecordday2013 thanks.

[@JohnScheppler]

Wait, Wait Ron, where's the Sony SSCS5? Thanks for giving us some great options at little more affordable budget.

[@Newrecordday2013]

I actually haven’t heard the SSCS5s!

[@JohnScheppler]

@@Newrecordday2013 I guess it's time to fire up the grill, invite CAM and have a listening session with the two Randy's.

[@RennieAsh]

@@JohnScheppler yep if he's gonna start talking cheap, better see the experts xD

[@gerlachsieders4578]

Might as well throw in the css audio Criton 2-tdx tower. Or the regular 1tdx with their add on 3 way bass module.

[@MelanicWarrior]

Ron, I can't believe you don't have the Dali Oberon 3's on your list. These, in my opinion, are the best speakers you can get for the money or for any money under $2500 bucks. I have owned all the bookshelf speakers on your list except the JBL's and none of them can touch Dali Oberon 3's! Just sharing my opinion folks!!!

[@dannyrichie9743]

They were not bad after I designed any upgrade for them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXfGnYRuerKYZpo

[@kendoglarson5419]

I think Silver line by monitor audio is best choice at $3-7k per loudspeaker.

[@gabsriel]

Hi, have you had the chance to try some Kii Three Bxt speakers ?

[@seanb3303]

Hi Ron what happened to your Buchart MK2 review? It’s been awhile since you did your preview.

[@Newrecordday2013]

They almost made the list! It was tough!

[@Herbert_Knavs]

@@Newrecordday2013 Made the list? Does that mean that you will post those or those are gone? Sorry for my English.

[@wagzel]

How about a review of DIY Scan Speak speakers. Good enough for Magico or Wilson, good enough for DIY.

[@FlyGuy457]

I'm at a crossroad with speakers. I have a hard line at 1200 a pair for speakers. I haven't listened to any 20K dollar speakers since there simply is no reason. I appreciate your effort but, diminishing returns is in the eye of the be hearer I imagine. I must be the only one who doesn't need to tell folks I have $20K worth of speakers I rarely listen to only to have my neighbor tell me his are $30k. I give.

[@liquidamber]

magico speakers sonus faber , burmester, and more

[@Grumpy6]

Can't Afford Crazy Expensive Speakers ....BUILD THEM!😜

[@castro619a]

My sister moved out and I am using the room as a stereo listening room. My Elac UB 5 center image isn’t as clear as I want… I’m stuck between a GR research or a better amp( using onkyo avr)

[@musicjewell9329]

Room acoustic maybe?

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

Make a grounding cable that plugs into the wall and into an unused INPUT on the avr. Solder cable ONLY to grounding pin on male plug and to barrel on rca connector. This should tighten center image and you can experiment with different cables. Cable can be made for under $20. I have used inexpensive interconnect cable with double runs, to increase the wire gauge, with good success.

[@charlessailer4580]

Ron with that beard of yours, how about rebranding the channel as The Amish Audiophile?

[@raymoore8435]

If he’s wearing blue jeans I bet he’s also a cowboy !

[@wayneg1197]

I have GR NX Studios with upgraded crossovers, but I am going with CSS subs.

[@Ivy13276]

How do you like them?

[@thomaskahalepuna9604]

Why don’t you review the CSS stealers? You did the 2TD then never mentioned then again. There 2TDX are much improved abs the 1tdx is great

[@jvburnes]

What category are we talking about here? Towers? Half Towers? DIY Towers? Budget?

[@gbrm6077]

Would the Studio Monitors beat out the xls-encores?

[@dannyrichie9743]

I'll take that one. The studio's are in a completely different class compared to the Encore's. The Encore's were designed to be the best for the money. The NX Studio's were designed to be the best.

[@cameronrector178]

The studios are actual speakers. The Encores are near field monitors.

[@dannyrichie9743]

@@cameronrector178 The Encore's are not just for near field monitoring. They are used a in lot of applications.

[@J.O.R_BR_Overclocking]

Where does one even buy the Ryan’s? Never seen such a lackluster website when it comes to actual sales to end user…

[@RennieAsh]

I guess you go to "Contact" in the menu, and write them a message

[@oluhamilton2121]

Taking a long look at the Ryans

[@6mmBRA]

I have the gr research and agree.

[@cameronrector178]

When mentioning DIY speakers, why do you never mention, nor have you ever reviewed the CSS audio 1TDX speakers? Other reviews have declared these the King of DIY beating the likes of Sonus Faber and your beloved GR research encores (which imho are near field monitors).

[@Newrecordday2013]

Because I haven’t heard or reviewed them.

[@JC-lk3oy]

@@Newrecordday2013 maybe borrow Randy's pair if he still has them? 🤔 I'd love to see you review the open baffle options from Caintuck at some point too.

[@cameronrector178]

@@Newrecordday2013 get a pair please! 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@twistyflora]

How do they compare to the floorstanding CSS that you’ve reviewed?

[@aussierob7177]

Speakers made 60 years ago, in my opinion, sound more "musical" than many of today's insanely expensive offerings. Today, its all about money, not quality.

[@ChicagoRob2]

That’s why I still have my B&W Matrix 805s. A clean, used pair will run $900, which will compare favorably to speakers costing far more.

[@vtkz]

Nothing wrong with that :-) But that nowadays is all about money isnt 100% correct . There are many passionated Manufactures who build their ,, dream,, speakers without compromises for a fair price (ATC for example) - and today the prices of the resources are mostly way higher (wood for example or electronic parts) and that worldwide. And its also your Interpretation of musicality. I think speaker choice isnt only about just the sound, its also aesthetics, your hifi journey, memories and the speaker size

[@jstoli996c4s]

“Musical”?

[@markswan9148]

Caladan review please???

[@Newrecordday2013]

I’ll get there.

[@George_K.]

Not break the piggy bank?! You're crazy these are still way too expensive... Please, make a piggy bank review and maybe post it on Saturday, I dunno

[@AudioClownHT]

Isnt this list crazy expensive speakers?

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

Instead of crazy expensive speakers, you can merely buy expensive speakers. Lol

[@carbidetooth]

What!? No White Van Speakers on your short list?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Rumor has it you bought them all!

[@carbidetooth]

@@Newrecordday2013 Oh, I feel exposed now...

[@SpirallingOut]

GR's sub amp's incompatibility with mains voltage outside of the US is a problem. I was going to grab a DIY kit or two at some stage to use with an active crossover, Hegel H120 and Magnepan LRS Plus, until I saw that on their page. Guess I'll have to look elsewhere for 240v compatible servo subs.

[@dannyrichie9743]

Sorry, they are designed to be used with 240 volts as well, but there have been a few issues with some transformer hum at that voltage on some systems. Brian feels like it would really require a new transformer design to really solve it and that isn't in the cards right now. Sorry about that.

[@SpirallingOut]

@@dannyrichie9743 It's all good mate. It's just a bit disappointing because I'd rather go the DIY route with some of my system upgrade, that's all. Anyway, I'm probably a couple (if not more) years away from being able to afford it anyway, so you never know. By that time GR might have something ready for 240.

[@franciscoortiz6980]

Man you must have a rich uncle or something your options are all over 1000/pr... some are 4 or 6k... pdffft

[@RennieAsh]

Yes, because you're going to get speakers that compare to the perlisten for $400/pr

[@lukerestlessstudios]

We are talking about a $20,000 and a $10,000 a pair speaker here. On top of that we are talking speakers that have taken the industry by storm and won many noteworthy awards in seemingly record time. You not getting anything that has a single remote similarity to a speaker like this that isn’t at least $3k to $5k and that’s still not even half the performance for most of those. The only things in this list that can attempt to roll with even just the R7Ts are the Q Acoustics and the better of the Spatials. The Polks for example were a downright laughable suggestion. Diminishing returns may be a thing but so is getting what you pay for.

[@franciscoortiz6980]

@@lukerestlessstudios lol.... taken industry by storm. 10k+ speakers do not take industry by storm... they are in the single digits of percent of speakers sold.

[@weeooh1]

You forgot to mention Bose..... j/k 😆

[@glengatt3941]

Ow boy Danny

[@austinlibby7025]

You forgot one any model in there will surpass any of the models you’re talking fork and one of them the LRS plus Magis your customer should look at that gives them a $20,000 soundstage you have to have a powerful lamp but that’s it and use any source analog digital streaming and your room will feel like you’re in a concert hall guaranteed go listen to magna pants LSR ones they sell for $1100 a pair and that’s including shipping and Andf the speakers he’s not showing you today for $20,000 and I’ll show you comfortable for a quarter of that price anyhow have a good day with a hobby member we all have different but we all think differently and hear differently but

[@fubarnow8907]

I'll Stay with my Tekton Design Speakers. Big, Realistic Sound without Breaking yer piggy bank.

[@AF-rd2vf]

I will never buy a Polk because first impressions are a real thing.😉

[@Newrecordday2013]

That was not my experience with the r600s at all. I really enjoyed those speakers.

[@AF-rd2vf]

@@Newrecordday2013 my first experience with Polk was many years ago and it wasn’t a pleasurable experience. The speaker was a hot mess and yes products that companies make do improve but I haven’t looked back at Polk since.

[@RennieAsh]

I haven't been that impressed with many Polk speakers I've heard, although my friend had a nice room for audio which made some older Polk's sound somewhat decent. They sounded a bit ew in other places though

[@lukerestlessstudios]

The new Polk R series is better than old Polks, I’ll give it that. But I’ll never tell my clients that they should spend $2,500 on a speaker that looks, feels, and still somewhat sounds like it was made out of recycled water bottles or like a throwaway bench in the cheap part of town. Not to mention no wife ever let her husband even look at that…thing. Just this once thank God for WAF. No, what I’m going to tell them is to spend just a couple hundred dollars more to buy something like a Sonus faber Lumina V. Made in Italy not China. Natural fiber drivers, not water bottles, real walnut or wenge front baffle, not reclaimed recycling bin. Real leather wrapped cabinet, not Rubbermaid outdoor storage bin. Lively, euphonic sound yet unfatiguing, not off sounding, and just uncomfortable at least by comparison.

[@AF-rd2vf]

@@lukerestlessstudios Polks aren’t built in Maryland anymore?