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SNA Speakers Audition Short List


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This is a bit of a social experiment, so I don't know how well it may work. But I am willing to try and learn from your feedbacks, and make adjustments along the way.

 

In short, I want to crowd-source the collective wisdom within all of SNA to generate a short list of new speakers for auditioning that would lead to a final purchase. I want to produce a short list for a range of budget to widen the appeal of this thread. In the next post I would put up a template with six price ranges ($0-$1000; $1000-$2000, $2000-$5000, $5000-$10000, $10000-$20000, and $20000-$30000), and six empty slots within each range. Please consider which speakers you would seriously consider auditioning within each price range; or you would recommend a potential buyer to short-list based on your experience as an owner/D.I.Y., or heard at Hi-Fi shows, GTG/shoot-outs, brick-n-mortar stores, manufacturer factories, or read trusted reviews (all sources), or were impressed by their published measurements, and engineering approach and quality etc.

 

Make your contribution to the Audition Short List by replying to the most recent post with the list and edit the entires for each range by:

  • Add the name of the speaker brand and model (RRP price optional) of your choice; and
  • If necessary remove a speaker from the list that you think can be displaced by your proposed speaker choice.
  • (optional) Please provide a brief explanation of your choice and justification for removing another speaker.

 

Ok, some notes and ground rules for information and consideration

  • Prices in Australian dollars
  • Please use current RRP prices only. No second hand, demo or sale/discount prices. If D.Y.I. or kit, please include the price of any additional material required.
  • If shipping from overseas please include shipping costs.
  • For bookcase and small speakers, there is no need to include the cost of a pair of stands. However you may include the price of a sub or two if you feel this makes a full-range package worth auditioning, which might bump them to a higher price range.
  • Speakers are very personal, so let us make the list for a moderately experienced audiophile, average hearing and a middle-of-road music tastes (mainly rock, some jazz, R&B and indie, and the occasional orchestral scores)
  • Speakers depend on the room so let us assume an average lounge/family area e.g. 5mx6m, carpeted and lightly furnished. 
  • Let us assume quality front end and amplifier comparable to each price range are used.
  • Please be polite and civil. You may disagree with other's choices and opinions, but we can all discuss our differences in a sensible way. Over time I hope the list will stabilise to an enduring set (for this epoch).  
  • Anything I missed?

 

A 'thank you' to those who wants to contribute and share their wisdom. (My personal upgrade is still some way off, so this is just for fun and hopefully useful for other members)

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This is the SNA Speakers Audition Short List template. Please edit the most recent post with the list to make your contribution. 

*The numbering is not an ordering of merit. No ordering of speakers is implied within each price range.

 

Price Range: $0 to $1000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

END OF LIST

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Guest Muon N'

I'd have to toss in Lenehan ML-1's to the mix, though I'm not sure of the current price, and it depends on the level of the model.

 

Many would rate them as a must audition if looking in that range and where it fits the needs.

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15 hours ago, Muon N' said:

I'd have to toss in Lenehan ML-1's to the mix, though I'm not sure of the current price, and it depends on the level of the model.

 

Many would rate them as a must audition if looking in that range and where it fits the needs.

Good call. I think ML-1 entry level is the most popular around here, and my memory was that they were priced in the $2000-$5000 range, so I will add that in. 

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17 hours ago, LHC said:

This is the SNA Speakers Audition Short List template. Please edit the most recent post with the list to make your contribution. 

*The numbering is not an ordering of merit. No ordering of speakers is implied within each price range.

 

Price Range: $0 to $1000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

END OF LIST

 

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(There appears to be some technical difficulties when replying to earlier posts with the list and content not showing. Until a work around is found, the easy way for now is just copy-and-paste the latest list in your post for edit/submission. Thank you.)

 

This is the SNA Speakers Audition Short List template. Please edit the most recent post with the list to make your contribution. 

*The numbering is not an ordering of merit. No ordering of speakers is implied within each price range.

 

Price Range: $0 to $1000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

END OF LIST

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Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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18 hours ago, LHC said:

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. Dynaudio Emit M20 : $1250

2. Dynaudio Emit M30: $1990

3. Monitor Audio Bronze 6: $1700

4.

5.

6.

Edited by rantan
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Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3.

4.

5.

6.

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4 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said:

Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3. Kii THREE $22,700

4.

5.

6.

 

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Inserting Rantan's earlier suggestion.

 

Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90

2. Dynaudio Emit M20 ( Stand mount ) $1250

3. Dynaudio Emit M30 ( Floor standing ) $1990

4. Monitor Audio Bronze 6. ( Floor Standing) $1700

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3.

4.

5.

6.

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Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90

2. Dynaudio Emit M20 ( Stand mount ) $1250

3. Dynaudio Emit M30 ( Floor standing ) $1990

4. Monitor Audio Bronze 6. ( Floor Standing) $1700

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3. Kii THREE $22,7004.

5.

6.

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Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90

2. Dynaudio Emit M20 ( Stand mount ) $1250

3. Dynaudio Emit M30 ( Floor standing ) $1990

4. Monitor Audio Bronze 6. ( Floor Standing) $1700

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3. Kii THREE $22,7004.

5. Meridian DSP5200 $25,000

6.

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8 minutes ago, Bunno77 said:

Rather than replacing the 6 options should we just add more options in each bracket?

I am open to suggestion and group consensus on this. Do bear in mind a short-list is meant to be 'short', so the entries should display clear distinction above their peers in the price range. But if it helps we can extend the options to 8 or even 10 per price range. 

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It is a great idea. I am sure it will help many especially newcomers. Some brands are very difficult to find prices on so have left them out. A practice I personally don't like.

 

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Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90 $1,998

2. Dynaudio Emit M20 ( Stand mount ) $1250

3. Dynaudio Emit M30 ( Floor standing ) $1990

4. Monitor Audio Bronze 6. ( Floor Standing) $1700

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3. Kii THREE $22,7004.

5. Meridian DSP5200 $25,000

6.

 
 
(Updated Vaf i90 with price) 
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Guest deanB

Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90 $1,998

2. Dynaudio Emit M20 ( Stand mount ) $1250

3. Dynaudio Emit M30 ( Floor standing ) $1990

4. Monitor Audio Bronze 6. ( Floor Standing) $1700

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5. ATC SCM19 AT $8099*

6.

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3. Kii THREE $22,7004.

5. Meridian DSP5200 $25,000

6.

 

*The new distributor got ATC to sharpen their pencil across the range. For $8.1k you get a small footprint tower with legendary ATC built drivers, 180w amp packs and electronic crossovers. Flavour with source, preamp and/or subwoofer of your choice.

Edited by deanB
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Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90 $1,998

2. Dynaudio Emit M20 ( Stand mount ) $1250

3. Dynaudio Emit M30 ( Floor standing ) $1990

4. Monitor Audio Bronze 6. ( Floor Standing) $1700

5. Kef LS50 passive $1500

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

5. 

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5. ATC SCM19 AT $8099

6. VAF I66 $8500

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4. Yamaha NS5000 $19999

5. VAF I93 $12500

6.

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3. Kii THREE $22,7004.

5. Meridian DSP5200 $25,000

6.

Edited by Al.M
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If you can afford a bit more, or negotiate a discount, or discover a used pair

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3. Kii THREE $22,7004.

5. Meridian DSP5200 $25,000

6. SGR CX4F-2 (and yes I'm prejudiced)

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My amendments are asterisked below (Could not find a price for Magnepan LRS, so I left it out. Otherwise, I feel that they should be represented at the relevant levels)

 

Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3.

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90 $1,998

2. Dynaudio Emit M20 ( Stand mount ) $1250

3. Dynaudio Emit M30 ( Floor standing ) $1990

4. Monitor Audio Bronze 6. ( Floor Standing) $1700

5. Kef LS50 passive $1500

6.

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

*5. Magnepan MG1.7i    - $3,790.00

6.

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5. ATC SCM19 AT $8099

6. VAF I66 $8500

*7. Magnepan MG3.7IR - $9999

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4. Yamaha NS5000 $19999

5. VAF I93 $12500

*6. Legacy Audio Focus SE - $18000

*7. Magnepan MG20.7R  - $19,999.00

*8. Duntech DSM- 15 -  $12000

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3. Kii THREE $22,7004.

5. Meridian DSP5200 $25,000

6.  SGR CX4F-2 (if you can afford a bit more, or negotiate a discount, or discover a used pair)

* 7. Duntech Senator- $20000

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Price Range: $0 to $1000

1. Q Acoustics Concept 20  $699

2. Dynaudio Emit M10 $999

3. Audioengine HD6 active $960

4.

5.

6.

 

Price Range: $1000 to $2000

1. VAF i90 $1,998

2. Dynaudio Emit M20 ( Stand mount ) $1250

3. Dynaudio Emit M30 ( Floor standing ) $1990

4. Monitor Audio Bronze 6. ( Floor Standing) $1700

5. Kef LS50 passive $1500

6. Kef LSX active $1890

 

Price Range: $2000 to $5000

1. Lenehan Audio ML-1

2. Kef LS50 Wireless $3,495

3. Paradigm Prestige 75F $3,999

4. B&W 603 $2,699

*5. Magnepan MG1.7i    - $3,790.00

6. Spatial Hologram M3 Turbo S $4290

7. Focal Aria 926 $4500

 

Price Range: $5000 to $10000

1. PMC Twenty5.23 $6,490

2. Dynaudio Focus 20 XD $7,999

3. B&W 805d3  $7900

4. Dynaudio Contour 20 $ $8000

5. ATC SCM19 AT $8099

6. VAF I66 $8500

*7. Magnepan MG3.7IR - $9999

 

Price Range: $10000 to $20000

1. Dynaudio Confidence C1 Platinum $11,999

2. Dynaudio Focus 60 XD $15,499

3. Martin Logan ESL 11A $16,999

4. Yamaha NS5000 $19999

5. VAF I93 $12500

*6. Legacy Audio Focus SE - $18000

*7. Magnepan MG20.7R  - $19,999.00

*8. Duntech DSM- 15 -  $12000

9. Dutch & Dutch 8c $16999

 

Price Range: $20000 to $30000

1. Focal Sopra 2 $22,300

2. SGR CX3B Mk II active speakers $22,000

3. Kii THREE $22,7004.

5. Meridian DSP5200 $25,000

6.  SGR CX4F-2 (if you can afford a bit more, or negotiate a discount, or discover a used pair)

* 7. Duntech Senator- $20000

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