OK the back story, part 1:
I've been watching Salon 2 prices for the last year and a half (as well as the large format JBLs like 4365/4367/M2/K2) trying to get a feel for locations, going rates etc. I wasn't expecting to see anything near my price range and it's just part of this hobby (keeping track of "on the radar" gear). A pair of Salon 2's (demos, but sold as new with warranty) popped up on Audio Classic's website last week with no price listed. With nothing to lose I emailed them to inquire and was floored by what came back - a price thousands less than the USED ones I had been tracking. This couldn't be right I thought, but hey here was the email quote in black and white.
So, time for "that talk" with my spouse. She has always been very supportive of my hobby and this time was no exception. She said yes so fast I kinda thought maybe I should have gone for the big Magicos on Agon instead
. But that would be just overkill for my room so - agreement in place - I sent the OK back to Steve at AC.
A day later I get an email from him saying "wow, you got a really GREAT price on those". Turns out he was selling both a pair of Studio 2's as well as Salon 2's. Yes, he mixed up the prices and yes, he stood by the mistake and honored his quote. THAT, is an impressive individual my friends and now I get why AC has such rabid and loyal fans. I still thought "this is too good to be true" until the boxes actually appeared on a forklift last night and got loaded (one at a time, two trips) into the wagon.
I'm still in shock and awe here actually. They are by a decent margin the most I've spent on any component and my conservative side was telling me to just stick with what I have. But a recent health scare for both my wife and me has made me realize we don't live forever. And even if we live well into our 80's our hearing may not last that long. So, I decided that the price was within reach and I better start enjoying my "forever" speakers before the end gets too close.
The price came into focus again as a friend and neighbor helped me unpack. It went like this:
Friend "I'm not gonna ask how much these were but given the weight they must have been expensive"
Me "Well I didn't pay full price but the list is 22".
Friend "well 2200 is a lot and even if you paid half price you got a good deal it looks like"
Me "thousand, not hundred"
Friend ...stunned silence then "wow"
I listened until well past midnight (they are superb at low volumes as I had hoped) and was up early for more this AM.
More impressions on the listening side later....
jblnut