Davywhizz
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"Still Alive and Well"
Posts: 443
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Post by Davywhizz on Jan 5, 2020 10:39:57 GMT -5
Happy New Year to all. It's good to see the new forum going so well.
After decades of musical instrument and amplifier GAS I have now developed a form of it in respect of hifi products. I bought my most recent system two years ago, after careful consideration of all the available reviews. A lot of the time it sounds fine, but I've never been 100% happy. I know, I know, that's how it always starts.
The system is: Marantz MCR611 streamer/radio/CD player. Denon turntable. Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers. Yamaha sub-woofer (very pleased I got this, it adds a lot).
Most of what we play now is via Spotify Connect, it's just so easy. We might have a vinyl session occasionally, but would only dig out CDs if Spotify can't provide the tracks.
We have no neighbours so don't need to worry about volume.
I got the Wharfedale speakers based on the very good reviews and because they are very forgiving in terms of placement - close to walls and corners of rooms - thanks to the downward-firing port. They are currently on some good quality, very heavy metal stands (on carpet, with pads between the stands and speakers) left from a previous system. I'm thinking the most obvious place to look for an upgrade would be with the speakers (but I'm happy to hear other thoughts).
I was never going to spend a load of money: that way madness lies and also I doubt if my ageing ears could tell the difference beyond a certain point. But it would be good to know any not too pricey speaker upgrade recommendations from the cognoscenti here.
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Post by Chris Greene on Jan 5, 2020 13:03:08 GMT -5
I am an unabashed NHT fanboy and have three sets of their SuperOne 2.1 speakers in three different systems. These are about the size of the old BBC LS3/5A speakers and are acoustic suspension. Low frequencies only go down to about 57 so if you're a bass guy, you might want a sub. My main speakers are Celestion DL-8 II's and are no longer made but they are also acoustic suspension speakers and are very good IMO.
Don't know if NHT is available outside the US but here's the link to their site. |
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jeffscott
Wholenote
Rickenbacker Guru..............
Posts: 138
Age: GOF
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Post by jeffscott on Jan 5, 2020 22:44:22 GMT -5
Recommendations for standmount hifi speakers? Define "standmount". I have a (older pair) of Magnepan MG-1c speakers that are on very short stands. Does that qualify? Once I got them (in ther late '80s) I never looked back. I did add a Definitive Technology SuperCube II several years ago now that we are in a house (apartments, previously). |
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Davywhizz
Wholenote
"Still Alive and Well"
Posts: 443
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Post by Davywhizz on Jan 6, 2020 2:02:26 GMT -5
Hi jeffscott. I see "standmount" as being the same as "bookshelf" speakers and as opposed to "floorstanding". The Magnepans seem to need a stand just to stay upright? Definitely an interesting design, but we just don't have the space.
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Post by wink12 on Jan 6, 2020 6:09:44 GMT -5
I just bought a pair of JBL S530 speakers after hearing a lot of positive things about them. I have them in the family room with the tv and have used iTunes through them. I like them for the music-although I'm sure they would benefit with a sub. My kids moved out and I bought them for a small room that I hope to put a system in. And-they were on sale for 1/2 price so that helped!
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BigBadJohn
Wholenote
I Lurk, therefore I am.
Posts: 222
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Post by BigBadJohn on Jan 6, 2020 8:15:45 GMT -5
Check out ELAC as well. Mine are ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. I'm using them with a POLK 10" sub. Haven't tried them without the sub yet.
(Driven by Marantz 6004 Integrated Amp.) |
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Post by SteveM on Jan 6, 2020 19:36:29 GMT -5
I've had B&W 705's for years and swear by them.
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jeffscott
Wholenote
Rickenbacker Guru..............
Posts: 138
Age: GOF
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Post by jeffscott on Jan 6, 2020 20:26:16 GMT -5
A while ago I was looking into some standmount/bookshelf size speakers, and liked some B&W and Revel speakers I (don't recall which models, specifically). Then I realized I'd need to spend $$$ on good, stable, solid stands to properly do them justice!
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Post by ProzaKc on Jan 11, 2020 9:08:59 GMT -5
Check out ELAC as well. Mine are ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2. I'm using them with a POLK 10" sub. Haven't tried them without the sub yet.
(Driven by Marantz 6004 Integrated Amp.) + 1 Great affordable speakers. |
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Davywhizz
Wholenote
"Still Alive and Well"
Posts: 443
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Post by Davywhizz on Jan 11, 2020 11:33:30 GMT -5
Thanks all. So far I'm looking at the Elac Debuts (as mentioned above) and also Mission QX2 and Bowers and Wilkins 606, in ascending order of price.I've been offered a demo in the listening room at my nearest hifi shop, which I'll set up soon. The professional reviews of all three of these speakers are pretty much unreserved.
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Post by insanecooker on Jan 11, 2020 11:34:58 GMT -5
I've been offered a demo in the listening room at my nearest hifi shop, which I'll set up soon. That’s the way to do it. |
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Post by Chris Greene on Jan 11, 2020 12:27:08 GMT -5
No, the way to do it is with them in your home with your system and room. Any dealer worth his salt will let you take them home or buy from an online dealer with a good return policy.
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Post by insanecooker on Jan 13, 2020 7:05:03 GMT -5
That’s certainly the ideal. That said, I’ve spent enough time in my dealer’s demo room that I can make very good assumptions about how it will sound at home. He is also able to closely replicate the rest of my system, which makes the whole exercise a lot more straightforward.
Home dems are great, but can be hard to arrange unless you’re in the same city.
Ordering a bunch of brand new pairs to test at home and return all but one of them is not something I would feel comfortable doing.
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Davywhizz
Wholenote
"Still Alive and Well"
Posts: 443
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Post by Davywhizz on Jan 15, 2020 6:42:26 GMT -5
Update: I know this is definitely not the way to do it, but the Elac Debut 6.2s suddenly appeared on Amazon UK with 20%+ discount. I ordered them last night as they were on my shortlist of three options. Free Prime delivery and returns. When I ordered there were six left, then three and now they've disappeared at the lower price. Arriving tomorrow. I want them to be what I'm looking for and the reviews suggest all of that, plus they are the only one of my current options with a front port, so positioning should be easier. I'm still waiting for my nearest hifi shop to confirm any of the dates I suggested for some demos, but they weren't offering Elac.
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Post by ProzaKc on Jan 15, 2020 8:47:15 GMT -5
I love mine
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BigBadJohn
Wholenote
I Lurk, therefore I am.
Posts: 222
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Post by BigBadJohn on Jan 15, 2020 11:14:57 GMT -5
Update: I know this is definitely not the way to do it, but the Elac Debut 6.2s suddenly appeared on Amazon UK with 20%+ discount. I ordered them last night as they were on my shortlist of three options. Free Prime delivery and returns. When I ordered there were six left, then three and now they've disappeared at the lower price. Arriving tomorrow. I want them to be what I'm looking for and the reviews suggest all of that, plus they are the only one of my current options with a front port, so positioning should be easier. I'm still waiting for my nearest hifi shop to confirm any of the dates I suggested for some demos, but they weren't offering Elac. Thats how I got mine. Had them on my Amazon wish list for a few months then they went on sale. I've had them for about a year an really like them. |
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Davywhizz
Wholenote
"Still Alive and Well"
Posts: 443
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Post by Davywhizz on Jan 20, 2020 18:38:55 GMT -5
So...here's the end of the story (for now).The Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2s arrived a few days ago and I'm very impressed with them. They won't be going back, being a definite and very obvious upgrade on the Wharfedales, though those were consistently well reviewed, and rightly so, in the hifi world. With the Elacs I hear a wider and more 3D soundstage, more bass (which is tight and well-defined) and a big improvement in the separation and clarity of the mids, especially drums and vocals. I'm still using my Yamaha sub, but it's now set very low. It still adds some warmth at the very low end. I've read that the new speakers take quite a long time to break in fully and thus will improve still further. Thanks for all the advice on here, it's always appreciated.
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Post by dogspart2 on Jan 28, 2020 11:23:24 GMT -5
No, the way to do it is with them in your home with your system and room. Any dealer worth his salt will let you take them home or buy from an online dealer with a good return policy. This is the way to do it. Last year I sold my large floorstanders (Vandersteen) and picked up a pair of Bryston Mini-t speakers. In all fairness, they are not mini in size (3 way w/ 8" woofer and 45 lbs each) and price (close to $US4K) However, if you can swing it, fabulous speakers. |
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