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Post by derekrumble on May 14, 2010 8:57:55 GMT
I was working my way towards a new pair of speakers sometime this summer. My Ebay activity was doing well and I was building up a nice little fund.... but two things occurred.
Firstly my old car was getting too old and I was fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of the UK scrappage scheme and go for a new one. And secondly, because of a much longer and colder than usual winter, and in spite of the volcanic ash issue, we've booked a holiday abroad so we can lie in the sun and get too hot.
So... speaker fund = figure close to zero.
But - the good news is I'm 'on a promise' for next Spring (ish). I am thinking of, say, £600 to £800 region and they will be new; I am not chancing that sort of expenditure on Ebay (although a dealer supported second-hand buy would be OK and I would check out the local h-fi dealers to see what's around).
My room is 4m x 3m so not huge. Have the trusty MF A3.2cr power amp so enough Watts and Amps available. I have a preference for 'bookshelf' speakers on stands with assistance from a sub - but that's not chiselled in stone. Currently am enjoying my Spendor LS3/5As but I am ready to move to something with a more modern sound and a tighter bass end. Maybe Sonus Faber Toys or Spendor S3/5R - that sort of thing. I could fancy the PMC DB1+ but I think it's balanced a bit toppy in the studio monitor style.
What is the team's view on good speakers in this price region?
Derek
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2010 11:22:01 GMT
I've just done the dirty deed myself! (and yeah, dirt cheap). I sold off my Opera Prima 1.5 s, which are excellent BTW, a possible for you to investigate. They are stand mount and mine (the original model) were rear ported (later ones are front ported) and have hefty bass for a smally and a lovely midrange. They also have a high WAF as they are real wood and beautifully crafted. I have returned to a 'speaker I've had before, though they have as many critics as supporters, I really like them. Naim SBLs. I'll need to beef up my amplication to the get best out of them, hopefully going active eventually.
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Post by derekrumble on May 23, 2010 12:06:45 GMT
Those Operas look the business don't they? Hadn't hought of Naim for speakers; not a brand that is at the top of the list for me. I should take a listen maybe.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2010 12:30:00 GMT
I'm no Naim fan myself, I think of the SBLs as the only decent product they made (apologies to anyone who loves their Naim kit, as you were).
At one place I worked we were possibly the only outlet for BOTH Naim and Exposure. We were all blatantly biased pro Exposure. Maybe it helped that we had regular visits from Kevin but never saw a soul from Naim. (we had to go to them, for them to try and make us Naim Daleks)
We had a cruel saying, Q) "What's in a Naim" A) "Shite!"
Anyway, I recommend those Operas very highly, they were the longest "stayer" I've ever had in my system.
The Naims, unless they've made something small more recently, are all floor-standers.
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Sol
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Post by Sol on Jun 29, 2010 13:01:04 GMT
You should be able to get some Proac 2.5 off ebay at that range (and I know you said you wouldn't risk - but consider going to see and hear before bidding, and take a wad of cash to convince seller to take them off ebay) - I bought some lovely Yew matched pair on eBay (off eBay actually IYSWIM) - IMHO the best upgrade I've made to my system - so much better than the mission speakers i had previously and the B&W speaker before those.
Also consider Proac Response 1 SC - I was torn between these and the 2.5s - cheapers (at the lower end of your spectrum), but do try to get a listen ... wonderful liquid midrange, airy top end, but probably lacking in bass, which is what swayed me in the end.
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Post by derekrumble on Jun 29, 2010 15:58:24 GMT
You should be able to get some Proac 2.5 off ebay at that range (and I know you said you wouldn't risk - but consider going to see and hear before bidding, and take a wad of cash to convince seller to take them off ebay) - I bought some lovely Yew matched pair on eBay (off eBay actually IYSWIM) - IMHO the best upgrade I've made to my system - so much better than the mission speakers i had previously and the B&W speaker before those. Also consider Proac Response 1 SC - I was torn between these and the 2.5s - cheapers (at the lower end of your spectrum), but do try to get a listen ... wonderful liquid midrange, airy top end, but probably lacking in bass, which is what swayed me in the end. Hmmm... yes. Always liked Proacs. You have a point.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2010 16:53:05 GMT
Well - I did it.
Drove over to Coventry yesterday and picked up a pair of Spendor S3/5Rs. What little beauties they are. Perfectly judged bass balance and voicing for a small box. They do that trick that we all want to see in a little box - they disappear. And they sound far larger than they ought to. Very very musical with bags of detail without being bright and hard. That's a good trick if you can pull it off.
Derek
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2010 20:32:12 GMT
Well - I did it. Drove over to Coventry yesterday and picked up a pair of Spendor S3/5Rs. What little beauties they are. Perfectly judged bass balance and voicing for a small box. They do that trick that we all want to see in a little box - they disappear. And they sound far larger than they ought to. Very very musical with bags of detail without being bright and hard. That's a good trick if you can pull it off. Derek Hi Derek Did your wife "send you to Coventry", or did you go their of your own volition ? Alex
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2010 20:33:10 GMT
Jamaica?
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xerxes
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Post by xerxes on Dec 11, 2010 6:38:20 GMT
Boom-tish!
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Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 11, 2010 10:14:03 GMT
No.... she was quite willing
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Post by PinkFloyd on Dec 11, 2010 10:16:06 GMT
Man going up the hill to the brothel is Russian, man coming down the hill is Finnish.... man inside, Himalayan. Ok... I'll get my coat
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2010 20:59:18 GMT
A week and a few days later now - had time to settle in and relax with the new toys. They are simply stunning.
Derek
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2011 20:10:11 GMT
Here they are... Derek
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Will
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Post by Will on Mar 7, 2011 21:20:21 GMT
They look lovely, Derek, very nice!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 7, 2011 21:29:25 GMT
They look lovely, Derek, very nice! You're welcome any time for a listen. Derek
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Mar 8, 2011 11:46:26 GMT
They look lovely, Derek, very nice! You're welcome any time for a listen. Derek Any youtube demo for the sound?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2011 19:49:26 GMT
You're welcome any time for a listen. Derek Any youtube demo for the sound? Now that would not really work would it? D :-)
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rowuk
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Post by rowuk on Jun 4, 2011 16:23:27 GMT
DIY single driver seem toi be the best bang for the buck. Absolutely phenomenal imaging, dent bass if you have a transmissionline or horn. What comes to mind are Cyburgs Needles, Buschhorn, Frugalhorn, or these that I built: www.hornlautsprecher.de/projekt_yellowplay.htm
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2011 10:47:33 GMT
Here they are (the Spendors) in situ... the room was tidy. In other words, I didn't have 20 odd discs all over the floor. Just the one Diana Krall DVD. I am still SO pleased with these speakers. So natural sounding. The sub which helps them out a bit is on the floor behind the arm of the sofa to the left. Derek
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2011 14:51:45 GMT
Are you a BADA dealer?
The Spendors take some power to drive them. They've been an old favourite for years. Weren't they originally designed for BBC purpposes?
Some poor bugger's going to get an earful on the sofa!!
Ian
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2011 12:52:55 GMT
Are you a BADA dealer? The Spendors take some power to drive them. They've been an old favourite for years. Weren't they originally designed for BBC purpposes? Some poor bugger's going to get an earful on the sofa!! Ian Yes the Spendors do need a bit of power but like all small monitors you can't drive them really loudly! Within their limits though, these are wonderful. The S3/5Rs were preceded by the S3/5 and the S3/5se. The very latest version is the S3/5R2 and all are loosely descended from the BBC-Designed LS3/5A. The LS3/5A set the standard for mini monitors back in the 70s (and plenty of us still love and appreciate them at tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ls35a/ but these Spendors are a far more modern take on the genre. The designer at Spendor, Terry Miles, is confident that the S3/5R is a far better speaker than the LS3/5A. But the LS3/5A has certain charms you know. Having said that i have just sold my pair! The S3/5R is, at first, rather unexciting. It lacks any of the usual lift at the top end to give it 'detail'. It doesn't have any dip in the mid to enhance 'depth' and 'spaciousness'. If you use these little guys for background music they don't stand out. But sit down and 'watch' a musical performance and WOW. Everything is balanced, musical and natural. Instrumental timbres are just right. The top end is SO sweet. Never dull and with good perspective. I.E. if the drums are at the back off the stage then the cymbals stay put. They don't jump forward ahead of the rest of the kit. There is a little bit of upper bass boost to camouflage the fact that they can't go very low. But in-room the bass extension is satisfying enough - believe me. By the way, the sofa you see to the left of the photograph isn't used often. It's mostly just the two of us sitting at the point the photograph was taken from so it don't matter much. Derek
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2011 16:20:48 GMT
They look great, Derek. I'm sure they also sound fantastic. The old Spendors were top notch. It's amazing how many people buy huge speakers and plonk them in a sitting room that is just too small for the speakers to develop a decent sound and then wonder why it sounds poor!! There are some little Yamaha close monitors that I used to use that were wonderful - as long as you sat in the right place. Imaging and bass were lovely at the focal point. I presume that they need the wall behind them and also, the sofa in front of the left one doesn't affect its sound? I had a battle with some Missions years back that never focussed in the centre properly tbh and that was due to furniture. The tweeters were at the bottom and therefore too close to the arm of a sofa like that and it did affect the sound. In the end, I brought them out into the room and also fired them down the length of the room instead of the width and although the bass receded, the imaging improved. Not really practical though in a place with kids who have a tendency to poke pencils into tweeters and pull wires. One of my kids pulled one of the speaker wires and the speaker and stand went flying into the wall, leaving a lovely dent. (in the wall) I also had to find volume knobs etc 'cos they buried them/trod them into the lawn in the garden!!!! I gave up and took up headphones - it was too expensive. Recently, I listened to some top end Proacs. Fantastic sound and brilliant imaging. Got me thinking about starting again one day with a speaker system other than the little monitors that I use. Ian
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2011 17:19:49 GMT
Hi Ian
By chance I had an audition of Proac D40/R recently. They are superb. I was actually at the shop to hear some Wilson Benesch but the Curve that he had in stock at the same price didn't come close to the Proac, to my taste. I was due to try B&W 803 etc but I am settled on the D40. I hadn't even shortlisted Proac, but I know a lot more about them now. Apparently they have the highest sales worldwide of any British speaker brand.
Can you remember which model you audtioned?
Syd
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2011 17:43:50 GMT
D40r with a ribbon tweeter. Extremely good and the imaging was scary. Ian
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