|
|
|
hiredfox said:
That is true up to a point only; of all components, speakers are the most likely to carry the scars of domestic abuse. It is the one component of hi-fi that I will never buy second hand.
Your advice must carry a health warning "Caveat emptor"
Are you referring to aesthetic scars or defects that will actually affect performance? I can live with the former, up to a certain point anyway.
|
|
|
Post by stvnharr September 27, 2013 (42 of 52)
|
|
hiredfox said:
That is true up to a point only; of all components, speakers are the most likely to carry the scars of domestic abuse. It is the one component of hi-fi that I will never buy second hand.
Your advice must carry a health warning "Caveat emptor"
The used audio marketplace in the US is far far larger than in the UK. Sellers are generally very good at pointing out small imperfections, such as they exist, because it just makes sense to do so and avoids nasty after sale disputes.
Sure, there is always risk in buying used. But it should make one do the homework needed beforehand to avoid surprises. The money saved is usually more than significant.
Since I do diy, I avoid all the risks and traps, pretty much. But not everyone can do diy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
tream said:
I would also consider the Magnepan 1.7s.
This is late in the discussion, but I would not buy anything before hearing those Maggies. My dad has their predecessors the 1.6 and their treble/upper midrange is sweet and the impulse response of quasi ribbons response is superior to anything in a box. Plucked strings, percussion and several other things are strikingly more life like. The bass of the 1.6 in my dad's house is surprisingly good and the 1.7 is reputedly even better all the way around.
|
|
|
Post by Iain September 27, 2013 (44 of 52)
|
|
Windsurfer said:
This is late in the discussion, but I would not buy anything before hearing those Maggies. ...........
..........only if you have the means and/or wherewithal to drive them properly, which can be quite expensive.
I would buy quality speakers that are efficient and easy to drive, which I've already done.
.......yawn!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Iain said:
..........only if you have the means and/or wherewithal to drive them properly, which can be quite expensive.
I would buy quality speakers that are efficient and easy to drive, which I've already done.
.......yawn!
I was very intrigued by the Maggies' sound at the dealer, but I have suspicions that they will not work well in my room, require an expensive upgrade of amplification, and be nearly impossible to convert to a multichannel setup.
Having heard them both in my home, the KEF Q900 and Monitor Audio RX6 are the frontrunners in my search (which will likely continue for at least another year).
|
|
|
|
|
|
ClassicalDJ said:
I was very intrigued by the Maggies' sound at the dealer, but I have suspicions that they will not work well in my room, require an expensive upgrade of amplification, and be nearly impossible to convert to a multichannel setup.
Having heard them both in my home, the KEF Q900 and Monitor Audio RX6 are the frontrunners in my search (which will likely continue for at least another year).
My dad has the small wall hung maggie surrounds and their center. He is driving all 5 channels with a 5 channel receiver ( I think it is by Cambridge Audio) of modest power - maybe its 60 watts/ch or possibly a little larger. Its definitely less than 100 w/ch. The sound is excellent. Also his set up is quite sub-optimal with the left speaker smack up against a baby grand piano.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi all. I hope you don't mind my joining the discussion since I seldom post.
I agree with Fitzcarraldo regarding multichannel and Audyssey. My surround sound speaker system is a hybrid: Maggies in front and LS3/5A's in back. My center channel is a Mini-Maggie—yes, it works as a center and its ribbon tweeter is superb! Left and right I have Magnepan MMG's—truly the best value in audio.
I thought my Spendor LS3/5A's as left and right surrounds would not work, but I tried them since these were the speakers I had on hand. To my surprise, they work extremely well and all credit is probably due to Audyssey's room corrections.
My system is equally adept at reproducing a big orchestra such as Ivan Fischer's playing the Mahler 2nd and a single instrument such as Martin Ostertag's cello in Bach's solo suites. It's not that the orchestra or the cello surround you—an effect that would be unappealing. In the case of the orchestra one seems to be in a concert hall. In the case of the cello the instrument is uncannily present in the room.
Since the OP likes KEF, how about the KEF LS50, a speaker that pays tribute to the LS3/5A? I have not heard it, but by all accounts it is a remarkable speaker and well within the OP's budget.
Edit: I forgot to mention that I also use a subwoofer. A subwoofer would probably be needed with the KEF LS50 as well.
|
|
|
Post by mekduk September 30, 2013 (48 of 52)
|
|
If you are leaning towards the KEF, indeed I agree, the LS50 fits your requirement pretty well. You may even not put a subwoofer there as the LS50 extends pretty well below 80Hz.
Another that I could recommend but you have to spend a bit more than buying the LS50 is the Esoteric MG10 built by Tannoy. The speakers may be hard to find as they are already discontinued but the dealers are willing to give you special pricing.
I am using the MG20 as a mastering tool in a studio, pairing it with a pair of Audio Research REF250 amp. I think it is a killer combo that can rival the Genelecs suggested above.
|
|
|
Post by pgmdir September 30, 2013 (49 of 52)
|
|
KEF LS 50's are class A in Stereophile, and I agree. I've had mine since last December, and absolutely love them in my smallish listening room. I've even stopped using my sub-woofer because it can't match the quality--even if it does help the bottom octave. I don't miss it. 15 hundred a pair is not all that cheap for some, but it's rock bottom compared to all other class A's.
|
|
|
Post by hiredfox October 1, 2013 (50 of 52)
|
|
pgmdir said:
KEF LS 50's are class A in Stereophile, and I agree. I've had mine since last December, and absolutely love them in my smallish listening room. I've even stopped using my sub-woofer because it can't match the quality--even if it does help the bottom octave. I don't miss it. 15 hundred a pair is not all that cheap for some, but it's rock bottom compared to all other class A's.
The KEF's are regarded over here as a hi fi bargain delivering a level of performance that belies their relatively low price but there is always a suspicion at the back of one's mind that such claims are wildly extravagant. Regrettably, I have never had an opportunity to run them at home so have remained a frustrated bystander. Good to hear your confirmation of their merits.
|
|
