|   new speakers | gregmp
Jul 27, 2002 9:51 AM | | Well hello everyone. I am new to this board and website.
I suppose I need some help.
I am an avid music lover on a tight budget. I listen to mostly classical. Also Jazz and light rock. I just bought an older Marantz integrated and a rotel cd player. Those are both pretty good pieces, but the problem is the speakers. I have a sony satelite system. I only use two of the speakers and a sub. It is time to get some new speakers. I would like to spend about 500 dollars on a new pair. (again, this is for music only). What speakers do I buy?! Are a pair of bookshelves better than 3-ways at the same price? Do bookshelves work for music without a sub? What brand and model should I consider for my budget?
Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks |
| What's wrong with the speakers? | Norm Strong
Jul 27, 2002 10:29 AM | | You said that the speakers are a "problem." What might that problem be?
It would be a shame to recommend new speakers, and to find out that they don't solve whatever that problem is. |
| What's wrong with the speakers? | gregmp
Jul 27, 2002 1:26 PM | | Well, here's what is wrong.....
I have a 100$ pair of headphones and even they outshine my "loudspeakers". The clarity is much greater. The natural timbre of instruments is much more apparent. They just dont match my cd player and amp.
The Sony speakers are called SA-ve315. And they only have one cone, so high, mids, and lows are not separated. (They are meant to be with the sub). They are small (65x150x125mm). Specs: impedance: 8ohms
power: 100 watts
sensitivity: 87 dB
frequency range: 90Hz-200Hz (sub is 28 Hz-200Hz)
I would like to upgrade these tiny speaker to something with a better clarity, soundstage, and realism. |
| What's wrong with the speakers? | DMK
Jul 28, 2002 7:10 PM | | Headphones sounding better than loudspeakers isn't uncommon. The Sennheiser HD600 ($350) sound better than MOST loudspeakers in certain key areas such as clarity and instrumental timbre, two areas you mentioned. A $100 pair of Grados may do the same. In fact, you should use your loudspeakers are a reference with which to compare speakers!
Also, having the highs lows and mids "not separated" is what you want! Coherence between drivers is difficult but desirable. Usually, it's the extra drivers that throw the presentation off. In my main system, I use two full range drivers per cabinet. In my second system, I use a two-way - simply because coherence is so important to me.
Check out Sound Dynamics (the RTS-3 standmounter is a steal through www.audioadvisor.com), Paradigm, PSB. All decent speakers that should sound much better than the Sonys. |
| re: new speakers | RGA
Jul 27, 2002 1:27 PM | | While Norm is correct that the proble should be adressed first, chances are I know what the problem is. It's the same problem with every satelite system that's been made...all tweeter all woofer no midrange...and that's wher 90+% of music lies. Then add to that a woofer that's supposed to be pulling midrange duty is off in some corner. Basically they sound like a car stereo...all of which sound horrid.
You are largely better off buying a two-way standmount in this price range. IMO you are always better off going with a two way design until you start spending much bigger money. There is the odd exception.
Stanmounts can offer you a lot of bass resonse...trouble is there is limits to playing Loud and with a lot of bass. As you get louder bass gets thinner. Still you'd be surprised at how much bass you do get out of high quality standmounts. The Reference 3a MM De Capo will thump the majority of floorstanders...but then it is $2500.00US
Nevertheless, at $500.00 you can get very good speakers. Look to spend about $60.00 On a good set of stands...The Stands should have spikes and be very rigid(avoid wood)solid steel(sand fillable preferable). We don't want the stand to act as speaker. The reason floorstanders have trouble is because the cheap wood vibrates muddying up the midrange.
Anyway you want recommendations. First thing you should do is go to your local Chapters and find the high end magazine What Hi Fi, Hifi choice, Stereophile, TAS(The Absolute Sound), And preferrably UHF Magazine.
Some of the reviews will be for pricier gear but that's ok...it's worth reading...Especially UHFs latest issue 64 on the very subject of small versus big speakers. http://www.uhfmag.com/
In your price range I would start with B&W(Bowers and Wilkins) DM601 S3 or DM602 S3 depending on the price. http://www.bwspeakers.com/products/gallery/product_details.cfm?object_id=F17F7AAE-8CA5-4B1D-93AC761A45B9AFEE
Another one to listen to is the Mission M71 and M72 http://www.bwspeakers.com/products/gallery/product_details.cfm?object_id=F17F7AAE-8CA5-4B1D-93AC761A45B9AFEE
Another is the new line of Wharfedale Diamond series which have been getting rave reviews. http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/ They use a similar design as B&W and are cheaper. They are trying to get back into the mainstream market so they offering a good product for less...which is good for new shoppers like you.
Remember the magazines should only be used to get you familiar with what's out there - plenty of products that only get 4 stars I have found to sound better than the stuff they give 5 stars. It's a matter of your musical preferences. The Magazines help you narrow your shopping a little bit and possibly avoid the real stinkers.
Happy listening. |
| re: new speakers | WH
Jul 28, 2002 5:29 PM | | Hey gregmp!
Like you, I am a music listener on a budget. I primarily listen to 60's and 70's rock with a spattering of new rock and some light, easy listening stuff thrown in to the mix, topped off by a pinch of classical music.
B&W was one of the first speakers I listened to when I upgraded my speakers. I had a budget of around $600 and thought I would end up with a pair. Until I went to the Paradigm dealer; and boy am I glad I did!
The Paradigm's are every bit as good sounding as the B&W's are, and can be had for less $. In fact, I prefered the way voices were reproduced on the Paradigm's, as well as cymbals and guitars. I chose the Monitor 7 v2 and am just thrilled to death! There is nothing about these speakers I don't like.
I am now preaching Paradigm to everybody because their products are so wonderfull and are often times much less than their competitors. Give them a listen and see what you think. Good luck! |
| Another speaker to consider. | A
Jul 31, 2002 10:27 AM | | The Magnepan MMG:
http://www.magnepan.com/1-800-474-1646/mmg.html
They cost $550 for the pair, factory direct.
Here is their main web site:
http://www.magnepan.com/
You might want to read the reviews at this web site in the review section. They are very highly regarded, and seem ideal for your musical taste. But read the reviews and think carefully before you buy anything.
The MMG comes in a variety of colors; here is one of them: |
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