Dynaudio 72s versus SVS Prime Towers

[chefsoy]

Hi all, i have a question here that i hope to get some help on - i am considering buying a set of Dynaudio 72s that were purchased 11/2008 - single owner, lightly used. I am also considering a brand new pair of SVS Prime towers. The pair of 72s are $775 - the new pair of SVS towers are 400/each.

My questions are mainly - how long is the life expectancy on a set of something like the 72s? I haven't been around long enough to know this from experience. Do I gain enough value and longevity on the 72s to spend the same amount as a pair of new speakers?

I did plan on getting an SVS sub as I was hoping to stay around $500 for a sub that can play music at really low tunings - like F1 low. I also can buy a VTF2-MK3 from the same owner of the Dynaudio 72s for $175, which sounds like a pretty good deal.

Appreciate any tips or information, if there is anything else I can mention that might help feel free to let me know. The room is fairly small, so I don't need a huge sub

 

[lovinthehd]

Speakers generally enjoy very long lifetimes...perhaps if surrounds disintegrate they may need new ones. Crossover elements can last a very long time. All subs can play music so not sure what you mean by that. SVS is a good brand as are several others worthy of consideration...Hsu subs are very good.

 

[highfigh]

Dynaudio has used butyl rubber surrounds for decades, so that shouldn't be an issue. They also handle power well- if you don't hear any problems, they don't have any problems. Also, from experience, the Dynaudio speakers are very easy to listen to.

 

[lovinthehd]

Forgot to ask, what is F1 low? Not heard that expression before...an f3 for a speaker would be its -3dB point on a frequency response curve....

 

[chefsoy]

The lowest F note on a standard 90 key piano, some of the munsic I listen to has the guitar tuned very low - almost an octave below a standard bass tuning, two octaves below standard guitar - the SVS subs have the capacity to push frequencies that low, most standard entry level subs don't hit that low.

Anyway, i appreciate the information. I am stuck in a hard place - needing a new set of speakers for almost 4 months now - and not knowing enough about things to make what feels like an informed decision. I run vinyl 95% of the time through my speakers, not much of a movie geek. My room is relatively small though and now am having second thoughts about buying tower speakers at all. Part of me wants to have patience to learn, and so tell, the differences between set ups, but I have 400 vinyl here that I want to play along the way

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks, don't know much about pianos but thought 88 key was typical but looking at the wiki page apprently some can hit a 16 hz....but f1 looks to be 43 hz so no problem for decent subs. I personally like to be able to reproduce 16hz ....but for organs, didn't know a piano could/did. You could always order the SVS speakers and use their in-home trial for comparison.....

 

[highfigh]

The lowest F note on a standard 90 key piano, some of the munsic I listen to has the guitar tuned very low - almost an octave below a standard bass tuning, two octaves below standard guitar - the SVS subs have the capacity to push frequencies that low, most standard entry level subs don't hit that low.

Anyway, i appreciate the information. I am stuck in a hard place - needing a new set of speakers for almost 4 months now - and not knowing enough about things to make what feels like an informed decision. I run vinyl 95% of the time through my speakers, not much of a movie geek. My room is relatively small though and now am having second thoughts about buying tower speakers at all. Part of me wants to have patience to learn, and so tell, the differences between set ups, but I have 400 vinyl here that I want to play along the way

E on a bass guitar is tuned to 41.2Hz- the octave below that would be around 23Hz and the note we hear is the first harmonic, an octave above the fundamental. Also, small rooms don't perform as well in the extremely low range, so I would consider tempering your expectations.

However, I would recommend using speakers that do well into the 30-40Hz range over bookshelf speakers because the lowest range produced by the speakers will sound more realistic with speakers that do it better, naturally. Even if you use a sub, the mid-bass is extremely important.

I wouldn't play F1 around a turntable unless you make sure the sound won't cause feedback or other problems. Also, unless you spend some serious cash, most turntables aren't going to track 23Hz very well, especially on loud passages.

 

[CajunLB]

Even if you don’t get the speakers that is a great deal on that subwoofer if it’s in good condition.

 

[chefsoy]

I have had some other advice saying 775 for the two Dynaudio 72s is overpriced - and that the entry level Dynas aren't as riveting - or much different - as something bought new in the same price range (~400/ea)

I am learning though, and these messages are definitely helping. Still trying to figure out my way here, but everyone's advice has definitely helped. I am in a 12.5 x 10.5 room but hope I can triangulate POV with two towers effectively - I am trying to avoid buying a "stopover" and put money into something I don't want to keep for a while