Question about number and kind of drivers

[jjwagner18]

Another speaker to take a look at is Revel Concerta. A decent alternative to the Revel would be Infinity Beta 50s. They play very deep with good bass. In such a small room no sub would be needed. The Concerta is very similar to the Beta 50s - both are made by Harman Kardon.

For bookshelf speakers that play low The Polk LSi9 may interest you. They play down to 38hz according to Polk's specs.

I may have missed it - what AVR or receiver will you be using to drive the new speakers?

I'll check those out.

Um I haven't decided yet, I was mostly trying to figure out the driver dilemma. I saw a Harmon that was good. Those Yamaha are supposed to be amazing but I don't really need anything that fancy. I know I was just going to get a two channel one that could take an amp as well if I ever went that route.

I checked out the Polks but I was confused how a speaker with only 1 driver could possibly play good music. I threw bookshelves out of the picture after that. Possibly noobish naivete...

 

[jjwagner18]

In your original post you mentioned that you rarely listen at loud levels and you asked what is different when there are multiple woofers. When going from an MTM design, such as the SongTowers (with two midwoofers and one tweeter), to a simpler MT design with one woofer, such as the Salk SongSurround I or the new SongBird, the main thing you give up is power handling and volume. They cost somewhat less than the SongTower, have a similar overall sound, and may be what you’re looking for.

Okay that is very important. That is what I'm wondering becuase I really don't blast it and it's not for home theater it's just for reading and philosophizing. I wondered if more drivers were mostly just for volume and power rather than quality. So you think I should go with SongTowers with less drivers? But isn't it no longer "full range." That's what I saw with some Polks I looked at. You take away some of the drivers which is fine I guess but it's not longer full range and I'd rather not sacrifice range I think....

 

[TLS Guy]

I'll check those out.

Um I haven't decided yet, I was mostly trying to figure out the driver dilemma. I saw a Harmon that was good. Those Yamah are supposed to be amazing but I don't really need anything that fancy.

If it is classical you want, strike Yamaha off the list, they are definitely a pop music speaker.

I have auditioned one pair of Revels and could not recommend them.

Actually when listening at low volumes, a good bass response is even more crucial.

I would still look at the Salks, pretty much anything else I would recommend would be well out of your price range, unless you are serious about buying used.

I have just found this really good deal on these Dynaudio speakers on Audiogon.

They are virtually new and discounted $1000.

 

[jjwagner18]

If it is classical you want, strike Yamaha off the list, they are definitely a pop music speaker.

I have auditioned one pair of Revels and could not recommend them.

Actually when listening at low volumes, a good bass response is even more crucial.

I would still look at the Salks, pretty much anything else I would recommend would be well out of your price range, unless you are serious about buying used.

I was refering to the recievers not the speakers just so you know. Your statment may still hold true however.

My price range is really whatever is worth saving up for. I'm single and 23. I'm not strapped for cash really. I really like the Salks they look great. They are my number one choice right now...but Swerd mentioning a more affordable Salk speaker would be just as good becuase of my low listening levels is making me narrow in on the SongBird. I can't see the price anywhere....below $1500? I could save for that.

I pretty much will by used no matter what. I'm not picky. My room is ugly. I have 6 bookshelves in my room and they are all fake wood and none of them match...one of them is steel. It is hideous. Aesthics are not a factor. If ones a little used and beat up I won't care for saving money.

 

[TLS Guy]

I was refering to the recievers not the speakers just so you know. Your statment may still hold true however.

My price range is really whatever is worth saving up for. I'm single and 23. I'm not strapped for cash really. I really like the Salks they look great. They are my number one choice right now...but Swerd mentioning a more affordable Salk speaker would be just as good becuase of my low listening levels is making me narrow in on the SongBird. I can't see the price anywhere....below $1500? I could save for that.

I pretty much will by used no matter what. I'm not picky. My room is ugly. I have 6 bookshelves in my room and they are all fake wood and none of them match...one of them is steel. It is hideous. Aesthics are not a factor. If ones a little used and beat up I won't care for saving money.

The Song Bird could be a good solution for your circumstances.

 

[Seth=L]

If it is classical you want, strike Yamaha off the list, they are definitely a pop music speaker.

I have auditioned one pair of Revels and could not recommend them.

Actually when listening at low volumes, a good bass response is even more crucial.

I would still look at the Salks, pretty much anything else I would recommend would be well out of your price range, unless you are serious about buying used.

I have just found this really good deal on these Dynaudio speakers on Audiogon.

They are virtually new and discounted $1000.

I'm curious, as someone that has been around audio for a big part of his life, do you think that Vandersteen would fall into the category for good used speakers? This is of course assuming you've had a brush with the Model 2 or 3 variants.

Those Dynaudio's aren't like new with a 7/10 on the condition scale.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have been going through Audiogon.

It is your lucky day! There is a fabulous older set of speakers on sale at just the price you can afford. These will always be worth this money and more.

These are an excellent pair of Celestions.

They are beautifully balanced and maintain bass integrity at low volume.

Don't think of looking at any recent Celestion offerings, the brand is now well and truly trashed.

I know these speakers well, my father has a set. These speakers had rave reviews when they first appeared, and have always been held in very high regard.

If you have the money, I would seal this deal now. They won't be around long.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm curious, as someone that has been around audio for a big part of his life, do you think that Vandersteen would fall into the category for good used speakers? This is of course assuming you've had a brush with the Model 2 or 3 variants.

Those Dynaudio's aren't like new with a 7/10 on the condition scale.

It has been sometime since I have heard Vandersteen speakers Seth. In all honesty I have never heard one of their speakers I could live with, but may be they have improved.

Whereas I could live with those Celestions I have just turned up very easily. For this cash strapped 23 year old, they are an absolute gift from Heaven.

 

[Seth=L]

I have been going through Audiogon.

It is your lucky day! There is a fabulous older set of speakers on sale at just the price you can afford. These will always be worth this money and more.

These are an excellent pair of Celestions.

They are beautifully balanced and maintain bass integrity at low volume.

Don't think of looking at any recent Celestion offerings, the brand is now well and truly trashed.

I know these speakers well, my father has a set. These speakers had rave reviews when they first appeared, and have always been held in very high regard.

If you have the money, I would seal this deal now. They won't be around long.

Same speaker, better price, been up for days and hasn't sold. I'd say he's got time. These show up often for reasonable prices because they made so many.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1275426435&/Celestion-SL6si-Sl6-si--walnut

The real diamond to keep an eye out for is the SL600 with the honeycomb aluminum enclosure. Similar drivers in a much lower resonance enclosure. A pair recently sold on AudioGon for under $700.

 

[TLS Guy]

Same speaker, better price, been up for days and hasn't sold. I'd say he's got time. These show up often for reasonable prices because they made so many.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1275426435&/Celestion-SL6si-Sl6-si--walnut

The real diamond to keep an eye out for is the SL600 with the honeycomb aluminum enclosure. Similar drivers in a much lower resonance enclosure. A pair recently sold on AudioGon for under $700.

He can't go wrong with either of those, although the ones I picked out look better cared for. It is actually the 600s my father has, but I think they are pretty similar. a bit less coloration on the 600s. I didn't think we had many state side.

 

[jjwagner18]

I actually said that I'm not strapped for cash. I'm far from rich but being single and pretty frugal in most areas of life I could amass $2000.00 if I wanted to. I was just saying I don't see why not to go used. It's cheaper for the same thing.

Would you suggest new?

 

[TLS Guy]

I actually said that I'm not strapped for cash. I'm far from rich but being single and pretty frugal in most areas of life I could amass $2000.00 if I wanted to. I was just saying I don't see why not to go used. It's cheaper for the same thing.

Would you suggest new?

Not particularly.

 

[Seth=L]

He can't go wrong with either of those, although the ones I picked out look better cared for. It is actually the 600s my father has, but I think they are pretty similar. a bit less coloration on the 600s. I didn't think we had many state side.

We don't have many of the SL600 here, and they rarely look pretty when we do.

 

[TLS Guy]

We don't have many of the SL600 here, and they rarely look pretty when we do.

That's what I would have expected.

I think the OP should go for one of those Celestions. If he wants to upgrade he can save for the Song Towers. He will always get his money out of the Celestions.

 

[Swerd]

…I really like the Salks they look great. They are my number one choice right now...but Swerd mentioning a more affordable Salk speaker would be just as good becuase of my low listening levels is making me narrow in on the SongBird. I can't see the price anywhere....below $1500? I could save for that.

http://www.salksound.com/speakers_songseries_SongBirdqwt_pricing.shtml

I wondered if more drivers were mostly just for volume and power rather than quality. So you think I should go with SongTowers with less drivers? But isn't it no longer "full range". That's what I saw with some Polks I looked at. You take away some of the drivers which is fine I guess but it's not longer full range and I'd rather not sacrifice range I think....

I can't speak about the Polks, but the SongBird and the SongTower will have the same bass range, but not the same bass volume. Hence, the SongTower will seem like it has more bass response, but in reality will not go any lower.

You should also realize the SongBird will be less sensitive compared to the SongTower. You will need greater amplifier power to play the SongBird as loud as the SongTower. But that may not be a problem for you.

 

[Swerd]

I'm curious, as someone that has been around audio for a big part of his life, do you think that Vandersteen would fall into the category for good used speakers? This is of course assuming you've had a brush with the Model 2 or 3 variants.

I'm not TLS Guy, but I often answer questions addressed to him anyway...

The Vandersteen 3a is an excellent speaker. It creates a large and detailed image. If I recall, a pair costs about $3500 new. The downside is they are relatively insensitive and really need a large powerful amp. They also are very sensitive to room placement. You have to sit in one spot for their magic to work. Their appearance is not for every one. The Vandy Model 2 sounds bass heavy to me.

Until I heard the Salks, the Vandy 3a was my favorite speaker. Now I prefer the less expensive SongTower over it. At $4000 a pair, the Salk HT2-TL is much better in my opinion.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm not TLS Guy, but I often answer questions addressed to him anyway...

The Vandersteen 3a is an excellent speaker. It creates a large and detailed image. If I recall, a pair costs about $3500 new. The downside is they are relatively insensitive and really need a large powerful amp. They also are very sensitive to room placement. You have to sit in one spot for their magic to work. Their appearance is not for every one. The Vandy Model 2 sounds bass heavy to me.

Until I heard the Salks, the Vandy 3a was my favorite speaker. I prefer the less expensive SongTower over it. At $4000 a pair, the Salk HT2-TL is much better in my opinion.

Yes, that was a major complaint listening to the Vandersteens. You could get any frequency response you wanted depending on where you where in the room.

 

[sholling]

I was refering to the recievers not the speakers just so you know. Your statment may still hold true however.

My price range is really whatever is worth saving up for. I'm single and 23. I'm not strapped for cash really. I really like the Salks they look great. They are my number one choice right now...but Swerd mentioning a more affordable Salk speaker would be just as good becuase of my low listening levels is making me narrow in on the SongBird. I can't see the price anywhere....below $1500? I could save for that.

I pretty much will by used no matter what. I'm not picky. My room is ugly. I have 6 bookshelves in my room and they are all fake wood and none of them match...one of them is steel. It is hideous. Aesthics are not a factor. If ones a little used and beat up I won't care for saving money.

I'm pretty cheap but the way I look at this is why pay twice? I say twice because I know darn well that if I liked the SongBird that I would immediately start saving for the Song Tower. In my case I've never paid more than $1000 for the two mains in my life but this time not only ordered Song Towers but added the ribbon tweeter option. This is a 10 year investment for me and I don't want to be doing it twice. They have to keep me happy for 10 years.

 

[skers_54]

OP, do you happen to be in Omaha? I ask since you mentioned Nebraska Furniture Mart...

 

[jjwagner18]

OP, do you happen to be in Omaha? I ask since you mentioned Nebraska Furniture Mart...

Kansas City, Kansas. It's a massive store but they really reduced the audio section I was dissapointed. You used to be able to match any speaker to any reciever and listen. Now they have a fraction of the selection and you can't even listen to a lot of them.