Cannot seem to find an affordable upgrade from current speakers

[zieglj01]

I saw those Platinum Audio Studio 1s, what concerns me is that flat front baffle. Placement options are limited and I would anticipate an uphill battle with placement. I recently had some Thiel floorstanders, cs.5 I think, and had a flat mount baffle and no amount of positioning in my small confined listening space could render ideal results.

I did see a pair of new LSA Model 1 speakers and have read good things about them. It's discouraging to me that they are manufactured in the PRC much like Peachtree's ERA which I have had and liked. I had the D4 and I just needed something with a little more oomph, but they did sound sweet.

I have owned Platinum Audio before - however, not their Studio 1 - so, I can
not comment on the front baffle. However, in one review there was some minor
problems with the baffle.

I have not listened to the LSA - however, a lot of people seem to like them. Due
to your sensitive ears, they may or may not bother you - however, the lower treble
seems to play above the midrange and can be perceived as hot or thin to some.

http://www.stereomojo.com/Small Speaker Shootout 2007/images/LSApair.jpg

http://www.stereomojo.com/Small Speaker Shootout 2007/images/LSAonaxisresponse.jpg

http://www.stereomojo.com/Small Speaker Shootout 2007/images/LSAcrossover.jpg

 

[Seth=L]

I have owned Platinum Audio before - however, not their Studio 1 - so, I can
not comment on the front baffle. However, in one review there was some minor
problems with the baffle.

With the grill removed I think I see the problem, there's a sharp lip at the top and bottom of the speaker. The tweeter would be most affected by it I would think, however the tweeter appeared to mounted far enough away that on first reflection (90 degree spread) it might miss the lip, but I'm no expert on this. However there is absolutely no wave guide, tweeter is flush mounted with a dent guard.

I have not listened to the LSA - however, a lot of people seem to like them. Due
to your sensitive ears, they may or may not bother you - however, the lower treble
seems to play above the midrange and can be perceived as hot or thin to some.

http://www.stereomojo.com/Small Speaker Shootout 2007/images/LSApair.jpg

http://www.stereomojo.com/Small Speaker Shootout 2007/images/LSAonaxisresponse.jpg

http://www.stereomojo.com/Small Speaker Shootout 2007/images/LSAcrossover.jpg

Read the comparisons, as the graphs always appear to me as ancient hyroglyphs beyond my understanding, and they did say hot treble in several instances.

 

[zieglj01]

With the grill removed I think I see the problem, there's a sharp lip at the top and bottom of the speaker. The tweeter would be most affected by it I would think, however the tweeter appeared to mounted far enough away that on first reflection (90 degree spread) it might miss the lip, but I'm no expert on this. However there is absolutely no wave guide, tweeter is flush mounted with a dent guard.

I never base my final decision on looks alone - and the same about wave guides,
as wave guides do not guarantee overall better sound, it can be hit or miss.

The same goes about lips as there is no overall guarantee that the overall radiation
will be poor. My Snell K7 are good speakers, and I have no soundstage complaints.
http://www.audio-exchange.com/images/385_K7-pair_rdax_900x630_1_.jpg

Also the Boston E60
http://images.sonicelectronix.com/images/309923/big/combo-pair-e60-black_efl.jpg

However since I owned a different Platinum Audio speaker, I can not speak for their
Studio One - however there was some comments about minor issues. Since there is
no return, I think I would pass on it - there is something out there for you.

 

[Seth=L]

I never base my final decision on looks alone - and the same about wave guides,
as wave guides do not guarantee overall better sound, it can be hit or miss.

The same goes about lips as there is no overall guarantee that the overall radiation
will be poor. My Snell K7 are good speakers, and I have no soundstage complaints.
http://www.audio-exchange.com/images/385_K7-pair_rdax_900x630_1_.jpg

Also the Boston E60
http://images.sonicelectronix.com/images/309923/big/combo-pair-e60-black_efl.jpg

However since I owned a different Platinum Audio speaker, I can not speak for their
Studio One - however there was some comments about minor issues. Since there is
no return, I think I would pass on it - there is something out there for you.

I'm sure those Thiels I had would have a great soundstage too, if I had the space for them to be set up proper.

I've noticed waveguides are common on nearfield monitors as well.

I agree that a wave guide is no guarrantee of anything, especially if not implemented correctly.

 

[Seth=L]

Thinking on the bostons, how do the e60s sound? I've been reading about the m25 as well and it looks like it might be a good fit. From what I've read they're very forgiving.

 

[zieglj01]

Thinking on the bostons, how do the e60s sound? I've been reading about the m25 as well and it looks like it might be a good fit. From what I've read they're very forgiving.

The E60 have a smooth, transparent and revealing sound with no artificial bass bump.
They do have a nice off-axis response and present a nice/good soundstage. Because
of that transparent clear sound with no artificial bass bump to add so-called warmth,
the poor and ugly recordings will be high-lighted and can be annoying. I do not want
speakers that try to hide weak and poor recordings. They are one of the best that I
have owned and preferred them over the Snell K7

They for sure measure good [one of the best] in the 200 to 10 khz band. And, their -3db
point is 65 hz with -6 db at 53 hz.

I will not tell you that a former owner of Energy Reference towers, replaced their towers
with the Boston E60 speakers.

Now, two of the better reviews that I read about them is here >
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/bookshelf-speakers/boston-acoustics/e60/prd_397855_4290crx.aspx

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3NTO70HUY6OSO/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

The dimple-dome tweeter in the M25 series speaker, looks to be nearly the same and close
to the one in their flag-ship VS series. The one in the VS series is real nice, and has good
resolution for detail, definition and good off-axis response. I do favor the VS over their E
series line and tweeter.

The E series and VS series are former flag-ship lines > while the M series is mid-level, and
that would mainly be due to a different woofer. Some ears [members] that I respect have
made good comments about the M series. AC4L has good prices on the Boston M25 at this time.

As always there are no guarantees for your ears, room and set up.

 

[Seth=L]

The m25s come in well under budget and are nice and small.

 

[zieglj01]

The m25s come in well under budget and are nice and small.

It is a good price - and no bass bump built in.
I consider it a good option, for the audio adventure.

 

[TLS Guy]

I should add that I am a big time used shopper. I almost exclusively have purchased all audio goods second hand.

If you want the last bookshelves you will ever need there are a pair of Celestion SL 6 SI speakers fro sale on eBay now. These are phenomenally good speakers and highly favored. I know these speakers very well. My 94 year old mother is still using a pair to hear her TV!

 

[3db]

Have you looked at the PSB Imagine Minis?

http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=368:psb-imagine-mini-loudspeakers&catid=55:full-length-reviews&Itemid=4

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=694:nrc-measurements-psb-imagine-mini-loudspeakers&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements

Top curve: on-axis response
Middle curve: 15 degrees off-axis response
Bottom curve: 30 degrees off-axis response

 

[Seth=L]

If you want the last bookshelves you will ever need there are a pair of Celestion SL 6 SI speakers fro sale on eBay now. These are phenomenally good speakers and highly favored. I know these speakers very well. My 94 year old mother is still using a pair to hear her TV!

I've been intrigued by those for some time but my trepidation is with 30 year old rubber surrounds. What happens when they crack up and break?

 

[Seth=L]

Have you looked at the PSB Imagine Minis?

Pricey and a sharp drop at 80hz or so, doesn't bode well mating with the PS-1000. Above that 80hz mark though, that's a stunningly linear speaker on paper.

 

[KEW]

Pricey and a sharp drop at 80hz or so, doesn't bode well mating with the PS-1000. Above that 80hz mark though, that's a stunningly linear speaker on paper.

My understanding is that the NRCC does not measure at the port and integrate those measurements with that of the driver. If that is the case, these speakers probably dig deeper.

This seems to be confirmed by SVS's Merlin tool which recommends setting the subwoofer's low pass filter to 65Hz in a 2 channel application with the Imagine Minis.

I don't know these speakers, but don't want you to make a decision based on misinformation!

 

[zieglj01]

HT Labs measured the Imagine Mini, -3db at 80 hz and -6db at 71 hz

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/psb-imagine-mini-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures

 

[zieglj01]

And this is Stereophile - Imagine Mini

 

[Seth=L]

At this point the Boston Acoustics M25 has the most appeal. I've had good experience with their products before, they look nice, and from what little I've read it appears they are what I'm looking for in terms of sound. A4L has a good return policy as well, I've had experience with them as well.

 

[zieglj01]

At this point the Boston Acoustics M25 has the most appeal. I've had good experience with their products before, they look nice, and from what little I've read it appears they are what I'm looking for in terms of sound. A4L has a good return policy as well, I've had experience with them as well.

They are one of my favorite brands - they make nice stuff - a good way to
start your new experience/adventure

 

[3db]

They are one of my favorite brands - they make nice stuff - a good way to
start your new experience/adventure

But the Bostons are no where near as linear as the PSB. I have a hard time fathoming this choice over the Minis when the Minis absolutley clobber the Bostons with the sole exception of bottom end.

 

[3db]

Pricey and a sharp drop at 80hz or so, doesn't bode well mating with the PS-1000. Above that 80hz mark though, that's a stunningly linear speaker on paper.

I suggest you audition them before dismissing them so quickly. From reading teh subject review, they seem to offer more bass than the measurements seem to indicate.

 

[zieglj01]

But the Bostons are no where near as linear as the PSB. I have a hard time fathoming this choice over the Minis when the Minis absolutley clobber the Bostons with the sole exception of bottom end.

How does that [measurements] speak for their overall sonic sound signature - that is,
the actual sound performance coming live from the speaker to the listener ears?

No printed paper work has ever proven to me, that one speaker will actually sound
better to my ear than the other one, or even clobber it based on the perception of
sound to my brain, from what my eyes see.

And the choice comes down to the OP and it is his call - he is the Captain.

I will not lose sleep tonight regardless of his speaker choice - however, I may lose a
little sleep, if he chooses something like a used Kenwood speaker.