I'm waffling between a few speakers

[emorphien]

This is no fun, trying to make that final decision.

I heard and liked the Focal Chorus 806 V and the shop thinks I should go with that over the 807 V.

I heard and didn't care for the Totem Rainmaker, but I am going to relisten on a better amp because it's a 4 ohm load and somewhat demanding it seems. They simply didn't have it on a potent enough source (I think). I expected to like this one a lot, so I want to give it another go. From what I've seen it should be a good match for my NAD C320BEE.

I haven't heard and would have to order: Von Schweikert VR-1. I can't say I want to go flying in to some new speaker blind, but it's come recommended.

Anyone hear any of these and have any opinions? I'll be using them strictly in a 2.0 music setup in a small room (12x14 feet) and am looking for reasonable bass extension (realizing that this is a relative term when talking about standmount/monitor speakers) but am willing to forego some of that in exchange for punchier transients and a better midrange and smoother high frequency response.

I primarily listen to a lot of rock, particularly modern/prog ie: Days of the New, Porcupine Tree, been trying to decide whether I like Muse recently (it's a slow process for me to adopt a new band to my collection). And certainly I listen to a fair bit of Zeppelin, Floyd and other rock material on a combination of CD and vinyl. I tend to steer towards albums with a better recording quality than those without.

I also listen to a reasonable bit of jazz, and some classical. Seeing as my budget is being restrained (by my better judgment) to $1000ish these are the speakers I've whittled the list down to out of everything I could find locally.

edit: I'm obviously not looking for someone to tell me what to buy, I've listened to most of these... but I'm curious if anyone has long term impressions or... well any wisdom at all really. As a grad student this is a big chunk of money to be tossing around so I want to know if anyone has had some extended time with these, more than I can spend with them without putting some money in to something.

 

[GreenJelly]

Ive noticed that everyone recommends pairing high end speakers with NAD... I tried it with my Thiels (which was recommended too), and was NOT happy...

As far as 4 ohm speakers... your going to find that this price range, amps are too pricey for the speakers (unless you go with NAD)... and though I am not against NAD (I use a HTPC), I like other brands of Receivers.

I must recommend a set of B&W 603's on Ebay... $600 is a good price with shipping... Series 3 has a silver tweater, while series 1 and series 2 has a gold one. Series 3 tweater is said to be the best (though I cant tell much difference)... Series 2 tweater has a plastic ring around it...

As far as the differences betwen the series... 1 and 2 are the same except for the tweeter. The series 3 they switched to aluminum for their base drivers, and they are using what they consider a better tweater.

All of these speakers are great.... I fell in love with B&W when series 2 was out.

I listen to the Same types of music that you do... though I turn towards Radiohead and Tool... and more Rock Jazz fusion... as I grow older I am going towards lighter rock, and acustical. I dont do classical anymore... since Ive given up smoking pot... Just not worth listening to floyd no more, when you aint high... and you dont want to get depressed.

Nothing beats a pair of Thiels for Classical and Accustical. You would be in heaven if you could get your hands on a pair of Used Thiels... They are so warm, and draws you into the music... The high's are amazing, though the .X series lacks the base. More money but definately amazing... If I had the money I would have NEVER sold my Thiel's CS.5's

In fact, I am regreting it greatly now... B&W is amazing, dont get me wrong... but Thiels have that sound that can only be compaired to what you get with a tube amp. The ability for these speakers to play at low volume levels is amazing...

The B&W's just cant match that ability. They tend to wash out at low volume levels. Though very few speakers I have ever listened to can compair to the Thiels in this aspect.

If you went out and bought a pair of used 603's or 604's (B&W's) blindly... you would be very happy... They are often considered one of the best at the price, and I cant disagree.

Anyways... Do what I always say... Spend more money then you want to, and get less speakers... Dont mix and match (except for the sub), and if you need to, stereo is still amazing. Infact I think this 5.1 surround sound is overrated... I will write a post explaining this

 

[emorphien]

Hey, not everyone has to like NAD. That's why there are a lot of other options out there! Speaking of which, sometimes I think it would be nice if my NAD was a receiver, then I could tune in to some radio shows I enjoy!

A local shop has a pair of Thiel CS3.5s (an older model, early 90s I think) for under $1000 the pair, but that's a bit more speaker than I really want to be going with given my room size. I'm leaning towards a stand mount for this price range and application for the generally better resolution and imaging, even though it sacrifices some bottom end and loudness in a lot of cases. I have no idea how the Thiel would fit in there, it's a higher end model but also quite a bit older.

I should also mention I've heard the B&W 602, 603 and CM1 and can't say any of them are the best for my dollar. In fact I find that to be a recurring opinion of mine every time I listen to B&W.

My intention is strictly stereo, and I probably won't be touching a sub for a while. Originally I was thinking I'd get a sub but I realized I would much rather have a better pair of speakers than I have now even if it meant no major improvement in the lower frequencies. I have absolutely no need or desire for 5.1, I have that in the living room.

 

[GreenJelly]

I happen to respect NAD... I just sold one in fact...

Your classic rock is not a good material for good speakers... though the new classical recordings, live shows, and others can be...

I think you should spend more money then you want to spend, and buy the next step up... Other then that, I cant tell you what to buy... you already know...

I do strongly suggest you buy the next model (speakers) version up (no matter what model you buy Unless its the top of the series)... You WILL regreat it in the future.

As far as AMP's and its effect on the speakers... as long as it can handle the power load, it takes a good few dollars to see real benifits...

Mike

 

[emorphien]

Your classic rock is not a good material for good speakers...

Generally speaking, I'd happen to agree. However at the same time, some of it does sound good! I say classic rock but that covers a rather broad range of styles and sounds.

As far as buying the next model up, I can always upgrade when I'm out of graduate school. I'm listening to things below and above $1000 and trying to find the best I can while keeping an eye on my budget. So for now I'd like to hear from some other people who might have some experience with some of this gear (or similar) if there are any. I don't want to go flying past $1000 if I can help it, so I'm looking at everything around that point.

Take it to PMs if you've got more to say to me before the thread goes further off course, please.

 

[Pianoman84d]

I have heard good things about a NAD B&W combination.

There are a pair of Onix Ref 1.5 (floorstanding version of the Onix Ref 1) for sale at av123 on b-stock for something like 600 (or 700). Super good deal, as retail on these was like over $1500.

Sorry, I just realized that you weren't really looking for new stuff to look at, more of a narrowing down process. My bad.

Anyway, good luck!! Building a good system on a law school/grad school/ college budget is hard work but way worth it!!

 

[emorphien]

Well I'm open to new suggestions, but I am trying to narrow things down... otherwise I'll be at this forever!

 

[GreenJelly]

I have heard both speakers... I would not expect, nor advise, you to order a pair of speakers you havent heard. Theirfor your answer is in your question, and I thought I told you that I would buy the 807 V's. Yet you decided to keep your budget so buy the 806's.

I have listened to so many speakers, I get some of them stuck in the pool of not quite... Few make me happy, and even less makes me exstatic. At that price range, that is a great accomplishment to find a pair that atleast make you happy; .

So it sounds like you made up your mind, and you need someone to sell you on them, saying that it is the right choice. Well from what I understand from the situation... The speakers you choose are right. In fact, I think your gut tells you the same... So stop thinking and listen to your gut.

I find that a pair of speakers that will make me ex-static cost more then what you can spend. Theirfor you must go used, or double your budget. At the $1,500 price range and up, their are some really amazing speakers that are excelent and will make things shine. At $800, you are looking for a pair of speakers that make music sound good.

Like I pointed out, I owned a pair of thiels CS.5's that was originally priced at $1,500. I payed $800 which is still the price most vendors sell them at... I sold mine for $500 on ebay. They were amazing in every aspect but extreme base (just dont try to push out the 1812 overture on them).

What I was triing to tell you, is that you dont need to try to look elsewhere, unless you are not completely happy. Then I feel your only option is that its time for you to buy used, and start listening to the next price range (while remaining in your budget-since their used).

 

[emorphien]

Well I'm hoping to hear from people who have lived with the speakers. I've certainly been looking at more expensive new, as well as used speakers within my budget. But I'm still undecided.

 

[KrisJ]

I own the 807v's, which I got for a great price. While I have not made a direct comparison between the 2, If I were to upgrade from my Focal's, Id probably look at the Monitor Audio GS/GR 10's. I absolutely loved them, but they remain slightly out of my budget especially since they need/deserve better than the Denon that powers my Focal's. The discontinued GR-10's can be had for under 1k, new from saturdayaudio.com, while the GS-10's list for 1500/pair but can be had for maybe a little over your 1k limit

 

[emorphien]

Just got back from hearing the Rainmakers on some Rotel gear. They made my spine tingle, which is probably the first time I've heard a speaker this inexpensive do that. Unless someone tells me that the tweeters are cooled with baby fat and that the inside is lined with kitty skins, I think I'm going to have to take a pair of these home to try in the only listening room that matters!

 

[KrisJ]

Just got back from hearing the Rainmakers on some Rotel gear. They made my spine tingle, which is probably the first time I've heard a speaker this inexpensive do that. Unless someone tells me that the tweeters are cooled with baby fat and that the inside is lined with kitty skins, I think I'm going to have to take a pair of these home to try in the only listening room that matters!

Never heard the Rainmakers. I did hear the Forrest's and was impressed. I listened to the dreamcatchers too when they were demoing a movie, but didnt care for them too much at the time.

 

[no. 5]

Speaking of which, sometimes I think it would be nice if my NAD was a receiver, then I could tune in to some radio shows I enjoy!

some people still make AM/FM tuners; like Denon, and Teac.
sorry about posting and not having advice about those speakers, it comes from living in a place whithout any hi-fi selection (in a way I wish I was in your shoes).

 

[GreenJelly]

Just got back from hearing the Rainmakers on some Rotel gear. They made my spine tingle, which is probably the first time I've heard a speaker this inexpensive do that. Unless someone tells me that the tweeters are cooled with baby fat and that the inside is lined with kitty skins, I think I'm going to have to take a pair of these home to try in the only listening room that matters!

good to hear (well read) it... Hope you enjoy the speakers for the rest of your life...

Mike

 

[emorphien]

good to hear (well read) it... Hope you enjoy the speakers for the rest of your life...

Mike

I don't know if I'll keep them that long, but they should carry me through grad school.