Speaker Decision

[waynerm002]

Hi all, I am looking at two speakers at the moment and got some brochures. The models are the B&W DM601 S3 and the Paradigm Mini Monitor. I listened to them yesterday and the B&W had more in the way of high frequency response than the Paradigms. Although I like the way it sounded, I felt that the Paradigms sounded flat or what I would describe as about even bass to treble. I feel I could be happy with either as they both sounded clear.

In addition to this, I have a pair of Athena AS-B1 which I find plays well and have been happy with. As these are not considered high end speakers, I was wondering if anyone has had these and also own either of the two mentioned above to provide some feedback on how they compare.

 

[markw]

Well, you've heard all three.

Hi all, I am looking at two speakers at the moment and got some brochures. The models are the B&W DM601 S3 and the Paradigm Mini Monitor. I listened to them yesterday and the B&W had more in the way of high frequency response than the Paradigms. Although I like the way it sounded, I felt that the Paradigms sounded flat or what I would describe as about even bass to treble. I feel I could be happy with either as they both sounded clear.

In addition to this, I have a pair of Athena AS-B1 which I find plays well and have been happy with. As these are not considered high end speakers, I was wondering if anyone has had these and also own either of the two mentioned above to provide some feedback on how they compare.

Follow your instincts. IMHO, I'm verty happy with my Athena system and don't feel any need to change. Then again, I put more faith in my ears than I do in peer pressure. YMMV.

 

[waynerm002]

I do like the Athena's and realize that although they have decent bass response, with the sub connected, it was a whole new experience. I was wondering if either of the two offered better bass.

 

[markw]

Are you planning on dumping the sub when you get these new speakers? I would assume so since this was not a concern in your original post and now the fact that it adds bass seems to be a bad thing?

Don't you think that adding a sub to either of these other two speakers eill result in an equal "revelation"? ...seems like a pretty unfair comparison to me.

Seems to me like you just want a "high end" speaker, or at least one from a brand considered as such. In that case, B & W has a pretty good perdigree. It may be just what the doctor ordered. All your buddies will be suitibly impressed.

 

[waynerm002]

I would like something high end if it does a good job of giving some good low frequency for a small foot print speaker. In doing some more research, I see that the Athena speakers has a higher power rating than the othe two. I recently played some old CDs in my car and discovered some sound that I had not heard prior, as well as through a pair of Senheiser headphones. I am looking for something that gives me that kind of smooth detailed sound. The B&W sounded like that and as I don't have the chance to audition these in my home, I wanted to see if anyone out there had done this.

Not looking to impress anyone but myself. I know this hobby can be expensive and I just want something that I can be happy with years down the road that does not take up a lot of space. I was planning on adding the Athenas to my HT setup or another room. The Athenas replaced some 18 yr old Sansui speakers with 15 drivers which has gotten a bit beatup (cabinet) over the years. Ok, I admit that it is not fair to expect the same kind of bass response from bookshelf speakers and I probably should be looking at some floor standing models which would offer me more in the way of good low frequency. It's just that I like the look of the smaller speakers on stands and who knows I may just have to throw a sub in for good measure.

Trust me, I don't mind getting paying for something that is decent that I am happy with, that will be around for a while. The Athenas were a good deal and I decided to give them a shot. I like the look and sound of the B&W but not sure if the highs would be too much, the Paradigm sounded flat and I just wanted to see how they compared. Any info I get on these will help me in the long run to become better educated about these things. In the end it will be what sounds nice to me.

 

[markw]

Then, trust your ears.

You may notice that speakers are compromises. all speakers. You must choose which ones you can live with. You've listened to the candidates and seem to have developed your own opinions on them. Do you need others to suggest which of those two you can live with?

Most companies will allow you to refund a speaker if you don't abuse them. This assumes that you will pay for them with a credit card impression before their leaving the store, which is only fair.

That way you can audition to your heart's content and the store is covered should any damage occur.

 

[cornelius]

I really try not to push brands on people because it's personal preference in the end. But, since you mentioned smooth, detailed sound, good bass and small footprint, I can't help but recommend the Ohm Microwalsh.

I know enough to know that you may try them and not like them as much as me, but I had to at least mention them. As mark said, it's easy to want a "hi-end" something, and that's also why I like the Ohms. They're under the radar and when your friends look at them, they'll say "what are those gonna do?" (they're small) but when you fire them up, they'll know. Believe me, they are "hi-end."

There's a review on them in the website sixmoons.com:
http://www.sixmoons.com/audioreviews/walsh/micro.html

 

[waynerm002]

I agree with you both

In the end it is what I feel sound best to me, that I will go with. I pulled the trigger on the Athenas without hearing them, I figured anything would be better than the old boxes. This time I wanted some info on what others had to say about what's available out there. I saw both and liked the looks, the sound also got my attention. It's a bit like getting a new car, they all provide transportation, some get you there faster, some comfortable and then there are the ones that do both. I plan on looking around and not just go for looks (if I can help it). Thanks for all the info.

 

[docferdie]

Why don't you have the opportunity to audition them in your home? Don't most retailers have a liberal return policy?

 

[waynerm002]

Actually, that was not discussed. I will ask them and see what the responses are.

 

[Unregistered]

some other spk's to check out

If your still shopping I'd suggest you also check out Axiom speakers, they have a real nice "demo in your own home" policy. http://www.axiomaudio.com/

I would also suggest checking out RBH Sound, they make some very nice speakers at a good value.

As for the B&W, my brother has them and he's very happy with them.
Good luck in your search, its time consuming and at times frustrating, It took me a couple of months to settle on the RBH MS series

 

[waynerm002]

A funny thing happened last night. After reading a lot of post on equipments, I decided to play around with my gear and after swapping out the DVD player I was using in the stereo equipment for the one in the HT system, I realized that my speakers are not the problem but the old DVD player. Compared to what I have auditioned so far, my speakers could use a little improvement but at this point, I think that money would be better spent on a new disc player.

I am thinking I might keep that with the stereo system (a Pioneer DV-563a) and get a newer DVD unit along with a new display or wait a little longer on that HT upgrade and just get a good CD player which does SACD as well for the stereo system. I am sure later I will want better speakers and I have been eyeing the Energy Veritas bookshelf series. I like the fact that it is a three way system and will give me more bass without a sub.

Any info on those speakers? BTW thanks for the info on the other speakers, I plan on doing some reading on them and to go listen when I get some time.