speaker recommendation for music

[k330]

Hi,

After I obtained a power amp to replace my faulty output stage of Receiver, I now find that my current speaker set (Rogers bookshelf of 15 years old) has some problem. The sound is not balanced as I can feel left channel is dominate over the right. Think about upgrading the speakers. My main use will be 2 channel music and with a bit movie and game. Since I do not want to add a subwoofer (my previous one died), I was thinking a floorstanding speaker. Currently there are two on sale at Futureshop (I'm in canada):

Polk audio RTI A9
and Energy RC-70.

Both around $1k and RTI A9 a bit cheaper. I may also get a pair of used NHT Classic 4 for around $800 from a friend. Are any of these good for music ?

My current setup:

Pioneer VSX 816 receiver
Rotel RB985 MkII power amp

family room 14'x16' open to kitch

Music: classical, vocal, new age, instrumental, soft rock.

Any recommendations ?

Thanks

 

[zieglj01]

NHT is a musical speaker.

 

[markw]

First things first...

After I obtained a power amp to replace my faulty output stage of Receiver, I now find that my current speaker set (Rogers bookshelf of 15 years old) has some problem. The sound is not balanced as I can feel left channel is dominate over the right.

Let's take a few key phrases out of what you said here.

"After I obtained a power amp to replace my faulty output stage of Receiver,... I feel left channel is dominate over the right."

Now, if that is your only complaint and they were balanced before the new amp, I'd be looking at that amp as the probable cause. If it is, then new speakers won't cure that.

Of course, new speakers are always nice, but it may not cure your problem...

 

[sholling]

Let's take a few key phrases out of what you said here.

"After I obtained a power amp to replace my faulty output stage of Receiver,... I feel left channel is dominate over the right."

Now, if that is your only complaint and they were balanced before the new amp, I'd be looking at that amp as the probable cause. If it is, then new speakers won't cure that.

Of course, new speakers are always nice, but it may not cure your problem...

I agree, I'd try and borrow a friend's receiver and test with that. You may find out that it's either the power amp or more likely that there is more wrong with your receiver than the output stage.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I can say that the NHT speakers back around 2002 or so were very, very musical.

I have not listened to NHT speakers since I owned the SuperZero.

 

[k330]

NHT is a musical speaker.

Thanks for the comments. Will see if I can borrow the speaker from friend and give it a test run.

 

[k330]

Thanks guys. Today I have some time and did some more test. The power amp is a lot better than the failing pioneer output and it brings my attention to some details that I have not noticed before.

Tried a few different CDs and also switched the left/right channel of amp, and another spare pair of satellite speakers, and now I don't think there is unbalance. Might be due to the track I listened to the other day.

Let's take a few key phrases out of what you said here.

"After I obtained a power amp to replace my faulty output stage of Receiver,... I feel left channel is dominate over the right."

Now, if that is your only complaint and they were balanced before the new amp, I'd be looking at that amp as the probable cause. If it is, then new speakers won't cure that.

Of course, new speakers are always nice, but it may not cure your problem...

I agree, I'd try and borrow a friend's receiver and test with that. You may find out that it's either the power amp or more likely that there is more wrong with your receiver than the output stage.

 

[k330]

I can say that the NHT speakers back around 2002 or so were very, very musical.

I have not listened to NHT speakers since I owned the SuperZero.

Thanks for confirmation. Musical is good as that's what I am after.

I guess I just want to upgrade the bookshelf speaker that I have used for a long time. Never tried floor standing speaker before and would like to give it a try.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks for confirmation. Musical is good as that's what I am after.

I guess I just want to upgrade the bookshelf speaker that I have used for a long time. Never tried floor standing speaker before and would like to give it a try.

If you are getting the Classic 4 towers, I would also get the active crossover and amp for the built-in subs.

I believe without the active crossover + sub amp, the Classic 4 can only go down to about 37Hz (-3dB from 90dB @ 1m). But with the active crossover + sub amp, it will go down to 27Hz.

 

[k330]

If you are getting the Classic 4 towers, I would also get the active crossover and amp for the built-in subs.

I believe without the active crossover + sub amp, the Classic 4 can only go down to about 37Hz (-3dB from 90dB @ 1m). But with the active crossover + sub amp, it will go down to 27Hz.

Thanks for the tip. I may try the speaker without the crossover first. Doubt I can tell the difference between 27 and 37hz.

 

[GranteedEV]

Hi,

After I obtained a power amp to replace my faulty output stage of Receiver, I now find that my current speaker set (Rogers bookshelf of 15 years old) has some problem. The sound is not balanced as I can feel left channel is dominate over the right. Think about upgrading the speakers. My main use will be 2 channel music and with a bit movie and game. Since I do not want to add a subwoofer (my previous one died), I was thinking a floorstanding speaker. Currently there are two on sale at Futureshop (I'm in canada):

Polk audio RTI A9
and Energy RC-70.

Both around $1k and RTI A9 a bit cheaper. I may also get a pair of used NHT Classic 4 for around $800 from a friend. Are any of these good for music ?

My current setup:

Pioneer VSX 816 receiver
Rotel RB985 MkII power amp

family room 14'x16' open to kitch

Music: classical, vocal, new age, instrumental, soft rock.

Any recommendations ?

Thanks

For under $1000 You're just not gonna get a truly full range tower speaker... at least not a very good one! Get a sub, seriously! A quality internet direct sub, 12" at least! This whole "my old one died" business is not the right approach! The better tower speakers below $1000 are designed to be used WITH a sub, or to be really "bassy" and poor.

Unless you want to DIY, then you could build a Zaph SB12.5 and it would blow those towers you're looking at out of the water.

I also think you need to purchase an SPL Meter (Galaxy makes some decent ones). This is because the human ear simply can't "balance" any two loudspeaker properly. You need to run sine waves and level match with a meter.

 

[Shakeydeal]

Try listening to your speakers with something better than a receiver. You might find they are more "musical" than you thought.

Shakey

 

[rnatalli]

"Musical" is a subjective term as it means something different to everyone. That said, listen to as many speakers as possible till you find what you like. At around $800 a pair, I'd give the Ascend Sierra-1's serious consideration.

 

[sholling]

At around $800 a pair, I'd give the Ascend Sierra-1's serious consideration.

Agreed. That's a lot of speaker for less than $900 and don't forget to check b-stock.

 

[Boerd]

Hi,

After I obtained a power amp to replace my faulty output stage of Receiver, I now find that my current speaker set (Rogers bookshelf of 15 years old) has some problem. The sound is not balanced as I can feel left channel is dominate over the right. Think about upgrading the speakers. My main use will be 2 channel music and with a bit movie and game. Since I do not want to add a subwoofer (my previous one died), I was thinking a floorstanding speaker. Currently there are two on sale at Futureshop (I'm in canada):

Polk audio RTI A9
and Energy RC-70.

Both around $1k and RTI A9 a bit cheaper. I may also get a pair of used NHT Classic 4 for around $800 from a friend. Are any of these good for music ?

My current setup:

Pioneer VSX 816 receiver
Rotel RB985 MkII power amp

family room 14'x16' open to kitch

Music: classical, vocal, new age, instrumental, soft rock.

Any recommendations ?

Thanks

I'd go with the NHTs

 

[zieglj01]

I'd go with the NHTs

NHT is also my choice.

 

[its phillip]

Energy RC-70s for 1K = super bargain.

 

[TLS Guy]

Be careful.

Jim Rogers put together very nice well balanced speakers. The speakers being talked about here are going to have a very different spectral balance than your Rogers. You have been happy with your Rogers speakers, and there is a good chance you will not be happy with any speakers mentioned so far. Those speakers will be much more in your face than the Rogers.

 

[k330]

Thanks for the advice. My understanding is that the sub is mainly for movies but since I mainly use this for music I was hoping to do away without the sub.

For under $1000 You're just not gonna get a truly full range tower speaker... at least not a very good one! Get a sub, seriously! A quality internet direct sub, 12" at least! This whole "my old one died" business is not the right approach! The better tower speakers below $1000 are designed to be used WITH a sub, or to be really "bassy" and poor.

Unless you want to DIY, then you could build a Zaph SB12.5 and it would blow those towers you're looking at out of the water.

I also think you need to purchase an SPL Meter (Galaxy makes some decent ones). This is because the human ear simply can't "balance" any two loudspeaker properly. You need to run sine waves and level match with a meter.

 

[k330]

Try listening to your speakers with something better than a receiver. You might find they are more "musical" than you thought.

Shakey

Thanks. I guess an entry level receiver is not really hi fi. In fact I don't think I'm after Hi Fi, mid fi at best since I don't really have a good ear.

I did try the speaker with a headphone amp I have with a built in DAC which is better than the Squeezebox built in DAC. Can't really tell too much of a difference between it and the receiver.