speaker recommendation for music

[k330]

"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.

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

That speaker looks interesting and I'm reading some reviews. Wonder if there is any store in Ottawa that I can audition these ?

 

[k330]

I'd go with the NHTs

NHT is also my choice.

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

Looks like NHT gets more vote.

Sale for Energy has finished unfortunately.

 

[k330]

Thanks and you have a very good point here. I might be totally used to bookshelf and may find it difficult to switch. Any bookshelf that you can recommend that does not break the bank ?

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.

 

[ahblaza]

Thanks and you have a very good point here. I might be totally used to bookshelf and may find it difficult to switch. Any bookshelf that you can recommend that does not break the bank ?

Check out Ascend Acoustics, paticularly three 340SE's as your front stage. $888 delivered with 30 day guarantee.

 

[KEW]

Thanks for the tip. I may try the speaker without the crossover first. Doubt I can tell the difference between 27 and 37hz. Music: classical, vocal, new age, instrumental, soft rock.

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

Based on your music preferences, I think you'd be fine with the 37Hz roll-off (unless your classical involves big heavy symphonies or classical organ works, but the new age and soft rock would indicate you lean more toward quartets, sonatas, and chamber music).
In any case it is good to be aware of the option if you find you miss the low end.

If you can get an bring home trial of your friend's NHT's, definitely give them a shot while considering TLS Guys advice.
Be aware that the sound of the NHT's in your friends room is likely to be different in your room.
Never turn down an opportunity to listen to speakers in your own room. You may find the NHT's to be great, or you may rediscover your current speakers. Either way you will have made a definite step forward in improving your set-up without wasting your money. Too many people find a "good deal", buy it, and never really know if they got better sound quality at the end of the day!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

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

In my experience, 27Hz with adequate output can be pretty significant - as in capable of shaking the walls.

37Hz will definitely NOT shake any walls.

Adding that ACTIVE crossover + amp is like adding a small dedicated subwoofer.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks and you have a very good point here. I might be totally used to bookshelf and may find it difficult to switch. Any bookshelf that you can recommend that does not break the bank ?

I don't think your speakers being bookshelf is the issue. You have been listening to speakers that have what is known as BBC balance. The BBC being intimately involved in your speakers, which incidentally, are fetching close to $2000 per pair on Audiogon. They are worth the price.

Everything so far mentioned here is far short of what you are used to.

So I really want to know what it is you don't like about you speakers. If you are basically happy, but what something a little better, then you need to up your budget a lot.

If you are happy with the essential tonal balance of your speakers, then you are looking at the offerings of Spendor, Harbeth or PMC. Not cheap speakers, but all developed from the same body of research as your current speakers and designed by individuals associated with that landmark research.

The BBC balance is correct in my view, and it is always something I strive for and I think achieve. When you are used to it, speakers that don't have it are to varying degrees irritating, most of them highly.

The issue is that if you are not very careful you will end up with speakers that are a lot worse than what you have.

 

[davidtwotrees]

The issue is that if you are not very careful you will end up with speakers that are a lot worse than what you have.

Amen to that sentiment. I loved my last pair of speakers (Canton L800DC) and sold them to downsize and because my wife to be really didn't like the silver finish on them.
I sold them and replaced them with some nice sounding, solidly built speakers (Quad 12L actives) that are stunningly beautiful and literally match my mantle surround. BUT. They don't sound near like my old speakers in any way.
I think you will have to go much farther up the speaker price ladder than the speakers you have been looking at in this thread.

 

[k330]

Thanks for the recommendation. Would see if I can find it in Ottawa for audition.

Check out Ascend Acoustics, paticularly three 340SE's as your front stage. $888 delivered with 30 day guarantee.

 

[k330]

Thanks for your advice. Yes, I do listen a lot of piano work (sonatas mainly but also piano concertos etc). I like symphonies as well and this is where bookshelf is bit lacking sometimes but since I listen a lot of solo piano and vocal, I guess I have to give in somewhere.

Will see if I can borrow the speaker to try it at my own home.

Based on your music preferences, I think you'd be fine with the 37Hz roll-off (unless your classical involves big heavy symphonies or classical organ works, but the new age and soft rock would indicate you lean more toward quartets, sonatas, and chamber music).
In any case it is good to be aware of the option if you find you miss the low end.

If you can get an bring home trial of your friend's NHT's, definitely give them a shot while considering TLS Guys advice.
Be aware that the sound of the NHT's in your friends room is likely to be different in your room.
Never turn down an opportunity to listen to speakers in your own room. You may find the NHT's to be great, or you may rediscover your current speakers. Either way you will have made a definite step forward in improving your set-up without wasting your money. Too many people find a "good deal", buy it, and never really know if they got better sound quality at the end of the day!

 

[sholling]

Amen to that sentiment. I loved my last pair of speakers (Canton L800DC) and sold them to downsize and because my wife to be really didn't like the silver finish on them.

That's why I'm single - I'd have replaced the little woman before giving up my gear.

 

[k330]

Thanks again. Shaking the wall is probably more important for movie effects but I may not notice that in most of the music I listen.

In my experience, 27Hz with adequate output can be pretty significant - as in capable of shaking the walls.

37Hz will definitely NOT shake any walls.

Adding that ACTIVE crossover + amp is like adding a small dedicated subwoofer.

 

[k330]

Thanks for the advice. You are leading me on to a dangerous path.

The Rogers I got is LS2a/2, paid about $500 at the time when I was a poor student. I do like the sound otherwise it won't stay for 15 years. It's a bit lacking for large orchestra work but that's the only complain. The reason I want to change is just that I want to explore something new.

I think right now I just need to listen more speakers and see if I can find something I like and then do some research.

I don't think your speakers being bookshelf is the issue. You have been listening to speakers that have what is known as BBC balance. The BBC being intimately involved in your speakers, which incidentally, are fetching close to $2000 per pair on Audiogon. They are worth the price.

Everything so far mentioned here is far short of what you are used to.

So I really want to know what it is you don't like about you speakers. If you are basically happy, but what something a little better, then you need to up your budget a lot.

If you are happy with the essential tonal balance of your speakers, then you are looking at the offerings of Spendor, Harbeth or PMC. Not cheap speakers, but all developed from the same body of research as your current speakers and designed by individuals associated with that landmark research.

The BBC balance is correct in my view, and it is always something I strive for and I think achieve. When you are used to it, speakers that don't have it are to varying degrees irritating, most of them highly.

The issue is that if you are not very careful you will end up with speakers that are a lot worse than what you have.

 

[k330]

Amen to that sentiment. I loved my last pair of speakers (Canton L800DC) and sold them to downsize and because my wife to be really didn't like the silver finish on them.
I sold them and replaced them with some nice sounding, solidly built speakers (Quad 12L actives) that are stunningly beautiful and literally match my mantle surround. BUT. They don't sound near like my old speakers in any way.
I think you will have to go much farther up the speaker price ladder than the speakers you have been looking at in this thread.

Hear hear ... Thanks for sharing your experience. Will be careful.

That's why I'm single - I'd have replaced the little woman before giving up my gear.

Wow, lucky guy.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the advice. You are leading me on to a dangerous path.

The Rogers I got is LS2a/2, paid about $500 at the time when I was a poor student. I do like the sound otherwise it won't stay for 15 years. It's a bit lacking for large orchestra work but that's the only complain. The reason I want to change is just that I want to explore something new.

I think right now I just need to listen more speakers and see if I can find something I like and then do some research.

Yes, they are small bookshelves and not very sensitive. So they won't deliver concert hall spl. However they are tonally accurate. The speakers were designed by the BBC and produced by a large number of UK speaker companies. The BBC used them on the mixer desks especially for outside broadcast. The BBC now seem to be going pretty much exclusively with PMC speakers now.

If you like that sound then you will need to look in the direction I steered you.

I would particularly look at PMC and Spendor.

Don't forget that if the speakers are in good condition you can sell them for more than you paid for them. However you probably want to hang on to them. I know I would.

 

[Matt34]

Yes, they are small bookshelves and not very sensitive. So they won't deliver concert hall spl. However they are tonally accurate. The speakers were designed by the BBC and produced by a large number of UK speaker companies. The BBC used them on the mixer desks especially for outside broadcast. The BBC now seem to be going pretty much exclusively with PMC speakers now.

If you like that sound then you will need to look in the direction I steered you.

I would particularly look at PMC and Spendor.

Don't forget that if the speakers are in good condition you can sell them for more than you paid for them. However you probably want to hang on to them. I know I would.

The PMC brand look like excellent speakers but he is looking at a substantial price increase.

For the midline EB1i (the one's I would get if I had the $$):
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1297366319&/PMC-EB1i-Current-model-slashed

The 2nd tier bookshelf offering:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1298836547&/PMC-TB2i-Mint-as-New-condition

 

[zieglj01]

If you like to read
http://www.stereophile.com/content/pmc-db1iii-loudspeaker

 

[k330]

Thanks for the background education. I will need to do some more audition to see what I like. Have not heard much other speakers.

Was not aware about the value of old speakers. That's a good tip if I decide to sell them.

Yes, they are small bookshelves and not very sensitive. So they won't deliver concert hall spl. However they are tonally accurate. The speakers were designed by the BBC and produced by a large number of UK speaker companies. The BBC used them on the mixer desks especially for outside broadcast. The BBC now seem to be going pretty much exclusively with PMC speakers now.

If you like that sound then you will need to look in the direction I steered you.

I would particularly look at PMC and Spendor.

Don't forget that if the speakers are in good condition you can sell them for more than you paid for them. However you probably want to hang on to them. I know I would.

 

[k330]

Thanks for the links. The 2nd tier option may worth considering but I do need to try to listen to it before I buy.

The PMC brand look like excellent speakers but he is looking at a substantial price increase.

For the midline EB1i (the one's I would get if I had the $$):
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1297366319&/PMC-EB1i-Current-model-slashed

The 2nd tier bookshelf offering:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1298836547&/PMC-TB2i-Mint-as-New-condition

 

[k330]

thanks for the link. Will not consider high end option of those speakers as I doubt I can appreciate its full potential.

If you like to read
http://www.stereophile.com/content/pmc-db1iii-loudspeaker