Speaker Selection for CA Azur 640v2

[Placebo79]

I'm purchasing a Cambridge Audio Azur 640v2 integrated amplifier and 640v2 CD player in the next week or so....it's a treat for my 30th birthday. From the reviews I've read, they're a great combo and very decently priced.

The only slight "problem" with them is that they seem to be a little "bright" .. which can be fatiguing over a long listening period. So I'm looking to pair this system up with bookshelfs (budget and space restricts towers) that will warm the sound up a little.

So far, I've decided on the following (all roughly in the $300 range) in pseudo-order:

Axiom M3v2
Monitor Audio BR2
PSB Alpha B1
KEF iQ3

I'm interested to hear from people who have had the speakers (or the CA Azur series) which speakers would be a good match for the Cambridge system to help tone down the bright edge to them.

Thanks for your input!

 

[jostenmeat]

You're going about this the wrong way for a couple of reasons.

Never choose speakers to EQ your other decisions, whether it be questionably bright sounding electronics or room. If you simply prefer a "warm" sounding speaker, that's different, but don't choose any such warmth to solve something else. That's like having a soup that is too salty, and thinking that extra pepper will solve it.

The other thing I would also greatly reconsider is spending more on the speakers, and less on the electronics. Not that your electronics choices are very expensive, but they do represent more money than the speakers you are to choose.

I have a Cambridge integrated, and have setup a pair of BR2s temporarily, a gift I bought for a friend from the classifieds here, as well as a suite of PSB HT speakers, as well as some electrostats. I am very unfamiliar with both Axiom and KEF. These latter two are sometimes described as having a brighter sound by some folks.

For PSB, those are the bottom of the line, entry level. Even if a good value, the step up to the Images is immediately noticeable. Let alone climbing up to the new Imagines, or rather pricey Synchrony.

The MAs are nice as well, and I would probably consider those more similar than not to the PSB Images. A step up to the RS series is also an immediately noticeable improvement, coupled to a much nicer cabinet.

I would also like to offer the suggestion of Ascend Acoustics. I would very, very easily take even their bottom of the line 170s over both the Alphas, or BR2s. Much improved transparency, IMO.

Good luck, just my first thoughts.

 

[Placebo79]

Hey JostenMeat, thanks for the reply.

You raise some very good points, I appreciate your time in helping me with my question. I prefer a more neutral/natural sound. Too bright can be very fatiguing for long periods of listening, so I'm looking for warmer speakers to balance the system. Also, I listen to a lot of hard rock, guitar-heavy music, and prefer a warmer feel to my music than bright trebble-heavy.

I have a very restricted budget, and I'm getting the amplifier and CD at a very good price (demo units -- I'm getting the Azur 640s for the same price as new Azur 340s, so I cant really scale down in terms of price for the units to save money for the speakers) which is why the CD/AMP seem to be out of balance with the speaker selection in terms of $$$. My budget for speakers is $350 max.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hmrz. There are too many choices. Hmmmm. Out of the speakers that I am familiar with, at this budget, I have two suggestions for now.

PSB B25s for greater power handling, and being slightly warmer than neutral, IMO. However, they do dip to 3.7 ohms.

Ascend 170SE for a more neutral sound, but may** not be able to crank as much as the PSBs.

The Images are going to be tougher to drive, for sure. This is definitely a consideration.

If you can swing extra cash, you can instead afford PSB towers, or some other brand of towers. Another bang for buck speaker model is the Usher S520, but that also extends budget a bit, and I have no idea how they sound. Just gotta go out there and listen some I think.

EDIT: ah... a lot of folks rave about Infinity Primus towers... AH has em for sale. Have very good sensitivity to boot.
http://store.audioholics.com/product/2021/18/infinity-primus-p362-floorstanding-speaker--each-

 

[dronezero]

Well since you are going used with your electronics would you have a problem going used with the speakers as well? On audiogon right now you there is a Silverline Minuet pair for $395 that you may be able to talk down. Also several Usher S-520 pairs in or near your range.

 

[Placebo79]

I've been looking at Audiogon...but getting a lot of negative reviews about experiences, scams etc.

Not sure whether it's worth the risk...there seems to be no protection for the buyer?

I'll look into the speakers though...thanks for the suggestions!

EDIT: any experience with either Paradigm Atoms or Epos ELS-3??

 

[MrPirate2882]

Paradigm

I haven't listened to a pair of Paradigm in a while, and only at the dealer, but for that price I think the mini-monitors are good. Also, it appears on audiogon there's quite a few larger models from the monitor series. I wish I could tell you first-hand knowledge about them but I'd bet they rock out.