Speakers ?!

[julesmulli]

Hi,

I'll be honest, I feel totally out of my depth reading and trying to understand the endless variables associated with speakers, amps, subs etc I recently purchased some cd decks and I would like some good quality speakers to accompany them. I have read thread over thread and tried to research on various websites but the choices and possibilities are endless. I would really just like some recommendations for a setup that has good quality sound whilst being able to cope with reasonably loud sounds, something that will do the music justice. I currently have a rotel amp hooked up to a pair of maundant short speakers which my father bought in 1986. He gave them to me 5 years ago and I think they still sound wonderful (maybe because I'm a novice); anyway I decided it was time for an update as if played too loudly they soon kind of cut out and go rather quiet Being new to all of this I'm not looking to spend over £500 (if thats feasible?)Any help would be much apprecaited.

Cheers

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Here's what I got from your post:
1. You still really like your speakers
2. When you play music loudly, the system cuts out

I'd tend to believe that the system is cutting out due to the amp and not the speakers. If that's the case (and I'm sure others here will chime in), then you could keep using the speakers that you like and just get an amp that can drive them properly. The budget that you mentioned should be plenty for that.

Some general advice on getting speakers, though. Go out and listen to them. Audition speakers in stores, and go listen to your friends' systems if applicable. Specs and pictures are not going to tell you which speakers are worth the money to you. Listening probably will. You might very well find that your speakers are still the best choice for you.

EDIT: What Rotel amp do you have? I'd like to check the specs on that. Also, the cutting out could be caused by strands of copper bridging across your speaker terminals (either on the speakers or on the amp). Check those carefully.

 

[julesmulli]

Cheers Adam, it's a Rotel RA-820BX2 Amplifier. It's strange because it will play loudly for a little while and then it decides to cut out and go quiet. I would assume this is due to overheating maybe? Could you recommend any suitable amps for me or maybe point me in the right direction?

Thanks

 

[Adam]

It certainly could be due to overheating. That amp is rated for speakers down to 4 ohms (one thing that I wanted to check on), so I don't think that's the issue. Have you noticed it getting hot? Is it in an enclosure that keeps it from getting good ventilation?

One way to check if it's due to overheating is to blow a fan over it while running it, and see if it shuts down as quickly (or at all). If keeping it cool solves the problem, then perhaps adding a small fan would be the ticket.

You might already have it, but you can get a copy of the owner's manual here. It has some useful info.

Regarding amplifier suggestions, where are you located (country)?

 

[julesmulli]

Ok, I'll give that a try thanks. I'm from South Africa but I live in England just outside London.