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Need Help Deciding On A New Set of Speakers!!

#1
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6/15/09 at 9:23am
  • Joined: June 2009
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Hey, im looking for a set of great sounding speakers, really warm, really punchy to play my vinyl collection. I know Bose isnt popular on this website, but this is my point of reference, I want something similar to Bose 201 Series IV Speakers, Ive got a Stanton T.92 Turntable and I was thinking about getting a NAD C325BEE Stereo Integrated Amplifier, but once again if anyone has a better idea that would be great too. Im looking for something that can be pushed loud if need be, but something that sounds really really warm and fantastic and organic. The room they will be in will also be small, so I was thinking something similar shape to the Bose. Help would be great. Thanks!!
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#2
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6/15/09 at 10:09am
  • Joined: January 2004
  • Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
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Re: Need Help Deciding On A New Set of Speakers!!

I'm assuming your budget is under $100 and you want small speakers????

Getting great sounding speakers (full range) will not be possible for the budget or the size.

What is your budget (I'm guessing based on the Bose you mentioned)?
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#3
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6/16/09 at 12:15am
  • Joined: May 2006
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Re: Need Help Deciding On A New Set of Speakers!!

EDIT...

wow, i thought i had posted a response to this already... thought i must have typed it and forgotten to click the button. now i see it's a second version of the same thread...

for speakers, check out monitor audio, era, epos and while not as warm in general, a great value is the cambridge soundworks model 6 at $150 or less a pair. but for my $$ i'd seriously consider a pair of used AR speakers. In any case, listen before you buy if you can.

Also on the receiver/ amp side of things look at cambridge audio ($350 for the intro integrated amp) and things with tubes as they do tend to warm and soften things.

those bose are not the little cubes and while none of the bookshelves in this price range (i'm thinking under $500/pair except for those model 6's) are bass killers, you will find speakers that roll off below 50hz which does not leave much out soundwise from your average rock or jazz recordings...

HT: Marantz SR8000, PSB Alpha B fronts, Alpha C center, CSW Newton S200 surrounds, Martin Logan Dynamo Sub, Marantz DVD, Sony CRT TV

Stereos include vintage Sony receivers/amps into vintage AR and KEF speakers.

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#4
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6/19/09 at 10:33am
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Re: Need Help Deciding On A New Set of Speakers!!

ya I was thinking about under 300 for a great pair of speakers id say. and im going with the pro-ject debut III turntable, and I was initially thinking a pro-ject tube phono preamp with a nad amplifier.
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#5
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6/19/09 at 11:50am
  • Joined: October 2002
  • Location: Houston, TX
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Re: Need Help Deciding On A New Set of Speakers!!

IMO the only speaker I've heard under $300 that is warm and has good-enough bass output for most R&R is that Cambridge SoundWorks Model 6. It's been manufactured since the early 90s so I am sure that's partly why it is so inexpensive.

They employ an acoustic-suspension (sealed) enclosure for their 8" woofer to operate in, but such a design can produce bass that sounds rather "polite" to some people i.e. it lacks the punchy quality many bass-reflex (ported) speakers generate. Personally I like most sealed speakers because they sound richer and cleaner to me than most ported speakers, though they do require more power on average to reach the same volume level.

BTW don't be deterred by the Model 6's old-skool cone tweeter. Cone designs do produce a narrower dispersion angle* than dome (or especially!) ribbon tweeters, but OTOH they can be crossed over lower so can be used with larger woofers. And the cellulose - a fancy name for paper - the cone is made of is still a good material for tweeters since it is light, stiff and has good inherent self-damping qualities. I'm not saying this speaker is a B&W killer but IMO it does have some good things going for it.

Also: Infinity's much talked-about Primus series has a reputation for having a smooth personality (IIRC they start at about $300/pair for the 6.5" woofer model). I've heard several of these myself and agree with that opinion, though they are not as warm as the Model 6s.


* this can actually help improve stereo imaging since there are less late-arriving secondary reflections from the walls, ceilings, and floor that would otherwise interfere with the primary soundwave.
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#6
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6/21/09 at 8:54am
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
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Re: Need Help Deciding On A New Set of Speakers!!

The Infinity Beta 20's, which can be had for under $200 a pair from Harman/Infinity on e-Bay if you're a lucky auction winner, is also a fairly warm speaker with a good amount of bass for a 6" bookshelf.

And for those who can use a larger floor standing speaker there's always the Primus 362, often found on sale at Fry's for $129 a piece and sometimes for $99 each!

I also like the used speaker idea, like these Infinity Kappa 5.1's on Audiogon.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
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