What speakers to pair with Marantz PM 6005?
Discussion
OK so my current home Hi-Fi setup isn't really delivering for me. I have a Marantz 6010 OSE Amp running my very old Tannoy Profile 632 speakers (on stands). I have a Marantz CD player and Project Debut 3 SE turntable which I'm happy with. The amp doesn't have any bass or treble controls and I'm just not getting enough bass from it. I listen to the odd CD and split my playing time between vinyl and Spotify Premium connected to the AUX for when I want to play long playlists.
I was thinking of upgrading my Amp to the Marantz PM6005 as they are going for around £200 these days. They seem to come out well in reviews for a budget unit. Whilst I think this will help, I doubt my Tannoy's are up to the job so I was looking at Monitor Audio Bronze 2's or stretching the budget and getting some B&W 685 S2's.
Has anyone got or listened to these speakers paired with the PM6005? Just after some advice before I head into town and get a demo set up. Are there any other options I should be considering? Didn't really want to spend more than £400 for both but I can probably creep a little on that.
I was thinking of upgrading my Amp to the Marantz PM6005 as they are going for around £200 these days. They seem to come out well in reviews for a budget unit. Whilst I think this will help, I doubt my Tannoy's are up to the job so I was looking at Monitor Audio Bronze 2's or stretching the budget and getting some B&W 685 S2's.
Has anyone got or listened to these speakers paired with the PM6005? Just after some advice before I head into town and get a demo set up. Are there any other options I should be considering? Didn't really want to spend more than £400 for both but I can probably creep a little on that.
I was going to buy a pair of Bronze 2s to pair up with my Denon AV receiver. I walked into Superfi ready to buy them but saw that they had a pair out so asked for a demo first. To be honest, after reading all the hype about them, I was disappointed when I heard them - they sounded harsh at the top end and lacked a fair chunk of bottom end thump. They also had a pair of B&W 685 S2s which I asked to demo. To my ears, they are a far better speaker, even if you take the difference in price into consideration. Both speakers were paired to the same Marantz amp and CD player but I'm not sure what the model numbers were, sorry.
I walked out of Superfi after very nearly buying the B&Ws but at £500.00 they were slightly above budget, especially days before a 2 week holiday to Italy! I had to have them though so I looked on eBay when I got home and found a guy selling a pair local to me for £360.00. When I arrived and spoke to the guy, it was obvious he was a hi-fi enthusiast. They were like brand new and I couldn't see any marks or damage. All in original boxes and packaging. I had them home about 3 hours after being in Superfi and was happy that I didn't buy them there and then! Can't knock a £140.00 saving
The new tweater design is fanatastic - they are bright and really detailed without being fatiguing - I can listen at high volume for a while without getting 'tired' of the sound. As for the bottom end thump, they've got to be heard to be believed. I didn't expect to be able to get such bass response from a set of relatively small bookshelf speakers. I was originally considering a sub to go with the Bronze 2s but with the B&Ws, I really don't think there's any need. This is coming from someone who likes a decent dollop of bass!
They sound brilliant no matter what I throw at them - music (various genres), films, PS4 games and general TV.
In short, up your budget and get the B&Ws - I would be very, very, very surprised if you are not happy with them!
I walked out of Superfi after very nearly buying the B&Ws but at £500.00 they were slightly above budget, especially days before a 2 week holiday to Italy! I had to have them though so I looked on eBay when I got home and found a guy selling a pair local to me for £360.00. When I arrived and spoke to the guy, it was obvious he was a hi-fi enthusiast. They were like brand new and I couldn't see any marks or damage. All in original boxes and packaging. I had them home about 3 hours after being in Superfi and was happy that I didn't buy them there and then! Can't knock a £140.00 saving
The new tweater design is fanatastic - they are bright and really detailed without being fatiguing - I can listen at high volume for a while without getting 'tired' of the sound. As for the bottom end thump, they've got to be heard to be believed. I didn't expect to be able to get such bass response from a set of relatively small bookshelf speakers. I was originally considering a sub to go with the Bronze 2s but with the B&Ws, I really don't think there's any need. This is coming from someone who likes a decent dollop of bass!
They sound brilliant no matter what I throw at them - music (various genres), films, PS4 games and general TV.
In short, up your budget and get the B&Ws - I would be very, very, very surprised if you are not happy with them!
I've got Monitor audio BX5s with my Marantz PM6003 which is all but the same amp. The set-up sounds great and delivers string and brass instruments in an impressive way, any jazz or blues or classical really is as good as it gets I think. They have good bass, 'house shaking', though they're not not as defined in the mid range as I'd like for the likes of bass guitar.
If your not bothered about great design or having the latest speakers then get a pair of Wharefdale Diamond 9.1s. Probably the best value £99 I've ever spent!
If your not bothered about great design or having the latest speakers then get a pair of Wharefdale Diamond 9.1s. Probably the best value £99 I've ever spent!
TheOversteerLever said:
I was going to buy a pair of Bronze 2s to pair up with my Denon AV receiver. I walked into Superfi ready to buy them but saw that they had a pair out so asked for a demo first. To be honest, after reading all the hype about them, I was disappointed when I heard them - they sounded harsh at the top end and lacked a fair chunk of bottom end thump.
I also found them to be somewhat bass-light when I heard a mate's pair.Your speakers are fine, add a sub first, get one on demo.
A sub adds so much more than just bass, it will open up the soundstage too and transform your system.
I have Meridian DSP speakers which go down to a true 30hz and I still use a small 10" Rel sub with them and cross them over at 60hz for music.
The sub really allows you to get a proper balance in a way that you simply can't do with speakers alone no matter how good they are (unless you are really lucky with position etc.).
A sub adds so much more than just bass, it will open up the soundstage too and transform your system.
I have Meridian DSP speakers which go down to a true 30hz and I still use a small 10" Rel sub with them and cross them over at 60hz for music.
The sub really allows you to get a proper balance in a way that you simply can't do with speakers alone no matter how good they are (unless you are really lucky with position etc.).
TheOversteerLever said:
toon10 said:
Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like I may have to think about upping the budget. I feel a trip to Richer Sounds coming on...
If you're wanting to test the B&Ws, you won't find them in Richer Sounds but there may be a SuperFi or another dealer near you gizlaroc said:
Your speakers are fine, add a sub first, get one on demo.
A sub adds so much more than just bass, it will open up the soundstage too and transform your system.
I have Meridian DSP speakers which go down to a true 30hz and I still use a small 10" Rel sub with them and cross them over at 60hz for music.
The sub really allows you to get a proper balance in a way that you simply can't do with speakers alone no matter how good they are (unless you are really lucky with position etc.).
I'm not clued up on subs so I'll have to have a chat with a specialist and see what would work. CheersA sub adds so much more than just bass, it will open up the soundstage too and transform your system.
I have Meridian DSP speakers which go down to a true 30hz and I still use a small 10" Rel sub with them and cross them over at 60hz for music.
The sub really allows you to get a proper balance in a way that you simply can't do with speakers alone no matter how good they are (unless you are really lucky with position etc.).
toon10 said:
I'm not clued up on subs so I'll have to have a chat with a specialist and see what would work. Cheers
Something like this would make all the difference....http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REL-Acoustics-REL-Quake-...
Or this....
http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/Gemini.htm
toon10 said:
Ah OK. I think there is a place called Lintone Audio not too far away I can try. They used to be in the Metro Centre but moved.
They're based in Park Lane, Gateshead and have been there for decades - the Metro Centre was an extra branch that didn't do too well so that was sold to someone else then closed down some time ago.Good bunch of lads but beware, don't go into the back room if you have your credit card with you
For value and sound/£ it's difficult to see past a sub from BK:
http://www.bkelec.com
As always, there are better subs out there but you'll be paying two or three times the price.
I'm sure they used to do a 30 day trial - perhaps worth getting in touch with them.
The Marantz 6010 is actually a good amp. Yes, it may be a little old and not have any tone controls, but it's still a damn good amp.
You would be better off upgrading your speakers to something like the floor standing Q Acoustics 2050i for £350 or so.
The PM6005 is not really an upgrade from the 6010 - and won't give you much of a difference in sound (apart from tone controls).
You would also do well to ensure that you are using a decent speaker cable (by decent I don't mean exotic - I mean a thick enough cable) and that your speakers are wired in phase.
This 42 strand cable from Maplin is good stuff, as is the 79 strand stuff (but the 79 strand stuff is a bit unwieldly!
You would be better off upgrading your speakers to something like the floor standing Q Acoustics 2050i for £350 or so.
The PM6005 is not really an upgrade from the 6010 - and won't give you much of a difference in sound (apart from tone controls).
You would also do well to ensure that you are using a decent speaker cable (by decent I don't mean exotic - I mean a thick enough cable) and that your speakers are wired in phase.
This 42 strand cable from Maplin is good stuff, as is the 79 strand stuff (but the 79 strand stuff is a bit unwieldly!
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