Speakers to go with my Cyrus 7

[Matt..]

I have had my Cyrus 7 for ~5yrs now and really do like it. However, i have also been suffering with awful speakers for that time. I am now considering an upgrade if it can be made for a reasonable amount.

My amp is plugged into my media PC which uses an M-Audio Revolution soundcard, and mostly plays mp3s. The PC and therefore amp/speakers are also used for TV and films.

What i am looking for are some small(ish) floorstand speakers that can give a good sound in a room of approx 4x4m (current room is larger, though i am likely to move soon). The budget is approx £250-£500, and i have no problem going second hand.

My music tastes are somewhat varied, but are generally hip hop and indie (you can see what i listen to here: http://last.fm/user/matt345/). These aren't the usual Cyrus genres, but i really like the amp!

If anyone would be able to give suggestions as to what to go for then that would be greatly appreciated. I have in the past demoed speakers, though i find it difficult, and am never really 100% on whether i want to buy, so dont want to waste the shops time!


Thanks

[WhoseGeneration]

Matt.. said:

I have in the past demoed speakers, though i find it difficult, and am never really 100% on whether i want to buy, so dont want to waste the shops time!


Thanks

There's your problem, which won't be answered by asking on the Internet.
Secondhand, by recommendation, ears unheard, when you can't decide having heard?
Take amp to dealers, describe your source system and musical taste, let them suggest and demo.

[Mr_Yogi]

The advantage of buying second hand is that if you don't like them you can usually sell them on for little loss and try something else

Even dealers demo rooms rarely sound like your own home, so unless you can get a home demo shop demos are of limited use.

[rednotdead]

See if you can find a pair of Castle Severn MkIIs. They work really well with Cyrus and can be picked up quite cheaply these days......

[WhoseGeneration]

rednotdead said:

See if you can find a pair of Castle Severn MkIIs. They work really well with Cyrus and can be picked up quite cheaply these days......

Or, ahem, Castle Avons.
Yes, I have a pair.
Then, there's so much out there speakerwise, how does one recommend?
As said above it's about room and how components interact, the listener's desires etc.
Thing is, you have to decide at some point and then enjoy, otherwise it's a fruitless pursuit of some never to be achieved "heaven".

[Peter Empson]

Matt.. said:

I have in the past demoed speakers, though i find it difficult, and am never really 100% on whether i want to buy, so dont want to waste the shops time!


Thanks

That's what us dealers are for, don't be afraid, they shouldn't have any expectations that you will buy. For the first dem take along your amp and existing speakers, spend a few minutes getting use to the sound in the dem room before changing the speakers. Then go through a couple of recommendations - give them feedback about the sound and see which models they suggest based upon that. If one pair seems clearly above the rest then ask to try them at home for a couple of days to make sure they work in your room.

[garycat]

I used Mission 733i's with my Cyrus amp but that was about 10 years ago. Filled a room 4m x 7m with sound.

[Seeker UK]

Missions can be a bit "unrefined".

Kef Q55s or Q35 mk 2s (if you don't want loads of bass) are a good match.

I'd also audition a pair of Q-Acoustics 2050i 'speakers which are getting very good reviews at the moment.

[telecat]

Some Mission 752 Freedoms on Hifiwigwam at the moment. They are along with the 753's considered one of Mission's best.

[10 Pence Short]

I've a friend who uses a pair of Castles with his old Cyrus, and it works beautifully.

I run a pair of B&W 603s with my Cyrus 8, which will do the job really well, but if you like volume I would recommend at least a Smartpower to go with the 7, as the speakers take quite a bit more driving than the stats suggest, and the Cyrus amps aren't hugely powerful in the output department.