Which speakers for separates?
Discussion
To any 'enthusiasts' out there.
So much choice out there but on the budget I have set myself I am looking at possibly a Marantz CD 6004 and Amp set up PM6004 to match.
I did demo a Denon Mini system today, but I think it sounds too 'small' so going to bit a little bit bigger bullet! WIll get a demo on the Marantz next week.
Can anyone recommend speakers under £200 to go with these. Or is anything less than floor speakers not doing them justice.
Interested to know your thoughts.
Thanks,
So much choice out there but on the budget I have set myself I am looking at possibly a Marantz CD 6004 and Amp set up PM6004 to match.
I did demo a Denon Mini system today, but I think it sounds too 'small' so going to bit a little bit bigger bullet! WIll get a demo on the Marantz next week.
Can anyone recommend speakers under £200 to go with these. Or is anything less than floor speakers not doing them justice.
Interested to know your thoughts.
Thanks,
As you say, there is so much choice at this price level.
Firstly I would say that if your intention is to use your system primarily for music then standmount speakers will almost certainly be the best way forward. Floorstanders, particularly at the budget end, tend to offer lots of bass but less in the way of detail and agility.
My advice would be to actually listen to any speakers you consider, ideally with the other kit you are thinking about. It is all about personal taste. I have made the expensive mistake of buying several pairs of speakers based on reviews, got them home and eventually hated them. Find yourself a helpful dealer, book some time in their listening room, and then make your decision.
Before you get to that stage, there are some general rules which can help with your shortlist, for example:
Front ported speakers tend to be happier than rear ported ones if you need to position them close to a wall. Don't trust anybody who suggests using port bungs, they sap the life from any speaker.
Fabric domed tweaters tend to offer less bite but a more natural sound than metal domed. Metal domes may initially give a more exciting sound, but often become fatiguing after a long listening session.
Generally, bigger boxes make a bigger sound but will be slower.
To actually answer your question, I believe the Q Acoustics 2020i is supposed to be an excellent speaker. My budget speakers are a rather old pair of Tannoys, but based on my experience of those I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair from the same maker.
Just remember to budget for cable and stands too.
Firstly I would say that if your intention is to use your system primarily for music then standmount speakers will almost certainly be the best way forward. Floorstanders, particularly at the budget end, tend to offer lots of bass but less in the way of detail and agility.
My advice would be to actually listen to any speakers you consider, ideally with the other kit you are thinking about. It is all about personal taste. I have made the expensive mistake of buying several pairs of speakers based on reviews, got them home and eventually hated them. Find yourself a helpful dealer, book some time in their listening room, and then make your decision.
Before you get to that stage, there are some general rules which can help with your shortlist, for example:
Front ported speakers tend to be happier than rear ported ones if you need to position them close to a wall. Don't trust anybody who suggests using port bungs, they sap the life from any speaker.
Fabric domed tweaters tend to offer less bite but a more natural sound than metal domed. Metal domes may initially give a more exciting sound, but often become fatiguing after a long listening session.
Generally, bigger boxes make a bigger sound but will be slower.
To actually answer your question, I believe the Q Acoustics 2020i is supposed to be an excellent speaker. My budget speakers are a rather old pair of Tannoys, but based on my experience of those I wouldn't hesitate to buy another pair from the same maker.
Just remember to budget for cable and stands too.
Thanks for that advice. I have had another look at my speaker options and have a shortlist, although it's not that short! I want to but the kit from Richer sounds as that is the best price option for the Marantz if that's what I opt for (which I think it will be) and it's close ish to home. I refuse to buy from Comet and Currys etc for quality Hifi.
My shortlist is:
Acoustic Energy Compact 1 - Look good spec for the price. Heard one of these vs a Mission MX1 and much more definition. Perhaps a little 'dinky'
Tannoy Mercury V1 - (aesthetically nice these!) Less powerful.
Boston A26 - Seem a good proce, look good and are powerful (150 RMS)
Camb Audio SL30 - Look good. magnetically shielded. Up to 8 ohms. A bit 'dinky' perhaps.
Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 - Look quite good but only have 6 ohms impedance.
Q Acoustics 2020i. Richer SOunds do not appear to stock this for some reason??! Again 6 ohms!?
I am also buying a soundbar and sub for the dining room for my 50" TV - can't be bothered with the 5.1 after consideration due to / usage / cable routing / budget etc. So spending quite a bit hopefully they'll throw some decent speaker cable in for the Hifi!!
My shortlist is:
Acoustic Energy Compact 1 - Look good spec for the price. Heard one of these vs a Mission MX1 and much more definition. Perhaps a little 'dinky'
Tannoy Mercury V1 - (aesthetically nice these!) Less powerful.
Boston A26 - Seem a good proce, look good and are powerful (150 RMS)
Camb Audio SL30 - Look good. magnetically shielded. Up to 8 ohms. A bit 'dinky' perhaps.
Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 - Look quite good but only have 6 ohms impedance.
Q Acoustics 2020i. Richer SOunds do not appear to stock this for some reason??! Again 6 ohms!?
I am also buying a soundbar and sub for the dining room for my 50" TV - can't be bothered with the 5.1 after consideration due to / usage / cable routing / budget etc. So spending quite a bit hopefully they'll throw some decent speaker cable in for the Hifi!!
I really wouldn't worry about the power rating of any speakers. The sensitivity is far more of interest, the higher the dB rating the better.
Impedance is a good indicator of how power hungry a set of speakers are, but this is only ever a nominal rating. In truth all speakers have an impedance curve, having a different level of impedance under different conditions.
In reality unless you go for something massively insensitive (say below 84dB) and power hungry (anything below 6 ohm nominal) the Marantz will almost certainly be able to go as loud and dynamic as you could possibly want.
Don't worry about the numbers, just buy what sounds good to you.
Impedance is a good indicator of how power hungry a set of speakers are, but this is only ever a nominal rating. In truth all speakers have an impedance curve, having a different level of impedance under different conditions.
In reality unless you go for something massively insensitive (say below 84dB) and power hungry (anything below 6 ohm nominal) the Marantz will almost certainly be able to go as loud and dynamic as you could possibly want.
Don't worry about the numbers, just buy what sounds good to you.
Roadster25 said:
My advice would be to actually listen to any speakers you consider, ideally with the other kit you are thinking about. It is all about personal taste. Find yourself a helpful dealer, book some time in their listening room, and then make your decision.
great advice. These may suit you, certainly worth auditioning http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-Wharfedale-DIAMOND-...Roadster25 said:
Just remember to budget for cable and stands too.
Good stands ( or brackets ) are vital if you go for compact / bookshelf units but imho £5 worth of mains flex is plenty for the cable.If second hand speakers an option you're likely to be able to able to get far better performance for the money. The disadvantage is not being able to audition before you buy, as per the advice above.
These are likely to sound better than anything available new for £200 though. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLOOR-STANDING-MISSION-S...
Edited by Crackie on Monday 16th January 16:08
Have a look at the Acoustic Energy B-grade stock on Ebay. You can get a pair of Radiance 1's for about £240 delivered - and these are £500+ speakers at retail. I have bought several B-grade items off the official ebay factory outlet over the years (including the aforementioned Radiance 1's - which are superb by the way, the treble being especially revealing) and have never been disappointed. The Radiance 1's I got were superb - I genuinely could not see how or why they were B-grade, I assume they must have been demonstration models.
If interested, take a look at the reviews on the net, especially those from testers in the states (start here http://www.avforums.com/forums/speakers/1397878-ac... ). Some were putting them in the running for best bookshelves south of $1000...You will need stands for them, however.
If interested, take a look at the reviews on the net, especially those from testers in the states (start here http://www.avforums.com/forums/speakers/1397878-ac... ). Some were putting them in the running for best bookshelves south of $1000...You will need stands for them, however.
Another vote for AE here.
I have a pair of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Energy-Neo-1-V2...
Great value for money, and sound better and better the more you crank them up.
If they had shipped overseas I would have gone for some Radiance B grade.
I have a pair of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Energy-Neo-1-V2...
Great value for money, and sound better and better the more you crank them up.
If they had shipped overseas I would have gone for some Radiance B grade.
It's funny you all mentioning AE because I was scouring the net and really like the Neo 1 V2s. £160 and they look great.
However, I am now thinking maybe I should stretch another ton and go for something like the Tannoy Mercury V4s??! If I go for bookshelf, I am going to need decent stands anyway, which I'm guessing will cost me around 50-100 quid, so I'm better off investing in floorstanders!!
Also like the Mission M34i too, although the Boston's look a bit neater
However seen a very nice pair of Boston A250s which look great, but no idea what they sound like!? Then there are the Radiance 1's as a B grade which are obviously great sounding by the reports.
JBL 1's I'm sure are good, but they don't have the look I am after to be honest, whereas I loke the look of all the afore-mentioned!
Argghhh, decisions!
However, I am now thinking maybe I should stretch another ton and go for something like the Tannoy Mercury V4s??! If I go for bookshelf, I am going to need decent stands anyway, which I'm guessing will cost me around 50-100 quid, so I'm better off investing in floorstanders!!
Also like the Mission M34i too, although the Boston's look a bit neater
However seen a very nice pair of Boston A250s which look great, but no idea what they sound like!? Then there are the Radiance 1's as a B grade which are obviously great sounding by the reports.
JBL 1's I'm sure are good, but they don't have the look I am after to be honest, whereas I loke the look of all the afore-mentioned!
Argghhh, decisions!
For music (I guess they will be, otherwise you wouldn't be looking at soundbars too) I really would suggest you steer clear of cheap floorstanders, they generally give an inferior sound to their standmount siblings imho. Being more expensive does not mean they are necessarily better.
I decent set of stands will stick with you for years. Good stands will happily sit under £160 Q Acoustics speakers or £1000 ProAcs, when the time comes. The same cannot be said of the bottom half of budget floorstanders.
Don't be seduced by special offers, I've been there, done that, got the t shirt. Speakers, like anything else, are usually reduced for a reason.
Spending all your money online without hearing the speakers first is a big risk, it may work well for you, but equally they may just not be your thing.
Of course if you are feeling ruthless you could always demo at a dealer and then find the best deal online...
I decent set of stands will stick with you for years. Good stands will happily sit under £160 Q Acoustics speakers or £1000 ProAcs, when the time comes. The same cannot be said of the bottom half of budget floorstanders.
Don't be seduced by special offers, I've been there, done that, got the t shirt. Speakers, like anything else, are usually reduced for a reason.
Spending all your money online without hearing the speakers first is a big risk, it may work well for you, but equally they may just not be your thing.
Of course if you are feeling ruthless you could always demo at a dealer and then find the best deal online...
Roadster25 said:
For music (I guess they will be, otherwise you wouldn't be looking at soundbars too) I really would suggest you steer clear of cheap floorstanders, they generally give an inferior sound to their standmount siblings imho. Being more expensive does not mean they are necessarily better.
I decent set of stands will stick with you for years. Good stands will happily sit under £160 Q Acoustics speakers or £1000 ProAcs, when the time comes. The same cannot be said of the bottom half of budget floorstanders.
Don't be seduced by special offers, I've been there, done that, got the t shirt. Speakers, like anything else, are usually reduced for a reason.
Spending all your money online without hearing the speakers first is a big risk, it may work well for you, but equally they may just not be your thing.
Of course if you are feeling ruthless you could always demo at a dealer and then find the best deal online...
Good point, I'm presuming that Tannoy floorstanders I mentioned are of a budget range then. I have seen some good stands that I like, so I will venture into a couple of stores and have a look if I get the chance this week. Still mulling over the amp too: Cambridge Audio appears to offer a little more than the Marantz for the same money - just liiks a bit more basic, but not too bothered about that. Quality is mroe important. Thinking it is worth investing a litte more in the speaker and perhaps sacrificing a little on the CD unit. We'll see, I'll have to try a few out, no point guessing!I decent set of stands will stick with you for years. Good stands will happily sit under £160 Q Acoustics speakers or £1000 ProAcs, when the time comes. The same cannot be said of the bottom half of budget floorstanders.
Don't be seduced by special offers, I've been there, done that, got the t shirt. Speakers, like anything else, are usually reduced for a reason.
Spending all your money online without hearing the speakers first is a big risk, it may work well for you, but equally they may just not be your thing.
Of course if you are feeling ruthless you could always demo at a dealer and then find the best deal online...
Edited by BreastofBritish on Thursday 19th January 22:55
BlueMR2 said:
Might be worth finding your local branch for a listen.
The amp and cd player are listed as £250 each down from £309 and £299 for the tannoys separately if you decide you just like the amps.
How ironic! They're exactly what I listened to today at the Middlesbrough store.Listened to Cambridge Audio 1, mini with AE compact 1's. Unfortunately sounded nice and clear but lacked real punch. Immediate difference with the separates then tried a pair of Mordaunt Short Aviano 2's with a major difference in clarity and punch. I thought I was quite happy then, but curious to try out the floorstanders, we sampled the Tannoy's and obviously loads more bass and more presence. The definition on the Avianos was very good I have to say, but The floor speakers will be great for listening to heavier music and especially live CDs. I'll be honest, I can see where there would be room for improvement at the higher end of the volume but you are talking mega money, which I'm not prepared to spend, especially with the amount of time it'll get used - maybe I can upgrade in the future. However, I will be rigging up to the TV and I've got loads of music DVD's that have never been heard with any justice! But I do need a new DVD player too, it's never ending!!
So £770, I just need to ask myself if that is worth paying for? I can't seem to find any comparable speakers for similar money with as good reviews.
Might hang fire with the soundbar for now!
Edited by BreastofBritish on Tuesday 17th January 22:21
Roadster25 said:
For music (I guess they will be, otherwise you wouldn't be looking at soundbars too) I really would suggest you steer clear of cheap floorstanders, they generally give an inferior sound to their standmount siblings imho. Being more expensive does not mean they are necessarily better.
I too would agree with this - I have tended to find cheap floorstanders to be poor with music and better suited to the front pair of a cinema setup. Don't think that standmounts, being smaller, will necessarily offer a shallow sound that is short on bass as it simply isn't true. A good set of stands are a worthy investment. I'll repeat that the radiance 1's at the B-grade price are superb value for money and certainly worthy of a demo. Ultimately your ears will be the best judge of what you enjoy listening to 
Edited by csampo on Wednesday 18th January 12:07
Splash a little more on a set of these - lovely things.
http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/products/bronze-bx/b...
http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/products/bronze-bx/b...
csampo said:
A good set of stands are a worthy investment. I'll repeat that the radiance 1's at the B-grade price are superb value for money and certainly worthy of a demo.
I love the look of these, and if there is a notable difference compared with the Aviano 2's then that would be a benefit. I will try a different store that stock these if I can and get a demo. £225 on line for B grade manuf refurbished! They would have to be better sounding than the V4s obviously, which have had great reviews it has to be said but they are obviously good the 1's.Edited by csampo on Wednesday 18th January 12:07
_dobbo_ said:
Splash a little more on a set of these - lovely things.
http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/products/bronze-bx/b...
That's spooky - I was JUST about to post the same thing. A friend of mine asked me to help him choose a new amp and speakers recently and these were the speakers he settled on.http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/products/bronze-bx/b...
We borrowed the demo pair whilst his were being ordered in (he went for a finish the shop didn't have in stock) and I slung them on the end of my system in place of my usual Celestion A2s.
I have to say that for their size, they were simply stunning. Clarity, punch, imaging, bass - for what's ostensibly a 'small' speaker they sounded phenomenal. They do need good, solid support under them, so budget about £50-100 for good speaker stands.
When the time comes to go 'full surround', they'll be moved to rear duty and he plans on getting the Monitor Audio BX5s.
For £200-odd quid, they're what I'd be buying tomorrow if I were looking for speakers at that price-point. The Marantz will be a good amp as well, but will be the weak link imo. I had the BX2s running off my Cyrus amp with FLAC input and they were stunning.
BreastofBritish said:
csampo said:
A good set of stands are a worthy investment. I'll repeat that the radiance 1's at the B-grade price are superb value for money and certainly worthy of a demo.
I love the look of these, and if there is a notable difference compared with the Aviano 2's then that would be a benefit. I will try a different store that stock these if I can and get a demo. £225 on line for B grade manuf refurbished! They would have to be better sounding than the V4s obviously, which have had great reviews it has to be said but they are obviously good the 1's.Edited by csampo on Wednesday 18th January 12:07
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