Alternatives to JBL Control 1's?

[2Btoo]

Hi,

I run a multi-zone setup with Google Chromecast Audios and a variety of amps and speakers. We've just moved house and I'm adding a couple of new zones to the setup and need some help choosing speakers. I've used JBL Control 1's to very good effect before but am aware that they are an old design and want to know what else I should be considering as alternatives. Big plusses of Control 1's is that they are small, available in white and silver (good for rooms where a big black speaker would be unsightly), sound excellent to my ears and available for very little second-hand. They are also apparently suitable for outside installations, which would apply to one of our new zones.

What else could I consider as alternatives? Or should I stop worrying and hunt down a couple more pairs on eBay?

Thanks!

[Boom78]

I’ve just got some control 1s From richer sounds for £35 for my office and think they’re brill for the price point. Supposedly they’re used but they came in the original box, packaging and appear untouched.

[heisthegaffer]

They are brilliant speakers although I find they need a sub to really sound good.

[2Btoo]

Chaps,

Thanks - all helpful. Yes they do need a sub to sound brilliant but you'd probably expect that of any speaker of it's size.

Anything else I should be thinking about before I buy a(nother) set?

Thanks again.

[Digger]

Have you considered going Active with the speakers? After 30 years & countless pairs & sets of HiFi speakers, I purchased my first set the other day for PC duties.

With my limited research & experience I narrowed it down to a pair of Presonus Eris 3.5. Will probably get their bigger brother the Eris 5's for the TV instead of a soundbar. For the money I am very impressed, both sound quality & features. Not suitable for the outdoors unfortunately.

[2Btoo]

Digger,

Thanks. active is a good idea but would require electric sockets in places where it would be hard to fit them. I'd also need one chromecast for each side, making it more expensive. I also have a small stack of nice studio amps spare to provide the oomph, so passives are cheaper and easier.

Thanks for the suggestion though!