New speaker short listing
Discussion
A new set of floor standers is on the cards in the next few months and I'm drawing up an audition list.
Currently i have Audiolab 8200's for the electronics and some old Monitor Audio Silver 7's. I find these really detailed but tiring on my ears now I have more time to listen. They're also fundamentally limited by their driver / cabinet in terms of capability. My room is a bit over 6x5 but the layout means speakers need to be compact and have to be a max of 15cm from the wall (less is better), though won't be in a corner.
I was keen on Focal Aria's but have realised they're just too large for the space available, so a balance must be struck to keep everyone happy.
I had considered changing everything for something like Kef LS60's, the folk in the Kef showroom in London let me have a good play with them and whilst I loved the tech (I'm CD only still), their sound was impressive but felt like something was missing for me. I'm also still a fan of the tactile nature of dropping a disk and tweaking up a well damped volume dial.
Options for audiition so far are: More time with LS60's, Neat Iota, PMC Prophecy and Twenty 5 something, Spendor A series perhaps. Anything else wall and size friendly worth considering? My Music is everything from modern classical, Metal to electronica. I'm not adverse to speakers and a sub approach, budget permitting, nor second hand for the right kit.
I've already spoken to a couple of local Hifi shops, but this hasn't been particularly inspiring to date, so it'll likely need a fair degree of travelling.
Currently i have Audiolab 8200's for the electronics and some old Monitor Audio Silver 7's. I find these really detailed but tiring on my ears now I have more time to listen. They're also fundamentally limited by their driver / cabinet in terms of capability. My room is a bit over 6x5 but the layout means speakers need to be compact and have to be a max of 15cm from the wall (less is better), though won't be in a corner.
I was keen on Focal Aria's but have realised they're just too large for the space available, so a balance must be struck to keep everyone happy.
I had considered changing everything for something like Kef LS60's, the folk in the Kef showroom in London let me have a good play with them and whilst I loved the tech (I'm CD only still), their sound was impressive but felt like something was missing for me. I'm also still a fan of the tactile nature of dropping a disk and tweaking up a well damped volume dial.
Options for audiition so far are: More time with LS60's, Neat Iota, PMC Prophecy and Twenty 5 something, Spendor A series perhaps. Anything else wall and size friendly worth considering? My Music is everything from modern classical, Metal to electronica. I'm not adverse to speakers and a sub approach, budget permitting, nor second hand for the right kit.
I've already spoken to a couple of local Hifi shops, but this hasn't been particularly inspiring to date, so it'll likely need a fair degree of travelling.
I’ve been looking at the more compact floorstanders in Fyne Audio’s range recently. The Fyne F501 might fit the bill, they’re compact relative to many floorstanders and unlikely to be fussy about positioning (e.g could go close to the wall) thanks to their downward firing bass port.
https://www.fyneaudio.com/product/f501/
https://www.fyneaudio.com/product/f501/
dozen said:
I strongly recommend adding the cheaper PMC Prodigy5s to your list. I have the PMC Prodigy1 bookshelf speakers as part of a home cinema setup and they are really very good. Perfect for your needs as they can go close to a back wall without suffering too much.
Will do, cheers.I can't exactly remember what I auditioned them against, but a few years back I settled on a pair of Kef Q7 floorstanders. I do remember some Fyne Audio speakers (cant remember model) and I think I listened to abut 4 pairs in all (through RIcher Sounds) but the Kef's had far more clarity and a better soudn stage from what I remember.
Currently have then with a Monitor Audio centre speaker with my (slightly aging) Yamaha AV amp powering them.
Currently have then with a Monitor Audio centre speaker with my (slightly aging) Yamaha AV amp powering them.
RDBx said:
A new set of floor standers is on the cards in the next few months and I'm drawing up an audition list.
Currently i have Audiolab 8200's for the electronics and some old Monitor Audio Silver 7's. I find these really detailed but tiring on my ears now I have more time to listen. They're also fundamentally limited by their driver / cabinet in terms of capability. My room is a bit over 6x5 but the layout means speakers need to be compact and have to be a max of 15cm from the wall (less is better), though won't be in a corner.
I was keen on Focal Aria's but have realised they're just too large for the space available, so a balance must be struck to keep everyone happy.
I had considered changing everything for something like Kef LS60's, the folk in the Kef showroom in London let me have a good play with them and whilst I loved the tech (I'm CD only still), their sound was impressive but felt like something was missing for me. I'm also still a fan of the tactile nature of dropping a disk and tweaking up a well damped volume dial.
Options for audiition so far are: More time with LS60's, Neat Iota, PMC Prophecy and Twenty 5 something, Spendor A series perhaps. Anything else wall and size friendly worth considering? My Music is everything from modern classical, Metal to electronica. I'm not adverse to speakers and a sub approach, budget permitting, nor second hand for the right kit.
I've already spoken to a couple of local Hifi shops, but this hasn't been particularly inspiring to date, so it'll likely need a fair degree of travelling.
Whats the budget?Currently i have Audiolab 8200's for the electronics and some old Monitor Audio Silver 7's. I find these really detailed but tiring on my ears now I have more time to listen. They're also fundamentally limited by their driver / cabinet in terms of capability. My room is a bit over 6x5 but the layout means speakers need to be compact and have to be a max of 15cm from the wall (less is better), though won't be in a corner.
I was keen on Focal Aria's but have realised they're just too large for the space available, so a balance must be struck to keep everyone happy.
I had considered changing everything for something like Kef LS60's, the folk in the Kef showroom in London let me have a good play with them and whilst I loved the tech (I'm CD only still), their sound was impressive but felt like something was missing for me. I'm also still a fan of the tactile nature of dropping a disk and tweaking up a well damped volume dial.
Options for audiition so far are: More time with LS60's, Neat Iota, PMC Prophecy and Twenty 5 something, Spendor A series perhaps. Anything else wall and size friendly worth considering? My Music is everything from modern classical, Metal to electronica. I'm not adverse to speakers and a sub approach, budget permitting, nor second hand for the right kit.
I've already spoken to a couple of local Hifi shops, but this hasn't been particularly inspiring to date, so it'll likely need a fair degree of travelling.
Have you tried anything from Audio Physic? I moved up from Monitor Audio Silver 200's to the AP Classic 15's a few years back and cannot be happier. Managed to get mine from Elite Audio in Scotland. Agreed they send me them for demo in my home and if I didn't like them would pay for delivery back to them ... Suffice to say I liked them and paid the fee.
Thanks, some interesting suggestions.
I've got a nominal budget of £2-3k in mind, but it's flexible. Those radiant acoustics options look very interesting, but would perhaps require a other £1k in amplification to get the best out of them. That makes the this more complicated and I've limited time, with life's commitments. It looks like Richer sounds may sell then, so will see if they're available to audition.
Currently I'm erring away from anything I can't go and listen to within an hr of Oxon. So that discounts online only companies.
Another option, due to downward porting could be the ProAc DT8. They seem well reviewed but im back to the physical size question perhaps.
I've got a nominal budget of £2-3k in mind, but it's flexible. Those radiant acoustics options look very interesting, but would perhaps require a other £1k in amplification to get the best out of them. That makes the this more complicated and I've limited time, with life's commitments. It looks like Richer sounds may sell then, so will see if they're available to audition.
Currently I'm erring away from anything I can't go and listen to within an hr of Oxon. So that discounts online only companies.
Another option, due to downward porting could be the ProAc DT8. They seem well reviewed but im back to the physical size question perhaps.
RDBx said:
Fyne - Thanks, not heard of them, will take a look.
Kef - Had discounted as they're rear ported and want space around them from reviews. The boxes are getting a little large i think also.
Budget wise, flexible but 2-3k is my starting point.
Had a fair few speakers from kef r7 r3 meta , pmc and ma. Currently still have r3 meta and definitely a fan of the ma silver range. Big speakers look impressive but in reality smallerKef - Had discounted as they're rear ported and want space around them from reviews. The boxes are getting a little large i think also.
Budget wise, flexible but 2-3k is my starting point.
Speakers correctly positioned give plenty of bass. Music does not go that low and home theatre you need a sub. My amp is a lyngdorf and if you know anything about them and their sound correction place Speaker against wall by design. My seam to break all the rules, but one of the best amp I heard and I heard a few. So I happy with R3 meta against the wall and none of the issues reviewers suggest you would have. They come with port bungs. I would recommend room correct for any system these days, audible improvements to the bass rather than just a pretty graph.
RDBx said:
Thanks, some interesting suggestions.
I've got a nominal budget of £2-3k in mind, but it's flexible. Those radiant acoustics options look very interesting, but would perhaps require a other £1k in amplification to get the best out of them. That makes the this more complicated and I've limited time, with life's commitments. It looks like Richer sounds may sell then, so will see if they're available to audition.
Currently I'm erring away from anything I can't go and listen to within an hr of Oxon. So that discounts online only companies.
Another option, due to downward porting could be the ProAc DT8. They seem well reviewed but im back to the physical size question perhaps.
I'm running some of the RA Clarity 4.2 through a Bluesound Powernode N331 (2025), and they are simply exquisite. Tried Richer Sounds to set up a demo for me, with me taking the Powernode in to their store, but I waited a week and didn't hear a peep from the shop (Leeds), so bought some from Radiant Accoustics directly, as the have a £50 return offer if you're not happy. They are not going back. The base is insane for such a small box.I've got a nominal budget of £2-3k in mind, but it's flexible. Those radiant acoustics options look very interesting, but would perhaps require a other £1k in amplification to get the best out of them. That makes the this more complicated and I've limited time, with life's commitments. It looks like Richer sounds may sell then, so will see if they're available to audition.
Currently I'm erring away from anything I can't go and listen to within an hr of Oxon. So that discounts online only companies.
Another option, due to downward porting could be the ProAc DT8. They seem well reviewed but im back to the physical size question perhaps.
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