Page 2 of 3

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:25 pm
by cybot
Good sensible advice Simon but are we a sensible lot? ;-) However if sdiesel can answer the usual questions (if he really wants to) then he's half way there....BTW interesting thoughts on the System Audios and PMCs...

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 6:31 pm
by sdiesel77
Hi Diapason,

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing really bad with my B&W! :)

It is just that I have recently heard a pair of other speakers (Spendor A5) with a valve amp that had amazing and detailed bass. For the sound that I am looking for, I prefer the medium and the 3D effect of my B&W but the bass sounded a lot better on the Spendor according to me.

And yes, that's what's happening when you listen to something you like better, then you want to have the same at home. lol

So now, I know that what I have at home is really good but that I can (according to my taste) have better for a bit more money.... I guess this illness is probably affecting most of us :P

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:45 pm
by Diapason
Yep, it's just as I thought. You're buggered!!

This is a feeling I know well...

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:47 pm
by Ivor
Fran wrote:sdiesel: tell us again what is the rest of your system?

You could also talk to Kronos. Don't know about equipment loans, but they might have other options on the speakers.


fran
they have a good selection of speakers there, both new and S/H.
sdiesel77 could always bring amp and source to the shop in Dungannon and try a few speakers in situ.

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:28 am
by tony
Earlier post suggested trying System Audios. I have a pair of 1530's which I think are really nice but I reckon the Spendor a5's you heard are better in my humble opinion.You will get a pair of them secondhand in the uk (ebay or hifi shops) for prices around €900-1100. A6's the next ones up you will get secondhand for around €1400-1800 which again are well within your range. Cloney stock spendor and SA so you can easily try them out .They also have B&W so you will get a good comparison. Not sure where you are but you can try my SA's if you want.

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:16 am
by Fran
Its hard to know what to do in this situation!


I think if I was in your shoes I would like to hear my amp with a range of speakers, and maybe other amps with those same speakers as well. I know thats difficult to do!!

That would give you a very good idea of how your amp performs with a few different speakers, plus the comparative performance of your amp vs other amps with those same speakers.

If you want to bring your amp & source and have a listen to my horns, feel free to pm me if you want. Other than that, maybe the best route is to contact either of the shops and see would they be OK with you bringing your amp and source along sometime.

Also, have a look about on the internet and see what others who have the same amp are using.

I'll tell you one thing though, €2k should get you a fabulous set of speakers, esp secondhand. If I was using that €2k I'd expect to get something really shit hot!


Fran

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:47 am
by sdiesel77
tony wrote:Earlier post suggested trying System Audios. I have a pair of 1530's which I think are really nice but I reckon the Spendor a5's you heard are better in my humble opinion.You will get a pair of them secondhand in the uk (ebay or hifi shops) for prices around €900-1100. A6's the next ones up you will get secondhand for around €1400-1800 which again are well within your range. Cloney stock spendor and SA so you can easily try them out .They also have B&W so you will get a good comparison. Not sure where you are but you can try my SA's if you want.
Hi Tony,

I have had the opportunity to try the 1530's with my amp and I have to say that although they're nice speakers, I didn't find them as good as I would have expected...

I have never heard the A6 so it would be good indeed to try them :)

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:48 am
by sdiesel77
Fran wrote:Its hard to know what to do in this situation!


I think if I was in your shoes I would like to hear my amp with a range of speakers, and maybe other amps with those same speakers as well. I know thats difficult to do!!

That would give you a very good idea of how your amp performs with a few different speakers, plus the comparative performance of your amp vs other amps with those same speakers.

If you want to bring your amp & source and have a listen to my horns, feel free to pm me if you want. Other than that, maybe the best route is to contact either of the shops and see would they be OK with you bringing your amp and source along sometime.

Also, have a look about on the internet and see what others who have the same amp are using.

I'll tell you one thing though, €2k should get you a fabulous set of speakers, esp secondhand. If I was using that €2k I'd expect to get something really shit hot!


Fran

Hey Fran,

You're exactly right, I think it might take me a while before I find the "perfect sound" according to me!

What brand/model are your horn speakers?

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:46 am
by Fran
I made them myself, they are a nagaoka style folded horn. Big mouthful I know, but if you do a search for "sachiko horns" then you will see the idea.

Image

Image

Scroll down on this page and you will see more:

http://www.frugal-horn.com/spawn.html


Beware that these are more sensitive than normal speakers, so if there is any hum etc from your amp, you will hear it....



Fran

Re: Looking for a new pair of speakers...

Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:56 am
by Adrian
There are lots of great speakers out there but if you have the space I would recommend those 801's in Cloneys. Might have to stretch the budget a bit but the 801 is a fantastic speaker, 15" bass driver really moves, but the top end and mid range are all there.

Condsidering those speakers new are around 16K or higher, picking them up for 3.4K is a good bargain.