college student seeks durable speakers for odd room (long)

Posted by dtremit (A) on September 24, 2001 at 03:53:14

Once again, that question you all hate: what speakers should I consider?

I've been scheming my way towards an entry-level system for the past few years, as the inherited gear I've had has been dying. I'd planned on getting Magnepan MMGs, having fallen in love with planar vocals upon hearing the 12s and 1.6s, but the more I think about it, the more I hesitate. I'm in college, and my dorm complex is a bizarre child of the 1960s, with extremely irregular rooms. (I've included a link to my current layout below. In addition to the shape, it's important to note that the walls are mostly plaster, but one wall and the ceiling are actually poured concrete.) Admittedly, I'm also a bit nervous about the beating that the MMGs would take moving in and out of dorm rooms for the next few years. So, I'm leaning towards boxes now.

My musical taste runs the gamut from the 17th century to the cutting edge, but having been raised by a Wagnerian dramatic soprano, I'm the pickiest about how vocals sound. Piano runs a close second; I also listen to some (fairly cerebral) electronica and love organ music. Thus, clean bass is important too. Assume for the moment that I'm only listening to CDs.

I already have a CD player -- a Denon DCM-460 -- which I'm stuck with for at least a year or two. I know it's the weak link in the system, though, and it will go eventually. I'll need to buy an integrated amp or amp/preamp combo, so if there's one you particularly like, please say so. Between amp and speakers, I want to spend $1500 or less, and I'd prefer bookshelf models for ease of movement. (Fairly large bookshelf speakers are OK, though.) I'd prefer to buy something with a warranty and from a local dealer.

Have I complicated things enough yet? Anyway, I thought I'd include a few of the speakers I've listened to in the past year and have liked or disliked. I'm going to be listening a _lot_ before I make a decision.

Likes:

* Magnepan MG12 and MG1.6. Overall the best I've heard, really.
* Martin Logan Aerius I. Probably clearer on top than the Maggies, but the woofer bugged me.
* Vandersteen 2A. Very impressed. Sadly, no Vandersteen dealers anywhere near Boston.
* Klipsch RB-5. Actually really liked these on vocals, and they seemed to have fairly tight bass.
* Vienna Acoustics Haydn. I enjoyed these quite a bit, although the amp and cdp were out of my league.
* Linn Tukans. These came in a close second to the Haydns on a Linn setup (Genki/Majik).

Dislikes

* B&W DM602 S2. Wasn't impressed at all; the bass seemed flabby and vocals were harsh and metallic. Granted the room wasn't ideal, but I A/B'd them with some less expensive Klipsch models (KSB series?) and liked those more.
* Paradigm Atom/Titan. Boomy bass (on piano!) and boring vocal performance. Couldn't stand to listen for more than a few minutes.
* Paradigm Mini Monitor. Improved on the Atom/Titan, especially in the bass, but still failed to impress on vocals.

Well, I now defer to your wisdom. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!

Dan

Perhaps there should be an "Architect's Asylum," too... (Open in New Window)

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Topic - college student seeks durable speakers for odd room (long) - dtremit 03:53:14 09/24/01 (23)

Re: college student seeks durable speakers for odd room (long) - DrRasta 19:14:00 09/28/01 (0)

I used Maggies in dorm room with great success - MM 20:24:03 09/27/01 (0)

Try Spendors, maybe..... - chickenlogic 20:16:04 09/26/01 (0)

Consider this... - Gus 07:43:56 09/26/01 (0)

The case for Maggies - Duke 19:32:08 09/24/01 (5)

Re: The case for Maggies - dtremit 17:25:35 09/25/01 (1)

12's vs MMG's - Duke 23:48:17 09/25/01 (0)

Re: The case for Maggies - ds 11:21:22 09/25/01 (2)

Re: The case for Maggies - Duke 12:30:27 09/25/01 (1)

Re: The case for Maggies - dtremit 17:20:12 09/25/01 (0)

Check out some internet brands - Dan G. 13:06:03 09/24/01 (0)

Re: college student seeks durable speakers for odd room (long) - bent 13:01:54 09/24/01 (3)

thanks; I see they have a dealer in Windsor - dtremit 17:38:18 09/25/01 (2)

Maggies, Axioms, NADs - Teejay 20:44:55 09/25/01 (1)

Re: Maggies, Axioms, NADs - dtremit 06:53:18 09/26/01 (0)

Re: college student seeks durable speakers for odd room (long) - Zipp 09:53:58 09/24/01 (4)

Re: college student seeks durable speakers for odd room (long) - dtremit 17:41:17 09/25/01 (3)

Harvard Sucks! Go Bulldogs! - SJT 21:05:12 09/25/01 (2)

"Fair Eli's hopes we are dashing/Into blue obscurity" - dtremit 06:50:03 09/26/01 (1)

Re: "Fair Eli's hopes we are dashing/Into blue obscurity" ;0) - SJT 17:42:03 09/26/01 (0)

Re: college student seeks durable speakers for odd room (long) - ds 09:08:28 09/24/01 (2)

Re: college student seeks durable speakers for odd room (long) - dtremit 17:51:12 09/25/01 (1)

Re: college student seeks durable speakers for odd room (long) - ds 20:20:39 09/25/01 (0)

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