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I am setting up a 2nd system at our vacation home. I had been using a Panasonic SA-XR55 with Insignia NS-B211 speakers which sounded reasonable for a total cost of less than $250. However since I am back to a single amp on the main system, I brought my spare W4S ST-500 and Music Reference RM5 pre to the get away. The source will mainly be FLAC off the laptop or CD from an old Pioneer CDP-R. I need to get some speakers that will do justice to this system. The Insignia speakers are showing all types of flaws -- too many to list.
Requirements: Number one - these have to high WAF meaning bookshelf only (the smaller the better - and number two - relatively cheap ( definitely used). The room is large (16' x 30' x 10') but the volume levels will be moderate(< 80 dB). Maggies are out of the question (even SMGa) because of number one.
Follow Ups:
Elac Deput
B5-$229 a pair...
B6-$279 a pair...
I have heard Andrew Jones cheap Pioneers, don't remember the model...but a friend of mine has them set-up in a screen porch and they play way over their Best Buy $130... the actually imaged fairly decent, good detail and overall pretty musical...driven with Onkyo Integrated and IPod loaded with Flac files...
With all the raves, for what it is worth, on the B5 and B6 from the audio shows...for that money, IMHO they are worth a role of the dice...
Good Luck
thanks
Mark
Got a pair of Pioneer SP-BS21 in my garage system -which I use a LOT when I'm doing yard work and other stuff. Paid a whopping $50 for the pair at (hold your horses) Walmart; they're also on amazon .
Pioneer SP-BS21
"Audiophiles don't use equipment to listen to music,
Audiophiles uses music to listen to their equipment".
I have one of his Pio sound bars under my TV, and for a sound bar it sounds very, very good. I've read good things about his other designs while at Pio, but not heard them. The Elac's are making quite a buzz for performance at their price point. Hope the wife doesn't read about them. She may want me to replace the PSB 1B's in her system with a pair Elacs. The 1B's are more sensitive and possibly better suited the 8w she has ... yeah, that'll be my counter argument should she get wind of the Elacs.
Axpona, Newport Beach and RMAF...not one negative work on these Elac Deput Series speakers...
For the money, pretty low risk in my opinion and they have custom made drivers designed by Andrew Jones...
Thanks
Mark
Heya Neolith... I am not sure what your definition of "relatively cheap" is. Given people are recommending KEFs and LS3/5a's I think the definition may vary widely :-) (I really like original LS3/5a's, but they are getting more expensive by the day).
For WAF I have built a lot of speakers based on Fostex drivers. Small cubes for the bedside. A wall hanging speaker with downward firing port and terminals. I simply made the enclosures and asked my "decorator" what color she wanted me to paint them. I think in the end we were both happy.
Here is a sample kit from Madisound. I have used the FE103 and like it, though not the anniversary edition listed here. Add in the cost of a can of paint, and I think they still qualify as cheap. :-)
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2-way-speaker-kits/fostex-p1000e-diy-kanspea-4-full-range-speaker-kit-pair/
I seriously debate the Linkwitz LXMini for my next DIY project, and think the dispersion pattern may work well for you. However, I also expect the WAF is not even remotely in the ballpark (and you are once again getting into the 1k range).
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/LXmini/Introduction.htm
I really liked the sound of the Raidho's at the 2015 AXPONA show, the Scansonic brand is their more affordable cousins. They have a planer magnetic tweeter, and supposedly have a warm character, in the midbass. Though you would have to find a used pair at $2,300 new, yikes.
I would like to hear those Sierra's with the RAAL tweeter. Vapor used another version of a RAAL tweeter on their perfect Storm speaker, at AXPONA 15 which to me was the best of show. I thought that ribbon tweeter sounded better than my 3.6's tweet.
Cheap - A pair of Dennis Murphy modded Pioneer Bookshelf speakers and a Dayton Sun. My son has this system in his room. For about $350 a really great system. You will also need a few caps top make a in line high pass filter for the Pioneers.More $ and cool looking A used pair of Anthony Gallo Reference Stradas and the same sub with high pass filter. $799 on Audiogon plus subs and caps for another $100. These may have the WAF factor. See link.
Edits: 10/26/15
I have Vienna Acoustics Waltz's in my second system that I absolutely love. They can't fill a large space (tried them in my main room) but in smaller rooms they are nice. Auditioned the Hayden grands and really liked them as well. Just got a better deal on the waltz's. I supplement them with Velodyne mini vee 8" sub.
been (patiently) waiting the last two years for a pair to pop up at a good used price, but even used they stay at or near their retail price.
KEF LS50
"Audiophiles don't use equipment to listen to music,
Audiophiles uses music to listen to their equipment".
Edits: 10/25/15
You got my mouth watering, now all I have to do is find a pair at 1/2 price :).
I only heard them briefly a couple years back and was impressed with their soundstage. Stereophile gave them a class A recommended rating; rare for a $1400 speaker in the same category as > $70K speakers. This may or may not mean a lot to many folks, just an observation.
Finding them 1/2 price on the used market is rarer than unicorn poop, cheapest I've seen them is around $1100. Good luck in your search; you may want to check out Triangle Comete, I found a pair for $400 used, perfect condition, very efficient and great sounding/sound stage.
"Audiophiles don't use equipment to listen to music,
Audiophiles uses music to listen to their equipment".
I'm listening to a pair of those right now. :)But another option, if Neo is into ribbons, is the Sierra-2s
Edits: 10/25/15
This is for your place in the Outer Banks, right?
Build a pair of these, and paint the vertical tubes like the Hatteras light house. That would look great!
I think he would be found face down in the water if those made a showing on his front wall.
After his wife listened she might want to revive him. They do a lot of things right.
Dave.
I was intrigued but Satie hit it on the head. I showed a picture to the wife and had to hold on to the deck railing so I didn't hit the ground. Sound has nothing to do with it - it's all visual with the wife.
Don't get me wrong, I love my wife and she treats me well but when it comes to aesthetics and music we part company.
They do look cool and I read quite a bit of positive commentary on it and it measures well for the size.
However, I know very well that WAF is proportional to the inverse of the cool factor, And inverse to (Height -8")X(Width -6")
For max WAF you build a mock Greek temple shed in the yard and move your audio there.
Any possibility of that?
Then MMGs with full absorption behind them hanging on the front walls.
Otherwise any of the better BBC LS3/5a variants. JBL centuries or the studio monitor versions + upgrade substitute for the tweeter, which is the most limiting factor for the design (the Dayton AMT tweeters with back cup are probably a good choice). For both of these bookshelf placement is possible with some felt damping to stop diffraction. Wharfdale had many bookshelf models that actually worked on a bookshelf.
Frazer horn speakers. They are like a mini Klipsch and have very good vocal clarity and are designed for bookshelf/on wall placement in conference rooms etc. but very good for music too.
Look to some of the older Tannoys and B&Ws like the DM series.
If the budget miraculously expands then consider in wall speakers like those from BG.
I thought of the LS3/5a. When I bought my first set of Maggie's (SMG) 35 yrs ago, a friend bought a pair of Chartwell LS3/5a for about the same price($450 iirc).They sounded just like the Rogers but were cheaper. I almost bought a pair along with the Maggies but I needed to pay my rent that month. I saw a pair on Ebay for about $1500 -- now that's holding your value. The LS3/5a are popular in Asia (Hong Kong) and the demand drives the price.
My wife is more likely to hang me on the wall before the speakers. Her idea is to get those mini speakers that they sell at Walmart, etc. It probably is a losing battle. Thanks for the other suggestions as well - a project in progress.
Not enough info to go on, except size and must meet WAF criteria.
What are your MUSICAL priorities?
Any house sounds you AutoMatically Exclude?
Too much is never enough
WAF criterion is the only criterion :). I listen to jazz, classical, baroque, Cuban son, bluegrass (not C&W) - mostly small group acoustical instruments. I can live without imaging and sound stage of full Maggies but tonal balance, clarity, lack of bloat are a must. My goal is to listen to music not to the music system but I don't want to be listening to a clock radio.
BTW just came across ELACs. Any one listen to these (ELAC 5 or 6)?
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