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So right now my system comprises of:Krell KAV-400xi Integrated Amp
Meridian 508.20 CD Player
iPod
KEF XQ1 Bookshelf speakers (with optional stands)The Krell is new, the XQ1's are relatively new, but I'm wondering about getting a better pair of speakers for this my main system, and using the XQ1's elsewhere in the house.
I'm thinking bookshelf speakers for a few reasons:
1) My wife hates the look of huge speakers as a rule.
2) I have small children (3 year old girl and 20 month old son) who can, and will knock a tower speaker over.
3) I can put them on stands as the kids get a bit bigger/more careful.Right now the XQ1's are on the floor and not on their stands. Obviously this is not optimal but until the kids learn not to knock anything over I'm pretty much stuck in this situation.
I've been looking at these speakers and wondering if they would be a significant upgrade, or if I'm better off waiting or doing something else...
Here's the short list:
Usher Be-718 "Tiny Dancer"
ACI Sapphire XL
LSA 1and a couple of "homebrew" speakers have intrigued me, though I'd probably buy them pre-built as I just don't have the time to build a kit:
Ellis 1801
Salk Veracity HT1
Any thoughts, experiences, opinions, etc. as to how these would perform with what I have would be great. Other suggestions of speakers would also be good.The system is in my living room (fairly good sized) and we listen to virtually everything...rock, pop, punk, blues, jazz, classical, opera, and kid's music.
Thanks!
-Phil
Edits: 11/14/07Follow Ups:
I heard the Usher Tiny Dancer speakers at the RMAF. They were one of the hits of the show. They also have a very high WAF. I love the tweeter!
Shown are my Salk HT1's. They are good looking too but they are bigger than the Usher's. I would have to give the nod on sound to the Salks. The Salks sound like you are in the studio with the musicians and the Ushers sound like they are on stage playing behind speakers.
The above is asuming playing them in a well set up room. Playing either on the floor is a very big question mark though! LOL
I say this not only based on my experience of using the "bottom" model (S-520) but by the fact I've never read a bad review. I will upgrade, via Usher, in the future..
Complicit Constapo Talibangelical since MMIII
Consider shelf or wall mounting using Vandersteen VLR or VSM-1 speakers. Both of these speakers are designed for near/on wall performance and sound very good. See my VLR review here at AA for more details on the VLR. Add a Vandersteen subwoofer for crackerjack full range performance. These use downward firing drivers and are less immune to probing fingers than some other competitors and match seemlessly with the satellites. Good luck!
Hi,
After listening to a bunch of contenders, including Reference 3A, Spendor, Stirling, Usher and so on, I just picked up a pair of the new Paradigm S2 V2s with beryllium tweeters. They're undoubtedly odd-looking to my eyes but boy oh boy, the sound -- sweet, textured, dynamic, and with remarkably stable imaging and soundstage layering. They're really rather good and ought to be heard if they're around locally. A very different and clearly superior speaker to the version 1.
If your wife isn't crazy about "big speakers", then she's not likely to be any happier with speakers on stands. And speakers aren't safe until the kids are MUCH older (as in off to college).
My kids are now 13 and 15. I bought a pair of floorstanding speakers (Thiel 1.2's) before they were born, and not once did either kid attempt to tip them over. So I would suggest that you re-think this:
1) Buy *heavy* floorstanders (I'm looking at a pair of Revel F12's, which run about 60 lb apiece).
2) Place them close enough to walls that they're less likely to be a temptation.
3) Buy them *now*. I suspect that one of the reasons my kids never bothered the speakers is because they'd always been there, and were perceived as part of the furniture.
Good luck -
At the moment, there is a guy selling the Mk. II version of the Joseph Audio RM7 si "signature" on audiogon for $1k. I have had the "mk I" version now for 8 years. The "mk II" is supposed to be even better -- according to the Stereophile review -- , although I've not heard it. That guy's price strikes me as a little high, based on other examples of this speaker that I've seen for sale at audiogon. A pair at $650 went instantly. I would think $800 or so would be a good ballpark price.
These are really nice sounding speakers, with a surprising amount of bass for their size -- usable bass fundamentals down to the low 40 Hz range.
No small speaker sounds good sitting on the floor, but you gotta' do what you gotta' do.
Try a nice pair of B&W 1200. These are 200.00 - 300.00 now. They require some power though to sound their best.
All speakers are a tradeoff. Bookshelf models have bigger issues, with extension vs efficiency.
The old premium B&W bookshelf speakers are very good. Even the DM110 and DM220 were very nice, The 12 and 14 were much better. The 1200 and 1400 even a little better for most types of music.
George
They were purchased by my wife when we were dating and now serve about 22 years laters as our bedroom speakers. Not easily beat for smooth balaned sound with decent low end response for the $ at the time. If you can find a nice used set for cheap, they will be a great deal. Not selling ours.
I you want to spend more consider ProAc - good sound - good looks, but need good stands.
What about the 1600?
Never seen a DM1600, the DM16 is a large floor standing 3 way. About 40 inches tall and 90 pounds. All rhese vintage b&w's are selling for less than the 601, 602, 603 on thee used market.
I have a friend who just bought a pair of Silverline 17.5 and he's crazy about them.
I haven't heard them yet, but they seem to be quite the spectacular speaker.
3/4 of the much-acclaimed Reference 3s for right around $800 each. Come with really spiffy bookshelf stands and can also be wall mounted. Throw in a small, unobtrusive subwoof (Carver cmes to mind) and you'd have one *KILLER* sounding system with extremely high WAF and completely kid-proof...
=RW=
The SF Concertino (both original and Home) sounds great driven by the Krell KAV-280p and 2250. I have a 16-month-old son, and so far, I've taught him not to hit, poke, or rock the speakers.
For a few hundred dollars more, you could obtain the long-time minimonitor favorites, the ProAc Response One SC and Totem Model 1 Signature. With heavy-duty stands, these two are inherently stable.
-Lummy The Seahorse
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0807/micropure_kotaro.htm
This was a show stealer at RMAF. It can be played close to back walls. Can it actually sit on a book shelf? Google on "guru QM10" and speak with the US distributor.
These are amazing monitors. Price used to be around $1800 but has shot up to $2500, I see. Weak dollar? The cost about $3500 in Sweden! I don't think so.
Greetings from the sunny Brønshøj riveria on the banks of the lovely Utterslev Mose
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