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Hi everyone,
Well, after rearranging the furniture in our living room and putting up some acoustic treatments, the sound coming from my system is very clear and the bass is not overloading the room. I can actually hear the sonic contributions of various components and cables. So, my speaker search continues with a much clearer idea of what I'm looking for. My set up has the speakers about 6-7 feet apart and I'm seated 6-7 feet back. I've already determined that rear ported speakers do not work well, so I'm looking for sealed or front-ported bookshelf/monitor speakers. I listen at fairly moderate levels, 70-75 db, so I need a speaker that sounds good at low volumes.
I'm using a Simaudio i-1 integrated (50wpc 8 ohms/100wpc 4 ohms) and a digital front end. Currently, it's an Oppo 105, but I will be switching to a Marantz SACD player (or something else) soon to get a touch more warmth. Not a big Oppo fan.
As a stopgap, I'm using my old office speakers, Focal 706Vs, and I'm quite surprised by how open and airy they sound for an entry-level model. There's perhaps a bit too much sibilance, but that's likely the Oppo as much as the Focals. So, here are the criteria for my new speakers - please feel free to shoot me any suggestions:
1. Price - $2,000 or less
2. Front ported or sealed
3. Sounds good at low volumes
4. Doesn't need to go below mid 50s for bass
5. Will work with 50wpc integrated
6. Good soundstage and transparency are paramount
7. Ideally not bi-wireable
I am considering the Focal Aria 906 or 905, the Harbeth P3esr (stretching the budget), and the Spendor s3/5r2.
Are there any others that you think are a must audition that meet the above criteria?
Thanks so much for your thoughts, and Happy Holidays!
Scott
Follow Ups:
these are on my lust list for sure, been wanting some for many years. Available used for <$2000. They have small rear ports, don't know your reasons for not wanting rear ports but ...
they are supposed to be very resolving, musical, etc., and are efficient.
My setup is very similar to yours (6' apart, 6' from speakers). My speakers are 7' from the wall behind them and ~4' from the side walls. I sit a little behind center in a 23' long room. Sub in the corner handles <50Hz bass.
But have you measure the inside from your speakers and ain't you able to change materials
airflow, hopefully it's an active crossover, passive is way to static . If the speaker objective ( or works well with others subjectieve) Like your gear, then something is wrong....
Ask before you buy, the component list....the outside ain't the most important
nt
Original Poster here. Thanks so much for the many recommendations. Sounds like Harbeth and Spendor are quite well liked. In fact, I can't seem to find any negative reviews of either one. Some people perhaps want a speaker that goes deeper or is ultra high resolution, but they never say that the Harbeth or Spendor is a mediocre speaker.
I have to say that I'm really impressed the more I listen to the cheap Focals (706V) I have playing in my system right now. I'm tempted to move up their line as they seem to work well in the set up I have. That open, airy tweeter is quite addicting. They are also easy to drive and sound great at low volumes.
I'm hoping to hit a high end audio store or two during my holiday travels (we don't have any here in Southern Oregon) and perhaps hear some of the recommendations in person. Always nice to hear before you buy, even if I can't be entirely sure until I have them in my listening room.
Thanks again for all the recommendations, and happy holidays to all.
Scott
You need a sub, but these are outstanding in terms of transparency and staging. I listen to the original stradas on my desktop 3 ft away and they are remarkable. Incredible sound and flexibility, wide sweetspot and unfussy as long as they are decently fed.
I tried to "upgrade" to ls50s, mini Maggies, numerous active monitors but have now had them about 2 years and can't ever see letting them go.
I use them with the tr1 sub.
A lot of very good suggestions so far. As for me, the best near field speaker I've heard ( and lived with ) is the Ohm 1000. Meets most of your parameters as well. Caveats being that it does like a little juice to get cook'in and your room ideally should be 1600 cu. ft. in volume or less. I believe they're currently on sale for $1500..... but not 100% sure.
They're what, $1500?
The Mini Maggies desktop speakers can sound spectacular but they are, like all Magnepan speakers, extremely setup dependent. Even when set up properly on a desktop, dialing in the sub-200 hz. region can be troublesome. Dual bass panels can help with this problem, but the cost of an extra bass panel would raise the total to over $2000.
I would encourage that you look at ProAc -
the response 2 - or its successor or the tablettes -
Last I checked there was a pair on the trader for ~$1500....
Happy Listening
The $3000 retail response 2 is better than the $1500 stereophile class A LS50? I remember liking the sound of the original tablette. I still say class A for $1500 LS50 is bullshit, unless all of the crazy expensive bookshelf's are absurdly overpriced.
ProAC Tablette Anniversary
Any Licensed LS3/5A or "offspring" mini of such a speaker (Spendor and Harbeth, for example). Also, the Audio Note AX-2.
You can buy other minis that will do all you say for less than $2K, although they won't sound quite as good as a licensed LS3/A or its offspring.
Observe, before you think. Think before you open your yap. Act on the basis of experience.
want open and airy at low volumes, try these. Sound great with modern SS gear as well as tubes. Wonderful full rich sound at low levels. great for classical and jazz heck - even Rock.
charles
Legacy Audio Studio HD.
I second the recommendation on the Spendor. If you can stretch your budget just a tad more, the Harbeth P3ESR would be an outstanding choice. BTW,I have owned both. Any dealer will will take something off the list price so the Harbeth is in your price range. Both are great speakers but I think the Harbeth excels . You can't go wrong with either one! I just checked Audiogon and Gene Rubin is selling a pair of demo Spendor 3/5R2's for $1200.
Edits: 12/04/14
For nreafield I went with Adam A7 powered speakers. Way under your budget, and you can sell your amp to boot. Rated 50 low 40's Hz, and front ported. They sound terrific!!
I wouldn't buy any Adam product at the moment unless therer is a serious discount involved.
They are in receivership now (see link).
However there are plenty other similar priced (or not so) pro nearfield monitors of similar quality around.
Dynaudio DBM50 or BM5a come to mind.
Also Eve Audio was formed by ex ADAM people and they do the SC207.
Sonodyne and Neumann are also well worth checking out.
As these are terrific speakers.
Curious ... So your concern is what, in case of service they'll not be around to fix? Other concerns about products from companies fizzing out?
If I buy new at full or near full price I want to have at least a fighting chance that the maker is still around for servicing or warranty cases.
The closer the price gets to 1/2 of street price the less I care about that.
I'd never pay more than 50% of street price for s/h items either. Usually I pay a LOT less.
The sibilance is in the source. Upgrade the Oppo (see link below) then deal with the speakers (and play with positioning). The Focals are really good and will keep up with/reveal source and amplification upgrades.
I like the Spendor S3/5R2's that I'm using in my 11x12 office.
Like them a lot. I've owned P3ESR's, but that was years ago so I never did a side by side comparison.
But I do like these S3/5R2's. A lot.
I've had them setup in my main system where I set about six feet back - worked great.
"We are all in God's hands... and God is a malign thug."
-Mark Twain
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