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68.54.136.2
For the 15-20 watt stereo for low level detail classical music, what are the speakers of choice?
I have a "pot of stereo money" I've been itching to blow. Originally I was looking at amps. But after a LOT of thought I realize I'm just going to end up making a lateral move or even a step down by going the "new" amp route. Not beating that Sherwood!
So I was thinking speakers! Right now I'm using a pair of Zaph Audio SR-71 speakers with a powered subwoofer. Honestly I have NO complaints and I am MORE than happy. However I was considering speakers as a way of having the occasional change up to the system sound. Ok I do need a little change now and then - alright!
My budget is around $1.5k and I do and can DIY. I build furniture as a hobby so cabinets are easy. Also I would like to keep them on the smallish monitor type size. No cabinets I can be buried in please. I've already lived through the 60's and 70's with honk-en big ass speakers.
thanks
charles
Follow Ups:
Charles;
Look for a used pair of Klipsh Cornwalls.
Your 20 wpc Sherwood amp will drive the them with authority and ease.
Meat; It's the right thing to do. Romans 14:2
For small speakers, the Reference 3A monitors are very nice. I am using a pair Definitive STS with my 8 watt amp. The bass is self powered so they are very easy to drive.
Aren't transistors alien technology?
Here are some guidelines.
An easy 8 or 16 ohm load (pretty flat) if yr amp has the transformer taps.
Efficient VS sensitive? People confuse this all the time. IF you have a smooth > 8 ohn or > 16 ohm load and ~ 90db/w/m sensitivity you have a quite efficient spkr.
Given the above and if you have 15-20 watts pc, and listen in the (near or nearly near) field you will be fine, even with Mahler.
IMO speakers that are based on PA drivers are not a good idea if your diet is acoustic music aka Classical!
Email me?
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
Don't get anything you can't audition at home or by taking the Sherwood to a shop. Also, some of the classic vintage speakers...and they don't have to be expensive....would be a great match with your amp. Speakers that mated well when the Sherwood was new would be worth checking out.
If I go that route, it would be back to the Dynaco A-25. There is a kit at Madisound I've always had my eye on.
But I've been there several times with the A-25's. And I really feel that technology has improved speakers to a wonderful point. So the thought of going backwards, really may just be a step backwards???
I was looking into ribbons, quasi planars, full range, etc....
charles
charles, I've been using my S5000 (worked over by Don Sachs) with MMG's and love it. I'm also running a powered sub. That desk top system from Magnepan looks interesting with the true ribbons. I've thought about going that route for some time.I think it would be a stunning combination if you could get it dialed into your listing space. Probably won't produce ear splitting levels but that would be fine for me with my preferance for lower level listening of jazz and classical.
PaulB
I've gone full circle in audio. My main speakers are 99 db Klipsch Heresy III's and they are quite good...especially with tubes. :-) However, sometimes I like to run some old Coral speakers...not common but pretty darn good. If you are still in NJ take your Sherwood and speaker cables to a few dealers and see what does it for you.
I'm using the Heresy III with a PrimaLuna Dialogue 4 - 18w in the triode mode - and am findng the mid-range very smooth and natural - more so than the Nola Boxers I auditioned.
You aren't going to beat the Sherwood with the mods that were done to that amp unless you spend lots of money on a Mac or a Citation as Eli said and then you have to rebuild and update those as well along with getting a preamp to mate with them.
There are a ton of speakers that will work with your amp and you can try them for free and this is what I would recommend..You are not going to beat this speaker system for the money and your Sherwood will drive them just fine.
Magnepan Mini-Maggie
$1490–$2285
magnepan.com
The Mini-Maggie system is a three-piece, ribbon-tweeter-equipped, planar-magnetic, dipole speaker system intended primarily for desktop use. Featuring small tweeter/ midrange panels that sit atop the desk and a two-channel mid/bass panel that sits in the footwell below, the Mini- Maggie package is arguably the finest desktop speaker made. In detail, resolution, purity, freedom from grain, soundstage width and depth, and, above all, coherence, it sounds like a pair of Magnepan’s exceptional 3.7s on a smaller scale.
"
Can the sherwood handle something like the 1.7 Maggies?
I want to try something on the different side. The Zaph SR-71 speakers are great, I mean REAL good. So I don't want to just repeat buying monitors. So the quasi-ribbon planars look interesting????
charles
KEF LS50 right at your price point. Will work well with your Sherwood S5000.
You can beat the Sherwood. H/K Cit. 2., H/K Cit. 5, Mac 240, Mac 275, and Marantz 8B are better than the very good Sherwood, but they don't come cheap.
On the commercial side, the Paradigm Studio 20 is a possibility. You need a SW for some material.
http://www.paradigm.com/products-current/collection=reference/model=studio-20/page=overview
DECWARE's DM945 is another off the shelf option.
http://www.decware.com/newsite/DM945.html
If you DIY, you definitely get more for your money. However, the risk of failure is present.
Eli D.
Though in this day and age "The Issue of failure is present" is probably more apt.
It's called Bumpa Stikah.
"
Me like!
I WISH I could afford one of those amps. But it looks like I'll never have that kind of coinage to buy and rebuild. So for now, and until my death, it's the Sherwood.
But I like the Decawares
Charles;
If you can build your own I would suggest the Decware DNA's with the Alpair 10" driver.
You should be able to build them for less than $350. Here's a link.
I was a vegetarian for 15 minutes, until the main course.......Meat; It's the right thing to do. Romans 14:2
Decware has several speakers in your price range, and there's also the used market. Their speakers are all pretty efficient and tube friendly.
Ref 3A de Capos great at low level 10-20 wpc is plenty
(nt)
Looking for a small speaker
Way cheaper than your budget, but I love the sound of my S-5000 with a set of older (Scotland made) Tannoy Reveal (passive version obviously).
Not sure what the newer ones sound like, but for the price they're hard to beat. They're rear ported, so wall distance makes a big difference. Still, ~$300 and not bad at all.
Although, IMHO, it is seriously hard to beat the Magnepan sound. You won't get high SPLs from them with an S-5000, but god, the soundstage and clarity is just tops. And I know you said you were over the whole big speaker thing, but man, a pair of Klipsch LaScalas sound fantastic with that amp and get PLENTY loud.
Cheers,
-SF
The LaSalas are just too large. However I always had my eye on a Magnapan. But I need a smallish one.
charles
Check their website out.
Eli D.
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