|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
38.112.169.125
Ok... I am currently trying to decide between these two speakers for my desktop system. I am very familiar with the PSB sound, but I have never heard Epos and probably would not be able to before buying. The Epos have the advantage of being "new" to me... and new can be fun.I prefer a sound that is neutral to warm but not too bright, even a tiny bit dark is OK. (They shouldn't be too revealing...) I want the least amount of fatigue with my modest PC/DIP/External DAC/NAD setup.
I am on a budget and I am also looking for something that fits a certain size of around 6.5" W / 12" H... in case you have suggestions.
Follow Ups:
I think they call it the B1. Now it has the metallized cone like the Image, and also the dimpled baffle. John Atkinson just reviewed it in Stereophile.It's nice to see Atkinson review a cheap speaker, for variety, since it's usually Robert Reina doing all those. The one thing I mess though is the comparison with other speakers. One thing I'm wondering is how it sounds compared to the Image series. The Alpha is looking more and more like the Image, and since I've owned some Images I'm wondering how similar the new Alpha sounds. And the old one, for that matter, since it might come up on clearance now.
My humble suggestion...The other speakers suggested may not make that much of a difference.Since you like PSB, keep it.I dont know which NAD you have, but if it doesnot contain the preamp 162, it will be worth your while to try a used Bottlehead.No remote for the time being.This will offer you good opportunities to mix around and perhaps later replace the speaker with a model that will make a real difference, perhaps with a Era or NHT.
No it does not have the c162 section... I have the c350 and it's pre is not so good.Should I be avoiding all SS preamps or could a SS pre give similarly positive results in my situation. For example, a creek passive pre looks very entising. I think my sources output enough power for a passive pre and creek makes one with a remote.
I had once raised the question about Creek passive preamp and I was advised to go for another more expensive brand.I forgot the name.There are some inmates who vouch for passive.I am not an expert on SS versus tubes either.Hope somebody knowledgeable would help you out in this.
I don't know about the Epos 3, but the 5 is just too bright and forward sounding for my tastes. I miss the old Epos sound.
What about this speaker? This is one I can actually go listen to, but is it worth making the effort? I am going to guess and say it will be in the same class as the PSB Alpha B but I don't know.The Epos are really interesting to me still... some of the music I listen to is in high bitrate mp3 format (many are rare things that I cannot get a CD for), and I don't want to get a tweeter that windows in on the problems with mp3s and cymbals and hihats for example. The PSB Alphas handle that part nicely, but they are kindof "dark" and "cold" all around if I could describe them... actually they are pretty neutral, but I guess you could say I am bored of their sound.
I once tried a set of Polk RTI4s and they are a nice speakers, except they were very bright to me and the highs were kindof sizzly... it was the first time I ever had to use the tone controls on my NAD. I don't want to end up with that again.
I think you'll find the Atoms to be a great speaker for the money but a tier down (or two) from the ELS-3. If you really want to smooth out some of the 'problems' that seem to come with Mp3's and many cd's, in general, you might check into adding some tubes to your system.For about the same price as some of the more expensive speakers you are considering, a good tube pre is an option. If you don't mind building a kit, the Bottlehead Foreplay will transform your music (I suspect; it's spectacular in each of my systems). That said, I don't remember what the rest of your system is. Then, you could keep the PSB's that you like, too. Just an idea.
I looked into the bottlehead, I don't really want to build it, although it might be fun.I would consider a new preamp, and I agree about tubes... my NON-OS dac helps alot also and of course makes CDs and uncompressed files sound better than any "single box" CDP I have owned.
Do you know of any tubed preamp that has a remote that is not too expensive? I have been looking to replace the pre section of the nad, but I figured speakers were more important with regards to final sound quality. Do you think a pre would be a more worthwhile upgade?
Yes I have the PSBs and yes they are nice and yes they sound pretty good with my system but I also own a set of Alpha Towers that I use for two channel HT (used to be mains in a larger apt.)... and I have been wanting to give my desktop system some character of it's own.
But if a preamp is a more worthwhile upgrade than speakers then I want to look into it more.
... whether the speakers or the pre would be the better path, that's a tough one. If it were me and I liked the speakers, I'd say the tube pre would be the path. If I didn't like the speakers, that would be another matter. I tend to keep speakers I like a lot longer than other gear. They retain thier basic characteristics through the swaps of other components.It's amazing (to me) how much a good tube pre influences the overall system; synergy being everything, of course. One of the nice things about a tube pre, especially like the Bottlehead with 12au7's, is there is almost unlimited opportunities for tube rolling to adjust the sonic flavor to your preference, or to try something new.
Perhaps you might try a used Bottlehead FP if you want to see what it does for your system. There are usually a few on audiogon for a couple of hundred dollars. There are others in the same price range but I have not found anything that delivers the same level of music for the price. However, if you are unhappy with your speakers, you'll probably be unhappy no matter what else you change.
I haven't owned a pre with a remote; although, I think you'll start getting up in the dollars at that point.
...might also try a pair of Wharfedale Diamonds in the same size and price range; very full and musical without being too sparkly (I think they're way under-recognized).
Hey, Some here say the Infinity Primus 150 is 80% of the Epos in terms of performance. You can buy a pair of Primus 160s on Ebay from Infinity Direct w/ full warranty for about $65 incl shipping. Then buy the very articulate matching sub - Infinity PS-8 also on Ebay for about $125. Total cost $190. Frequency range: 35-20K HZ!! If you give up a little in the highs & mids to the Epos (my pref to PSB), then you more than make it up with the bass.Good luck,
The sub does not have a way to put the mains behind it's crossover. I have a simple NAD integrated amp without the LFE channel that an A/v receiver would have. The only way to hook up the sub would be from a pre-out or from high level, but without a way to crossover the mains there is no way (besides buying a passive crossover to put between pre-out1 and amp in) to fully integrate the sub and satellites.like you, I prefer the epos, but it is hard to buy a speaker without hearing it first.
Still, you can just adjust the sub to cut in where the mains naturally drop off - a shame but not so bad. Another option: for about $80 buy a good used Denon or Onkyo AV receiver with the crossover filters built-in, about $80 I would guess from Ebay.
...
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: