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Hi, I'm a budding inmate and I was hoping someone could give some advice about budget speakers for my new analog rig. I'm a starving student and I'm just starting to get into analog audio.I've got a Thorens 145 turntable with a Grado black cartridge. My amp is a Jolida 202A with Russian Svetlana EL34's. (At this point, I'm also looking for a decent phono stage for about $100 or $200. Any suggestions here would also be greatly appreciated.)
But I'm posting to ask about my speakers. Right now I've got a pair of Polk 55i's from Circuit City. I listen mostly to jazz and classical, and my living room is quite small, 12' by 18'. The speakers would be about 10' away from the listeners on a couch.
I tried a pair of B&W 602's and I hated them--way too much treble. All I could hear was the high hats. Very clear, but they just didn't sound balanced in the bass. What speakers sound best with analog systems for jazz? What would be good used speakers to look out for on EBay? I am definately trying to save money, but I am getting addicted to audio! If anyone knows of any links that give good overviews of these kinds of issues, I'd really appreciate the info. Thanks for the help,
Peter
Follow Ups:
d
I am very pleased with an old inexpensive pair of Snell E III. I too am using a low power tube amp (modified Heath W4) and phono as my main scorce. They are efficiant and easy to drive, a big consideration with a small tube amp. Nice bass, just a little on the bright side. I paid $350 for the pair used. The E IV are very similar. The E V are not as nice.Charlie
I have got quite cheap SHANs E500 (Shan is a Czech company). Although I use them w/ solid state amp and digital source, they should play even better with analog&tubes. If you can try these, I think you should.Regards,
Marcin.
PS. These are shelf-standing speakers.
I love my Vandersteen 1Cs. One of my friends enjoys 1Bs with his tube amp.
I too listen mostly to jazz. If your taste is for mostly acoustic jazz, you would probably not find the Vandersteen 1Cs lacking. However, without a good subwoofer (I have an ACI Titan II LE), I would miss some low bass impact on electric albums like Miles Davis's "Big Fun".
Before you buy anything match it to the 55I's? For the price, 2 to 3 times the price, they're real hard to beat. You need a subwoofer for bass and a good cheap crossover Paradigm X30.
You must listen to them. IMO they're too good for the price. Pair these up with a decent subwoofer if need be.Inmate Reviews:
Mike,
What is the freq. response for these speakers? I'd be interested in seeing how low they go down. They do sound like great speakers for the money, I'll have to keep them in mind when someone asks me for a sub-$500 pair of speakers. Thanks.
-Steve
They have useful output to maybe 60Hz when placed on a stand and a few feet out into the room. Although this may be adequate for smaller rooms, mating them with a good subwoofer is recommended.
Thanks for the info. What sub would you recommend for these speakers? With the way they have been described, they probably can hang with some of the very best out there, but would one really want to spend thousands on a sub when the mains cost <$500? Are you running them with a sub?
-Steve
There's also a place where the same high performance level can be reached with a subwoofer in the same low cost dollar range.Take a look at these little beauties over at Adire Audio.
http://www.adireaudio.com/rpd/exact_series.htm
I recommend their Dharman and Rava models.
I have a pretty good idea that they will blend well with the recommended speakers.
The Paradox-1's Oak veneered cabinets can also be easily stained to match the Oak veneered cabinets that come with those sub-woofers.
Danny Richie
GR Research
I asked the above question because I'm trying to find a low-cost sub myself. The Rava looks *very* good and has many input/output choices which I like. I also like the ACI Quake which has been reviewed favorably, but does not have as deep an extension as the Rava (but might be less important because of my small room and music only needs, no HT). Both are sealed designs, so they *should* have no problem with music. I'll probably go with the Quake because I found someone selling one at a discount price, but if that wasn't an option, it would be a tough decision:0). Lasly, those Paradox 1 speakers look like an incredible pair of speakers for a great deal, good luck.
-Steve
Peter,
I'm big on the auction. What about those Moth Cicadas ? ? Very efficient Lowther-like speakers that would shine with the Jolida.
Even at the retail of $695, they'd be within your price range. At the current high bid, you'd have enough left over for the Musical Fidelity phono or the Monolithic (also in the auction).Listener reviewed the Moths very favorably. I can send you the review if you'd like.
Bruce
tt;
You might wish to audition a pair of JM Reynaud Twins. Search the threads, much info on these. The dealer where I bought mine(soundsrightaudio.com) says these are special with the Audiomat Arpege (EL34's). I like 'em with my Rogue Tempest (KT88's), sound great on jazz. If you have a chance, listen to Tiangle Titus ($500), supposed to be very nice as well.Phono stage - Parasound makes a decent unit for $120.
Luck.
These things sing with tubes or good SS amplification. I'm a firly dedicated jazz fan and the Twins midrange and overall toanlity is rich, textured, and so realistically acurate that it still gives me goosebumps. Their imaging and soundstage is incredible, and more importantly they are monitors that work well in small and large rooms. My living room is 16'x20' and they cast a wonderful stage.
Nice front end and amp you got there.You might consider Vandersteens, probably 1-C's in your price range. They are relatively laid-back, smooth, warmish, and quite musical.
You might get really lucky and find a good working pair of original Quad ESL's (the "57's") in your price ballpark. These are omigod lovely in the midrange, with a warmish balance, and would work well with your little JoLida.
Best of luck!
Thanks. I'm going to try to demo the Vandersteens. Thanks for the advice.
Take a look at my suggestion. IMO they're better than the 1C, especially through the midrange & treble. As good as the 1C's image the Paradox 1's best them. They were also "voiced" using tube amplification.I have no affiliation with GR Research although I used to sell Vandersteen's.
Look it up...Very high quality for great price!!
Recent magazine also agrees..
FG
Look it up where? Which magazine? Are you a dealer?
{B^}
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