Spendor A4s are a tremendous option, and perhaps the one I would select if buying new. The others I most recently mentioned might save you some money, ultimately, but getting a new pair of Spendors would be a real kick. I would assume the Spendor S8e and A4 have similar sonic qualities. The right used ProAc might also be tempting.
Full circle and thinking about speakers
This all started a couple of months ago by buying a pair of old B&W DM305 speakers and i'm completely new to all of this..
Then a Rogue Cronus, Nottingham TT w/ a Lyra Cart. Waiting for an EAR phono stage to arrive Monday.
On the digital side - a Pro-ject streamer and Schitt DAC (place holder but it all sounds very decent).
So now I'm back to the speakers, cables and interconnects. I would like something at a level with the other gear - not that the B&W's are bad, they just aren't great.
What I like about the B&W's: clear detailed and focused.
What I don't like: At times the highs are glaringly high and when I expect there to be gobs of bass, there just isn't any to speak of. Jazz trios and quartets sound pretty awesome. Rock not as good.
Condo life, which means my listening level is on the low side. Wall moving bass is probably not what I am looking for.
Listening space: The room is 14' x 25' and I haven't settled on which direction to arrange speakers. Currently they are projecting across the 14' width. That may very well change.
Any recommendations of where to start the search are highly welcomed. Speaker types, specs etc...as I know very little.
Let's say under 2K and used is fine if it gets me to a higher level.
Thanks all
Then a Rogue Cronus, Nottingham TT w/ a Lyra Cart. Waiting for an EAR phono stage to arrive Monday.
On the digital side - a Pro-ject streamer and Schitt DAC (place holder but it all sounds very decent).
So now I'm back to the speakers, cables and interconnects. I would like something at a level with the other gear - not that the B&W's are bad, they just aren't great.
What I like about the B&W's: clear detailed and focused.
What I don't like: At times the highs are glaringly high and when I expect there to be gobs of bass, there just isn't any to speak of. Jazz trios and quartets sound pretty awesome. Rock not as good.
Condo life, which means my listening level is on the low side. Wall moving bass is probably not what I am looking for.
Listening space: The room is 14' x 25' and I haven't settled on which direction to arrange speakers. Currently they are projecting across the 14' width. That may very well change.
Any recommendations of where to start the search are highly welcomed. Speaker types, specs etc...as I know very little.
Let's say under 2K and used is fine if it gets me to a higher level.
Thanks all
Showing 11 responses by howaboutthat41
millercarbon, I will allow your ad hominem offensiveness to pass without further comment, but the remark about someone having a "market nailed down" seemed rather plainly to indicate what I inferred earlier, If not, my mistake, along with your implicit acknowledgment that there are other potentially worthy compeittors in that market. |
I have seen several examples on this site and USAudiomart (as well as eBay) of ProAc, Totem, Spendor, and similar high-quality, smaller floorstanders (towers) that might fit in the $2,000.00, or so range. If you are seeking more bass, you either need a subwoofer with standmount/bookshelf speakers or else go with a floorstanding model. Condo living suggests you do not need a larger floorstander. |
You may also want to consider these: https://www.jbl.com/speakers/STUDIO+590.html?dwvar_STUDIO%20590_color=Black-USA-Support&cgid=spe... Fritz speakers look nice but are all bookshelf designs, I believe. You might not want a really low sensitivity (or 4 ohm load) speaker unless you have a powerful amp. The rest you just handle with the volume control. |
There are multitudes of terrific speakers with sensitivity at or below 91, so I suggest you ignore millercarbon's tired, pedantic, and self-admittedly arbitrary cutoff. Oh, and B&W and Wilson make some great speakers. He also relishes in pushing Tekton at every opportunity, so perhaps factor that into your calculus (as if anyone has a major slice of the market "nailed down," ... good grief). Nevertheless, Tekton does have many fans and some good critical reviews, so may be worth considering. |
The Fritz do get down to 36hz +/-3db, which is pretty impressive, especially for a standmount. Here is something else to ponder: https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649702072-spendor-s5e-floorstanders/. There is also a set of Spendor 2/3s on the Canuck Mart site for just under $3,000 CAD, but with the currency exchange rate and perhaps an entertained offer, who know what one might get them for. If I did not just get a set of Harbeths, I already would have bought those. |
There are scores of terrific speaker manufacturers out there. Depending on the model and one's inclinations or preferences, B&W is one of them. Magnepan is worthy, also, but, like Tektons, may not appeal to everyone for any number of legitimate reasons. My wont is to make affirmative suggestions to folks like the OP without directly or implicitly discouraging particular brands. |