Help, my system sounds lifeless!


Hi, this is my first post.  I rushed putting my system together when i emigrated from the UK to New Jersey.  In fact this site was partly to blame as i was attracted to the amazing  "used" deals!  I bought a pair of Dali Helicon 400 (mark I)  as they passed the WAF.  The rest of the system contains a Belles Soloist Integrated and Simaudio Equinox SE CD player, wireworld platinum eclispe 6 interconnect & Audio Art Cable Classic SC-5 Speaker Cable.  My room maybe partly to blame but generally the system sounds lifeless, with little soundstage (better when i play vinyl).  I am not feeling/falling in love with the speakers and do not like the bass response (which is often reported).  I would like to change the speakers and was wondering if you could help.  I have an extremely large cd collection (and have recently bought a used Lumin D1, but unfortunately not set up yet) covering all kinds of music.  I am thinking 8ohm with better sensitivity would be a better option.  Looking to spend around $3000-4000 used.  Some contenders include Revel F206 or F208, Tannoy DC8 or DC8T, ATC SCM40, JA Pulsars (maybe too much $), PBN Liberty, Aerial 10T (never see them used) but they must have grills as sometimes kids go in the basement.  Maybe Monitors with stands would be better option?  I am hoping the flickr link works so you can see my room (excuse the feet!).  I want to fall in love with my large music collection again!  Looking for good bass & soundstage and speakers that can play all kinds of music (sometimes I'm partial to deep electronic music).  In some ways because my taste is so vast i am not particularly looking for ultra revealing speakers (Nora Jones speakers i think you call them!).  Looking forward to the NY audio show so i can hear some systems.  Thanks for all the help, cheers Paul  https://www.flickr.com/gp/97665913@N06/a5G6d9
spoutmouzert

Showing 7 responses by soundsrealaudio

Those Tannoy DC 8T's are very nice speakers. Lots of emotion. The cabinets are plywood so they don't suck the life out of the music. Plus you can drive them with an inexpensive 300B amplifier for a rich midrange. The DC 8T's were preferred over the larger DC 10T's which probably has to much bass to muddy things up. 
I would not spend money on room treatments. Wait till you purchase speakers and see how the room responds to them. Over the years I have made my own  treatments. Recently I ordered a heavy 28 oz fabric and installed curtains behind my system. Previously I have used 5X8 foot throw rugs on the rear and one side walls. You can hang them using carpet tack strip nailed to the wall 16" OC and then the rug is attached. Find some decorative rugs. 

Make up your mind johnny before this post dies a less then painful death. It is already lifeless.

Perhaps an eternity of presidential debates.................is  that painful enough?

The danger here is to lean to far the other way. Purchase some bright and forward and thin speakers, most of them are. So don't go overboard the other way and check with us far more knowledgeable people before making any decisions. 

In the end you may wish you had stayed in the UK. Well we are glad to have you here kidding aside. 

Well if Trump gets elected he will round you up and send you to the UK! 

Could save on moving costs.