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Need Speaker Advice

I've narrowed my choices to the following speakers. Will have to purchase online since every local outlet I've talked to are thieves and have over priced products.

Phase Technology V-4 or V-52 Bookshelf
NHT Super Zero 2 bookshelf with Super One 8" sub
Jamo C 603 or C 803 bookshelf
Fluance SV series bookshelf

Quick background. I have a Qinpu A 3 hybrid tube/solid state integrated amp. 8.5 watts per channel. This is an 8 ohm amp. It easily drives my Mirage OM 10 towers but I had to box them up because I have a rogue pet that has started to jump on them. Can't use them for a year or two until I buy a suitable house and can build a dedicated, pet free listening room. In the meantime I need something that I can use from the list above for a second system that will ultimately go into my living room. Size of these speakers will deter pet from using as toys.

I've done some research and received some recommendations that led to the list above. I have not heard any to date except for the V-4. I prefer a neutral sounding speaker that is not too heavy on bass. A slightly warm speaker is fine as long as it is essentially neutral sounding. I want to avoid the listening fatigue that is associated with Klipsch style speakers. In other words those that have a harsh high end.

Based upon what I have read all of the above should satisfy the criteria I've mentioned. And all the bookshelf speakers and some of the towers that are not complete. Any recommendations especially from users of any speakers in this list will be appreciated. The amp is persnickity and won't work properly with a bass heavy speaker or design.
will62

Showing 11 responses by will62

will62 OP
177 posts
 
Unfortunately I have a limited budget right now. Just bought a house and have a ton of things to do with it.

I looked into the Monitor Audio Bronze series based upon a review I read in Sound and Vision Magazine recently. The BX 2 appears to be a little too bright for my taste but the BX 1 according to the article might be in the ballpark.

Do you have a link to the Focal speaker company? I can't seem to find it.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
Schubert. I was a bit worried about the sensitivity of the NHT speaker. Someone at Audio Advisor claims it won't present an issue with the A3 but I am a bit leery of it.

The Phase Tech sounds quite good and the spec's will match up fine with the amp.

Can't find the speaker you are using other than a review from 2002. Guessing it has been discontinued. Can't even find a website for Focal speakers. If you can provide one I will certainly look into them.

Why don't you like the Jamo C series? I've read a lot of great reviews of this particular line of speakers. They seem to be quite neutral sounding from what I gather.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
Finally found a website for Focal. Thanks for the suggestion.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
I decided first to try the Jamo C603. Found a pair through Amazon listed as New. Turned out they probably were not. Not the fault of the Seller since he got them through his distributor. The cabinet on one speaker had a blotch of gloss black paint instead of the flat black the speakers are finished in. And I saw some specks of pink paint on the front baffle of one speaker. And I played them for at least a dozen hours and didn't even detect a subtle change in the tonal qualities of the speaker which seems to indicate they were already broken in. Even if a speaker needs dozens of hours of break in, you can usually hear a minor difference in sound after a few hours of break in at a moderate playing level.

Going to try a Phase Technology speaker next. While I really liked the sound of the Jamo speaker, I have some questions about whether or not Klipsch is upholding the integrity of the brand name now that they own it.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
Looking at buying either of these speakers in the very near future. Based upon reviews I've read both speakers possess the sonic qualities that I desire. That being the case, I'd like to get the opinion of the people on this board about their perception of each speaker. Strengths and weaknesses. Still using the Qinpu A3 amp.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
For some reason the speaker models did not post in the subject line when I typed them in.

Speakers are the Jamo C803 and Dali Zensor 3.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
"These people are not thieves, they are simply trying to earn a return on their money, time, and knowledge. Anyone that abuses businesses for no other purpose but to get a demo so they can turn around and buy cheaper online is a thief. Have fun buying online from reviews and forum feedback and be sure to tally the number of times you end up trying different speakers because you either don't like what you ended up with and/or wonder what else something sounds like. "

Actually they were thieves. You were not in that store but I was. The clerk didn't even give me the accurate models of the Jamo speakers they had in the store. None were the C series or the S series either. Older stock.

Not all stores are of course but the one I just mentioned that I went to it was clear they were trying to pawn off merchandise that was several years old, probably overstock but at inflated prices. Example: A Polk line that was released years before the current line was being billed as the latest and best. And still at the list price!

So, the topic at hand is out of the Jamo C803 or Dali Zensor 3, what are the best and worst attributes of each.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
And another story to illustrate that some stores are run by thieves.

While I was shopping for speakers I auditioned the Phase Technology V 4 speaker last Spring in a local store. Checked out this place after auditioning the years old Polk and Dali speakers. The list price on the V 4 which was at that time very outdated since the new line of Velocity speakers had been out for over a year was $1,000.00! You read that right. The store had the V 4 marked down to $529.00 on "special". That "special" price was still too high. I called Phase Tech and they told me the list price on that speaker and the new V 52 was around $450.00! Highway robbery. Selling a speaker line that is many years old and not even carrying the new line even though it had been out over a year. The store told me they were getting in the new line within a couple of weeks. Not sure if they did because when I called back a couple of weeks later I got a runaround on it.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
Schubert. Can't really comment regarding what you've just stated. But I do know this. I spent many years living in Connecticut and found that virtually every single privately owned stereo shop was dealing above board with their products and services. In Kansas City I found it to be the opposite.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
Tortillade.

What do you believe the shortcomings are of the Zensor 1? Stereophile just gave them a hearty endorsement and said they sound far better than their price. I really have not read a single bad review.

Someone else has suggested the Focal 705v. Sounds like this would also be to my liking as well.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
Tortilladc.

You don't really go into specific details about the sound of the Zensor 1 that you dislike. Can you elaborate?

I have read up on the Ikon line and the high end is apparently a bit bright at least that is what some owners of the Ikon 1 are saying. I want a clean, natural high end but not bright. Based upon reviews I've read on the Zensor 1 it has a more neutral sounding high end.
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