OP, any thoughts?
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Speaker Upgrade
Hello. I'm considering upgrading my speakers. I can't say I'm unhappy with my current speakers (what you don't know won't hurt you) but suppose I'm curious if new speakers will make a difference. I'm actually quite happy with my current speakers but psychologically I wonder if a new set will sound better.
My system consists of a Yamaha DSP-1A integrated amp, Pro-Ject Debut Carbonturntable (acrylic platter equipped) with an Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge, a Denon DVD-2900 DVD/CD player (used just for CD's) and a DBX 3BX-DS. My speakers consist of a pair ofWharfedale Rubiance RB-27's in the front and RB-23's in the rear with a Mirage FRX-S15powered subwoofer. Everything is about 20years old except for the turntable which is about a year old. room is 15 feet by 12 feet and is fairly heavily furnished (it doubles as my office). I have the listening area set up width-wise. And I listen to primarily classical, jazzand big band.
I started thinking about new speakers after seeing so many articles and videos praising the Elac Debut speakers. So naturally these arewhat I'm considering (F5/B5 or F6/B6 combos) and I'll keep the Mirage sub. I did speak to alocal high-end audio shop who suggested thatI also audition Klipsch and B&W. I did meet someone recently who is selling his 1 monthold Elac F5 speakers for $350 so I considering that heavily. But I don't want to just buy a newset of speakers (even if they are a great deal) if they don't sound much different (or better)than my Wharfedale's.
If I do this, I don't think I want to spend much more than $1,000 if new for fronts and rears (I can get the Elac F5/B5 combo for about this new and much less it'd I go used).
Does anyone out there have any experience with and thoughts on Wharfedale Rubiancespeakers as compared with today's speakers like the Elac F5 ad F6?
Thanks
My system consists of a Yamaha DSP-1A integrated amp, Pro-Ject Debut Carbonturntable (acrylic platter equipped) with an Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge, a Denon DVD-2900 DVD/CD player (used just for CD's) and a DBX 3BX-DS. My speakers consist of a pair ofWharfedale Rubiance RB-27's in the front and RB-23's in the rear with a Mirage FRX-S15powered subwoofer. Everything is about 20years old except for the turntable which is about a year old. room is 15 feet by 12 feet and is fairly heavily furnished (it doubles as my office). I have the listening area set up width-wise. And I listen to primarily classical, jazzand big band.
I started thinking about new speakers after seeing so many articles and videos praising the Elac Debut speakers. So naturally these arewhat I'm considering (F5/B5 or F6/B6 combos) and I'll keep the Mirage sub. I did speak to alocal high-end audio shop who suggested thatI also audition Klipsch and B&W. I did meet someone recently who is selling his 1 monthold Elac F5 speakers for $350 so I considering that heavily. But I don't want to just buy a newset of speakers (even if they are a great deal) if they don't sound much different (or better)than my Wharfedale's.
If I do this, I don't think I want to spend much more than $1,000 if new for fronts and rears (I can get the Elac F5/B5 combo for about this new and much less it'd I go used).
Does anyone out there have any experience with and thoughts on Wharfedale Rubiancespeakers as compared with today's speakers like the Elac F5 ad F6?
Thanks
22 responses Add your response
I am also not a fan of the B&W speakers. Please keep in mind though that I do have a mirage 15 inch down firing subwoofer. FYI, I hooked up the ADS speakers last night and in all honesty found little difference between them and my Wharfedales. They did have a little bit more at the bottom end, but when I kick in the subwoofer, I really couldn't hear that much of a difference. I'm going to meet the gentleman with the used Vandersteen 2Ce this afternoon. I'll let you know what I think of them later tonight. |
Tomic, he listens to mostly Orchestral music and Jazz. That's why I was thinking he should try adn get a speaker with fuller range (not using sub as that's out of his budget when you figure things out) and tonally correct. The new Vandersteen 1's are a couple of hundy out of his budget of 1k max. He can get the 15yo 2's, which I am not familiar enough with. Rutan sold those and remembers how they sound against his newer speakers as well as other speakers. He can look at the Maggie set up as well as B&W's (not my favorite, but many like a more forward mid (he doesn't) and others that are out there. There are options, but I also feel strongly that upgrading from the 1990's Yamaha integrated amp to a newer and better sounding amp will even help his Warfdales sound much better. He has options and focusing in with one who knows what's up may help. As anyone knows who has dealt with Rutan, he isn't always about purchasing through him etc... he just wants to help out as do many in this industry. |
Cats and dogs really and I sold a ton of both to very different customers the ADas use steep slope crossovers to keep that dome mid alive they might need a driver and crossover refresh rising high end but reasonably flat, detailed, etched, great thinking mans rock speaker far far outclassed by musicality of the Vandersteen yep owned both |
Well, it is a little more complicated that just 1,2,3. The smaller the Vandy, the less bass output (due to less cabinet area). One of the ways to overcome that is to incorporate a sub-especially a Vandersteen sub(-which allows you to use a less powerful amp), and integrates via a crossover. Very ingenious, and it works seamlessly. Please do contact Pete. I bought his Treo's. He is a very knowledgeable guy. You can also contact John Rutan at audioconnection (his Agon name and his store). He is one of the best dealers in the Nation.- And, don't feel pressured, he gives great advice without a sales pitch. Going the Vandy 1ci route with subs is something I wish I had known about earlier. B |
Yes, it goes 1, 2, 3, Treo, Quatro, 5 and 7. I would personally purchase a new pair of 1's over a 15 year old pair of 2's. Newer components means a lot in a pair of speakers. cs, email me at [email protected] Pete |
Looks like the Vandersteen 2ce signature speakers are going for at least $1,000 plus shipping (none local) on eBay. The one my friend is selling is not a signature version. It is about 15 years old and in mint condition. He is asking $600 but I can try and get him down to $500. And I can drive over and pick them up. |
If you do go the Vandersteen route, try to buy the most recent iteration. Mr. V. constantly upgrades his speakers, so the most recent will have the best components. That being said, I would opt for the 2ce Signature. Though it will cost more, the closer you come to a current serial number, the closer you will be to current production. Vandy's don't discriminate between music styles, they just play it, and play it well. Time and phase alignment, and pistonic drivers make them one of the best buys in hifi. Don't take my word for it, just find a dealer near you or an Audiogon member. B |
Without listening to them, that's my thoughts as well despite all the rave reviews about the Elac's. I owned a pair of ADS L1230's 30 years ago and they were amazing speakers. My room is about 15 feet by 12 feet and the listening setup will be horizontally. They will be placed about a foot and a half away from the rear wall and about four feet away from sidewalls. My Yamaha DSP A1 integrated amp has 110 watts per channel into 8 ohms and has a switchable impedance selector to 4 Ohms. I'm going to pick up the speakers today and hopefully they're in good shape. |
I would get the ADS without any hesitation as long as my room size allows it to breath. Their bass can get boomy if your room is too small or the speakers are too close to the wall. The only other consideration would be your amplifier since those ADS speakers will require a 4 ohm capable amplifier. In my opinion they are in a completely different class from the lower end Elacs. Keep us posted. |
I bought Ctsooner's Treo's and am a Vandy fanb.....A Vandy fan, too. Your Yamaha should have more than enough power for a pair of VLR's or 1ci's. With a sub, you should be good to go, though I always suggest a Vandersteen 2w or 2wq sub. Though you mention Vandersteen as mid to high end, Vandersteen always offered high end sound at a reasonable price. Ohm, Dahlquist, Theil, Magnepan are often linked with Vandersteen and I like their sound, as well. The main thing with Vandersteen is the time and phase alignment of their speakers. It just makes thing seem right. B |
What changes they have made. I was blown away when listening to their newest stuff a few years ago. That's when I got the Treo's and now teh Quatro's. I was a Pro ac guy for years. I have loved many speakers over the years, but tonality, no smearing etc.. are important to me now. I owned ADS, Ohm and Dahlquist for a bit, but always wanted more. I have no desire so far to leave Vandersteen as I've auditioned soooo much gear over the years adn nothing to my ears, beats them in their various price ranges. JMHO....These aint your dad's Vandy's, lol. |
Absolutely i would get Elac B5's or B6's for rear speakers if I get the the corresponding Elac floor speakers for the fronts. And yes, they spare appear to be the hot speaker currently. But keep in mind that the purpose of the system is for listening to music, not home theater. I'm hoping that someone can chime in with any experience with wharfedale speakers as compared to today's speakers like Elac. |
I'd think you'd be better off with matching speakers in a home heater system. the Elac's get great reviews for the money they seem to be the hot ticket right now. I would think they would give you more synergy in your system if you got all Elac speakers. hopefully someone from the home theater section will see your post and chime in. |