new floor-standers needed?

[Rosco08]

Ok on a whim I bought a Marantz SR14EX. Had been meaning to upgrade for a long time now had thought a slow change would slip by the partner (amp first then fronts later)...didnt work. (might have been me wobbling into the house with a 26kg Receiver in hand hehehe). Was going well until friday when one of the fronts died (had been going down hill anyhow). So... speaker replacement

 

Im in the Hi Fi forum because that is my first priority, MUSIC.

I figure small house so only room for one system

Like HT but.....love music!

Hence the SR 14 - i think it will make a good all rounder (and has a S*%#T tonne of grunt)

 

So to replace dead old uninteresting Polk RT10's

 

I want "real music" speakers but dont want to spend too much (typical)

Been researching a little and dont mind second hand (if tidy)

 

IMAGE 412? (small room at the moment could upgrade to musical sub later?)

 

IMAGE 414 (would need to be 2nd hand aka under 2k and mybe to much in a small space)

 

B&W 684? (not sure if i will get annoyed with the crappy build - do you need to spend the house deposit to get a decent B&W cabinet)

 

There are an old pair of IMAGE MASS floating round on trade me that maybe had for under budget ... Interesting?

 

Do you guys have some suggestions so I can start my shopping.

I dont like anything to bright, listen to a very wide range from roots reg to folk acoustic and rock and when i can it is very loud (140W RMS from the SR14 is LOTS for our little house)

 

HELP - seems like there is a lot of crap around and i just keep comparing them all to the reputations of the Image's

 

thanks helpful folk.

 

Reece

[got tinnitus]

You can't go wrong with Image. Good choice.

 

I'm a fan of Proac; the Studio 140 will work nice with the Marantz. There are a couple of pairs on TM worth looking at... They do need placing off the back wall so prepare to have them sit in the room by 500mm or so.

 

Keep us posted!

[Shane Hanify]

Gidday Reece,

 

what's the size and layout of your room?

 

Is build quality more important than sound quality? Same with looks?

 

What part of the music is more important to you? Bass ? Mids? Top end? Most speaker designs at the price you're looking at will compromise on one or more of these.

 

Cheers, Shane.

[jackthecat1553552720]

Well you dont need to look far for Image 414s . I am selling a pair for under 1 K. Let me know if youre interested.

[little blue penguin]

Reece, as an Image 414 owner I can't recommend these highly enough, and the price that Tony (jackthecat) is asking is so attractive.

 

My room is about 4.5m by 5.5m although I have a 3.4m high ceiling, and the 414's work quite well in that space especially after rewiring them internally and building plinths for them.

[Rosco08]

hey guys

 

room is maybe 4.5m deep and 6m wide (standard 2.4 stud height).

414's are so tempting but I have always had the tendency to go bigger with everything so trying not to make the same mistake, dont want bass bouncing around my lounge!. 412's given plenty of grunt? Shane I think im more interested in the mid bass area. i find the overly bright sound irritating, (another trick i have discovered is that big low bass makes it all sound louder so i can run higher volumes when partner home if the bass isnt pumping through the place)

 

I thought i may have been on the right track with the Images he he he. B&W a no go then (seems a bit pricey for what they are at the entry level)

 

Would i be selling the amp short with say a set of 412 images?

 

cheers

 

ps been following your auctions on TM Tony....what are those Mass babys like to nice for my amp eh hmmmm whole new line of up grades.

[Shane Hanify]

Gidday Reece,

 

with a room that size I would be inclined to go with the 414's. Fantastic speaker, and at the price that Jack is offering I would snap them up before someone else does. You can always damp the ports if you think that the bass is a bit overbearing, but remember , these are quite small drivers. I have a pair of Infinity RS5's, running the same amount (and a very similar size) of drivers in a different configuration and have had them flying along in a room similar to the size of yours and not once have I ever thought the bass overbearing. (About a meter from the rear boundary, plenty of space L to R).

 

Amp was a Marantz SM80 power amp (about 90W per channel) - via a passive pre / CD player. This buries my AVR for current driving and SQ (Marantz SR5400) - remember when comparing amps compare AVR's to AVR's and 2 ch amps to each other.

 

So, to recap. Buy those 414's. Buy them now.

 

Cheers, Shane.

[Ernie1553552694]

Actually Chris could probably tune the port if you asked him nicely.

[blackspot1553552708]

The 414s work very nicely with my SR14. I seldom use my sub for anything other than movies and yes it is bloody heavy amp! My room is quite large 5 x 7m, with a high stud (villa) I have thought a lot about upgrading to Revs or Illusions, but quite frankly this would only be a purchase for the sake of spending rather than so satisfy an actual need

 

So if you can pick up some 414s....go for it

[jackthecat1553552720]

If you are at all interested they are on TM for 800 buy now. Don't mean to turn this thread into a sales pitch sorry ! I will leave you in peace now :^)

[Shane Hanify]

Wow. If I had the money, the room and lived up North I'd be all over those.

 

Don't forget to post it up in the trade me section.

 

Cheers, Shane.

[Rosco08]

all good jackthecat I spotted the new buy now, very tempted, the price is very compelling, im just a little unsure of the aging thing, im certain they sound awesome just the wood work cosmetics...saw a pair of MK2's in nice order go for $955 grr

 

i think i need to go and do some listening DemoRoom the best start? I had a thought of killing many birds with two stones, what do you all think of this

 

 

Buy a new pair of the smaller 412's - they would physically fit in my room and have the right tweeter and driver just less low omph (correct?)

 

When we move house ( soonish I hope) buy an Image sub ( i know not really hifi forum but... if carefully positioned and set up for music would that get me closer to the performance of the 414???)

 

going through options i guess but starting to go mad with one speaker stereo!! grr

 

cheers

reece

 

oh yea Blackspot - if im going to demo is there a comparable receiver that may be a stock item at the DemoRoom? New SR14 equal? I have emailed them tonight but thought you may be the guy as you use same amp?

 

cheers all.....addiction setting in,,, partner getting grumpy hehehe

[Ernie1553552694]

The Demo Room has Arcam and Cambridge receivers. The Arcam would probably come closest in terms of welly, but comparisons with Marantz are useful to a point and then you have to understand each brand has a particular house sound.

 

I'd hump my amp in for an apples and apples demo. Take a second pair of hands and / or a trolley.

[Electra]

412's plus a sub will have more potential, for both sounding better, but also for costing a fair bit more. A good sub to match the 412's will be moderately expensive, even second hand ( A great little Acebass just sold on TM for about $900 ) I would be very surprised if that Acebass could not be made to compliment a pair of 412's ( or 414's ) nicely.

 

I actually have a set of 412's, mk1's. In my main listening room their not too bad to be honest. Their not able to fill it with high volume levels, sure, but they make a good honest attempt at it, and I am used to far, far larger and more powerful speakers. As with any small floor stander, they work better in smaller rooms, and work very nicely in the bedroom, which is about 5*4.5*3m. Mine are getting fed from a 135wpc Rotel power amp.

[shotokan]

Hi Rosco08,

 

My Klipsch RF25's are soon to be listed for sale. Don't know if they are better, or inferior to the Image 414 - preference I guess.

[blackspot1553552708]

Take it from me, it would be easier to take the speakers to the amp than the other way round !!! I really would struggle to know what modern amp would shade it as a comparison sonically. What I would suggest is that you drop Graham at Grahams Hifi a line and I am sure he could advise you.... he is familiar with the Marantz gear and Image. He is also a good bugger and will help...tell him Wilson sent you (if you dont know him already)

[Ernie1553552694]

LOL. I never said it was going to be easy to lug an SR14 around town.

[Rosco08]

412's plus a sub will have more potential, for both sounding better, but also for costing a fair bit more. A good sub to match the 412's will be moderately expensive, even second hand ( A great little Acebass just sold on TM for about $900 ) I would be very surprised if that Acebass could not be made to compliment a pair of 412's ( or 414's ) nicely.

 

 

Hey too_tall found this image sub on TM Image AVS100.2 10

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Speakers-and-stands/Subs/auction-318062291.htm

 

Any use to me with a pair of 412's whats it worth? it looks like an older model but may be a nice match - if i could pick it up cheep.

[M ZXR]

Hi Rosco

 

I have Images which Chris upgraded to mk2 412 specs, the sound was transformed, and for a relatively small outlay. I also use an Image sub and I assume the same Rotel power amp Too Tall has on his smaller system (RB1070). They're set up in a larger space and sound great with or without the sub but has been mentioned previously I'd go for the 414's secondhand and have Chris wave his magic wand over them. I doubt very much you'd regret this option. You could always add a sub later. Bang for buck I don't think you'd better them.

[Electra]

I have no real knowledge of the image subs sorry. Some others do, hopefully they might pipe in with advice

 

Forum member "Chris" is Chris Ball, of Image loudspeakers. Maybe he might have a view. You would have to expect that his subs would be a match for his speakers, although that's not always the case!.

[Peter S]

I've been enjoying Image 402's for a few years and agree with Blackspot that I'd be spending to spend rather than because there is something missing. These small speakers, the earlier incarntation of the 412's, sound great in the smallish room that I've got them in. Accurate, clear, articulate. There's a nice review on AudioEnz actually that celebrates their gifts. Of course I was caught by the 'what if I had the 414's'? so got some for a bigger room. Sure the 414's offer a bit more in the bass department but the sound is similar to the smaller model. Both measure down to 40hz

 

I reckon it'd be a good call to get the bargain 414's that are being sold by jackthecat. What a good deal. What a sound. What's not to like? SPL's in smaller room perhaps?

 

When I got the 402's the forum member that I got them from had upgraded to 404's and I listened to both sets and sure for months I was disappointed that I'd got the smaller model. But after a year of speaker envy I began to appreciate what I had rather than long for what I didn't have. If I had to down size to just one system I think the smaller model has a lot to recommend it.

 

But whatever, Image, wow. And oh yes, I've heard the ProAc 140's. Man, they are nice. But like, I've spent quids chasing better and better isn't always better., although this forum points the way to some exceptional upgrades which I'm sure are. But that's another story.

[Rosco08]

Ok guys...I found a good price on a new pair of Image 414 MK2's and they are being shipped in the morning!! YES. I cant wait to un pack them and play (any tips on running in or do i just leave it playing at moderate volume for a few days while we are at work might

[Shane Hanify]

Gidday Rosco,

 

congratulations.

 

Sure, you can leave them running during the day to bed them in but just enjoy them. Good speakers take time to settle, so don't be too fussed if they sound "off" for the first few (hundred) hours.

 

Cheers, Shane.