TheSting Posted June 26, 2003 Posted June 26, 2003 Urm, I'm a TOTAL NEWB, trying to put together a cheap system (for my bedroom). All in, hopefully under 2-3 K. I understand that one way, would be to start off with a set of speakers, and build around it. This would prob be best for me, reason being that I intend to fix the spks to the walls, so, will prob put the major part of the $$ into them. Perhaps can upgrade the other components later on. Question: Any kind of universal wall bracket? So that IF i do change speakers, won't have to change brackets, resulting in unsightly holes. I'm budgeting between 500-1500 (too wide a range.. maybe) for a pair of speakers. If on the cheap side, I might even buy 2 pairs. Reason being that my bedroom is a little odd shape, and don't have a really fixed listening position (bed, sofa, desk are all in the corners). I listen to a wide range of music, from pop, club mixes (dance), jazz (love it), lounge, ballads, and perhaps some instrumental pieces once a while. Hence, I'ld prefer something for a good range of music, and Not too 'laid back' (that the correct word?). As for bass extension, would be lovely, but not THAT crucial, as can always invest in a woofer later on. One of my major considerations, right at the beginning WAS actually the looks. Something (in fact anything) that wasn't the typical stained wood boxy type of speakers. Was actually considering minipods, and u-vola, and the likes. But apparently, nothing nice and look good in the price range huh? Question: Whatabout those nice surround sound systems?.. Usually for HT systems? small cute speakers, like the Gallo Micro ?? Do they sacrifice alot on the sound quality? Imaging (this the correct term??) would prob also be an issue, as mentioned above, I would prefer the sound to envelope whole room, instead of a very nice sweet spot (even IF there's a slight compromise on quality). I know, that I really should go to adelphi and the likes to audition, But i was hoping to get pointed in the right direction so that I can ASK about the right speakers (dun want to go in and say "eh, what do you have for under a 1000 bucks?" ) I'll follow up with a lonnng list of speakers, if anyone can just pop in a ROUGH estimate of the cost price (new) of ANY of them, it'll be much appreciated. Of cos, if anyone can suggest some speakers I should focus on, that'll be VERY VERY much appreicated... thanx ah!..
TheSting Posted June 26, 2003 Author Posted June 26, 2003 Urm, this is the LONG list of speakers I thought might be OK. If anyone can just pop in the price of Any of them?.....thanxxx Brand Series Model Mission m3 series m30 Mission m3 series m31 Mission m3 series m32 Mission m5 series m50 Mission m5 series m51 Mission m70i series m70 Mission m70i series m71i Mission m70i series m72i Mission 78 series 780 Mission 78 series 780se Mission 78 series 782 Quad L series 11L Quad L series 22L B&W 600 Series 3 DM600 S3 B&W 600 Series 3 DM601 S3 B&W 600 Series 3 DM602 S3 B&W 300 Series DM303 B&W Leisure Monitors VM 1 B&W Leisure Monitors LM1 Monitor Audio Silver S1 Monitor Audio Silver S2 Monitor Audio Bronze B1 Monitor Audio Bronze B2 Dynaudio Audience 42 Dynaudio Audience 42W Dynaudio Audience 52 Aurum Cantus Leisure Leisure2 KEF XQ XQ1 KEF XQ XQ3 KEF Q Q1 KEF Reference 201 KEF Cresta Cresta 10 KEF Coda Coda 70 Energy Connoisseur C-1 Energy Connoisseur C-3 Axiom Millennia M2i Axiom Millennia M3ti Axiom Millennia M22ti Paradigm Cinema Cinema 70 Paradigm Cinema Cinema 90 Paradigm Performance Micro Paradigm Performance Atom Paradigm Performance Titan Paradigm Performance Focus Paradigm Monitor Mini Monitor Paradigm Monitor Monitor 3 Paradigm Monitor Monitor 5
Guest meatball Posted June 26, 2003 Posted June 26, 2003 I am a newbie too.. just managed to put together a simple stereo set in my bedroom recently. I am quite into looks, so the set must match with my parkay floor, room color tone and the zen design. I chose Marantz sets (PM6100SA & CD6000 OSE LE) that sport classy champagne aluminium fascia. For speakers, I got myself a pair of birds-eye maple Quad 21L. The floorstanders not only sound fantastic (to me), but also have a beautiful piano finish that is easy to take care. The whole configuration costs me around $2.5k. Hope this helps.
Norman_Chan Posted June 26, 2003 Posted June 26, 2003 Would suggest you go and listen to : - Monitor Audio Silver S1 Dynaudio Audience 42 B&W 600 Series 3 DM601 S3
TheSting Posted June 27, 2003 Author Posted June 27, 2003 hmm thanx guys norman.. got any idea ROUGHLY how much those costs? asked around today.... Quad L series 11L going for 899 KEF Q Q1 asking for 599 was at sim lim trying to get some magazines.. but rushing.. so no time to listen.. haizz
Norman_Chan Posted June 28, 2003 Posted June 28, 2003 This are est. cost : - Monitor Audio Silver S1 about S$600 Dynaudio Audience 42 about S$800+ B&W 600 Series 3 DM601 S3 about S$700+
dbchoong Posted June 28, 2003 Posted June 28, 2003 Hmm... u want good looks, can compromise sound quality and enveloping sound, right? Then look at the following: Acoustic Energy Aego 2 (http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk) Bose Acoustimass 3 or 5 (http://www.bose.com) Jamo A210 (http://www.jamo.com) But really, I suggest you go down to the shops and check them out yourself. Don't be afraid to ask... you're the customer and you're always right! ;D Imaging (this the correct term??) would prob also be an issue, as mentioned above, I would prefer the sound to envelope whole room, instead of a very nice sweet spot (even IF there's a slight compromise on quality).
TheSting Posted June 29, 2003 Author Posted June 29, 2003 Acoustic Energy Aego 2 (http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk) Bose Acoustimass 3 or 5 (http://www.bose.com) Jamo A210 (http://www.jamo.com) heh.. thanx yeah.. i DID consider those and was really tempted by them Good looks, small and inconspicuous, cute, and no need to worry as much abt the placement .. but are they considered as those box speakers some of the forums have articles advising against? I'll prob go down adelphi this week. But abit hard to take off during weekday.
TheSting Posted July 3, 2003 Author Posted July 3, 2003 hey.. thanx guys.. appreciate it was at adelphi earlier this week..... looked at a few speakers, but didn't get the chance for the b&w spks the mission 780 didn't do it for me.. really lack of the ooommpphh in the base.. the paradigm studio 20 was pretty gd though.. not exactly super fantastic in the vocals.. but pretty nice bass... man..what exactly am i suppose to look for in a speaker? i mean.. with my previous systems being... hmm.. those 200 bucks sonys, how do i even compare? Oh yeah.. spend most of my time in asia sound. Didn't get THAT bad service as reported previously.. tested out those 2, and the jbl (that correct brand?) actually.. the guy was pretty ok lah.. no attitude nothing.. hope to go down again next week to see other spks.. namely the dynaudio 42, quad 11L , and b&w 602
Ken.Ishiwata Posted July 3, 2003 Posted July 3, 2003 hey.. thanx guys.. appreciate it was at adelphi earlier this week..... looked at a few speakers, but didn't get the chance for the b&w spks the mission 780 didn't do it for me.. really lack of the ooommpphh in the base.. the paradigm studio 20 was pretty gd though.. not exactly super fantastic in the vocals.. but pretty nice bass... man..what exactly am i suppose to look for in a speaker? i mean.. with my previous systems being... hmm.. those 200 bucks sonys, how do i even compare? Oh yeah.. spend most of my time in asia sound. Didn't get THAT bad service as reported previously.. tested out those 2, and the jbl (that correct brand?) actually.. the guy was pretty ok lah.. no attitude nothing.. hope to go down again next week to see other spks.. namely the dynaudio 42, quad 11L , and b&w 602 Hmmm....why not give the JM Labs a try? At Asia Sound as well...
TheSting Posted July 4, 2003 Author Posted July 4, 2003 hmmm.. my mistake i think.. i did listen to the jm labs... sheesh.. how to remember huh?.. all those diff speakers? hard enuff remember their names.... also have to remember their sound.. die lah die lah hmm.. i'ld prefer not to get 2nd hand stuffs atm, cos, I dunnoe what to look for (defects etc)... thanx
Norman_Chan Posted July 7, 2003 Posted July 7, 2003 hmm thanx guys norman.. got any idea ROUGHLY how much those costs? asked around today.... Quad L series 11L going for 899 KEF Q Q1 asking for 599 was at sim lim trying to get some magazines.. but rushing.. so no time to listen.. haizz Sorry to ask ... where got sell the Quad L Series 11L ?
plinius Posted July 7, 2003 Posted July 7, 2003 KEC Sorry to ask ... where got sell the Quad L Series 11L ?
normanwalker Posted July 7, 2003 Posted July 7, 2003 check these out at audio jaz too: sonus faber concertino/concerto
Norman_Chan Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 check these out at audio jaz too: sonus faber concertino/concerto How much are this sonus faber concertino/concerto ? Anyone test out the QUAD can comment .... Maybe next week than go KEC to listen.
normanwalker Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 SF concertino - now around $1.3k SF concerto - now around $2k the prices gone up as they cited high euros...
fedorov Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 How much are this sonus faber concertino/concerto ? Anyone test out the QUAD can comment .... Maybe next week than go KEC to listen. heard the quad in action....very the nicey man!!!! + 7layers of piano lacquer somemore...walau...
Guest meatball Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 How much are this sonus faber concertino/concerto ? Anyone test out the QUAD can comment .... Maybe next week than go KEC to listen. I hv a pair of Quad21L.. sound is detailed and dynamic, not the best but coupled with the good looks, you'll feel even better. :) I think City Electronics (in SLS) is the distributer of Quad speakers, and I find them more flexible with prices. ;D
Ken.Ishiwata Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 SF concertino - now around $1.3k SF concerto - now around $2k the prices gone up as they cited high euros... Are the SF concertinos hard to drive? Can a SS 60w amp do the job? What is the recommended amp. power? Heard that SFs are driven best with tubes. But has any SS amp done a good job driving them? And lastly, are they Biwireable?
plinius Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 Audio Jaz or Hi End Research cheaper? though both provides good services....... check these out at audio jaz too: sonus faber concertino/concerto
plinius Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 since we are at SF Concerto and concertinos, may i add in a qns: is the Concerto suitable for small like of size 3 x 3 m........... thanks......... Are the SF concertinos hard to drive? Can a SS 60w amp do the job? What is the recommended amp. power? Heard that SFs are driven best with tubes. But has any SS amp done a good job driving them? And lastly, are they Biwireable?
normanwalker Posted July 8, 2003 Posted July 8, 2003 ok first let me disclose i got bias for SF since i own a pair of concertinos :) aware of the saying that tube and SF go well hand in hand, but currently i am very satisfied with my NAD C370 a 120w ss amp which can drive the SFs effortlessly. further, a high power tube amp(recommended >30wpc for SF) is expensive. 1/ hv some doubts whether a 60w ss amp can do the job. when i tested the classic amps (one at 150wpc and another 85wpc (i think)) at Audio Jas on the SFs, music played with the 85watter sounded sluggish, it lacks the dynamic and pace of the 150wpc. 2/ specs (pls check their website). below are roughly what i remember: SF concertinos rated 50w-150w, low freq 50hz SF concertos up to 200w, low freq 40hz 3/ the latest home series not bi-wirable, the old ones yes. 4/ din go to high end research, so cannot comment. 5/ 3 x 3 m? better off with SF concertinos. btw, my spks are placed in living room. still sound good and loud. i think there are quite a no. of SF owners around. perhaps, they can share more. Best Rgds
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