adamg Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) I am looking for my next set of speakers to replace some KEF LS50s. Living on the Gold Coast there is not a lot of local options for listening / trialing before you buy (that I am that keen on anyway). I am interested in affordable speakers that will fill my room (6m x 7 m) a little better than the LS50s. One of my challenges is I am restricted to fairly compact speakers for certain reasons. My current amplifier is a W4S STi500. Dynaudio and PMC are two makes I would love to hear, just to through some names out there. Anyone in the Gold Coast area that would like to GTG, or is prepared to offer a short-term loan of speakers that might fit the bill, please let me know. Currently using some 'bang buck' stand mounts while I am looking around (i.e. Q Acoustic Concept 20 and Usher S520). These would of course be on offer if you were at all interested. There would also be drinking and/or gifting of beer involved in any arrangement. Cheers Adam Edited June 25, 2015 by adamg
murrmax Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 What about getting a small sub? might be the best option if restricted to standmounds
Guest Muon Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 (edited) Have you checked out Lenehan Audio? Edit: typo Edited June 25, 2015 by ortofun
adamg Posted June 26, 2015 Author Posted June 26, 2015 What about getting a small sub? might be the best option if restricted to standmounds Had a quick trial of a REL T7 but didn't work for me. I'm trying to minimalise my set up to so sub is another box / variable I would like to avoid. Have you checked out Lenehan Audio? Edit: typo Much respect for Mike and Co. at Lenehan and have heard the ML2s (I think they were). Looking for something more fluid rather than Lenehans ultra-clean and attacking sound. 1
Guest Muon Posted June 26, 2015 Posted June 26, 2015 Had a quick trial of a REL T7 but didn't work for me. I'm trying to minimalise my set up to so sub is another box / variable I would like to avoid. Much respect for Mike and Co. at Lenehan and have heard the ML2s (I think they were). Looking for something more fluid rather than Lenehans ultra-clean and attacking sound. Try the ML-1's i guess I'm biased, but I prefer the ML-1's. But maybe they aren't for you either, no speaker suits everyone, or every system.
blakey72 Posted December 16, 2015 Posted December 16, 2015 I love my pmc's. I'd let you borrow mine but I'm in Vic :/
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted December 17, 2015 Volunteer Posted December 17, 2015 As a left-field suggestion, try the KEFs with a high current amp. By all accounts your speakers are a very difficult load so you may not be getting the best out of them 1
Luc Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Hey Adam. I'm getting new speakers in Feb. If you haven't done anything by then, how about you supply the beer and Damo the snags and I drop the Silverlines off for an extended stay on the GC? They're going to be sidelined once the newies get here and I know Damo's not allowed to buy them and they might not be right at your place. (You still have the set up there next to the kitchen?) Either way, it'd be good to have them being used in unfamiliar but friendly environments. In the new year some time we'll have a beer/pub/lunch thing and do the business.. 1
danter Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 Had a few different small standmounts through my place. Loved the ML1s, but as time moved on, wanted a warmer sound. The Spendor SA1s were sublime and definitely worth a listen, although a little bass shy. Recently acquired a pair of Proac Tablette Ref 8 Signatures. Love these speakers. That glorious Proac mid range with bass that belies their size. I was expecting good things from the reviews, but they exceeded my expectations. Pity you are on the coast, but if you can track down a pair up that way, well worth an audition.
madamesimplifi Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 Agree. The tablettes are awesome particular for jazz. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
holliswhy Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 I would go Floor stand. More "presence". 6x7m is quite a large room. 1
WhoRu? Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 Agree. The tablettes are awesome particular for jazz. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Can I borrow yours?
madamesimplifi Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 Can I borrow yours? I thought you prefer the aktimates? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
WhoRu? Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 I thought you prefer the aktimates? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Honestly... I think they are broken 😞
adamg Posted December 22, 2015 Author Posted December 22, 2015 (edited) I am looking for my next set of speakers to replace some KEF LS50s. Living on the Gold Coast there is not a lot of local options for listening / trialing before you buy (that I am that keen on anyway). I am interested in affordable speakers that will fill my room (6m x 7 m) a little better than the LS50s. One of my challenges is I am restricted to fairly compact speakers for certain reasons. My current amplifier is a W4S STi500. Dynaudio and PMC are two makes I would love to hear, just to through some names out there. Anyone in the Gold Coast area that would like to GTG, or is prepared to offer a short-term loan of speakers that might fit the bill, please let me know. Currently using some 'bang buck' stand mounts while I am looking around (i.e. Q Acoustic Concept 20 and Usher S520). These would of course be on offer if you were at all interested. There would also be drinking and/or gifting of beer involved in any arrangement. Cheers Adam To update I ended up purchasing a near mint pair of Dynaudio X12s of twwen2 and have been very happy. Paired with the W4S integrated I really like the way the Dyn's handle things. In the context of a small box I find them well balanced, maybe a touch on the treble side, great attack without any unwanted aggression, and show no sense of intimidation even when confronted with some complexity or volume. A little more honesty in the timbre would be nice sometimes but I'm really happy with the overall musicality (there I said it) of this set-up - this coming from someone who prefers a pinch of warmth over precision / detail. Enjoyments levels have gone up another notch since adding a W4S DAC-1 with upgraded clock - via the amps balanced input. PS I couldn't part with the Concept 20s for the money so they are on TV duty. Edited December 22, 2015 by adamg
bmc Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 Hey Adam, We seem to have some things in common. I'm also on the Gold Coast and have KEF LS50s and Dynaudio X12s 1
Happy Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 Hey Adam, We seem to have some things in common. I'm also on the Gold Coast and have KEF LS50s and Dynaudio X12s Both best sellers. How do you compare them? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
adamg Posted December 22, 2015 Author Posted December 22, 2015 We are getting away from the Loaner purpose of this forum but guess same intent of there. @@Marc may prefer to move this thread ? Both best sellers. How do you compare them?Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk @@davidro I Can't make a straight comparison as I used the KEFs almost exclusively with a 50+ W Class A hybrid amp (Unico P), and the Dyns have only been used with the Class D W4S amp. The Unico P and KEF combo produced excellent midrange, sound stage and imaging, and the overall presentation was on the warm side. Bass had good times and bad times depending on the music, and there were occasions I felt the highs got a bit hard. Now not wanting to stereotype or offend but when faced with adversity the KEFs tried to stand tall and proud but underneath really just wanted to stay inside and have a cup of tea. The W4S and X12 combo on the other hand has a more even performance across the range - visitors to my place interested in SQ typically comment on the treble and bass than the mids. As I eluded to in my previous post, the X12s remain calm and collected at almost all times, with an underlying sense of a viking spirit. All this without being cold in any way. Build quality on both is excellent. Personally I prefer the silk dome tweeter and polymer driver of the X12s over the alloy driver of the LS50s. Hey Adam, We seem to have some things in common. I'm also on the Gold Coast and have KEF LS50s and Dynaudio X12s @@bmc I'd like to know what amplification you've used successfully (or not) with both speakers. 1
bmc Posted December 22, 2015 Posted December 22, 2015 i'm using 3 LS50s as LCR with a Denon 3313 AVR in a large room. The Denon is adequate but has the advantage of DSP which is useful as the room is not ideal. Running a B&W PV1D subwoofer with them which combines well and is absolutely necessary due to the room size. The X12s are in a quite small room and are amped by an OPPO HA-1 pre and Rotel RB-1552 Mk2 power. This works well. I am using a Velodyne SPL-800 Ultra subwoofer in this setup to get a bit of bass extension and to try to correct some of the room nodes with the sub's DSP. The Dynaudios are probably better suited to the larger room as I think are somewhat more dynamic /punchier than the KEFs. I've been meaning to swap things around and experiment but I haven't had the chance. What amplification are you running?
adamg Posted December 23, 2015 Author Posted December 23, 2015 @@bmc Still using the W4S STi500. I'll be sticking with this for a while. Would like to try a tube power amp using the STi as a pre-amp some time. A Prima Luna for example would not be a silly idea. I will eventually try some floor standers as circumstances have changed in my listening space which has opened the door to more speaker options. You welcome to have a listen to my set up. I could probably convince @@DAMO 1147 to bring his Zu Omens over which is something I've been wanting to do with the W4S amp.
bmc Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Whoops should have read your entire post above. I'd like to get together sometime. I'll PM you.
dthompson Posted January 5, 2016 Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) Hi Adam: ....all good discussion here. Wyndham audio have released a very elegant Bass reflex floor stander called the BR1. It is slim and elegant, like its' designer and builders!! Moving right along.....it uses a textile tweeter with wave guide and a 6 inch paper woofer in a cabinet; 200w X 300d X 1000h. It is very reasonably priced and will suit the gear you have mentioned. It is new out and so there are no reviews as of yet. Drop me a PM if you want some more detail. I've included a pic! The speaker is a result of a co-joint program between Wyndham audio and SGR. Regards: Dave T Edited January 5, 2016 by dthompson 1
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