Recent content by theFan

Update: I've been using these speakers, the Q900, with just the Alpha 8 integrated amp for at least 6 months now and I realised that they weren't harsh in the way i described at the start of this thread. I quite like the sound actually. I figured that it must have been that the speakers...

It has been about a month since i ran them with just the integraded so i tried it again. The combination of having the speakers well away from the wall and powered by just the integraded definitly reduced the harshness that i was getting (didn't quite dissappear though). It also made the sound...

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm starting to think it's possibly that the sound isn't quite to my tastes but the main reason appears to be the room (it has to be, right?). The sound i'm getting is definitly "harsh". After 3 minutes of listening (about 1 song) with the volume at 9 o'clock i can...

Hi, I have a pair of Q900s bi-amped with an Arcam Alpha 8r integraded and Alpha 8 power amp. CD player is Arcam Alpha 8SE. I've had these speakers for about 6 months now and right from the start i've found them quite bright and a bit harsh. When i turn the volume up a bit (not loud, but a...

I've had a fairly good look and there doesn't seem to be a single Epos retailer in NZ. I tried the Q Acoustic 2050i and although i'm sure they're good value for money in the UK, at 650GBP in NZ they get a bit outclassed. I listened to them side by side with the Paradigm Monitor 9 and the...

In another thread I asked for advice on speakers to audition and i also explained that i'm in New Zealand so prices and availability are quite different to the UK. Auditioning is over and it's time for action! The short list is as follows: - B&W 683 (1000GBP) - Kef Q900 (750GBP) - MA RX8...

I wanted to revise my negative comments towards the B&W 683s for the benefit of anyone that stumbles apon this thread: I went back to the B&W showroom and found that on my first visit listening to the 683s: a) the highs were being ruined because they were too close to a wall on each side b)...

I spent some time at a B&W showroom today and heard these: 683: A bit underwhelming, a bit muffled sounding. THe room was quite big - maybe that contributed. CM8: had the sparkle in the mids/highs that were missing on the 683. Bass was really poor but they were straight out of the box which...

Thanks for all the feedback. I was really expecting the to hear that the Kefs compete with the likes of the CM8s and the MA RX6/RX8s but are half the cost so just buy them. The suggestions for the BX5s and the 2050i, are these a polite way of saying some of the more expensive speakers i've...

The R700s are 2kGBP (out of my price range) and they don't have the R500s. Belive it or not, the CM8 recommended retail price is 2500GBP.

Hi,I've recently purchased my first bit of hifi kit - Arcam Alpha 8 CD player, integrated amp and power amp. Paid about 275GBP which i thought was an alright deal.I'm now after a set of floorstanding speakers to go with it. One thing to consider is that I live in New Zealand so my options are...

I too was comparing the 2021 to the LX55 and noticed that the weight of the LX55 was significantly less than the LX53. LX55 - 10kg LX53 - 13.4kg 2021 - 10kg 2020 - 13.1kg So, somehow pioneer have managed to jettison 3.4kg of material from this years model compared to last years. I wonder...

I too was comparing the 2021 to the LX55 and noticed that the weight of the LX55 was significantly less than the LX53. LX55 - 10kg LX53 - 13.4kg 2021 - 10kg 2020 - 13.1kg So, somehow pioneer have managed to jettison 3.4kg of material from this years model compared to last years. I wonder...

I'm looking at buying the Onkyo and a similar TV. Did you resolve this issue? THanks, Tim

The Cyrus 6/8 would still require a media player like Popcorn Hour, which is fine. I think i really need to audition the Cyrus and any other amps with integrated DACs that my local hi-fi stores have. Also, i need to check out the new products that are round now because it seems that digital...