£500 To Spend On New Speakers

[redbullmaster]

I have a Marantz PM6003 and CD6003 system with Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers. I would like to update the speakers, i'm willing to spend up to £500 and don't mind buying second hand. I'm looking for more detail at lower volumes and would like to hear the increase of money i'm spending at higher levels. At the moment the EB Acoustics EB1 seem's like a good buy, but i'm not sure how long i will have to wait, as they not taking orders due to a back log. I know everyone say's try before you buy but i don't think there's any local hi-fi shops near me. Also i just want to buy and play, and not spend time on auditions. I'm using Chord Cobra interconnects and Chord Carnival SilverScreen speaker cable with Soundstyle Z2 stand's. As for my music tastes i think i'm quite eclectic with what i like to play and i'm not bothered too much about the bass.

Thanks

Richard

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi redbullmaster

Have a look at Dynaudio's superb DM2/6's as these should balance well (note tried it though) your Marantz components should. The DM 2/6's will also accomodate future component changes.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Sizzers]

I have Focal Chorus 706V's (£389) arriving on Monday under not dissimilar circumstances with the same set-up as your's for late night listening so will post the results then.

I was due to purchase AVI Neutron 5's (£399, and exceptionally beautifully detailed speakers), but at the last minute I found the Focal's on a truly excellent ex-dem deal so thought I'd give them a whirl instead. I have high hopes for these so will update you then.

 

[chebby]

Pocket £100 of that £500 and try Rega RS1s (£398 or about £440 in piano gloss black).

I have heard them sounding great on the end of everything from a Rega Brio 3 to a Naim Nait XS with CD5X so they will serve you well through the next couple of upgrades.

They are not 'fussy' about positioning in terms of distance from walls either (one of the few rear ported designs this is true of).

 

[tommyskins]

+1

Pocket £100 of that £500 and try Rega RS1s (£398 or about £440 in piano gloss black).

I
have heard them sounding great on the end of everything from a Rega
Brio 3 to a Naim Nait XS with CD5X so they will serve you well through
the next couple of upgrades.

They are not 'fussy' about
positioning in terms of distance from walls either (one of the few rear
ported designs this is true of).

 

[drummerman]

I'm intrigued. Since 'loosing out' in the rewards, EB has been almost entirely absent from this forum. I understand that the fact the company trades direct, without dealers, makes obtaining and evaluating the speakers a long winded process but why retreat the way they do from almost total dominance of the hifi forum not so long ago?

 

[Frank Harvey]

Give the new KEF Q300's a spin. They're a nice easy load, front ported, not rear, so placement will be easier, and having heard them on the 6003 package, I can safely say synergy was excellent. I've never heard the Marantz sound so good.

 

[Sizzers]

Well been playing these for the last couple of days and their low volume listening is exceptional (played through my Marantz at no more than 9 o'clock). I think the terms you guys would use is "airy", and the detail just SHINES through.

Vocals and mids are very much to the fore, though. Bass comes through very tight, controlled and really follows the line (think intro of "Slippery People" by Talking Heads), but as soon as vocals, mids kick in it seems to disappear just a bit too much in the background for me (or that could just be me still adjusting to them).

I was rather concerned that I might have a "boom" problem in my small room set-up (as I did up to a point with my Lektor's), but not the slightest hint of resonance problems so far (leaving aside the usual c*** recordings).

In my limited experience I feel these may benefit from a slightly warmer amp if you particularly like acoustics, vocals etc., but at £255 ex-dem I find them faultless.

 

[Al ears]

drummerman:

I'm intrigued. Since 'loosing out' in the rewards, EB has been almost entirely absent from this forum. I understand that the fact the company trades direct, without dealers, makes obtaining and evaluating the speakers a long winded process but why retreat the way they do from almost total dominance of the hifi forum not so long ago?

Hi Drummerman

Probably because of that 'total dominance'

 

[Anonymous]

drummerman, you have made an appropriated comment. The forum is a marvellous window to the world for EB Acoustics. It is true, too, that brands don't tend to make comments in forums. They have a good product and at least they beg your patience and thank you for your interest.

Perhaps What hi-fi? has been very just. (One of the 4 criteria to take part in the Awards: the ability to serve the products to the people). Their ability to produce enough speakers is not so high as people wait and obviously the customer service could be far better from what it is by e-mail. Just phone them!!!.

By the way, very interesting the comments on the combo Marantz PM 6003, CD 6003. I have doubts with the amplifier. Bright midrange?. I do not know if I prefer a more vivid session (Rotel Ra-04 Se) or the Marantz. I do not want to have problems with the treble, but in that case I should pay attention to the speakers. Everything is in relation.

 

[Sizzers]

Who said the Marantz was bright?

 

[matthewpiano]

To the OP - I strongly advise you to do some proper auditioning. The Diamond 9.1s are outstanding speakers for their price and are more natural sounding than many other speakers under £500. There aren't many speakers in this price range that tread the line so well and buying without auditioning runs the risk of ending up with something that grates, probably at one frequency extreme or another.

In terms of the amp I wouldn't say the PM6003 was bright. It is an excellent amp and the only criticism I would level at it would be that the bass can get a little bit thick sounding if paired with the wrong speakers.

 

[Sizzers]

Well the bass on the Marantz certainly isn't thick as you call it with the Focals.

Main reservation I have so far is that vocals accompanied with bass don't seem to totally work for me as I find the bass gets pushed a tad too much in the background for my liking (but still adjusting!), which is why my wandering thoughts were thinking a slightly warmer amp might help to marry the two a little better (probably wrong!)

 

[Anonymous]

Sizzers, I'm using my Focals with an older Marantz 4200pm amp and the the bass is really tight, but punchy - to the point that I can feel my insides move with the beat!

 

[Anonymous]

drummerman:

I'm intrigued. Since 'loosing out' in the rewards, EB has been almost entirely absent from this forum. I understand that the fact the company trades direct, without dealers, makes obtaining and evaluating the speakers a long winded process but why retreat the way they do from almost total dominance of the hifi forum not so long ago?

Hi DM.

The reason I'm not here that much is because I don't have the time and, where some threads are concerned, the patience to try and educate. Other manufacturers I know steer clear of all forums deliberately.

 

[Anonymous]

redbullmaster:

I have a Marantz PM6003 and CD6003 system with Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers. I would like to update the speakers, i'm willing to spend up to £500 and don't mind buying second hand. I'm looking for more detail at lower volumes and would like to hear the increase of money i'm spending at higher levels. At the moment the EB Acoustics EB1 seem's like a good buy, but i'm not sure how long i will have to wait, as they not taking orders due to a back log. I know everyone say's try before you buy but i don't think there's any local hi-fi shops near me. Also i just want to buy and play, and not spend time on auditions. I'm using Chord Cobra interconnects and Chord Carnival SilverScreen speaker cable with Soundstyle Z2 stand's. As for my music tastes i think i'm quite eclectic with what i like to play and i'm not bothered too much about the bass.

Thanks

Richard

Richard,

I know I am biased....but if you can check out the Arcaydis DM1's I would. They are incredible value for money and keep surprising me daily with their musical delivery. .....I did not have to wait ong for mine at all. I really find myself just listening to the music with them.

D