Advice for speakers €500-750

[BlackFountain]

Hello,
I was thinking about buying some new speakers. I already went to a store and tried out the Dali Zensor 5s, which I thought to be quite good, but I can't really compare them to my old speakers, since I can't just bring them over to the store. So now I'm not really sure if they sound better. I'm worried that I just -think- they sound better because they are modern. My old speakers are B&W DM110s which still sound good in my opinion, I just want a relatively cheap upgrade. My amplifier is a Kenwood A-5S. Can someone give me some thoughts? Do these speakers sound better? Should I maybe even consider buying completely different speakers if I want an upgrade for 'round €300-400 (per speaker)? Let me know if you can help please. Thanks in advance! 










 

[the_master66]

Hi BlackFountain,

Please can you tell us what you use as a source and also a little about your listening room, music tastes as we may be able to better advise knowing these things?

Thanks

The_Master66

 

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I reckon your amp should be the first item you should address . it'll take your current speakers to another level,especially with a half decent budget like you have and even better if you don't mind shopping second hand .

 

[BlackFountain]

Thanks for the reply,

as a source, I use my iPhone connected to an internet radio, which is then finally connected to the kenwood amp. My listening room is a room with 4 windows without curtains, kind of an L-like shape, lots of furniture (so probably no echo's) and it's about 3 meters tall. (Tell me if I need to send some pictures) My music tastes vary a bit, but mostly electronic, house, some pop and my favorite music is Coldplay (when I'm in the mood I like some funky music too, but focus on electronic and house please)

I hope this helps!

 

[rainsoothe]

I reckon your amp should be the first item you should address . it'll take your current speakers to another level,especially with a half decent budget like you have and even better if you don't mind shopping second hand .

Hi. +1 to this. If I were you, I'd get a XTZ A100D3 amp, and later upgrade speakers to XTZ 93.23 mk II. You won't get any better for the money imo, unless it's 2nd hand stuff. The XTZ also has a dac with optical input (if I remember right), so you can use an Apple Airport Express to stream stuff from your phone, connecting it with an optical 3.5 jack to toslink adaptor cable. It'll bring stuff to a whole new level. Only downside of the XTZ is that it doesn't have a headphone jack. Oh, and it's quite big. But it's an amazing amp - sounds like Marantz in a way, but better and more assured, gutsier.

If buying used, Creek Evolution 2 or Naim Nait 5si should be a couple of amps to consider.

As for the XTZ speakers, don't let their price fool you, they're comparable to speakers worth twice the price of the B&W or Dynaudio variety imo.

 

[BlackFountain]

Thanks,

i think I should say that I find those options for amps rather expensive (don't know if that's normal though)

What I want to add is what my full current setup is:

1. Marantz M-CR603 receiver

2. Kenwood A-5S amp

3. Kenwood T-3LS tuner

4. B&W DM110 speakers

Please give some more advice as I don't know what's currently on the market and good for kind of a low budget. If I spend a certain amount of money on an amp, I hope it gives a better result than buying speakers with the same amount and doesn't disappoint me.

Thanks!

 

[rainsoothe]

Sorry, I thought the xtz was like 750€ - ish, but it's 850. If you CAN afford that, though, go for it. Maybe Abrahamsen V20 (the non-up version) fits your budget. I seriously doubt the mcr603 does 60w in 8 ohm, and it'll most likely struggle with your speakers. I mean it might be enough, but seems like a sideways move.

If you don't mind a bassy sound, Nad c326 might be a good fit. Arcam A19 is also a great amp, and it can be found in your budget.

 

[the_master66]

Thanks,

i think I should say that I find those options for amps rather expensive (don't know if that's normal though)

What I want to add is what my full current setup is:

1. Marantz M-CR603 receiver

2. Kenwood A-5S amp

3. Kenwood T-3LS tuner

4. B&W DM110 speakers

Please give some more advice as I don't know what's currently on the market and good for kind of a low budget. If I spend a certain amount of money on an amp, I hope it gives a better result than buying speakers with the same amount and doesn't disappoint me.

Thanks!

Hi Fountain,

I'm a bit confused on the role of the Kenwood amp in your system and why you also have a kenwood tuner - the Marantz receiver seems to have all those functions covered, Marantz usually make competent amps and at 60w this should have enough power to drive the B&W speakers - looking on the Marantz site there is a firmware upgrade for the receiver that allows Airplay which would simplify matters when using the iPhone.

Also when you say you stream from the iPhone is this std apple format or are you using spotify or tidal or a mixture?

Sorry for all the questions but this all helps others recommend the right route for upgrades.

Please can you clarify?

Thanks

The_Master

 

[the_master66]

Hi,

I have read a few reviews of the Marantz M-CR603 and it seems to be a capable little unit - in Gramaphones review they partnered it with some PMC speakers costing £1500 and said it worked well - perhaps you should try some high sensitivity floorstanders like Q Acoustic 3050 which richer sounds have for £449 these should improve on the old B&W's perhaps you should see if you can get a demo with your Marantz unit to see what the pairing will sound like?

If you get the hi-fi bug the q acoustic speakers will easily take a big amp upgrade and improve again..

Cheers

The Master

 

[BlackFountain]

Hi guys,

I'm sorry for the late reply but I was going through a tough week at school and had some other things on my mind. I want this question answered: "Does buying myself new speakers or a new amp give me a better upgrade for the price?" I've gone through some of your suggestions, but I want to point out that there's this one store (in the Netherlands) where I want to buy my next upgrade. Its called hifiklubben. Here's the link to their floorstanding speakers: https://www.hifiklubben.nl/luidsprekers/vloerstaande-luidsprekers/

Please look at this webpage before giving me more advice. I want to thank all of you for the help you've given me so far, but it's quite a tough decision for me on what to buy, so I still need some more advice.

Thanks in advance!

BlackFountain