ADVICE ON SPEAKERS

[malg]

I am considering new speakers. Have been on here previously on this subject, but the time is now near and I'm asking for a demo later this week. I will listen to the B&W 685s and 683s, but is there anything else I should consider? My hi-fi shop has recommended a listen to some JMLab Focal (don't know which model but they are around £1000). Room size is approx 12' x 18'. Muical tastes are Kraftwerk, Joy Division, Lou Reed, Velvet Underground and Nick Cave (plus lots of 80s). I don't listen to classical music. I don't want speakers that need to be played loud to appreciate them (I have headphones for that). System is Kenwood KD8030 turntable, MF XT100 amp, MF XRay V8 CD, PS Audio DAC, Lehmann Audio BlackCube Linear headphone amp and Sennheisser HD650s. Current speakers are B&W 601s.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Do you like the general sound of your current speakers? Or is there something you dislike about them?

 

[malg]

I am happy with the B&W 601s, but they are a good few years old. I recently upgraded my amp and CD player, and both upgrades have brought a phenomenal improvement in my music and I am now hearing some of my old recordings in a different light. I have heard, on other sites, people going on about rediscovering their music, which I always thought was tosh. However, I now know exactly what they are on about. Therefore, I am going to demo some kit to see if my speakers can make any more difference. My hi-fi retailer gives sound advice, and would be willing to give me an in shop demo, and also a home demo (well, they have done with some previous kit). If I don't notice any improvement, or the improvement is not worth the outlay, then I won't bother. I certainly will not be upgrading for the sake of it.

 

[Craig M.]

dali mentor 2 sounds very good at low volumes, gorgeous veneer too. the bass seemed more full at low volumes then other speakers i've heard. didn't listen for too long though as i preferred my atcs, but i remember them being very "musical".

 

[Anonymous]

I seem to remember comments about the MF XT100 saying that the system is a real taste of the high end but without the sheer power and effortlessness available from the kW kit. The conclusion drawn was to pair with relatively sensitive and easy to drive speakers to get the best dynamics and results. When reading it I thought that Proac speakers would probably work rather well.

What about a pair of Proac D2? They're quite pricey but might work well. A couple of steps down in price but still very nice would be some Studio 110s. Of course there's a whole spectrum of sizes in their range to consider.