Amp + speakers for Rock/Metal (Opeth,Metallica etc. ) 800pds

[poldo]

My source is HRT streamer, now I want to add speakers + amp. I listen to rock.metal music like Opeth, Mastodon and Metallica.

My budget is 800 pounds, my room is 17x17ft, wooden floor, concrete walls.

Should I demo floorstanders or standmounters? And what brands?

Next week my demo tour will start

I did some demo already, Monitor audio rx6 was very nice but too expensive.

 

[Big Chris]

Ta-Da!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/b-w-bower-and-wilkins-603-s3-speakers-one-pair-/300439121328?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item45f3912db0

 

[poldo]

ow sorry, forgot to tell, no 2nd hand, only new or demo and I live in Holland.

thnx rob

 

[Big Chris]

Now you tell me!

Your fellow countrymen 'Textures' are an awesome band Rob!

 

[poldo]

Yes they are!

Maybe Iam going to demo the B&W 685 with a NAD amp?

 

[Big Chris]

poldo:

Yes they are!

Maybe Iam going to demo the B&W 685 with a NAD amp?

Sounds like a plan. I have the 602 S3s, the 685s forebear. The 602s are quite a bit bigger though. I bought them as I like bass, but couldn't find any comparably priced floorstanders which I liked.

I do use a sub now too. It adds a whole extra dimension. I just worry that as good as the 685s are, your gonna miss that real low stuff. You'll have to decide yourself come demo time. Just don't take any Strapping Young Lad. You won't hear those sub bass drops!

 

[SteveR750]

NAD C355 and a pair of B&W 685. No contest,

If you could find an ebay seller then a C352 would be a steal at probably around £150 now for a pristine example. A pair of B&W 602 S3s and you have the classic student rock / metal system.

 

[d_a_n1979]

I agree with the likes of the NAD C355BEE and the B&W 685's but the Monitor Audio RX2's shouldnt be discounted; superb speakers and IMO give the 685's a solid run for their money

Other amps to consider would be the Rotel RA04SE and the Audiolab 8000S

 

[davemartin01]

SteveR750:
NAD C355 and a pair of B&W 685. No contest,

If you could find an ebay seller then a C352 would be a steal at probably around £150 now for a pristine example. A pair of B&W 602 S3s and you have the classic student rock / metal system.

If only this forum had classified as I have a NAD C350 and C270 power amp sat doing nothing... oh and a pair of 602 s3's gathering dust......

 

[d_a_n1979]

davemartin01:SteveR750:
NAD C355 and a pair of B&W 685. No contest,

If you could find an ebay seller then a C352 would be a steal at probably around £150 now for a pristine example. A pair of B&W 602 S3s and you have the classic student rock / metal system.

If only this forum had classified as I have a NAD C350 and C270 power amp sat doing nothing... oh and a pair of 602 s3's gathering dust......

Be careful!

 

[poldo]

NAD seems to be the right choice for my budget. If I had a bigger budget I would choose Exposure 2010s or Naim 5i.

NAD, Exposure, Naim sounded the best with my music.

So I will demo the NAD355, but speakers, I don't know yet. Epos m12i would be too laid back for rock.metal?

Mordaunt Short? Mezzo 2,6. Aviano 2,6? B&W 685,684? Focal 807,816V?

 

[poldo]

I looked at an old WHF mag. and saw the following 5 star set up

Rega Brio + Rega Apollo + Rega R3

Is this a nice rock /metal setup for a 17*17 ft room? Or is it too soft?

thnx

Rob

 

[d_a_n1979]

Good set-up but would be a little too smooth and mellow IMO

The NAD C355BEE with the likes of the B&W 685's on decent stands or the 684's would be very good

As I said in your other post; the QUAD 22L2's should be demo'd.

I think the Acoustic Energy AE Neo 3's would do very well also

 

[poldo]

I know I like a big rich sound, little rounded on the top end and a thight bass.

I tink metal don't need sub low, 40hz wil be enough.

Maybe Monitor Audio rx2/6 will be a nice speaker for rock/metal or B&W 685/684

The amp is very big factor in rock music, I abs. hate Cambridge, Primare etc with and loved the Exposure amps.

Maybe I should upgrade my budget and get a decent Exposure 2010 amp+cd player.

I think NAD would not bring me the same result as the Exposure amp.

 

[Big Chris]

poldo:

I tink metal don't need sub low, 40hz wil be enough.

I beg to differ. But everybodys tastes are different. I couldn't go back to not feeling those pounding kick drums!

 

[the record spot]

Think I heard that Leema's Xero was a decent fast speaker good throughout the bass/mid/high frequency ranges. Think I'd be eyeballing them with a spare £399 in my pocket.

 

[Big Chris]

How'd you pronounce that? X-ero or Zero?

 

[the record spot]

"Zero" I think Chris. Not the prettiest boxes, but at £400 down from £650 and with the reviews it picked up, has to be worth a look for anyone shopping round with that kind of budget.

 

[poldo]

Hi,

Iam listening to my new system right now, I bought it all yesterday.

MA RX6 NAD 355 + NAD 345

So I bought the CD player too, because I loved the sound.

I think the Exposure 2010s and Naim5i were a little better, but I did not have the budget, so maybe in 2 years when I have the money I swap the NAD for Exposure 3010s or Naim XS and swap the speakers to Spendor A6 or Tannoy DC8.

I wil build the MA RX6 in a MA RX 5.1 system in another room, but for now I am delighted with my NAD 355!

@ Dan: So I got almost the same system as you, but you have the Rega cd player right? Is that a big step up?

Cheers,

Rob!

 

[the record spot]

Good choices poldo - just one point of note, I briefly heard the Exposure 3010s a few weeks back, so would recommend you add on the Harman Kardon HK990, which is a massive amp, but with quite a refined sound and endless power on tap (great functionality too). Add to that, Leema's Pulse amp which might be on its way out in favour of a new line, but would be worth catching the new model when it comes out.