Best Bang for Lowest Spend

[Witterings]

A friend who's definitely no audiophile has asked me for some suggestions to upgrade from using an Echo Dot in a fairly large Kitchen Living area with Patio doors out to the garden.

He was about to buy a pair of Sonos 1's but asked me what else he should consider but wanted to keep the spend as low as possible.

I was going to suggest Q Acoustic M20's with a WiiM Mini as a simple alternative but he also wants some ideas for an entry level separates system and I was thinking

Fosi Audio ZA3
WiiM Pro Plus OR Bluesound Nano
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's

Whilst I prefer the sound of the Nano, the WiiM's are generally more compatible and easy to set as preferred speaker for the Echo Dot to use voice commands with a 12v trigger cable from the WiiM to the ZA3

Is this about the best "entry level" system / bang for the buck that would sound half decent or can anybody think of alternatives that wouldn't be much more but may be significantly better?

 

[Al ears]

A friend who's definitely no audiophile has asked me for some suggestions to upgrade from using an Echo Dot in a fairly large Kitchen Living area with Patio doors out to the garden.

He was about to buy a pair of Sonos 1's but asked me what else he should consider but wanted to keep the spend as low as possible.

I was going to suggest Q Acoustic M20's with a WiiM Mini as a simple alternative but he also wants some ideas for an entry level separates system and I was thinking

Fosi Audio ZA3
WiiM Pro Plus OR Bluesound Nano
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's

Whilst I prefer the sound of the Nano, the WiiM's are generally more compatible and easy to set as preferred speaker for the Echo Dot to use voice commands with a 12v trigger cable from the WiiM to the ZA3

Is this about the best "entry level" system / bang for the buck that would sound half decent or can anybody think of alternatives that wouldn't be much more but may be significantly better?

Sonos 1's are available for £149, how low did he want to keep his budget??

 

[Witterings]

Sonos 1's are available for £149, how low did he want to keep his budget??

Funny thing is, he's reasonably well off but he doesn't see HiFi as high on his list or spends hence why he's used the Echo up until now but generally, he buys quality goods so I'd say there's no set budget .... but he's not looking for a Rolls Royce just something "reasonable".

If he was going to get the Sonos, he'd get a pair and set them up as stereo, he'd probably spend up to £1k but for his needs I don't personally think that's necessary.

What prompted it was he had a "social gathering" and with a number of people in a large 'ish room the music kind of got lost and if he's changing would quite like to be able to hear it sitting on the patio in the summer which is right by the doors.

 

[Al ears]

Funny thing is, he's reasonably well off but he doesn't see HiFi as high on his list or spends hence why he's used the Echo up until now but generally, he buys quality goods so I'd say there's no set budget .... but he's not looking for a Rolls Royce just something "reasonable".

If he was going to get the Sonos, he'd get a pair and set them up as stereo, he'd probably spend up to £1k but for his needs I don't personally think that's necessary.

What prompted it was he had a "social gathering" and with a number of people in a large 'ish room the music kind of got lost and if he's changing would quite like to be able to hear it sitting on the patio in the summer which is right by the doors.

Forget 2x Sonos speakers then......

 

[gasolin]

wiim amp pro + wharfedale diamond 12.1i

https://www.richersounds.com/wiim-amp-pro-space-grey/

https://www.richersounds.com/wharfedale-diamond-12-1i-deep-black/

£650

Ultra budget

Fosi audio BT20A
wiim mini
Dali spektor 1

https://www.richersounds.com/fosi-audio-bt20a-black/

https://www.richersounds.com/wiim-mini-black/

https://www.richersounds.com/dali-spektor-1-black/

around £350

 

[skinnypuppy71]

What about the Kef lsx ii lt wireless powered speakers....not super cheap but under 1k....that's probably the direction I'd be looking in as opposed to a budget separates system, it'll be a easier to get your head around setting it up and user interface etc.

KEF LSX II LT review

Lower price, fewer features, but still absolutely excellent

www.whathifi.com

 

[gasolin]

What about the Kef lsx ii lt wireless powered speakers....not super cheap but under 1k....that's probably the direction I'd be looking in as opposed to a budget separates system, it'll be a easier to get your head around setting it up and user interface etc.

That is not Best Bang for Lowest Spend

 

[skinnypuppy71]

That is not Best Bang for Lowest Spend

Op said he could maybe get him to go up to 1k.
It's good fun spending other people's money for a change 🤣

 

[gasolin]

Fosi Audio ZA3
WiiM Pro Plus OR Bluesound Nano
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's

Fosi Audio ZA3
WiiM Pro Plus OR Bluesound Nano
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's

Is not close to 1K

Mabye take a look at the new Dali sonik out this week (tomorrow)

 

[Rodolfo]

I'd start with considering upgrading to -or simply adding- a regular Echo or an Eco Studio. He can add two of either and smartly spend a fraction of the options here, and it would probably be an easier setup for what he needs; i.e., for closing the gap he's experienced.

There's a new Dot Max, and there's Alexa+, either of which may orient him within the familiar and logical Amazon system.

From one well-known member to another, as always with Amazon, he can also trial any number of Expanded Echo options in his setting(s) for 30 days -at least!

(P.S., I use a Bose Revolve 2 for my patio sound. I control everything with my phone or another device, plus I can share the device and control easily and as much as desired.)

 

[Witterings]

wiim amp pro +

I've just been looking at amp upgrades for myself as well and was considering the Vibelink or WiiM Amp Ultra but research tended to say they erred towards lean and lacking dynamics. Not sure is that's across the range or just to 2 I was looking at although I've not actually heard one myself.

 

[gasolin]

Vibelink and ultra don't lack dynamic

 

[Fandango Andy]

Bang for buck is going to be a WiiM Amp of some description and whatever speaker are on sale at Richer Sounds.

Given the budget, would go for a separate amp and streamer. For me this would be the Marantz PM6007, or Rotel A8 (the later doesn't have a DAC, so you will need a stand alone one unless your chosen streamer has a decent one).

To this add a streamer of preference from WiiM, Bluesound, or Fiio.

And, a pair of loudspeakers. Frankly any half decent speakers will sound OK. Best to audition to find the ones he likes. I would start with Triangle Borea BR03 or Q Acoustics 5010, or 3030c.

 

[Witterings]

A big thank you to everybody for their input, as much as anything it made ME think about it differently, he's not an audiophile so just wants something "good" that will do the job and is probably more "lifestyle" driven as opposed to seeking the absolute best possible sound but wants something "decent".

@Rodolfo ... I had thought about the Echo Studios instead of Sonos but I'd be concerned he spent the money and they weren't "quite enough" for the room" and as @Al ears said .... forget the Sonos.

@gasolin & @Fandango Andy .... Think I've decided to recommend he goes for the WiiM Amp Ultra as it'll do everything he needs and integrate easily with his Echo for voice commands.

Speakers, I'll suggest a few and let him decide what he wants to spend starting with the Wharfedale 9.1's and 12.1's as suggested, I do like the looks of those Dali Soniks and the 3's would help with the size of the room, Throw some Q Acoustics in as they're such a known quantity and may possibly suggest he look at some Elac Reference as well.

Might try and ring around and see who's got what in stock so could go and have a listen to a few.

Thanks to all, it's been really helpful!

 

[gasolin]

wiim amp pro can do the same but doesn't have a screen