Cambridge CXA 60 speakers

[Blacksmith]

First post for me so hi to everyone and a happy new year.

I have just acquired a new CXA 60 amplifier to replace my old Nad c350.

It is being fed flac files from a qnap nas through a sonos connect straight into the amps dac. Speakers are B&W Dm 601's with slightly crumpled tweeters from toddler fingers!

First impressions are very good with a lot more detail and a very open sound but still decent bass weight, it is however a very bright sounding amp and I would like to tame it just a little with careful choice of speakers maybe something just slightly on the warm side of neutral would do it.

They would need to be bookshelf of about the same size as the 601's,smaller would be good if possible but I wouldn't want to loose any bass. Budget around the £500 mark.

Any suggestions recommendations or experience with what works well with this amp would be greatfuly received

Thanks

 

[Andrewjvt]

First post for me so hi to everyone and a happy new year.

I have just acquired a new CXA 60 amplifier to replace my old Nad c350.

It is being fed flac files from a qnap nas through a sonos connect straight into the amps dac. Speakers are B&W Dm 601's with slightly crumpled tweeters from toddler fingers!

First impressions are very good with a lot more detail and a very open sound but still decent bass weight, it is however a very bright sounding amp and I would like to tame it just a little with  careful    choice of speakers maybe something just slightly on the warm side of neutral would do it.

They would need to be bookshelf of about the same size as the 601's,smaller would be good if possible but I wouldn't want to loose any bass. Budget around the £500 mark.

Any suggestions recommendations or experience with what works well with this amp would be greatfuly received?

Thanks

Howzit and welcome
Id demo some wharfedale diamonds or q acoustics but try before you commit.

 

[Blacksmith]

Ok thanks Andrewjtv

q acoustic will be on the list will have to 3020's though as the concepts are a little deep.

Not thought about warfadale, they look a bit cheap though I am strangely drawn to the new Denton anniversary model in a 70's tastic kind of way!

Anyone tried the quad l11 Classic? Are they any good or are they more for classical type music?

any other suggestions

 

[matthewpiano]

Dynaudio DM2/6. Currently £299.95 at Richer Sounds which is a huge bargain given the quality of the drive units and design. Excellent sounding speakers with great balance across the frequency range, and just that little bit of warmth without sounding frumpy. The treble is the best I have heard from a relatively affordable small speaker.

 

[Al ears]

Dynaudio's suggested are worth an audition.

I have the original Quad 11L's and they are good for any music, don't let that word Classic confuse you, it doesn't refer to music type.

Also the Focal Chorus 705 might be worth auditioning.

 

[drummerman]

Surely Cambridge's own speaker range, the more upmarket ones with the BMR radiator driver would be an obvious choice. They have been developed together (and had very favorable reviews).

 

[Al ears]

Surely Cambridge's own speaker range, the more upmarket ones with the BMR radiator driver would be an obvious choice. They have been developed together (and had very favorable reviews).

I was going to suggest the impressive AeroMax 2 but felt they may be a little too large for the OPs requirements.

 

[drummerman]

Surely Cambridge's own speaker range, the more upmarket ones with the BMR radiator driver would be an obvious choice. They have been developed together (and had very favorable reviews).

I was going to suggest the impressive AeroMax 2 but felt they may be a little too large for the OPs requirements.

Maybe but one of the advantages of the seemingly excellent BMR driver is to move audible xover points/distortion from the most sensitive frequency area.

One of the things that seem to be quoted consistently in reviews of the range is the beautiful mid/high frequencies. Smooth and no harshness.

Another one of my favorite budget speakers is Usher's S520. They have their own foibles but are, imho, superb.

 

[Al ears]

Surely Cambridge's own speaker range, the more upmarket ones with the BMR radiator driver would be an obvious choice. They have been developed together (and had very favorable reviews).

I was going to suggest the impressive AeroMax 2 but felt they may be a little too large for the OPs requirements.

Maybe but one of the advantages of the seemingly excellent BMR driver is to move audible xover points/distortion from the most sensitive frequency area.

One of the things that seem to be quoted consistently in reviews of the range is the beautiful mid/high frequencies. Smooth and no harshness.

Another one of my favorite budget speakers is Usher's S520. They have their own foibles but are, imho, superb.

I'd fully agree but the OP seems to want something no bigger than his current speakers for some reason, not sure why. It's difficult to upgrade with size constraints to consider.

 

[drummerman]

Surely Cambridge's own speaker range, the more upmarket ones with the BMR radiator driver would be an obvious choice. They have been developed together (and had very favorable reviews).

I was going to suggest the impressive AeroMax 2 but felt they may be a little too large for the OPs requirements.

Maybe but one of the advantages of the seemingly excellent BMR driver is to move audible xover points/distortion from the most sensitive frequency area.

One of the things that seem to be quoted consistently in reviews of the range is the beautiful mid/high frequencies. Smooth and no harshness.

Another one of my favorite budget speakers is Usher's S520. They have their own foibles but are, imho, superb.

I'd fully agree but the OP seems to want something no bigger than his current speakers for some reason, not sure why. It's difficult to upgrade with size constraints to consider.

Certainly is.

Failing the Cambridge suggestion (and Usher's), perhaps a Rogers LS3/A kit (DIY, not made by Rogers but everything is to specification and supplied) or Quad's new S1 will fit the bill.

The Quad's look superb and have been favorably reviewed with excellent measurements and a quality ribbon tweeter.

The Roger's have naturally rolled off frequency extremes, won't shake the walls but have a sublime warm and full sound for something so tiny. I can't post links and don't even know if the kit is still available but chebby once looked into it and perhaps can provide the link if he reads this).

A friend, musician and ex-hifi-shop-manager used a pair with a Shearne Pre-Power combination for years.

Good luck 🙂

 

[Blacksmith]

Ok that's great,some interesting suggestion there that I would not have thought of.

Thank you guys

Mathew I did also think of the dynaudio 6/2 and tried to listen to some in Richer sounds but unfortunately the only pair they had were display one which turned out to have a blown tweeter!

They did say they could order some to be delivered to me but they would charge me an open box fee if I didn't like them so I decided not to take a chance.

Focal look interesting both the chorus and aria are a good size with front reflex ports which could work well with my space ( on bookshelves) , the areomax are pushing it a bit size wise. It's the depth that's the problem but I will add them to the list along with the quads

Any of the new B&W range 686 or 685 worth a look or am I just getting the same as what I've got?

Also any thoughts on MA silver 1s , good size but will they be to bright?