Classical Music Speakers 200 to 400 GBP

[admin_exported]

I have a Cambridge Audio 550a and 650c combo. I need some new speakers (bookshelf, approx 200 to 400 GBP - medium sized living room). The vast majority of the music I listen to is classical - not so much large orchestras but mostly earlier baroque with lots of incredible detail.

I've thought about the B&W 685's after reading a few reviews. Would they work with the CA combo I have or would something like the Q Acoustic 2020's be just as good (and a lot cheaper).

Cheers.

Ross

 

[matthewpiano]

There are very few budget speakers around that are good with classical music. One of the best is the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1. These can be picked up for as little as £100 now but the integration across the frequency range, excellent soundstaging, and superbly judged treble and mid-band makes them perfect for classical music.

The other speaker I've found to be excellent for classical discs is the Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 2. It has a very different balance to the cheaper MS speakers in that they are more about the overall sound rather than sounding initially impressive at the top and bottom. They are a more subtle sounding speaker and all the better for it.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Rega RS1's.

Although you'd have to see how they work with your system, which I'm not familiar with.

 

[Anonymous]

Hunt for a pair of Spendor S3e. Not only are they more detailed, natural and balanced than the B&Ws but they suit your music tastes well. They're easy to drive and image beautifully. You might struggle a bit to find some in your price bracket but some used ones might crop up. You can get some new ones much lower than their original RRP from Brighton Sevenoaks Hifi for £599.

There's these ending soon too: Spendor S3R.

There's also these Spendor S3e.

I know these are pushing your budget but they're worth every penny.

 

[Anonymous]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
Rega RS1's.

Although you'd have to see how they work with your system, which I'm not familiar with.

That's an excellent suggestion and one worth pursing. From other's experience I'm wondering whether the CA kit might sound a bit forward on them. Well worth a look.

 

[Anonymous]

Neutron Five

Audio Visual International Ltd

 

[Frank Harvey]

igglebert:Hunt for a pair of Spendor S3e. Not only are they more detailed, natural and balanced than the B&Ws but they suit your music tastes well.

We've got the S3/5r's in store at the moment - fantastic little speaker.

 

[Anonymous]

How dare I forget to mention the AVI Neutron 5! Another superb little speaker that within budget. Again, audition first if possible because their tweeter might not gel with the CA kit. Haven't tried such a combo myself but they're fairly well lit in that area.

 

[Anonymous]

WOW! Thanks, 7 Replies in 30 minutes - I'm very impressed. It's such a tricky one as I know the classical music/budget hifi combo is never a good one.

 

[lcd4ever]

Another vote for the Mezzo 2's I listen to classical quite a bit through my Mezzo 6's and the 'separation' between the low and high frequency ranges is quite amazing....those elevated,aspirated tweeters are stunning...

 

[Tibor]

I think for C. A. you need warm sounding speakers with lot of detail like M. S. Mezzo 2, Quad 11L2, Chario Silverette 200. The Q Acoustic 2020, Tannnoy F 1 Custom, Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 are great for this amount of money. The Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 lacks fine detail and openess compared with other speakers mentioned

 

[bay24]

A very good point igglebert! when I first had my kit (CA and AVI) this is exactly what I found but solved it with a change of interconnects and am now very happy! my partner listens to quite a lot of classical on this system and thinks its great! very clear and detailed speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

If you don't mind older speakers, these B&W DM2a speakers may be fine ... I have a slightly older pair and they work well with all types of music ... I have not teested with your amplification/cdp, but have connected several different amps to mine and they always sound good

In my opionion, although they are old, they are better than many speakers that have been recommended/suggested and should comfortably fall within your budget (they may sell for between £200-£250) ... paid £50 for mine

 

[Anonymous]

OK so I'm not considering the B&W's anymore. The Mezzo's certainly seem to be the most popular - and a good buy. I have to say the Rega RS1's look absolutely gorgeous.

(Maybe a silly) question: Should I only listen to a demo of the speakers through an identical setup that I have at home? How could I tell otherwise. I live in Amsterdam so it may be harder to test it all out with the CA kit.

@frankharveyhifi do you deliver to Europe?

 

[batonwielder]

Budster:
OK so I'm not considering the B&W's anymore. The Mezzo's certainly seem to be the most popular - and a good buy. I have to say the Rega RS1's look absolutely gorgeous.

(Maybe a silly) question: Should I only listen to a demo of the speakers through an identical setup that I have at home? How could I tell otherwise. I live in Amsterdam so it may be harder to test it all out with the CA kit.

@frankharveyhifi do you deliver to Europe?

I remember there being a very good hifi shop near the Concertgebouw. I think you should look around in the city and do some auditions rather than going by the recommendations given here.

I can tell you that neither the Mordaunt Short's or the Rega's sound their best with classical music. It's very hard to do even with bigger budget, but I've found the Wharfedale's to be better than many.

 

[John Duncan]

Neutron Vs definitely. Have also heard recommended some Usher 520s by a classical-only listener on the end of Cyrus 2 + PSXR (or whatever its power supply was called).

 

[matthewpiano]

batonwielder, I disagree with you about the Mordaunt-Shorts. I found them to be excellent for classical music and as much as I love the Wharfedales, they are a better speaker than the Diamond 9.1s overall.

I do agree, however, that Budster needs to seek out some opportunities to audition kit. This is all such a personal thing and buying blind is the path to musical misery.

 

[batonwielder]

matthewpiano:batonwielder, I disagree with you about the Mordaunt-Shorts. I found them to be excellent for classical music and as much as I love the Wharfedales, they are a better speaker than the Diamond 9.1s overall.

So why don't you own the Mordaunt Short's?

 

[matthewpiano]

batonwielder:
matthewpiano:batonwielder, I disagree with you about the Mordaunt-Shorts. I found them to be excellent for classical music and as much as I love the Wharfedales, they are a better speaker than the Diamond 9.1s overall.

So why don't you own the Mordaunt Short's?

Simply because of synergy. The Mezzos aren't a good match for NAD and work much better with Cambridge.

Anyway, there are plenty of speakers around that are better than the Wharfedales. Having spent the money buying the NAD stuff it is just going to be a while before I can buy the sort of speakers that will get the absolute best out of it.

 

[RCduck7]

Hyperion HWS-585.

http://www.hyperionsound.com/hws-585.htm

Hyperions speakers are popular in the US and get very good reviews every time, some reviews refer to them being also good with classical music. I found they have weight to the sound, a bit of a bloomy midrange and sweet treble without a hint of brightness when run in. They were certainly night and day difference to my previous Wharfedale Diamond's.

I have the slightly bigger HWS-586 model wich is out of your budget (maybe 2nd hand they will), so i can't share personal experiences for the smaller HWS-585 model. But i don't see why they wouldn't also be good. I have Hyperion speakers for my main system and i'm so pleased with them that for my 2nd bedroom system i also choose Hyperions. 2nd hand though, to keep it affordable.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm home demoing a set of Rega RS1's and they are a little to "forward" as igglebert mentioned they might be with my CA kit. I've figured out that I probably need a speaker with a slightly weightier sound (I don't know the audiophile lingo).

The RS'1's are too shrill/bright in the high string instrument sections of the music I'm playing - and lacking a bit more ooomph in the bass.

Been running them for 15 hours or so.

It's harder to demo speakers here in Holland than in the UK. I did hear some DAS Monitor 8's in the shop which sounded a bit more like the thing I was after - anyone heard of them? Thanks for all your help.

 

[Anonymous]

Can you demo Usher speakers? Their balance might be more suitable. The latest Monitor Audio offerings might also swing you to the right tonal balance.

 

[bluebrazil]

for system synergy the mezzo's would make sense, it keeps it all in the richer sounds family. im sure they must have been designed and voiced to suit ca gear

 

[JoelSim]

The AVI Neutrons are a real step up on the Mezzos/B&Ws in every sense.

 

[batonwielder]

Budster:
The RS'1's are too shrill/bright in the high string instrument sections of the music I'm playing - and lacking a bit more ooomph in the bass.

I did say that the Rega's are not for classical music, didn't I? Sometimes I wonder why I bother giving advice.