Cyrus Speaker pairings

[Pulpdiction]

Hi all,

I have an older hifi that I've not used a lot during the past few years, it's cyrus based, 6xpd/qx amp, cyrus dad3qx CD player and psu. Looking to change out the speakers, which I've never been truely happy with, they are KEFQ700, I had previously been a B&W fan, but looking to get a view of what pairs well. Probably have a £1,500 budget. Don;t really want to change out any of the Cyrus products.

Also I have a home cinema which used the Cyrus amp to drive the front speakers, so they need to be an allrounder for home cinema as well, although more of a music fan than home cinema.

Any thoughts or pointers?

 

[Deliriumbassist]

What's been the gripe with the Q700s?

 

[Al ears]

That last paragraph about all rounders is going to make things awkward....

 

[Pulpdiction]

Never really got on with them, seem a bit light in the bass, replaced a set of B&W DM603s with them and it's just never been the sound I wanted. They were a £1k speaker back in the day, but there just seemed something lacking overall. Just never enjoyed the sound as much as the B&Ws.

 

[nopiano]

Bit of a generalisation, but Cyrus amps always sounded on the brighter, lighter side to me, with little natural warmth. So, if you stick with them, I’d suggest Q Acoustics speakers as a range to explore :-
a. They are on the smooth, warm side.
b. They are widely available and great value
c. They do home cinema bundles if that’s what you need.

Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 Cinema Pack review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2021 winner. A talented and enjoyable home cinema speaker package

www.whathifi.com

All the individual pairs are great in their own right too.

 

[matthewpianist]

I agree with @Al ears about the 'all rounder' requirement - generally the two purposes require different qualities.

Spendor speakers work very well with Cyrus, though given your comments about the KEFs you may find them bass light - they're all about refinement rather than all out bluster.

Q Acoustics are a good call, but I'd also suggest going back to B&W and exploring their latest 600 s2-series models as well as Monitor Audio.

 

[matthewpianist]

Also, a slight curve ball... I'm finding the little Rega Kytes work very well with my Cyrus amp. These are too small for your needs, but Rega make a full range of speakers, and the RX-5 floor standers would be well worth a demo.

 

[Gray]

Any thoughts or pointers?

Just don't let your quest for tone control rob you of what you like about the Cyrus sound.

I can tell you that the XR-i7, while not warm, has a bit more of what you seem to be after.
You might still find one for the 'special' £1395 price.
The more powerful (and available) i9 would be better.....but that's a silly price.

 

[Pulpdiction]

Thanks for all the input, I was looking at B&W again and some good prices on older models, but would def want to audition, eg:

Bowers & Wilkins 704 S2 Floorstanding Speakers

Looks can be deceiving. Despite its slim dimensions, 704 S2 has the commanding presence of a much larger speaker, thanks to advanced technologies such as a dedicated Continuum™ cone FST™ midrange.

petertyson.co.uk

 

[nopiano]

Thanks for all the input, I was looking at B&W again and some good prices on older models, but would def want to audition, eg:

Bowers & Wilkins 704 S2 Floorstanding Speakers

Looks can be deceiving. Despite its slim dimensions, 704 S2 has the commanding presence of a much larger speaker, thanks to advanced technologies such as a dedicated Continuum™ cone FST™ midrange.

petertyson.co.uk

I think they offer a 30-day return policy, though check the actual conditions.

 

[Deliriumbassist]

Well, if bass output is the issue, try this before you spend any money.

There is essentially a 'dead zone' that sits just inside the perimeter of the room. If you stand with your back against a wall and talk in a linear fashion, you should hear power and chestiness in the voice. As you slowly shuffle off the wall, you will hear that power disappear - this may be approx 6" in to the room. Then, depending on the room, you will move through this zone, and the power comes back. This can be 1-2', and this region tends to coincide where most people like to place their speakers visually - the front edge of cabinets. Have an experiment with this - it could just be that the room is working against the speakers.

Also, KEFs don't appreciate the degree of toe-in that you would give a B&W speaker. If you haven't, stick them flat into the room and experiment with up to 10 or so degrees.