Frontported/sealed bookshelves on the cheap

[DocG]

We went to my parents' today. My dad proudly showed me the new Bose Wave Soundtouch he planned to buy. Not cheap at €800! They are not into hifi at all, but now I see my chance to make him get something decent: better sound for less! I first thought of an Onkyo TX-8050; he could use his BDP as CD transport. Alternatively the Marantz MCR610 has it all in one box, but it's more expensive.

As for speakers: he needs bookshelves, that will be very close to the wall (to the window to be exact; they will be placed on the window-sill). MA BX2? Tannoy Vi1?

Total budget no more than €800 (£660). Suggestions? alternatives?

:cheers:

 

[EvPa]

If your parents do not mind their look and lack of grilles, something like the ADAM A5Xs from Thomann (578€ or 598€ per pair if you go for B-Stock, 678€ at the normal price) might do (and no need for a separate amplifier), they also feature a front-mounted volume control (controlling both speakers).

The similar ARTist 5s are a little more expensive due to their inboard DAC, shiny finish and grilles but are rear-ported.

http://www.thomann.de/intl/search.html?gf=active_nearfield_monitors&bf=adam&oa=pra

The new Genelec M030 are also nice and features a quite unusual "front-downward" port (798€ per pair).

http://www.thomann.de/intl/genelec_m030.htm

(those will require a separate volume control though)

 

[DocG]

If your parents do not mind their look and lack of grilles, something like the ADAM A5Xs from Thomann (578€ or 598€ per pair if you go for B-Stock, 678€ at the normal price) might do (and no need for a separate amplifier), they also feature a front-mounted volume control (controlling both speakers).

The similar ARTist 5s are a little more expensive due to their inboard DAC, shiny finish and grilles but are rear-ported.

http://www.thomann.de/intl/search.html?gf=active_nearfield_monitors&bf=adam&oa=pra

The new Genelec M030 are also nice and features a quite unusual "front-downward" port (798€ per pair).

http://www.thomann.de/intl/genelec_m030.htm

(those will require a separate volume control though)

Hi EvPa,

Thanks for thinking along! If it were me, with this budget, I would most likely go for actives.

But my parents are 70+; I think it would be too complicated. What I mean is: with actives you have the amps in the speakers (=simple), but you need to connect your sources, in their case a CDP, an FM-tuner, the telly and the laptop (I think I can talk them into using Spotify!), and that's where it all becomes a lot less simple. That's why I think an all-in-one like the Marantz or Onkyo (Denon must have something in that vein too, if I'm not mistaken, probably not unlike the Marantz), with a pair of passive, front-ported bookshelves, is what will float their boat.

:cheers:

 

[CnoEvil]

What about this (there is even money left over if better speakers needed):

http://www.kronosav.com/all-in-one/wireless/pure-sirocco-550-micro-hi-fi-system-prices-reviews.html

 

[DocG]

What about this (there is even money left over if better speakers needed):

http://www.kronosav.com/all-in-one/wireless/pure-sirocco-550-micro-hi-fi-system-prices-reviews.html

The review in a well known hifi mag (http://www.whathifi.com/review/pure-digital-sirocco-550) is not so enthusiastic... But there I found another possible contender, the Pioneer X-HM70. Now let's see what is available in the neighborhood.

:cheers:

 

[CnoEvil]

What about this (there is even money left over if better speakers needed):

http://www.kronosav.com/all-in-one/wireless/pure-sirocco-550-micro-hi-fi-system-prices-reviews.html

The review in a well known hifi mag (http://www.whathifi.com/review/pure-digital-sirocco-550) is not so enthusiastic... But there I found another possible contender, the Pioneer X-HM70. Now let's see what is available in the neighborhood.

:cheers:

Sorry about that.

I saw it in the dealer while I was there, but didn't listen to it.

What about this for the source / amp (from £379): http://www.whathifi.com/review/teac-cr-h700dab

 

[DocG]

What about this (there is even money left over if better speakers needed):

http://www.kronosav.com/all-in-one/wireless/pure-sirocco-550-micro-hi-fi-system-prices-reviews.html

The review in a well known hifi mag (http://www.whathifi.com/review/pure-digital-sirocco-550) is not so enthusiastic... But there I found another possible contender, the Pioneer X-HM70. Now let's see what is available in the neighborhood.

:cheers:

Sorry about that.

I saw it in the dealer while I was there, but didn't listen to it.

What about this for the source / amp (from £379): http://www.whathifi.com/review/teac-cr-h700dab

Yes, that looks like a good one, Cno. They just appear to be rather pricey here. €599 is the lowest price a short Google search gave me. Leaves little money for the speakers...

I'll check if I can find a good deal on the older Marantz or Denon players.

As for speakers: any alternatives for the BX2 or Tannoy V1 (sealed or frontported)?

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

How about this ones...? I've heard them at Lisbon Audio Show last November connected to a Arcam A19 and LOVE Them!

Detailed and very smooth sounding, and they work their best very close to back wall or just 1/2 cm away from them. That was their positioning at the Audio Show and front ported...

http://www.whathifi.com/review/guru-junior

 

[chebby]

My dad proudly showed me the new Bose Wave Soundtouch he planned to buy. Not cheap at €800! They are not into hifi at all, but now I see my chance to make him get something decent...

Are you sure your parents would be as happy with your alternatives?

Maybe alternative systems of a similar configuration from Ruark or Tivoli would be more appropriate (and save a bit of money over the Bose).

 

[manicm]

I think the BX2s bunged may just do the trick.

 

[Crocodile]

Suggestions?

How about letting him buy what he wants rather than what you want?

As for speakers on a window sill... :doh:

 

[John Duncan]

I think I'd get a 603 (still available, cheap) and some Zensor 1s or Diamond 9.1s and spend the rest on good red.

Do they do movies? If so I might be tempted by a bluray player and receiver (but just stereo, 5.1 is a PITA). Can look v cool and be almost as cheap as the Marantz (Pioneer or Sony, say).

 

[DocG]

How about this ones...? I've heard them at Lisbon Audio Show last November connected to a Arcam A19 and LOVE Them!

Detailed and very smooth sounding, and they work their best very close to back wall or just 1/2 cm away from them. That was their positioning at the Audio Show and front ported...

http://www.whathifi.com/review/guru-junior

I really love the Guru speakers; I consider the QM10two for my own system (planning a demo as soon as my Devialet is back home).

But the Juniors cost about £800, so if I want to stay within budget, I'd have to find a dealer who gives me £140 if I want to accept his all-in-one.

 

[DocG]

My dad proudly showed me the new Bose Wave Soundtouch he planned to buy. Not cheap at €800! They are not into hifi at all, but now I see my chance to make him get something decent...

Are you sure your parents would be as happy with your alternatives?

Maybe alternative systems of a similar configuration from Ruark or Tivoli would be more appropriate (and save a bit of money over the Bose).

A set-up with separate speakers, one on each side of the TV, would give a firm boost to the TV sound. As my mother's hearing is decreasing, that might be of great help to understand what's being said.

 

[DocG]

Suggestions?

How about letting him buy what he wants rather than what you want?

Well, I'm only doing this because they asked me what I thought of it. And when I told him he could do better for less money, he was certainly interested.

As for speakers on a window sill... :doh:

Did I mention they are not really into hifi?

 

[DocG]

I think I'd get a 603 (still available, cheap) and some Zensor 1s or Diamond 9.1s and spend the rest on good red.

Do they do movies? If so I might be tempted by a bluray player and receiver (but just stereo, 5.1 is a PITA). Can look v cool and be almost as cheap as the Marantz (Pioneer or Sony, say).

The price quotes I find for the 603 are not that spectacularly cheap (499 EUR vs 539 EUR for the cheapest 610 offer). The price difference looks too small for the difference in performance...

As for speakers: not sure about the Zensor's back port squeezed against the window pane. The (frontported) Wharfedales would probably be better, but the 9s seem hard to find around here.

They are not that into movies, but as stated above, a better sound from the telly wouldn't go amiss. But I think they can have that with a TX8050 or a Marantz too. And let's not forget about the budget. My dad is not that impressed with the 'better sound quality' aspect (my mum might be), but rather with the 'for less' part...

 

[DocG]

I just got an offer for an ex-demo pair of Tannoy Mercury V1s (5th gen., mint condition) for 160 EUR. So the Melody 610 looks feasible well within budget.

Would they gel well, soundwise?

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Zensors come with a wall bracket ready for wall mounting, so it seems the rear port may be less of a problem - I presume they'll still be a few cms out from the wall, however.