Have C326BEE, need speakers (new to this)

[admin_exported]

Hi guys, my question is probably pretty simple but having searched through all the forums containing "c326bee" I didn't see anyone asking what I was looking for.

My setup is all of my audio is coming from either:
1) a computer through a custom modified 24 bit DAC
2) Xbox 360 (which has its own DAC)

And from there directly to the C326BEE. I'm looking at getting the best speakers for this amp and just starting with a simple pair of standing speakers for now. I will typically be listening at medium to low levels as I'm in an apartment and my neighbors would probably be upset otherwise 😛 (Not to say that during the day it might not get cranked up to a good song every now and then, hehe)

The two sets that I was looking at are the Monitor Audio RX6 and Monitor Audio RX8, however with me being new to this I'm not sure if the C326BEE is going to be able to power them fully.
So assuming I have the proper quality cables, are these speakers a good choice for the amp or am I better off getting some lower power speakers? If so, any suggestions? I probably don't want to spend more than $1500 a pair.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[matthewpiano]

If you can pick up a pair of the end-of-line Q Acoustics 1030i, they work superbly with the NAD - particularly if you biwire with a good QED cable.

Alternatively I would be looking at the Monitor Audio BR5s.

Personally I think the RX series floorstanders would be overkill for the amp. You'll get a much better and more satisfying set-up if you keep things balanced.

 

[vinod_david]

Hi:

For MA RX6/8, a NAD 355/372 would be a good starting point, could drive them well, but you need to hear the 326 with the RX6 to see if its ok.

Some bookshelf for the 326 would be MA RX1/RX2, Diamond 10.1. MP our member here has the 326 with the Q-Accoustic FS and praises it, he might pitch in sometime later...sorry beaten.

 

[jaxwired]

Keith,

Have to disagree slightly with Matthew here, the C326bee will be great with the RX6. No mismatch at all in my opinion. The RX6 is a very easy speaker to driver and the 326 has more than enough power to get the best of them. No problem. The RX6 is also a fantastic choice to use with the NAD amp. They will sound excellent together.

I would skip the RX8, you just don't need it. I prefer the RX6 anyway.

You might want to go hear a pair of B&W 684s. These are reasonably priced and also easy to drive and would be a good alternative to the MA RX6.

Report back after you get your speakers.

 

[matthewpiano]

I think an audition is going to be the only way, perhaps comparing the BR5s and RX6s driven by the NAD, and including some Q Acoustics floorstanders as well if possible.

Don't get me wrong the NAD is a superb amplifier and I am more than happy with mine. Its just that the WHFS&V review suggests being careful not to over-do it on the speaker front and I've had previous experience of earlier NADs driving more expensive speakers and it hasn't worked as well as sticking with price equivalent partners.

Sometimes you can achieve a better sound pairing a £300 amp with £300 speakers than you can pairing it with £600 speakers. Its all about balance and synergy.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. I was basing the speaker price range off of the whathifi review of the amp where it said to keep the speakers at £500 or lower for best results. I had been assuming this meant per speaker, does that usually mean for a pair?

How do you usually audition stuff like this? Neither MA nor B&W list any retailers anywhere remotely close to me. I've just been reading as many reviews as possible.

 

[matthewpiano]

£500 per pair.

 

[d_a_n1979]

It would be really handy to know what music you listen to and also what cables (i.e. speaker cable and interconnects) you'll be using?

Also; do you want floorstanding speakers or are you happy with decent standmount speakers on quality stands?

IMO I'm with MP; the NAD is a great amp but having owned NAD amps and the M/A RS6 speakers (and demo'd the RX6's) I really don't think the C326 amp would do them justice. Great amp but it doesnt have the outright power to make the RX6's sing as they should.

Personally I'd be looking at B&W 685's, M/A RX2's or the EB Accoustic EB1's all partnered with Partington Super Dreadnought stands and with either Chord Carnival Silverscreen cable and Chord Crimson interconnects or QED Silver Anniversary speaker cable and Chord Crimson/QED Silver Spiral interconnects.

 

[Anonymous]

I mainly listen to vocal heavy electronic like house music or progressive, and when I'm not listening to that it's industrial. synthpop, classical, or acoustic.

The cables I have now are utter rubbish left over from my old college-budget Sony system, so they will all need replaced. That was mainly the reason that I haven't mentioned them as I'll either take some recommendations from here such as the Chord Crimson or possibly something from Tweekgeek.

I can't say I really have had much experience with the standmount speakers. Full bodied bass and the lower side of the spectrum (think bass cellos) is one of the key points for me. From what I understand with the floorstanding speakers is that they have a much richer base due to the larger box, so it was something I was looking at.

Edit:
After reading some reviews and comments about the EBAcoustics EB1s they might be my best bet.

 

[Anonymous]

Avoid Chord Carnvial Silverscreen speaker cables. I thought they sounded 'clean' on my first impressions, but lacked in bass, looking back now, they probably sounded more 'thin' than clean in my opinion.

Compare them to the Atlas Equator 3, these sound far superior, bass will not only extend lower but are more 'full sounding'. They cost about £6 for a metre.

As for speakers, B&W 685s come with impressive bass and sound good for untrained ears and perform well for what they're worth but aren't the most detailed ones around (compared to Epos in my opinion).

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if I'd qualify as 'untrained' ears. I've just never gotten into the open air sound market as I've been living in the dorms for college or with my parents before that. I have been a headphones junkie for a while having been using Sennheiser HD650's at home and Shure's SE530s for at work or on the go for a few years. Good quality sound is pretty important to me, more so than high volume.

 

[d_a_n1979]

I wouldnt agree with the 'avoiding Chord Carnival Silverscreen cables' at all.

The OP has very similar musical tastes as I do (I listen to everything from Leftfield to Layo & Bushwacka to Systems of a Down) and have never found the Chord Carnival cables wanting; in fact they greatly improved my system when I changed from QED Silvery Anniversary. Greater bass depth with a more detailed and smoother midrange etc...

Another system I had a while back in my spare bedroom was a NAD C352 integrated amp, a NAD C542 CDP and B&W 685 speakers all connected with Chord Carnival Silverscreen speaker cable and Chord Crimosn interconnect.

It was a superb system and had brilliant, punchy bass, great midrange and sweet/detailed treble.

I really can't fauly NAD and B&W together.

If you do decide to go down the standmount speaker route I can suggest enough how much a decent set of stands will make the system. IMO I'd be looking at Pafrtington Superdreadnoughts as a minimum.

 

[Anonymous]

Update:
I got a pair of B&W 685s and they sound pretty awesome. No cables or interconnect yet.

Trying to buy a pair of dreadnought broadsides and they said they'd call me for shipping info but never have and it's been two weeks so I dunno what's going on their as they also haven't replied to my emails.

Anyway it's coming together slowly, can't wait to get everything together. The 685's fill the room quite sufficiently and have plenty of bass even as they are.

Are there any state side dealers for hifi speaker stands incase shipping here proves impossible?