Help! Bookshelf speaker advice needed.

[admin_exported]

Hi all, I'm downsizing cos I'm moving into a smaller space and I could do with some advice. I currently have a pair of Spendor BC-1s driven by a Quad 606; I'm looking for some bookshelf speakers to replace the beloved BC1s with (it's gonna be gut-wrenching parting with them). I reckon I'll have 3-400 to spend and am very much ok with buying used to get more bang for the buck - none of my current gear was bought new.

I listen to a lot of electronic music, but also some rock and some jazz; I definitely want something with a decent amount of low-end. I've read good things about B&W 685, Quad 12L & Epos M12i - do you think any of those would match my system at all, or be the best thing to shell out on?

Thanks!

 

[d_a_n1979]

Definitly take a look at the B&W 685's and the Monitor Audio RX1's and RX2's (although the RX2'd retail at £499 it mayb be worth while upping your budget a bit as they are superb)

Deffo agree with the QUAD 12L2's as well; I'd say look at the EB Acoustic EB1's as well but you cant demo them

 

[Anonymous]

As Dan suggested, at that sort of price point and to get a bass that won't disappoint you after the Spendors I'd try the MA RX2. I haven't heard them but they have a pretty large drive unit so might give you a satisfactory change from the BC1s.

 

[Anonymous]

d_a_n1979:Definitly take a look at the B&W 685's and the Monitor Audio RX1's and RX2's (although the RX2'd retail at £499 it mayb be worth while upping your budget a bit as they are superb) Deffo agree with the QUAD 12L2's as well; I'd say look at the EB Acoustic EB1's as well but you cant demo them

EB Acoustics offer a 30 day money back guarantee, so you can demo them at home. I ordered a pair when they first came out and due to unforseen job changes I had to send them back which I felt a bit uneasy about. But there was no fuss and a refund was issued without question. After that when things on the job front settled down I ordered again just before christmas and i've had them ever since.

I would think it would be safe to say that very few get returned.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Yes we all know about the 30day return thaty EB offer but when you're looking at getting a system and you can demo more or less all you require at a few hifi shops it can be a pain to order the EB1's and then have to wait for delivery of them and THEN demo them

It's a fair risk IMO and one I personally wouldnt take

 

[Frank Harvey]

Gad905

Good luck! After hearing speakers within your budget, I think you'll think twice about getting rid of the BC1's. If I were you, I'd look at a used pair of Jim Rogers JR149's or something like that. Most modern speakers just don't sound the same as anything from the 70's. Whatever you change to, you're going to lose the bottom end because you're downsizing, but at least if you get something from the same era and keep the mid and HF similar, it won't be too much of a culture shock.

 

[drummerman]

gad905:
Hi all, I'm downsizing cos I'm moving into a smaller space and I could do with some advice. I currently have a pair of Spendor BC-1s driven by a Quad 606; I'm looking for some bookshelf speakers to replace the beloved BC1s with (it's gonna be gut-wrenching parting with them). I reckon I'll have 3-400 to spend and am very much ok with buying used to get more bang for the buck - none of my current gear was bought new.

I listen to a lot of electronic music, but also some rock and some jazz; I definitely want something with a decent amount of low-end. I've read good things about B&W 685, Quad 12L & Epos M12i - do you think any of those would match my system at all, or be the best thing to shell out on?

Thanks!

I have a feeling that any of those speakers you list will, in comparison to your 'beloved' spendor, seem either bright, forward or edgy, perhaps all of them if you're unlucky. To suggest anything (small) that does'nt fall in to this category at this low price is difficult, new anyway. Perhaps something like s/h small PMC's or Harbeths would be more in line with what you have now ...

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the help so far. I know whatever I do is going to be a big change because of the size and the era but I'm prepared for that - tbh for what I mostly listen to these days they're probably not ideally suited.

Gonna have to try and have a listen to some of those monitor silvers, they seem like the best option so far. the pmc and harbeths look great but even s/h they'd be out of my price range.

What about PSB Image 6, JBL ES20/30, Dynaudio DM2/6 (s/h)?

Or am I looking at this all the wrong way - should I set my sights a little lower quality-wise and go for 2.1? Like I say, most of what I listen to is electronic and the system's also plugged into the TV for films etc.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a tiny bedroom, i am 17, i have got a set of B&W 685's, running from a denon m37. The treble is excellent!! owl city fireflies for example i hear every peace of detail in the high end. yet they can just dig down enough and get the real low note on boom boom POW. After getting bored of those songs if you can ever, go to some dire straights and you go to some heavy metal. the bass if fast and responsive.

They are the most amazing speakers, they are responsive and very quick on there feet, and i am only running them at 30 watts each!!!

 

[d_a_n1979]

gad905:
Thanks for all the help so far. I know whatever I do is going to be a big change because of the size and the era but I'm prepared for that - tbh for what I mostly listen to these days they're probably not ideally suited.

Gonna have to try and have a listen to some of those monitor silvers, they seem like the best option so far. the pmc and harbeths look great but even s/h they'd be out of my price range.

What about PSB Image 6, JBL ES20/30, Dynaudio DM2/6 (s/h)?

Or am I looking at this all the wrong way - should I set my sights a little lower quality-wise and go for 2.1? Like I say, most of what I listen to is electronic and the system's also plugged into the TV for films etc.

Gad; I listen to a lot of electronica as well (everytyhing from Fischerspooner to Layo & Bushwacka to Masive Attack to Delphic etc...)

I dont think you'll go far wrong with the B&W 685's or the Monitor Audio RX2's

I feel that they will even show you what you may have been missing out on!

The Dynaudio DM 2/6's are good but the 2/7's are better! Again though; it's all down to budget!

 

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine has some BC1s so I know them well. The MAs and the B&W in that price bracket don't even come close as David rightly says. You could consider a subwoofer but that will blow the budget and still leave you (in comparison with the Spendors) with an iffy midrange and a harder treble.

Is moving to a larger house an option??

 

[Anonymous]

Again thanks for the advice.

Well I've had a chat with the GF (whose flat I'm moving into) and she's agreed to see how things go with the BC1s, but I'm fairly sure they'll dominate the room too much - it's only a very small living room, semi open-plan but that bit of the room's no more than 9'x15'. We're also planning on moving to europe in a year so I think smaller speakers would make that easier.

Finally, how does one go about auditioning components/speakers etc? Do I bring my amp into a store stocking the speakers (nobody's going to have a quad 606 for me to use) or is there an equivalent-ish amp currently on the market that I could try?

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

have you tried leema xeros?