I am trying to decide whether to buy the Q Acoustics BT3.

[Vladimir]

Pair of Adam A5X cost 150 euros more than a pair of Yamaha HS8. 300 sterling each. *wacko*

Like I said, it is all down to your local market. Not being part of the EU is something of a pain though.

One thing you need to distinquish, in your own mind anyway, is that some active/powered speakers are voiced for hi-fi users, I'm thinking Audio Engine, MR1s, Bt3 etc. Depending on your point of view they are either warm and musical or fat and bloated.

Similarly some 'pro' monitors are voiced for a certain type of musician, big, bold and in all honested a fair way over the top. There is a middle ground for monitors and it is these that you need to seek out.

Given that you are in contact with the Genelec distributer I would be inclined to see what other goodies he might need to move on.

My mind is so poluted with "hi-fi" sound, i'm pretty sure whichever relatively neutral and accurate budget actives I get, I'll hate them with every fiber of my body. If they are desktop speakers I may even curse at them and draw them Hitler moustaches.

After a week, I wont care what they are and how they sound and just play music casually like I do through my PC screen monitor.

Good plan?

 

[Green Bow]

I have something called a Samsung HT X710: it's a 2.1 unit. It's actually a video player, but I use the aux input.

Of course the huge centre control unit that houses the DVD section is awkward on desktop. I will be glad to see it go. My monitor is pushed slightly forward because of it.

However it does sound OK. I tale a lead from my DAC into its aux-in. It makes a reasonable sound that matches the signature sound of my DAC in headphones. Some of the great timbres are there. It's not as accurate and refined though as my headphones. The two satellite speakers are tall and thin, and they profect sound at head height which is great.

I was considering pulling the unit apart and removing the DVD player section. Then use just the audio sections, and build a wooden box and mount it in that. Thus making a smaller desktop unit for audio. Then possibly build some wood speaker cabinets and move the drivers into those. Sort of a labour of love as it will never be real hi-fi quality. Although it was expensive when new and did always have good sound.

 

[davedotco]

Pair of Adam A5X cost 150 euros more than a pair of Yamaha HS8. 300 sterling each. *wacko*

Like I said, it is all down to your local market. Not being part of the EU is something of a pain though.

One thing you need to distinquish, in your own mind anyway, is that some active/powered speakers are voiced for hi-fi users, I'm thinking Audio Engine, MR1s, Bt3 etc. Depending on your point of view they are either warm and musical or fat and bloated.

Similarly some 'pro' monitors are voiced for a certain type of musician, big, bold and in all honested a fair way over the top. There is a middle ground for monitors and it is these that you need to seek out.

Given that you are in contact with the Genelec distributer I would be inclined to see what other goodies he might need to move on.

My mind is so poluted with "hi-fi" sound, i'm pretty sure whichever relatively neutral and accurate budget actives I get, I'll hate them with every fiber of my body. If they are desktop speakers I may even curse at them and draw them Hitler moustaches.

After a week, I wont care what they are and how they sound and just play music casually like I do through my PC screen monitor.

Good plan?

I know how you feel. I use my desktop system as my only system at the moment, the tiny SN4a do a reasonable job in an 18ft living room. No deep bass of course but given what I mostly play, this is not the biggest problem. Ihave had no option, so I live with them.

For you it must be very difficult slipping from hi-fi 'mode' into music 'mode' in such an uncontrolled manner.

Come on, use you brain and deal with these things in a logical, linear manner.

Unless of course you are really a woman, in which case this confused 'multi-tasking' is normal...*unknw*

 

[Vladimir]

If I hear again Steely Dan or KOB through a different pair of hi-fi speakers, I'll die of self loathing.

 

[davedotco]

If I hear again Steely Dan or KOB through a different pair of hi-fi speakers, I'll die of self loathing.

Put on some early Dead, flip the monitor to something freaky looking and chill.

 

[Vladimir]

(KOB = Kind Of Blue)

 

[Green Bow]

The BT3 and the MR1 have a sub line-out so you could get the bass you want with them. However by the time you factor in a good sub, it might be an option to buy a better acitve set. I know what you mean when you say say you lack the bass though. It's not a matter of wanting groundshaking experiences. It's just that we want to hear what in the recording. Bass can add warmth, and sometimes it's breathtaking (sometimes almost literally).

 

[ID.]

I have a local distributor pricelist saying they deliver the 8030APM (£258 per unit) for near price as the HS8 (£244 per unit).

I already have party speakers. I'm thinking of going the "Joss Stone is singing in front of me, I want to hump her leg" sound quality for cheap. As I'm renovating house without any bank loans, bit by bit, I can't really afford getting anything from Dyns, ATC, Neumann, Event etc. and sleep well at night.

Adam F7 has the same price tag as the HS8 here.

not sure that you get the singer in the room at that level of monitor. That said, my 8020s were jaw dropping when I listened to Nirvana's Nevermind. The kick drum from the tiny speakers was phenomenal. Obviously lacking the SPL for a truly realistic experience. Nirvana hated how that album was recorded (too clean), but great in a hi fi sense.

As you say, there are also variations among monitors, so listen if you can. I love the sound and don't think it's flat an boring, but tastes vary. I like my Genelecs better than my DB1i, but I don't think I ever gave the PMCs the amplification they wanted. Sat on a TV cabinet they are actually quite warm sounding. ideally I'd want to go up to 8040 level for hifi as below that they are still minimonitors with some compromises for form factor. Less so with the 8030 than 8020, but some people are more sensitive to how a speakers bass response affects realism. I think DDC doesn't need the lower bass, but with more modern bassier music you can hear that minimonitors aren't completely at ease and are just giving the impression of low bass and are rolled off. Of cours, this applies to passive speakers too.

If I was starting from scratch today I'd be looking to get Genelec's SAM range in the 8030 or 8040 level cabinet size.

Actually, I bought my Genelecs without an audition because of the size and grills over the drivers and then listened to other speakers in the Genelec range afterwards when I visited a store.

My Adams are more flexible in terms of room adjustment than the Genelecs. Not sure whether the 8030s you are looking at have the same system with a few switches rather than dials.

 

[davedotco]

(KOB = Kind Of Blue)

Ahhh, of course.

The second best album of 1959...!

Micky Hart's "Rolling Thunder" album is worth a go. Hard to find though.

Blind John is an awsome song, Grace's harmony vocals are orgasmic.

A little 'thought experiment' for you. You are in your first year of university and someone plays you a couple of songs by a band you have not really listened to before. You like it so the next day you amble down to Kensington market and buy their 'latest' album unheard, a live double album.

You go home and put on side one, just the one 'track', continue to side two and the music continues without a break, weaving in and out of a couple of named songs, side three is the same.

Thats right, three lp sides of continuous and quite inspired music, it's the christmas break 1969 and you mind has just been blown.

 

[Vladimir]

(KOB = Kind Of Blue)

Ahhh, of course.

The second best album of 1959...!

Micky Hart's "Rolling Thunder" album is worth a go. Hard to find though.

Blind John is an awsome song, Grace's harmony vocals are orgasmic.

A little 'thought experiment' for you. You are in your first year of university and someone plays you a couple of songs by a band you have not really listened to before. You like it so the next day you amble down to Kensington market and buy their 'latest' album unheard, a live double album.

You go home and put on side one, just the one 'track', continue to side two and the music continues without a break, weaving in and out of a couple of named songs, side three is the same.

Thats right, three lp sides of continuous and quite inspired music, it's the christmas break 1969 and you mind has just been blown.

OK. And?

 

[davedotco]

(KOB = Kind Of Blue)

Ahhh, of course.

The second best album of 1959...!

Micky Hart's "Rolling Thunder" album is worth a go. Hard to find though.

Blind John is an awsome song, Grace's harmony vocals are orgasmic.

A little 'thought experiment' for you. You are in your first year of university and someone plays you a couple of songs by a band you have not really listened to before. You like it so the next day you amble down to Kensington market and buy their 'latest' album unheard, a live double album.

You go home and put on side one, just the one 'track', continue to side two and the music continues without a break, weaving in and out of a couple of named songs, side three is the same.

Thats right, three lp sides of continuous and quite inspired music, it's the christmas break 1969 and you mind has just been blown.

OK. And?

You have no soul....

 

[Vladimir]

I have a local distributor pricelist saying they deliver the 8030APM (£258 per unit) for near price as the HS8 (£244 per unit).

I already have party speakers. I'm thinking of going the "Joss Stone is singing in front of me, I want to hump her leg" sound quality for cheap. As I'm renovating house without any bank loans, bit by bit, I can't really afford getting anything from Dyns, ATC, Neumann, Event etc. and sleep well at night.

Adam F7 has the same price tag as the HS8 here.

not sure that you get the singer in the room at that level of monitor. That said, my 8020s were jaw dropping when I listened to Nirvana's Nevermind. The kick drum from the tiny speakers was phenomenal. Obviously lacking the SPL for a truly realistic experience. Nirvana hated how that album was recorded (too clean), but great in a hi fi sense.

As you say, there are also variations among monitors, so listen if you can. I love the sound and don't think it's flat an boring, but tastes vary. I like my Genelecs better than my DB1i, but I don't think I ever gave the PMCs the amplification they wanted. Sat on a TV cabinet they are actually quite warm sounding. ideally I'd want to go up to 8040 level for hifi as below that they are still minimonitors with some compromises for form factor. Less so with the 8030 than 8020, but some people are more sensitive to how a speakers bass response affects realism. I think DDC doesn't need the lower bass, but with more modern bassier music you can hear that minimonitors aren't completely at ease and are just giving the impression of low bass and are rolled off. Of cours, this applies to passive speakers too.

If I was starting from scratch today I'd be looking to get Genelec's SAM range in the 8030 or 8040 level cabinet size.

Actually, I bought my Genelecs without an audition because of the size and grills over the drivers and then listened to other speakers in the Genelec range afterwards when I visited a store.

My Adams are more flexible in terms of room adjustment than the Genelecs. Not sure whether the 8030s you are looking at have the same system with a few switches rather than dials.

I ideally would want the 8040 as a bare minimum but they are too rich for my blood atm.

 

[Vladimir]

(KOB = Kind Of Blue)

Ahhh, of course.

The second best album of 1959...!

Micky Hart's "Rolling Thunder" album is worth a go. Hard to find though.

Blind John is an awsome song, Grace's harmony vocals are orgasmic.

A little 'thought experiment' for you. You are in your first year of university and someone plays you a couple of songs by a band you have not really listened to before. You like it so the next day you amble down to Kensington market and buy their 'latest' album unheard, a live double album.

You go home and put on side one, just the one 'track', continue to side two and the music continues without a break, weaving in and out of a couple of named songs, side three is the same.

Thats right, three lp sides of continuous and quite inspired music, it's the christmas break 1969 and you mind has just been blown.

OK. And?

You have no soul....

Or any understanding of crossovers...

 

[Green Bow]

These BT3 that I ordered from Amazon I am sure ar the gloss ones. However I think they list the gloss as Q-BT3; not sure though. I bought the last ones that were in stock with Amazon. When I click on the email I got from amazon it leads me to a page listing the gloss one but sold by another seller.

If the ones that arrive to me are vinyl I will feel short-changed.

 

[Vladimir]

Glossy finish is difficult to maintain and always has dust and greasy finger stains. Vinyl might not be good for bling but it's very practical and always looks nice.

 

[Green Bow]

Haha vinyl will be even nicer if I can negotiate a part refund. xD

 

[davedotco]

(KOB = Kind Of Blue)

Ahhh, of course.

The second best album of 1959...!

Micky Hart's "Rolling Thunder" album is worth a go. Hard to find though.

Blind John is an awsome song, Grace's harmony vocals are orgasmic.

A little 'thought experiment' for you. You are in your first year of university and someone plays you a couple of songs by a band you have not really listened to before. You like it so the next day you amble down to Kensington market and buy their 'latest' album unheard, a live double album.

You go home and put on side one, just the one 'track', continue to side two and the music continues without a break, weaving in and out of a couple of named songs, side three is the same.

Thats right, three lp sides of continuous and quite inspired music, it's the christmas break 1969 and you mind has just been blown.

OK. And?

You have no soul....

Or any understanding of crossovers...

Forget crossovers, they are complex. Too much for me these days, I used to be able to calculate basic capacitor and inductor values in my head, well on the back of a beermat anyway, not these days.

It's all about the amplifier, think what happens when you are playing music through an amplifier with no speakers connected? What happens?

 

[Vladimir]

(KOB = Kind Of Blue)

Ahhh, of course.

The second best album of 1959...!

Micky Hart's "Rolling Thunder" album is worth a go. Hard to find though.

Blind John is an awsome song, Grace's harmony vocals are orgasmic.

A little 'thought experiment' for you. You are in your first year of university and someone plays you a couple of songs by a band you have not really listened to before. You like it so the next day you amble down to Kensington market and buy their 'latest' album unheard, a live double album.

You go home and put on side one, just the one 'track', continue to side two and the music continues without a break, weaving in and out of a couple of named songs, side three is the same.

Thats right, three lp sides of continuous and quite inspired music, it's the christmas break 1969 and you mind has just been blown.

OK. And?

You have no soul....

Or any understanding of crossovers...

Forget crossovers, they are complex. Too much for me these days, I used to be able to calculate basic capacitor and inductor values in my head, well on the back of a beermat anyway, not these days.

It's all about the amplifier, think what happens when you are playing music through an amplifier with no speakers connected? What happens?

Electrons pour out from the speaker terminals?

 

[davedotco]

(KOB = Kind Of Blue)

Ahhh, of course.

The second best album of 1959...!

Micky Hart's "Rolling Thunder" album is worth a go. Hard to find though.

Blind John is an awsome song, Grace's harmony vocals are orgasmic.

A little 'thought experiment' for you. You are in your first year of university and someone plays you a couple of songs by a band you have not really listened to before. You like it so the next day you amble down to Kensington market and buy their 'latest' album unheard, a live double album.

You go home and put on side one, just the one 'track', continue to side two and the music continues without a break, weaving in and out of a couple of named songs, side three is the same.

Thats right, three lp sides of continuous and quite inspired music, it's the christmas break 1969 and you mind has just been blown.

OK. And?

You have no soul....

Or any understanding of crossovers...

Forget crossovers, they are complex. Too much for me these days, I used to be able to calculate basic capacitor and inductor values in my head, well on the back of a beermat anyway, not these days.

It's all about the amplifier, think what happens when you are playing music through an amplifier with no speakers connected? What happens?

Electrons pour out from the speaker terminals?

Correct, you have to sweep them up in the morning.

 

[Green Bow]

With them being from Amazon I have an email telling me they are out for delivery. I will find out of they are gloss or vinyl. Or how lacking in detail they are hahaha, just kidding.

I have that freakey feeling I will have a change of heart and want the Q Acoustics 3020 and an amp. I was originally looking at the Onkyo A9010, but it is such a large form factor amp. The NAD D3020 £400 is the right size and not a bad amp with a built in asynchronous DAC. Pricey though compared to the BT3.

 

[drummerman]

With them being from Amazon I have an email telling me they are out for delivery. I will find out of they are gloss or vinyl. Or how lacking in detail they are hahaha, just kidding.

I have that freakey feeling I will have a change of heart and want the Q Acoustics 3020 and an amp. I was originally looking at the Onkyo A9010, but it is such a large form factor amp. The NAD D3020 £400 is the right size and not a bad amp with a built in asynchronous DAC. Pricey though compared to the BT3.

You seem to get a little obsessed with the whole thing ... ?

Why not chill out, look forward to the arrival of your new purchase, give them a few days and re-evaluate then?

I read a german review of the above and it too came out with flying colours.

I very much doubt you can do much better for the money, separates or not.

Still, I am sure you'll let us know

 

[Green Bow]

Just sharing my ideas with others on the path looking for a desktop set-up. I think the NAD D3020 is a good amp.

I always have last minute doubts though. Until I have the item and it's happy working that is.

I have been thinking about whether I should make another choice. Or if I should fix up my current large desktop unit, because the fan is noisy. It potentially has another issue though.

I think it's a bit rude suggesting I seem a bit obsessed. Though you might be right, there may not be much between a NAD D3020 and the Q Acoustics 3020. Hard to judge though. I think the 3020 speakers would be faster.

 

[Vladimir]

With them being from Amazon I have an email telling me they are out for delivery. I will find out of they are gloss or vinyl. Or how lacking in detail they are hahaha, just kidding.

I have that freakey feeling I will have a change of heart and want the Q Acoustics 3020 and an amp. I was originally looking at the Onkyo A9010, but it is such a large form factor amp. The NAD D3020 £400 is the right size and not a bad amp with a built in asynchronous DAC. Pricey though compared to the BT3.

You seem to get a little obsessed with the whole thing ... ?

Why not chill out, look forward to the arrival of your new purchase, give them a few days and re-evaluate then?

I read a german review of the above and it too came out with flying colours.

I very much doubt you can do much better for the money, separates or not.

Still, I am sure you'll let us know

No good deed goes unpunished.

 

[Green Bow]

I think sharing my ideas about other products such as the NAD D3020 is a good deed. I spend hours coming reviews and magazines, partly because it's almost a hobby for me.

Anyway the BT3 arrived. They are gloss but I don't mind if they get dusty or fingerprinty. I never understood the exact obsession people have with stuff being as they are called 'fingerprint magnets'. If I keep them which I think I will, they will be loved in any state. They might not look as good as vinyl if they ever get a knock though hahaha.

The speaker with amp in is reassuringly heavy. It is unbelievably gorgeous.

 

[Green Bow]

Initial impressions are not brilliant of the BT3. However they are absolutely in need of running in. From the off they were chesty, muddy, and jumbled soundstage. After an hour they are beginning to show a little better, with position and tones. Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights starts well with the piano.

What Hi-Fi said when they reviewed them they left them for a weekend on their own to run-in.