i need advice on finding a small speaker with great clarity and not a lot of bass

[admin_exported]

the problem is that i live in a flat and constantly receive compaints from the neighbours regarding sound pressure levels particularly the bass. as a result, instead of enjoying music, i end up very frustrated . i don't like to play music really loud but i like a room feeling sound at low volume levels. my system consists of moon i3rs amplifier, pc with m-audio sound card, naim cd5 cd player and kef iq5 se speakers. i use chord odyssey speaker cables and chord chameleon interconects.

i am want to keep the electonics but i am not sure about the speakers. i think a standmount speaker with great clarity and not a lot of bass could ameriorate the problem so that i will be able to enjoy music without disturbing the neighbours. i have heard a pair of dali lektor2 and although they were not bad in most departments i didn't think they excelled in terms of clarity and transparency and bass (although very good) was a bit too weighty for my requirements. in addition i have heard a pair of mordaunt short aviano 1 and clarity was good but bass was a bit boomy and lacking tunefulness. my budged for the speakers is between £200 and £500.

any advice would greatly be apreciated. thank you. my regards, robert

 

[matthewpiano]

I'd be looking at the Rega RS1 or, preferably, the Spendor S3e on which there seem to be some decent deals. Either would give you the clarity you are looking for without sending booming bass to your neighbours.

I can't comment on how well they would match your amplifier as I'm not familiar with the Moon kit but I would think you are probably risking selling your Naim CD and Moon amp short with that budget. I would think the Naim n-SAT could be worth a look too if you could stretch your budget. I'm sure Chebby will be along to tell you more about those.

 

[Anonymous]

thank you. my worry with the rega is that it might be a bit dry soundin and will not fill the room with sound but i guess i should audition it nevertheless. the spendors are a bit expensive but they might prove to be worth the price. for some reason i am considering the avi neutron5. what do you think?

 

[matthewpiano]

I'm not familiar with the AVIs personally but they are very highly regarded around these parts and look like a bit of a bargain. Well worth exploring IMO.

 

[Anonymous]

my honest opinion is that you may have 'problem neighbours' .... even by getting smaller speakers, they may still complain

Perhaps keep what you have, and get a decent pair of headphones?

and also possibly make an arrangement with your neighbours on a set time of day where you can listen to your system through your speakers without them interfering or complaining

 

[matthewpiano]

dim_span has a very good point and you are risking massively doing your electronics down with some of the speakers you have been looking at. Dali Lektors and MS Aviano are good budget speakers but they are nowhere near good enough for your kit.

 

[Anonymous]

headphones will definitely stop the compaints from the neighbours. it's just that personally i don't get the same excitment wen listening to music as i do when listening to speakers. somehow there isn't the same tangibility as there is with speakers. i hope it makes any sense to you.

 

[Craig M.]

i used to own the i3rs, lovely natural sounding thing. it should work well with anything that doesn't add bass to it's warm balance. maybe some 2nd hand atc scm11's, sealed box - very natural sounding? i haven't heard this combo, but i reckon proac studio110 would work well too, although you'd have to go 2nd hand/ex dem again. your amp is capable of matching much better speakers then budget models.

might be worthwhile getting some hefty, fillable speakerstands and putting them on granite slabs to try and stop bass going downstairs.

 

[Anonymous]

still 5 days to go on ebay ... AVI 9.1's ... currently standing on £255 .... might end up selling over your budget and end up selling for approx £700 (think they cost approx £1000 new)

have not heard them, but many who have say they are good .... (and bass should not be a problem from what I have read)

 

[bay24]

robertin:thank you. my worry with the rega is that it might be a bit dry soundin and will not fill the room with sound but i guess i should audition it nevertheless. the spendors are a bit expensive but they might prove to be worth the price. for some reason i am considering the avi neutron5. what do you think?

the avi neutrons are great little speakers and have a tight bass. I think they can compete with speakers that cost a fair bit more. I think they would be a step up from the kefs but as others have said your kit deserves some realy good speakers but if funds are tight And you want to buy new I think they are a bargain.

 

[Anonymous]

thanks craig. i'm just wandering why did u get rid of the moon. personally i think it is one of the most seductive amplifiers around regardless of costs. the only thing with the moon is that it isn't as open as the best but in terms of musicality it is fantastic. still i think if i could afford it i would have liked a mcintosh or a pathos inpool.

 

[Anonymous]

rega rs1s....lovely

 

[Craig M.]

i agree with the seductive comment. i changed to the atc because as much as i loved the sound of the i3rs, i wanted something that had more punch and dynamics - a bit more excitement maybe.

 

[Anonymous]

or look for a pair of focals...

http://www.audio-t.co.uk/?section=onlinestore&display=proddetail&pid=194699

 

[Anonymous]

thanks again. i am aware that the my kit deserves really good speakers and i am considering sligtly upping my budget but i might not get a significant improvment from some good budget speakers. plus most expensive speakers tend to be quite big and that will not helb my cause. i want a speaker without too much bass. i mean i don,t want the bass to completly disappear from my system but it will have to be delivered in a light and graceful manner. if i had the funds a pair of quads electrostatic might have been ideal.

 

[Anonymous]

sorry what is your kit?...

just seen it, you do deserve much better speakers than the kefs

 

[Anonymous]

The regas i have are splendid speakers they might suit you, very good detail and clarity, with subtle bass....took me ages to choose them

 

[Anonymous]

i understand what you are saying dave but sometimes you can spend more on big names and not get it right. i know i could get better speakers but it will have to be a speaker that will help my cause- great clarity and transparency and not too much bass in fact bass will have to be light and gracefull so that i can enjoy the music without disturbing the neighbours. thanks dave

 

[Anonymous]

The problem that you may find is that you may still have a problem with your neighbours no matter what speakers you get.

so, as mentioned, headphones may be a solution with the option of keeping your existing speakers which will possibly be used at certain times of the day (with consent from the neighbours)

or ... change your system totally and go the AVI 9.1 active speaker route (without a sub)which many say are very good, and may be more neighbour friendly .. also look at the small Quad speakers

or ... look at keeping what you have, and spending some money on room acoustics etc

whatever you do, take your time and make sure that you don't 'downgrade' as you may end up being deeply disappointed

 

[Craig M.]

try some atc's. the bass is fantastically tight and detailed and the overall sound is very clean and clear, they're also very even tonally and absolutely won't add extra bass to your system. they're not bass light or heavy, they're accurate and they are not at all bothered about close to wall placement.

 

[Anonymous]

The Rega RS1s are perfect for you, im telling you.

Good luck. I like my music like you, if i had to upgrade id go for a £1000+ splendor.The regas sound is amazing as far as im concerned, rega users will clarify hopefully....

 

[Anonymous]

£200 and a bit will get you some delivered to your door....

 

[Anonymous]

thanks. fai comments. i agree with your point about room acoustics and it is something i will definitely look at as well. interestingly enough you did mention quad small speakers and i am considering them. either the 9L2 or the 11L2 .

 

[drummerman]

CraigM should know as an ex/Moon user. Can't comment on ATC's but every review points in the right direction and I will listen to some of their models for my new system. Other than that perhaps some Epos M12i's will suit though personally I prefer the predecessors

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/4036

I don't want to keep wallowing in nostalgia hifi but these sounded very good in a recent Naim system

http://www.nrpavs.co.nz/archive/Sold_htm/MordauntShortMS20i.htm

Got a new pair for under 30quid and wrote a few things about them earlier today. The 'Pearl' editions are better. Ignore the specs/dimensions, they are inaccurate.

 

[Anonymous]

Some of the speakers I might consider in your position, depending on budget flex and availability:

Proac Tablette Reference 8 Signature - Very opening sounding speaker with incredible imaging and detail. Their openess and balance can make them sound slightly forward but I think they might work well with your amp.

Spendor S3-5 - I think these sound more natural than Proac speakers but some might find them closed in comparison. They might not impress in the short term and may never actually rock enough for you. I think they're fantastic.

AVI Neutron - tiny speakers with a big heart! For the money these are probably the best buy at the moment. Not to be matched with forward sounding kit but they will sing any sort of music fairly well.

Rega RS1 - not heard the latest variant of the Rega R1 but they should give you an excellent midrange with modest bass and open treble. Would be interesting to put these next to the AVIs in a demo.

Spendor SA1 - OK, somewhat over budget but a real keeper. These have a more punchy, faster and more lively sound than the Spendor S3-5. If you can get them at 800 quid then they're a steal. They image like you wouldn't believe and the bass is tight and accurate. I think they sound more musical than ATC speakers but some people think it's the other way around. ATCs certainly sound more neutral and punchy but somehow don't warm the heart in the same way (to me).

ATC SCM7 - very neutral, punchy and detailed. If you want to hear the music and as little colour as is reasonable then these are great for the money.

Sorry if this is all a bit vague but it's been a while since I've really gone out and heard any speakers. I stopped worrying about it when I found my Spendors