Looking for new great loudspeakers

[etiennev]

Hi guys, I’m moving out in a new flat and I would like to change my speakers. My current system is composed of : Davis Matisse / Naim Nait XS2 / Rega Apollo R / Technics SL-1210 / DAC.I can get a new amp as well if the Naim doesn’t work well with the new speakers. I mostly listen to vinyls (70%) and the DAC. Most of the time I listen to House and Techno (60/70%) and a bit of Jazz, Rock and Hip-Hop. I’m looking for great bass, deep enough, precise. My budget is around 1500‎£ (second hand is ok). The new room is 20m2, there is 2m between the two speakers and I’m 3,5m behind them. I can’t listen super loud because of my neighbors. I was wondering if it was better to keep flour standing speakers or if it was a good idea to go demo bookshelves speakers as well, maybe with an addition of a subwoofer. For the moment, there are the brands in my shortlist : ATC / PMC / Neat / Dynaudio. I listened to JBL 4312, I loved them but they are way too big for my room, but I think this is the kind of sound I’m looking for, but conscient that in smaller boxes it won't be as good. I also listened to Focal Solo6 Be and I liked them, but I wonder if active monitor speakers could be okay for Hifi and not for short distance listening. Thank you for your help, and sorry for my english, hope I make sense.Etienne

 

[CnoEvil]

FWIW. My advice is to sniff out some specialist Hi Fi shops, that do less mainstream brands....just to get a broader experience, as to what is available

For example, there are excellent French speakers by JM Reynaud. There are also brands like Vienna Acoustics, Diapason and GamuT.

On the amp front, you have brands like Pathos, Vincent, Unison Research, Bel Canto, Ayre Acoustics, and Jadis.

I have no idea how these will fit your taste and budget....but the point of my post is to open up your horizons, so you might consider some brands that are more off the beaten track.

 

[avole]

Possibly the best speakers I've heard. They're not room sensitive, either, and your Naim should easily be able to drive them. Price, given their level of performance, is more than reasonable. The one I'd go for, the Venus, is almost a steal at £3000 or so.

http://www.duevel.com/home/loudspeaker.shtml

P.S. Don't waste money on another amp, you already have a fine one, put the money into your speakers.

 

[insider9]

As long as your speakers would have enough empty space to the sides and behind them and you're flexible with listening position the floorstanders would be fine.

If that's not the case a pair of agile bookshelves with a sub and possibly and active crossover would be my bet. Much harder to integrate but the fact that a sub can be placed not necessarily where the speakers are​ to optimise bass response is important.

 

[nopiano]

I agree with the advice to hear as many types and makes as you can. The effort is worth it for long-term satisfaction.

I cannot disagree with your initial shortlist either. In a flat, I'd be more inclined towards stand mount speakers, unless it is very well insulated, as most deep bass will penetrate to your neighbours, but be hardly audible to you. Essential you get to try them in the new flat with your system, so I'd choose new, rather than gamble with secondhand - but obviously used models are better value if you like them.

Good luck!

 

[avole]

is that they're omni-directional. This basically cuts out most traditional positioning problems, as the sweet spot tends to be nearly the whole room. Audio Affair have them, if you live anywhere near them.

 

[nopiano]

is that they're omni-directional. This basically cuts out most traditional positioning problems, as the sweet spot tends to be nearly the whole room. Audio Affair have them, if you live anywhere near them.

They look fascinating. I imagine my wife would think they look like a dismembered Dalek, but I'm not about to change - wife or speakers!

 

[ChrisIRL]

Make sure you have a listen to Kef LS50 wireless. They would fit your needs well. I have an Apollo r hooked up via optical and a turntable through the aux input. I've never been happier with any system. Trade in/ sale of some of your current gear may even fund them and save you your £1500 budget! They're truly excellent.

 

[grimharry]

I've read that the Russell k's work well with naim.

 

[davedotco]

Hi guys, I’m moving out in a new flat and I would like to change my speakers. My current system is composed of : Davis Matisse / Naim Nait XS2 / Rega Apollo R / Technics SL-1210 / DAC.I can get a new amp as well if the Naim doesn’t work well with the new speakers. I mostly listen to vinyls (70%) and the DAC. Most of the time I listen to House and Techno (60/70%) and a bit of Jazz, Rock and Hip-Hop. I’m looking for great bass, deep enough, precise. My budget is around 1500‎£ (second hand is ok). The new room is 20m2, there is 2m between the two speakers and I’m 3,5m behind them. I can’t listen super loud because of my neighbors. I was wondering if it was better to keep flour standing speakers or if it was a good idea to go demo bookshelves speakers as well, maybe with an addition of a subwoofer. For the moment, there are the brands in my shortlist : ATC / PMC / Neat / Dynaudio. I listened to JBL 4312, I loved them but they are way too big for my room, but I think this is the kind of sound I’m looking for, but conscient that in smaller boxes it won't be as good. I also listened to Focal Solo6 Be and I liked them, but I wonder if active monitor speakers could be okay for Hifi and not for short distance listening. Thank you for your help, and sorry for my english, hope I make sense.Etienne

Trying to emulate the sound of vintage JBLs with modern speakers is pretty much impossible, the closest I can think of would be the Klipsch Heresey.

Though more or less within budget, they are quite large but at least are designed to work tight to a wall, looks are something else too, I can understand if they do not appeal.

Otherwise, for conventional speakers I would look at PMC stand mounts, I am familiar with the DB1s which I think might suit as indeed might the newer Twenty and Twenty5 models.

If you want to be more adventurous, active speakers will get you closer to the JBL, but integrating them into your system will be a bit drastic. You need to try something to see if they suit, the Mackie HR624 would be a good place to start, try your local music store. Use a computer or tablet with your music as a source and get them to set it up with a usb interface (they'll know) as the simplest option.

See what you think before spending any money, I think they will suit your requirements but other views are available.

 

[avole]

All the speakers mentioned so far will knock those you mention into a cocked hat. Really, commission is one thing, but ...

 

[tonky]

Some people make knowledgeable contributions (eg DDC) - and some do contribute codswallop.

tonky

 

[lindsayt]

Trying to emulate the sound of vintage JBLs with modern speakers is pretty much impossible, the closest I can think of would be the Klipsch Heresey.

Though more or less within budget, they are quite large but at least are designed to work tight to a wall, looks are something else too, I can understand if they do not appeal.

Otherwise, for conventional speakers I would look at PMC stand mounts, I am familiar with the DB1s which I think might suit as indeed might the newer Twenty and Twenty5 models.

If you want to be more adventurous, active speakers will get you closer to the JBL, but integrating them into your system will be a bit drastic. You need to try something to see if they suit, the Mackie HR624 would be a good place to start, try your local music store. Use a computer or tablet with your music as a source and get them to set it up with a usb interface (they'll know) as the simplest option.

See what you think before spending any money, I think they will suit your requirements but other views are available.

Klipsch Heresys sound nothing like JBL 4312's. Unless the 4312's that Davedotco heard had had their bass drivers disconnected! Heresy's are not really modern speakers. They've been in production for decades!

PMC stand mounts sound nothing like 4312's.

Mackie 624's are not fit to lace 4312 boots.

What I don't understand is etiennev saying that 4312's are way too big for his room, when his existing speakers are Davis Matisse's, which are bigger???!!! My suggestion, either stick with the Matisse or go for JBL 4312's.

 

[etiennev]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies !

@CnoEvil Thanks for the advise, I will sniff for sure I've demoed the JMR Bliss & Euterpe, they were great for Miles Davis but when it came to electronic music they were disappointing.

@avole They might sound great but too weird for my wife's taste (and mine as well I think).

@ChrisIRL & @grimharry Thanks I add them to the list.

@Lindsayt Davis Matisse = 5,9 inch ; JBL 4312 = 14,3 inch, almost three times bigger *biggrin*

The bigger speakers I can go for is around 8,5 inch (width) because of my room specs.

 

[CnoEvil]

@CnoEvil Thanks for the advise, I will sniff for sure I've demoed the JMR Bliss & Euterpe, they were great for Miles Davis but when it came to electronic music they were disappointing.

One way to get a musical, yet exciting sound, is to match an organic sounding amp, with dynamic sounding speakers....like Focal and Triangle (which both happen to be French).

Triangle works very well with Class A and Valve amps, as do Proac.....so you should have this on your radar. Sugden and Proac are a known match.

 

[davedotco]

You need to work out just how far from 'conventional' hi-fi you are prepared to go to get the sound that you want. Most of the suggestions are sound but will in no way replicate the power and punch of the 4312, particularly if they are simply placed on the floor.

Matching the output of a 12 inch driver with conventional hi-fi speakers will be very difficult, deep bass is not really the issue, it is all about mid-bass punch which can be replicated but only if you step outside the usual hi-fi solutions.

Using pro type monitors can help with this but there are compromises in terms of refinement and they will require major changes to your system. Other alternatives might be the new Acoustic Energy AE1 Active, I have not heard these so am relying on comments which suggest a rather more hi-fi style of presentation than pro monitors at a similar price.