more advice to a complete newbie...please:)

[GSB]

hi guys.....

i'm contemplating pairing kefs 3005se w,with the marantz1601.

i have never owned,or used seperates before.my dilema is...do i completley trust my local dealer in regards to speaker cable selection,and advice on set-up?

i have read posts on here,but i have no knoledge or understanding of what i'm reading..lol.

if there are some kind chaps around who can offer some advice,it would be very appreciated

cheers,graham

 

[duaplex]

There are two good dealers on here, David of Hifix (frankharvey) Rick from MusCraft. They know thioer stuff if you give them a call or wait for them to post a repply to this.

As for your dilemma, what is it you are trying to achieve and what is your budget? Thats important to ask right away?

 

[GSB]

thanks for replying,my dilema is not so much to do with budjet,as i now no(thanx to David)what i want,its to do with what brand,type of speaker cable works best for that system......or is it just a matter of personal taste...would this be true for any settings??

 

[duaplex]

I would not worry about cables too much, there is no such thing as a particular brand being better for one system as opposed to the next. The cable has no bearing on how the speakers are setup and it will not decease or increase the quality.

A very good speaker cable is the carnival silver screen by Cable Company, good resonable price, quite thick though. But an excellent wire. Check it out on the best buy section on the site.

 

[fayeanddavid]

I would not worry about cables too much, there is no such thing as a particular brand being better for one system as opposed to the next. The cable has no bearing on how the speakers are setup and it will not decease or increase the quality.

A very good speaker cable is the carnival silver screen by Cable Company, good resonable price, quite thick though. But an excellent wire. Check it out on the best buy section on the site.

Just to refresh the above

Chord Company manufacture Carnival Silver speaker cable, and it is an excellent speaker cable

 

[Anonymous]

you don't need to go silly with the cable, i found Chord Campana speaker cable works extremley well and is easy to install behind walls and under carpets etc.. and only a couple of quid per meter!

 

[duaplex]

I would not worry about cables too much, there is no such thing as a particular brand being better for one system as opposed to the next. The cable has no bearing on how the speakers are setup and it will not decease or increase the quality.

A very good speaker cable is the carnival silver screen by Cable Company, good resonable price, quite thick though. But an excellent wire. Check it out on the best buy section on the site.

Just to refresh the above

Chord Company manufacture Carnival Silver speaker cable, and it is an excellent speaker cable

Yes Chord Company....I must be thinking American by typing cable company

 

[GSB]

thanks,you have both set my mind at ease,a wee bit anyways...lol

the guy from my local dealer sugested some QED wire(the only brand they stock from what i could see),at about £2.50 pm,it was flat( as opposed to rounded),which suits us nicely

once i get the system home,and hopefully up n running.....would i need to referance any settings,in regard to performing manual adjustments...as i have been blown away some of the more technical posts on here or,would the amp settings be just right ?

thanks again,graham

 

[GSB]

Me again...lol

i'm thinking of aranging a demo in the the nxt wk or so for the kef 3005se w,paired with the marantz1601....can anyone suggest what comparable speakers to put them up against?

by the way,i havn't heard them(read the review)but we love the look of the kef's......

thanks,in anticipation,

graham

 

[Big Chris]

What about the B&W MT25 system?

My own home cinema uses the M1 sats from the MT25 system. No complaints here.

 

[Anonymous]

bowers & wilkins MT25 or MT30 would be a good place to start.. depending on budget!

looks like BIG CHRIS beat me to it!

I use the m1 sats with a REL sub and its superb!

 

[GSB]

i have read about the B&W speakers...great reviews,but when we saw them the Mrs wasn't impressed with the looks.also the dealer hinted that the 3005's had a better center speaker,to which iv'e read in quite a few old posts.He also said that musicaly the kef's were better(i take it he meant playing CD'S!!??)

this is my first ever seperates system,i'm limited on space(hence the small marantz amp)and knoledge to put to gether a ''true seperates system''.

we are willing to pay what is required to buy quality aquipment(1500-1700 IS FAIR ME THINKS) to make matters worse,she saw a pic of the kef T series and was impressed with the looks!!!

THANKS GUYS,

Graham

 

[kinda]

Music is often the real differentiator for these sub / sat sets, but you will notice differences in films as well.

From my demoing a couple of years ago, as a package the 3005SE wouldn't beat the MT-30 for music, and probably not the MT-25.

The satellites are fine, if not the most detailed, but the sub just doesn't cut it for me. The 5005s satelites were more detailed, and musical, but again the sub let them down.

If you can demo or get hold of the Tannoy Arena speakers, they for me offered a good detailed presentation, and were good with both films and music. You may not like the looks though.

There are quite a few other small speaker options too from Monitor Audio, Dali, even Arcam or Quad. It will pay to listen to a few if you can. It takes while finding places to demo, but is worth it. When I hit on the Arean I was really glad I hadn't just demod what was available locally and go the KEFs or B&Ws.

Similar for amps, have a listen to a few from the main brands, but from my experience Marantz is one of the most musical affordable AV brands. It's all down to your ears.

The Marantz is slightly on the warm side, so if you're finding it not quite as detailed as you like, maybe a bit rich sounding and not quite tight enough, Denon might be worth a go, or if you found the Marantz very warm maybe try a Pioneer.

 

[GSB]

Thanx for the advice Kinda,the reason for the marantz is pure and simple its size....just lucky that its a fine amp...although i know i could get better for the money,it will have to be.

as for the speakers,well trhis is my first ''real''set,so,am guesing my ears wont be as ''tuned''as you folks...lol....but i do know what i like.

i'm sure you all get fed up with newbie posts such as this,but i realy dont want to make (an expensive)mistake with my choice of speakers.

my local hifi specialists are Richer sounds and Superhifi in Leeds,i will arrange a demo as soon as,but what is in the back of my mind is the''paint''synario...you know,when you choose it at the diy place,then get it home,paint ya living room and it looks(or sounds in this case)completly different...lol

thanks

graham