Dear Forum,
Having moved house, I am trying to re-adjust my audio setup (music only) to my new surroundings. My personal requirements have also changed since I last gave it all any serious thought (10 years ago - a different era). So I am trying to see what can be done, and your advice will be much appreciated.
My immediate problem is the speakers - my old Tannoys 611 II don't fit in my new space size-wise, and also visually (the better half, bless her, has very strong views on the subject
What's key here is that right now I am on a tight budget. But you get what you pay for, in terms of both quality and longevity, so I know that I have to "spend to save", and my plan is to try and find a sensible upgrade path.
OK - so here is what I am trying to get:
1. Good audio quality on low volume
The setup is for my study. The speakers need to be in front of me, either on the desktop or on stands behind the desk, so that they are above the desktop. I mostly listen to music while at my desk, and hardly ever need to fill the whole room. Plus we are in a flat in a Victorian conversion and I don't want to antagonise the neighbours, so the volume is mostly kept low.
Not sure if I qualify as an audiophile. On the one hand, I have a limited experience with different HiFi components (stayed with my old setup for over 10 years). On the other hand, having gone through various headphones I had to cough up to get Shure SE530 - I can hear that they make a huge difference, and it is important for me.
2. Kind for the type of music/sound that I like
I mostly listen to classical music (lots of piano, some orchestral music, some opera), jazz/jazz-rock, occasional rock and pop; definitely no hip-hop or heavy metal type music.
I quite like the sort of sound that is warm, rich, natural - but at the same time clear and "pronounced", particularly on highs and on bass (such as acoustic double-bass and low registers on the piano).
3. Music source
I mostly listen to music stored on my desktop PC as either MP3 or FLAC. For now I get the "headphones" output from the soundcard. In the future I might consider using a DAC of some kind.
4. My existing amp
I have Cambridge Audio Azur 540A (got it a couple of years ago as a replacement for the old Maratnz that had a kind of stroke one day and lost a channel). For now, if I am using an amp at all, then it has to be the 540A - although in the future I might consider upgrading, if I have to.
5. WAF
Better half insists that new speakers/stands need to be as small and slim as possible. Ideally black or white, and glossy. They need to live either on the desktop or on stands behind the desk, flash to the wall. I think what she has in mind is similar to 5.1 satellites.
BTW the desk is 180cm wide and 90cm deep, quite close to the wall, almost in the corner of the room.
6. Last but by no means least - let's say the budget is £200 ono.
Thank you for bearing with me so far; now to my questions.
1. If I go the "get new speakers, use Azur 540A" way: for my requirements (my type of music, limited space/budget, and most importantly - to get close to the low volume/rich natural sound compromise) - what are the right speakers to use?
2. As an alternative to speakers/amp combo, is it feasible to use powered speakers (and stick the Azur 540A in the loft)? For now I am actually using Logitech mm50 straight off the PC soundcard, but it simply doesn't do any justice to the music that I like. I was considering Creative T20's - but feel I can do better than that. Will something like Audioengine A5 make a £200 worth of difference? Perhaps Audioengine A2? Will they perform on low volume?
Also, bearing in mind my requirements to sound - is it better to go 2.1? I'd prefer 2.0 as there isn't much space for the sub. Actually - but please don't mock me people - has anyone ever used a 2.1 system sub as a flat monitor stand?
Your help will be much appreciated...
Having moved house, I am trying to re-adjust my audio setup (music only) to my new surroundings. My personal requirements have also changed since I last gave it all any serious thought (10 years ago - a different era). So I am trying to see what can be done, and your advice will be much appreciated.
My immediate problem is the speakers - my old Tannoys 611 II don't fit in my new space size-wise, and also visually (the better half, bless her, has very strong views on the subject
What's key here is that right now I am on a tight budget. But you get what you pay for, in terms of both quality and longevity, so I know that I have to "spend to save", and my plan is to try and find a sensible upgrade path.
OK - so here is what I am trying to get:
1. Good audio quality on low volume
The setup is for my study. The speakers need to be in front of me, either on the desktop or on stands behind the desk, so that they are above the desktop. I mostly listen to music while at my desk, and hardly ever need to fill the whole room. Plus we are in a flat in a Victorian conversion and I don't want to antagonise the neighbours, so the volume is mostly kept low.
Not sure if I qualify as an audiophile. On the one hand, I have a limited experience with different HiFi components (stayed with my old setup for over 10 years). On the other hand, having gone through various headphones I had to cough up to get Shure SE530 - I can hear that they make a huge difference, and it is important for me.
2. Kind for the type of music/sound that I like
I mostly listen to classical music (lots of piano, some orchestral music, some opera), jazz/jazz-rock, occasional rock and pop; definitely no hip-hop or heavy metal type music.
I quite like the sort of sound that is warm, rich, natural - but at the same time clear and "pronounced", particularly on highs and on bass (such as acoustic double-bass and low registers on the piano).
3. Music source
I mostly listen to music stored on my desktop PC as either MP3 or FLAC. For now I get the "headphones" output from the soundcard. In the future I might consider using a DAC of some kind.
4. My existing amp
I have Cambridge Audio Azur 540A (got it a couple of years ago as a replacement for the old Maratnz that had a kind of stroke one day and lost a channel). For now, if I am using an amp at all, then it has to be the 540A - although in the future I might consider upgrading, if I have to.
5. WAF
Better half insists that new speakers/stands need to be as small and slim as possible. Ideally black or white, and glossy. They need to live either on the desktop or on stands behind the desk, flash to the wall. I think what she has in mind is similar to 5.1 satellites.
BTW the desk is 180cm wide and 90cm deep, quite close to the wall, almost in the corner of the room.
6. Last but by no means least - let's say the budget is £200 ono.
Thank you for bearing with me so far; now to my questions.
1. If I go the "get new speakers, use Azur 540A" way: for my requirements (my type of music, limited space/budget, and most importantly - to get close to the low volume/rich natural sound compromise) - what are the right speakers to use?
2. As an alternative to speakers/amp combo, is it feasible to use powered speakers (and stick the Azur 540A in the loft)? For now I am actually using Logitech mm50 straight off the PC soundcard, but it simply doesn't do any justice to the music that I like. I was considering Creative T20's - but feel I can do better than that. Will something like Audioengine A5 make a £200 worth of difference? Perhaps Audioengine A2? Will they perform on low volume?
Also, bearing in mind my requirements to sound - is it better to go 2.1? I'd prefer 2.0 as there isn't much space for the sub. Actually - but please don't mock me people - has anyone ever used a 2.1 system sub as a flat monitor stand?
Your help will be much appreciated...
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