New speaker recommendations...

[admin_exported]

Hey guys, im after a new set of speakers to partner my recently acquired nad c352 amp and nad c542 cdp... At the moment i manage with a cheap set of sony f6000 floorstanders, as ive not had the accompanying gear to justify an upgrade before. I listen to a wide range of music, classical (mostly piano), metal, symphonic metal and classic rock. My ideal budget would be somewhere £400-£500 max. When listening to various systems i tend to prefer a more clinical, less warm sound so would like to consider this when making my choice. My concern is that, despite knowing i will get, on the whole, more sound for my pound by investing in standmounts at this price level, having had floorstanders for so long, i will miss the presence created by them if i change, despite the shocking muddiness of the bass on my sony's 🙂. Any recommendations would be fantastic and i appreciate all advice given, and my apologies for yet another 'spec me' thread when we could be discussing something more interesting...

thanks guys

 

[batonwielder]

I can't think of anything better than the budget floorstanders such as the Image T5's from PSB. These are exactly as you describe your ideal sound to be but with expansive soundstaging, and are best matched with anything from NAD (they are under the same company).

Mordaunt Short should also fit the bill, but I honestly don't know how they would sound with NAD.

 

[Anonymous]

thanks for the advice, ill do a bit of investigating...

 

[the record spot]

I think if you have the room and want the scale, Q Acoustics 1050i floorstanders are the way to go. Massive sound and build from these boxes. Nothing else under £500 will come near them IMO.

For standmounts, I'd try and clap hands on something like the Leema Xero. Or a better secondhand speaker in good condition; more for the money, etc.

 

[Anonymous]

thanks again for the advice, and the q acoustics look very tempting tbh as they seem to be 200 notes at superfi atm...

 

[d_a_n1979]

I'd deffo go with 2nd hand on this; so much more choice.

What would be handy to know is what music do you generally listen to?

IMO the speakers to aim at (for floorstanders), would be:

Monitor Audio BR5's
Monitor Audio RS5's or RS6's
B&W 603 S2's
B&W 603 S3's

Thw above mentioned can be found on eBay and will gel with the NAD amp very well indeed.

If you wanted to go for standmount speakers then don't forget you need to budget for decent stands (Atcama Nexus 5's or 6's or the Soundstyle Z2's at a minimum). Again, my choices would be:

B&W 685's
Monitor Audio RX2's
EB Acoustics EB1's
Wharfedale 10.1's
Klipsch RB-81's

The above can be bought new; if you're happy with 2nd hand then I'd also be looking at:

B&W 602 S2's
B&W 602 S3's
Monitor Audio BR2's
Monitor Audio RS1's

 

[Anonymous]

thanks, hmmm, a lot of work to do.... 🙂

 

[the record spot]

Anathaema:thanks again for the advice, and the q acoustics look very tempting tbh as they seem to be 200 notes at superfi atm...

Yup, a top deal, moreso as they were Hi Fi World Product of the Year in 2008...you could check out the new 2050 floorstander from the same company. For the money though, £200 gets you a fine budget buy. Another poster here bought some a few weeks back and raved about them.

 

[d_a_n1979]

I think witrh your system and budget; you'll not get better than the M/A RS6's.

Absolutley brilliant speakers; super reviews everytime with amazing bass depth as well as detailed treble and midrange and they'd suit your musical tastes down to a tee.

They were £600 new; they've recently been replaced by the new M/A RX6's so you may be lucky to find them new somewhere if not I'm sure you'll be able to find them 2nd hand.

Saving some cash as well going down the 2nd hand route may enable you to splash out a bit on cabling or a mains conditioner (i.e. Tacima).