New Speakers for Brio R

[hybridauth_Facebook_632119358]

Hi

I am looking to upgrade my speakers current set up is Brio R and Dac with BW 685. I have a budget of about £1000 and they would go near a wall in a bay window. room size is 13.5ft by 15ft. I could go either floor standing or stand mounts. If on stand would probably go with custom design. I am trying to find some good options to demo and suggestions.

Thanks

 

[matthewpiano]

Q Acoustics Concept 40s should work well. I'd also be tempted to try some Dynaudios - all 3 DM-series models (the 2/6 and 2/7 standmounts, and the 3/7 floorstanders) are within your budget at current prices and should work well with the Rega.

Don't forget Rega's own speakers either.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_632119358]

Would the dynaudio bookshelf be a good upgrade from BW385? I would have to run teh concept past the wife for appearance. She did like the look of the R300 but not sure if the Brio would work well with those.

 

[Esra]

+1 for concept 20/40 and also worth trying Monitor Audio Silver Series.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Gavin Sim

Also try and hear the new Raidho Acoustics Scansonic MB-1's as we've found the combination of Rega's DAC/Brio-R also pairs well with the MB-1's.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Vladimir]

I would stick with B&W so I can trade the 685 to a dealer, get some money from them to add to the main 1k budget.

If you enjoy the B&W sound, you may be underwhelmed from Monitor Audio speakers in the bass region. More neutral speakers than B&Ws may either sound lacking in bass, bright or superbly clear and detailed, with fast bass. Which side of the coin will flip will depend mostly on the room, the amp and your mood.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_632119358]

I was plannning on just putting the old speakers on ebay to add to budget or buy stands. The new Raidho Acoustics Scansonic do look interesting but might be a little difficult to find a home demo.

 

[plastic penguin]

I would start with Rega's own, although as they'll need to go close to a wall perhaps some sealed speakers like ATC or Spendor might be a better fit.

 

[Vladimir]

I was plannning on just putting the old speakers on ebay to add to budget or buy stands. The new Raidho Acoustics Scansonic do look interesting but might be a little difficult to find a home demo.

Selling them on ebay will give you a wider palette to chose from. B&Ws are nasty buggers to drive, they need powerfull amps.

I recommend speakers that are 8 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum (or higher) and 90dB efficient (or higher). Good luck. *smile*

 

[Al ears]

Hi Gavin Sim

Also try and hear the new Raidho Acoustics Scansonic MB-1's as we've found the combination of Rega's DAC/Brio-R also pairs well with the MB-1's.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

You going to sell him a pair of these for his budget of £1000 then Rick?

Must admit they do look nice though.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_632119358]

Can't seem to find much about the Raidho Acoustics Scansonic MB-1' .. I presume a £1000 for these is cheap or is that about the norm.

If i could find a demo might give them a go

 

[Vladimir]

They are not really Raidho Acoustics. Scansonic is the budget brand of the parent company Dantax that also owns Raidho Acoustics. I'm sure there is some shared DNA there.

http://www.scansonic.dk/hdproducts/mb-series.4054/mb-1-stand-mount-two-way-mini-monitor.3996

 

[JonB1001]

I just posted this on another thread - I just bought the Motive 3s to pair up with Rega RP3 and Brio R. I tested them along with the Concept 20s and B&W 685 S2s. No comparison for me - Motive 3s were in another league. Appreciate they are not exactly new, but when you can now get them for not very much more than the S2s, it seemed to make a lot of sense to me.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Al ears

I'll give it some consideration *biggrin*

Anyway MB-1's look even better in the flesh. I particularly like the white silk finish which combined with the carbon fibre looks beautiful

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_632119358]

Rick - do you have them in stock might be tempted to visit for a demo depending on price.

 

[Vladimir]

Hi Al ears

I'll give it some consideration *biggrin*

Anyway MB-1's look even better in the flesh. I particularly like the white silk finish which combined with the carbon fibre looks beautiful

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Nice! What is the MB-1 efficiency btw? Can't find it on the manufacturer specification online.

 

[nopiano]

Initial instinct is to agree with Vladimir about sticking with B&W, maybe the newer 600 series in a guise you like. But a bit worried about you placing them near to a wall in a bay window though, as this could be fine or distastrous.

Not sure what a 'custom design' might be either! Do you buld your own?

Lastly, I can't actually find anywhere what you are seeking to gain by the change.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_632119358]

Overall I like the BW but i have had them a while and generally thought about trying something different. They can be a little problematic close to the wall if you are listeneing to quite bassy tracks e.g. Prodigey - warriors dance. Not really sure what i am after if the truth be told. Just trying a upgrade to see if it is worthwhile.

As for custom design the stands are http://customdesign.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=117

 

[davedotco]

Overall I like the BW but i have had them a while and generally thought about trying something different. They can be a little problematic close to the wall if you are listeneing to quite bassy tracks e.g. Prodigey - warriors dance. Not really sure what i am after if the truth be told. Just trying a upgrade to see if it is worthwhile.

As for custom design the stands are http://customdesign.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=117

Before you change the speakers, see if you can try a much better amplifier. The prospect of matching (up to) £1000 speakers with a budget amp that does not much like low impedances might be tough.

Could get a bit more control at the bass end too....

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_632119358]

had not thought about changing the amp - might be worth consideration - i presume i have a limited choice of speakers given the current amp

 

[davedotco]

had not thought about changing the amp - might be worth consideration - i presume i have a limited choice of speakers given the current amp

I'm kind of old fashioned, I think getting the amplifier right is fundamentally very important, much more so than the largely presentation differences that changing your 685s to one of the models above will make.

Everyone can here the difference between speakers but, in the main I consider those differences, between roughly similarly priced models, to be primarily about emphasis and presentation. More important differences can often be made by upgrading the amplifier.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Agreed.

 

[Vladimir]

To improve the current sound, then yes, what Dave suggested. Get a better amp.

If you want a different sound, change the speakers and go for other than B&W.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Gavin Sim

Yes, we do stock stock the MB-1's.

Just been listening to Flickers (London Grammar - If You Wait) and the sound from the MB-1's is clear, detailed, fast but also has weight and punch. The sound also has excellent projection which gives an out of box sound and all done in a silky smooth manner

The integration between the ribbon tweeter and mid/bass drive unit is superb

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[nopiano]

Overall I like the BW but i have had them a while and generally thought about trying something different. They can be a little problematic close to the wall if you are listeneing to quite bassy tracks e.g. Prodigey - warriors dance. Not really sure what i am after if the truth be told. Just trying a upgrade to see if it is worthwhile.

As for custom design the stands are http://customdesign.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=117

I understand now, re the stands. Very good too!

In view of your further comments I would also consider a better amp, as floorstanders might be overwhelming in the bass.