Speaker + amplifier choice

[Blacksabbath25]

When buying hifi equipment do you choose which separates and speakers that are suitable for the kind of music you listen too .

When I was choosing my setup I was gearing mine up for heavy metal , classic rock even though I do like a wide range of music .

but with heavy metal and classic rock you need a amplifier that's fast , very good bass control to keep up with this complex music and also it helps if the amplifier you get is more on the neutral side but a little bright on the speakers .

speakers need to be good on bass management and have a nice low down bass the treble needs to be a little bit bright but not much so you can hear the symbols when they crash and also the speakers need to be fast when they need to be .

In my opinion heavy metal and classic rock need floor standing speakers so you get the fuller soundstage with the help from a good amplifier .

all amplifiers will play any genre of music and any speaker will too but I also no that people buy a setup that's good with classic music were they are after more of a neutral sound a sound that sounds like the instruments being played the same applies to metal even though a lot of metal is recorded badly were classic is recorded very well but it doesn't stop the person who like heavy metal getting the most quality out of the music he can .

So when you in the shop thinking what to buy are you thinking what equipment will suit the style of music I listen too .

 

[jjbomber]

When buying hifi equipment do you choose which separates and speakers that are suitable for the kind of music you listen too .

Yes, in a round about way. I take my own CDs in with me, so the system is auditioned with my kind of music. Of course, you go to dealer auditions with a screwdriver! *biggrin*

 

[Blacksabbath25]

When buying hifi equipment do you choose which separates and speakers that are suitable for the kind of music you listen too .

Yes, in a round about way. I take my own CDs in with me, so the system is auditioned with my kind of music. Of course, you go to dealer auditions with a screwdriver! *biggrin*

we all do that . Not a cordless drill then *blum3*

 

[seemorebtts]

I'm trying to make my system good with all music and to my taste and I think I'm nearly there but still needs a bit of work.eveytime I make an upgrade it changes the sound then I decide if I like it.so to be honest I'm not sure what I like. I do like the sound of my primare and dynaudio tho

 

[nopiano]

I tend to audition with some favourites, but I also take a recording I don't like, or a dodgy one - old analogue CBS ones often do the trick!

I rely on Orchestral woodwind, Grand Piano, speech and percussion to 'test' the balance etc., but I think you know when something is right. When the music takes over from the testing you know it's good! I've learned to trust my instincts over the years (hence recently returning some decent electrostatic speakers!). I instinctively knew the ATCs were good.

 

[Muddywaterstones]

With heavy metal I prefer metal tweeters, metal mid-range drivers and metal woofers. It all sounds more metallic. Now, if only I could get a metal enclosure instead of these cissy wooden boxes!

 

[Vladimir]

Classical - No congestion and harshness when pushed loud with large symphonic orchestras. Timbral accuracy, realism and airyness with solo instruments.

Rock/Jazz - Fast, clean, viceral drums with a bit of overhang/decay, and zingy cymbals.

Vocals - Neutrality above all. Can't stand when everything is nasal or tinny. I want to be able to discern variation between mics and production, less coloration introduced by my own system as possible.

 

[CnoEvil]

I have a sound I like...and it works for all the types of music I listen to.

I look for hard to quantify attributes, like realism, dramatism, authenticity, involvement, musicality and enjoyment.

I'm lucky to have an expensive system that delivers in spades; but if I have to compromise, I steer away from an overly cold, analytical sound, in favour of a smoother, more organic one.

 

[plastic penguin]

IME no manufactuer designs a product to suit a certain genre. It's true some brands gravitate to certain styles, such as Jazz or Soul or Rock or whatever, but it's not an exact science.

Many people say that Exposure equipment is very good for Rock and power pop... this is true, BUT the designers and engineers don't sit there and say: "Mmmm... we need to develop the ultimate Rock amp (or CD player...).

It wouldn't be financially viable to concentrate or limit themselves to a specific genre.

To obtain the ideal system to suit your favs takes a combination of components - and it has to be matched with your room acoustics.

Personally, I think Leema is very good for heavy metal. They don't have the deepest of bass but they more than make up for it with punch, and allows the hard hitting scatter drums on Zepp album to come to the fore

I think BS is itching for a change. If so, a shop dem and subsequent home test is essential.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

IME no manufactuer designs a product to suit a certain genre. It's true some brands gravitate to certain styles, such as Jazz or Soul or Rock or whatever, but it's not an exact science.

Many people say that Exposure equipment is very good for Rock and power pop... this is true, BUT the designers and engineers don't sit there and say: "Mmmm... we need to develop the ultimate Rock amp (or CD player...).

It wouldn't be financially viable to concentrate or limit themselves to a specific genre.

To obtain the ideal system to suit your favs takes a combination of components - and it has to be matched with your room acoustics.

Personally, I think Leema is very good for heavy metal. They don't have the deepest of bass but they more than make up for it with punch, and allows the hard hitting scatter drums on Zepp album to come to the fore

I think BS is itching for a change. If so, a shop dem and subsequent home test is essential.

wrong ! not itching for a change happy with what i have .

when people choose headphones there are headphones that are better at playing metal then others as some headphones are natrual in sound but then you can buy a pair of headphones that have the right amount of bass and top end which are not natrual in sound good for metal . so you could say the same with speakers yes all speakers will play any kind of music but some are better then others in metal music .

 

[ellisdj]

I listen to a lot of classical music, 60's/70's rock, 80's pop, 90's rave as well as movies and computer games so I require a system that does eveything well.

Clairty and detail, smoothness and easy listening. deep tight powerful bass, capable of sounding good at any volume level no matter how quiet or loud. Most of all it must sound real and natural so that I can enjoy the music/movie/game without the speakers drawing my attention away from the media by putting a foot wrong or ever sounding unnatural in any way.

I want a system that doesn't compromise in any area of audio reproduction rather than tailoring it for a particular sound or music genre.

You would like an Arcam P49

 

[steve_1979]

You would like an Arcam P49

I've never heard a P49 but I expect that I probably would like it based on the reviews and measurments that are on the internet. It looks like a well sorted power amplifier.

 

[steve_1979]

I listen to a lot of classical music, 60's/70's rock, 80's pop, 90's rave as well as movies and computer games so I require a system that does eveything well.

Clairty and detail, smoothness and easy listening, deep tight powerful bass, capable of sounding good at any volume level no matter how quiet or loud. Most of all it must sound real and natural so that I can enjoy the music/movie/game without the speakers drawing my attention away from the media by putting a foot wrong or ever sounding unnatural in any way.

I want a system that doesn't compromise in any area of audio reproduction rather than tailoring it for a particular sound or music genre.

 

[rainsoothe]

IME no manufactuer designs a product to suit a certain genre. It's true some brands gravitate to certain styles, such as Jazz or Soul or Rock or whatever, but it's not an exact science.

Many people say that Exposure equipment is very good for Rock and power pop... this is true, BUT the designers and engineers don't sit there and say: "Mmmm... we need to develop the ultimate Rock amp (or CD player...).

It wouldn't be financially viable to concentrate or limit themselves to a specific genre.

To obtain the ideal system to suit your favs takes a combination of components - and it has to be matched with your room acoustics.

Personally, I think Leema is very good for heavy metal. They don't have the deepest of bass but they more than make up for it with punch, and allows the hard hitting scatter drums on Zepp album to come to the fore

I think BS is itching for a change. If so, a shop dem and subsequent home test is essential.

wrong ! not itching for a change happy with what i have .

when people choose headphones there are headphones that are better at playing metal then others as some headphones are natrual in sound but then you can buy a pair of headphones that have the right amount of bass and top end which are not natrual in sound good for metal . so you could say the same with speakers yes all speakers will play any kind of music but some are better then others in metal music .

well, that's just because you haven't heard a propperly set up Nac N 272 based system yet 🙂))))

 

[ellisdj]

You would like an Arcam P49

I've never heard a P49 but I expect that I probably would like it based on the reviews and measurments that are on the internet. It looks like a well sorted power amplifier.

Just what you wrote above that you want thats exactly what it does. I thought it was apparent to mention it

 

[steve_1979]

Just what you wrote above that you want thats exactly what it does. I thought it was apparent to mention it

With hifi not doing anything wrong is just as important, if not more important, than the things it does right.

If that makes sense?

 

[plastic penguin]

@BS:

No! You can't compare headphone qualities with normal speakers, unless you strap a pair of Dalis to your ears.

You have this soooo wrong.

Great speakers CAN compare with GOOD headphones, otherwise....

I really don't know how headphones compare to my PMCs and what price bracket comparisons. Headphones IMHO are only designed to stop a person p#####g off other family members.

You really need to get some sort of perpective on the individual abilities of phones and speakers.

 

[ellisdj]

Just what you wrote above that you want thats exactly what it does. I thought it was apparent to mention it

With hifi not doing anything wrong is just as important, if not more important, than the things it does right.

If that makes sense?

Totally can live with it not doing, couldn't live with it doing..

Same token I feel some people also couldn't live with it not doing. So personal preference still overrides pure common logic. I dont mean that derogatory I mean heart leading head type situation

 

[Blacksabbath25]

@BS:

No! You can't compare headphone qualities with normal speakers, unless you strap a pair of Dalis to your ears.

You have this soooo wrong.

Great speakers CAN compare with GOOD headphones, otherwise....

I really don't know how headphones compare to my PMCs and what price bracket comparisons. Headphones IMHO are only designed to stop a person p#####g off other family members.

You really need to get some sort of perpective on the individual abilities of phones and speakers.

well when I've been on the headphones section I've read that a £1000 pair of headphones is like having a £3000 pair of speakers on your ears .

so your leema is neutral sounding so are your PMCs natural as well ? How does that work out when playing rock music because I thought neutral was a flat response .

my Yamaha is neutral but the Dali's can be a little bright on the top end but because the Yamaha neutral it evens everything out and the Yamaha has the proper grip on the Dali's

so I get good low volume music the right amount of bass and control the top end is open and airy and a clean sound that's smooth sounding with excellent soundstage .

but with heavy metal and classic rock you need to hear the bass from the kick drum and the bass guitar at the bottom of your speaker and the high hats and crash symbols at the top of your speakers and lead guitars and vocals mixed all in all at speed .

so you need a excellent amplifier that has the speed and a good power supply to handle the speed of the kick drums so basically you need excellent bass management and then add a speakers that's are fast to respond to bass that starts stops at speed so basically I am after how the drum kit sounds for real coming out of my speakers .

the distortion of a electric guitar and the bass from a bass guitar and then the real feeling the singer is in your room . This things I was looking for when choosing my amplifier and speakers to give me these feelings of a band in my house .

its hard to explain in words but I really did choose my setup to play heavy metal and classic rock properly .

 

[Vladimir]

I'm not buying any of that headphones mantra. I always prefer and enjoy speakers best.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

I'm not buying any of that headphones mantra. I always prefer and enjoy speakers best.

well to be honest I was not sure if that is true or not about headphones

but yes I agree with you that speakers are best you get a hell of a lot of information coming out of a speaker then you would headphones

 

[Andrewjvt]

I'm not buying any of that headphones mantra. I always prefer and enjoy speakers best.

My headphones cost more than my speakers but i listen 10 times more to my speakers. Infact ive only used my headphones 4 times since i brought them.

 

[plastic penguin]

BS:"

I've read that a £1000 pair of headphones is like having a £3000 pair of speakers on your ears ."

That proves my point. No-way can you compare the two. They are better because they are within a couple of inches from your readrum, not because they are superior..

As regards the Leema Pulse (and Tucana), yes they are neutral sounding. The PMC 'i' series, although a sparkly top end, the midrange is fairly smooth - they have an almost old school sound about their presentation

 

[Vladimir]

My headphones cost more than my speakers but i listen 10 times more to my speakers. Infact ive only used my headphones 4 times since i brought them.

well to be honest I was not sure if that is true or not about headphones

but yes I agree with you that speakers are best you get a hell of a lot of information coming out of a speaker then you would headphones

I do hear more details on good cans, but overal enjoyment sucks.

 

[nopiano]

My headphones cost more than my speakers but i listen 10 times more to my speakers. Infact ive only used my headphones 4 times since i brought them.

well to be honest I was not sure if that is true or not about headphones

but yes I agree with you that speakers are best you get a hell of a lot of information coming out of a speaker then you would headphones

I do hear more details on good cans, but overal enjoyment sucks.

This is interesting because I always wanted to enjoy headphones more, but never really have. My first 'phones were the Sennheiser HD-414, and various models since have never been as much fun - but they helped me discover stereo! Current Grados are ok for watching movies on iPad but that's it.

A pal had Stax - not sure if they still exist - but a few minutes was enough for me. One day I might be glad of them!