Speakers cost/performance ratio.

[MeanandGreen]

Lately I'm pondering about speakers and sound quality with regards to cost.

I've always thought that headphones give the most detailed performance, mainly because the sound is fired directly into your ears, but also because the low frequencies aren't depandant on room acoustics. All of my sub £200 headphones out perform my £400 speakers.

I've had my hifi systems in various houses/rooms over the past 20 odd years and it's astounding how much the room changes what you hear.

My system sounds very good right now, it's the best set up both electronically and acoustically I've had so far.

I'm just wondering how much I'd have to spend on a pair of floorstanders to significantly improve the level of detail and 'openness' if you like over my current Tannoy Mercury V4 which were about £400 new.

I think my Tannoys are well balanced, but directly after headphone listening with my Beyerdynamic DT 770 the Tannoys are a bit restrained I think is the best way to describe it.

If I jumped up to £1000/£1500 should that blow my socks off?

When I first set up my system in this house it blew my socks off, but now after a year of probably too much time spent using it, I've become used to it and sometimes I feel like something is ever so slightly lacking.

Any thoughts on a speaker upgrade budget? I don't want to go active, I like the functionality of my current sources and amplifier. I also firmly believe that the speakers are the weakest part of my system.

 

[DocG]

I'm just wondering how much I'd have to spend on a pair of floorstanders to significantly improve the level of detail and 'openness' if you like over my current Tannoy Mercury V4 which were about £400 new.

As you put it, it screams 'panel speakers'! A pair of Magnepan MMGs can be had for <700 GBP, all included, direct import from the US (I know, cos I ordered a pair myself).

Things to consider:

1/ you have to buy blind (but I'm confident you won't be dissapointed if 2/ and 3/ are met).

2/ your amp must be up to the job: the more power and current it can deliver (into a flat 4 Ohm load), the better they sound. What are you using at the moment?

3/ care is needed to position them properly, some 2-3" off the wall (preferably the longer wall of the room IME).

And then, be prepared to be gobsmacked...

 

[rainsoothe]

Well I heard the much praised Tannoy DC6T SE last year, and the difference between them and the Martin Logans I bought (Motion 40) was immense imo. If you look at ribbon tweeter designs, they will offer you what you're seeking - a clear, open sound (withough sounding harsh usually - at least that's how the MLs performed). Also plenty of authority in the lower regions, and clear and expressive midrange.