speakers.....directionless

[SteveR750]

Am still struggling with what, if anything to do about them. I do like the Spendors, but suspect that part of that is because you know they are "good", well built, and a neutral sound. They are an engineers speaker, but since I am not a practicing engineer any more then I think I want some more excitement, even if its not strictly "correct" Since I cannot listen loud any longer after downsizing into a smaller house with closer neighbours, then am thinking that a pair of standmounts is more appropriate. Budget is also limited, so am pretty much limited to 2nd hand based upon selling the S6es. I have had a look at what's around used at the moment, and found some interesting options:

Spendor S3e at aroundf £400 (sevenoaks doing a new pair at 599)

Dynaudio Contour S1.4, no bids yet starting price £199 only a day to go, interesting

Proac studio 130 £875 (new)

Then I wonder if I should include some SCM11s or maybe even 19s? Serious investment, and am not sure I will really get on with them. Any other stand out stand mounts? How do the SA1s compare to the S6es?

I realise I'm starting to ramble now, maybe I should just leave the system alone, but I find that I am rarely listening to it anymore because of the noise pollution of my neighbours, so something just isn't right......

 

[Craig M.]

i would imagine with the contours, a lot of bass will go through the wall, they also like at least 50cm behind them. very good speakers though, and would definitely inject some life if your amp is upto controlling them.

if you're interested in atc, i would try for the 19s. this is just based on user comments on another forum who've changed from the 11s, the 19s are a big step-up on the 11s, with a fuller sound that works better at lower volumes. they are very neutral and uncoloured as well as very revealing, but i would say without the added smoothness of spendor. dynamics are another strong point. they'll also stand some serious upgrades to the rest of your kit, and are easy to position.

not heard the proacs.

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

Had you considered a good headphone set up? A pair of Grado RS1's with a high quality headphone amp would give you way more insight to your music than the speakers you are considering and there would be very few noise issues. Just a thought.

 

[Anonymous]

Steve, when you say noise pollution, is it coming from the neighbours or from you to the neighbours. Always a tricky one as we have seen on here many times before when a neighbour complains about hi-fi noise, other than that i think your speakers are great and don,t think a smaller cabinet will give benefits. If the noise is coming from you then the headphone suggestion would be best option but would be a shame for you.

 

[SteveR750]

The 'pollution' is the noise I make affecting them, and the extended bottom end of a floor stander diooesnt help, plus they are really better suited to larger rooms maybe. Dopn't get me wrong, I do like the Spendors a lot, but am sure that for a similar price there is something better suited to my musical taste of predominantly rock and blues.