Speakers to match my Rotel RA-04

[JamesPart]

Hi i have recently purchased an RA-04 amplifier and would like to know of a decent set of floor standers to match the amp.

I am currently building a pair of BAMTM speakers designed by zaphaudio: http://www.zaphaudio.com/BAMTM.html , But currently i don't really have the time to build them due to a recent job offer, so am looking for some pre-built speakers.

Would just like some suggestions on speakers which will match the RA-04 well, floor standers preferred, I've been looking at several B&W 603 S2's going on eBay and am tempted to put in a few offers, although all i hear about them is how good the bass is, does the sound quality match even though they are quite an old model from b&w.

Not sure if many know about the BAMTM's on here but if anyone does, how do you think they would compare to a set of 603 s2's.

I listen to a whole range of music mainly electronic music and rock.

 

[JamesPart]

Also if anyone knows of any review links to the 603 s2's could you please post, cause i can't seem to find any, cheers!

 

[Anonymous]

Rotel and B&W match quite nicely. I would take a listen to the 683 & 684 floorstanders.

 

[JamesPart]

I'm only willing to spend around 250 max at the moment, so i was thinking some B&W 603 S2's for the moment, is there a massive difference between these (603's) and the 684 and 683's?. There probably is but would you still rate the 603's with the rotel? . I would love to buy the 683's after i save up a bit of money from my new job, but its just not possible at this moment in time

 

[Anonymous]

I've not heard the bowers in question but I do love what they do, they make beautiful sounds.

BUT

And I know this speaker is bandied about a lot, but for good reason I feel. When I audition the 04 some time ago it was on MA RS6's (admittedly I auditioned everything on rs6's because like every dealer here carries monitor). Gotta say the 04 definetly took full advantage of that speaker, it sounded very "rotelly." Lots of bass, but controlled.

 

[Anonymous]

I haven't heard the 603 S2, they must be quite old as the S3 has been out for quite a while.

If your budget is very limited, why don't you just wait for a while and buy what you ultimately want in the long run? The Monitor Audio RS6 is a very nice floorstander...I may buy a pair myself (still have to audition a few other pairs before I make my decision).

If you don't see yourself being able to buy something more expensive for quite a while, I would try and find some B&W 603 S2 speakers on ebay (or elsewhere) from a seller who's close to you (so you can hear them in person). I wouldn't buy anything I haven't heard in person...especially used.

Good luck!

 

[Cypher]

Will the Epos M5 / M5i work well with the RA-04 ? Anyone heard that combination ?

 

[JamesPart]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Well i have found a selection of speakers around my budget, used of course:

KEF Q4 Floor standers
KEF Q5 Floor standers
KEF iQ9 Floor standers
Linn Keilidh LS300 Floor standers
Focal JM Lab Chorus 816V Floor standers
B&W DM 603 S2 Floor standers

Click the links to view each model.

What are peoples thoughts on these models, i was looking into the iQ9's but I'm unsure as the seller has no ratings, hes mistaken his own speakers for mission rather than KEF and is willing to sell them for 225 in mint condition. Isn't this quite cheap?

 

[d_a_n1979]

The Kefs i'd leave well alone. As i said before in another post, i do not like their sound and the 'Uni-Q' drivers just dont do it for me.

In regards to the B&W's, the 602 S2's and S3 stand-mount speakers are superb and will really suit the Rotel down to a tee. If you want floorstanders then yes, go for the 603 S2's or the S3's if you can find them. Iva had all 4 sets of speakers at one time or another and the 602's come very close to the newer 685's, in some cases the 602's bettered them. To me, the 602 S3's are hell of alot better then the newer 684's but never demo'd the 604's which have been replaced by the 683s whish i have heard and was impressed by them

I dont think the Linn speakers would work well with the Rotel and i'bve not heard the Focal speakers so cant comment.

 

[JamesPart]

Thats very helpful thank you, i was just unsure of the 602's as so many are being sold on ebay right now.

 

[d_a_n1979]

They are very good speakers

Great bass depth for standmount speakers with good, smooth and well timed midrange and crisp treble. Really good when partnered with good, mass loaded stands as well!

I'd even go to say that they'd out perform the Kef speakers hands down!

 

[JamesPart]

Really wanting some floor standers though, maybe ill wait till some 602 s3's pop up.

 

[JamesPart]

Sorry I'm confusing myself i mean 603's

 

[d_a_n1979]

Well in that case deffo keep your eyes out for the B&W 603 S2's or the S3's.

Take a look at

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-P5-FLOOR-SPEAKERS_W0QQitemZ120237919087QQihZ002QQcategoryZ14993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-CDM-7-SPECIAL-EDITION-FLOOR-STANDING-SPEAKERS_W0QQitemZ200209312003QQihZ010QQcategoryZ14993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-D-M-603-S2-Speakers_W0QQitemZ110235913650QQihZ001QQcategoryZ14993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-DM604-S3-Loudspeakers_W0QQitemZ170203855389QQihZ007QQcategoryZ14993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem - These would be a brilliant buy

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-CDM-1NT-SPEAKERS-IN-CHERRY_W0QQitemZ220215963484QQihZ012QQcategoryZ112516QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem - These would be brilliant as well with some good stands!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-Speakers-DM602-S3-Beech-effect-Excellent-Condition_W0QQitemZ160222614542QQihZ006QQcategoryZ14993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

These M/A speakers could be worth considering as well, very good price and with free delivery - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Monitor-Audio-Bronze-Series-B4-Floorstanding-Speakers_W0QQitemZ110145310731QQihZ001QQcategoryZ14993QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Anonymous]

I have MA Silver 8i's with my Rotel set-up - this range is no longer available but you should be able to pick some up used. IMO - they work very well with the Rotel.

Haven't heard any B&W with this set-up so can't comment on those.

Cheers

 

[Anonymous]

Watch these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-W-603-S3-Speakers_W0QQitemZ220216843034QQihZ012QQcategoryZ14993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They don't look flawless, but you could bag yourself a real bargain.

 

[JamesPart]

Looks like someones been boxing with that poor speaker