Hello, I've been auditioning a lot of speakers for the past couple of months, and I'm on the verge of giving up! Too many variables to make fair judgments, I suppose. I would really appreciate your input on what might be the best solution for me. The speakers would be used in a small room (6 by 4 meters) and for classical music only, mostly orchestral. I would have around 50 watts of either solid state or tube power. I like lively sound but not bright. I prefer deep bass extention to loud bass. Any suggestions under £500? Thank you.
Speakers under £500
- Thread starter batonwielder
- Start date
Hi,
Take a look at the new Revolver music series 1, brilliant small speakers, refined, musical, superb imaging, set them really wide apart a bit more than normal and the soundstage they can produce is quite stunning for a small speaker, it is very natural sounding and none of this bright over bearing tweeter are found in it sound, match it to a nice valve amp and I would think it would suit your needs to a Tee.
Take a look at the new Revolver music series 1, brilliant small speakers, refined, musical, superb imaging, set them really wide apart a bit more than normal and the soundstage they can produce is quite stunning for a small speaker, it is very natural sounding and none of this bright over bearing tweeter are found in it sound, match it to a nice valve amp and I would think it would suit your needs to a Tee.
Thank you. I will look into those speakers.
Do you guys think that Rega R3 or Epos might be suitable for the kind of music I listen to?
Do you guys think that Rega R3 or Epos might be suitable for the kind of music I listen to?
Have you tried them in your system at home? If not choose 2 or 3 you think are right, and ask for a home trial. If they refuse, then walk away and go somewhere else.
[quote user="batonwielder"]
Thank you. I will look into those speakers. Do you guys think that Rega R3 or Epos might be suitable for the kind of music I listen to?
[/quote]
Yes
Thank you. I will look into those speakers. Do you guys think that Rega R3 or Epos might be suitable for the kind of music I listen to?
[/quote]
Yes
Chario Silhouette 200 about £350 if you can get hold of a pair and fancy something a bit different. Nice Italian veneering.
Or Epos M12.2
Revolver Music Series 3.
PMC, ProAc, Spendor, Dynaudio, B&W, Monitor Audio, Focal ... so much choice.
Or Epos M12.2
Revolver Music Series 3.
PMC, ProAc, Spendor, Dynaudio, B&W, Monitor Audio, Focal ... so much choice.
Well wielder, we have a bit in common. I listen to heaps of classical music. Lots of bigger pieces too, the planets suite, Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet etc. And I have 50 watts per side of tube power, formerly 50 of Naim. Oh and my room is similar to yours.
I love the Epos, that's a must, so is the Spendor SA-1, but my absolute fave (it's why I own them) is the Totem rainmaker. Def audition them as well.
I love the Epos, that's a must, so is the Spendor SA-1, but my absolute fave (it's why I own them) is the Totem rainmaker. Def audition them as well.
Thanks Ray.
I will definitely look into those. I did audition Totem Arro's, but they were played in a room way too big for their application, so I could not get a real feel of what it would be like.
Drummerman, Rega R3's seem perfect for the size of my room, and I did get to audition the R1 which I found bright on top. Would the R3's have enough bass extention for orchestral music and less sizzle on top?
Sorry for the silly questions, but I live in the States, and the dealers are far and between, most of them going out of business these days. Your opinions are critical to planning auditions.
I will definitely look into those. I did audition Totem Arro's, but they were played in a room way too big for their application, so I could not get a real feel of what it would be like.
Drummerman, Rega R3's seem perfect for the size of my room, and I did get to audition the R1 which I found bright on top. Would the R3's have enough bass extention for orchestral music and less sizzle on top?
Sorry for the silly questions, but I live in the States, and the dealers are far and between, most of them going out of business these days. Your opinions are critical to planning auditions.
The arro is Totem's rare miss. Everyone on this forum who hears it doesn't approve. Myself included, check the Rainmaker, best bass out of any standmount under 2000US. As for the R3, I find it to be a bit more of a Rock n Roll speaker. Amazing cost-value but I don't know if it's suited. Also, and now I'm really promoting my own system, if you're in the US find a Jolida dealer!!! Fantastic value on tube power.
[quote user="batonwielder"]Drummerman, Rega R3's seem perfect for the size of my room, and I did get to audition the R1 which I found bright on top. Would the R3's have enough bass extention for orchestral music and less sizzle on top? Sorry for the silly questions, but I live in the States, and the dealers are far and between, most of them going out of business these days. Your opinions are critical to planning auditions[/quote]
Yes. Its a better balanced speaker altogether and overcomes the R1's shortcomings with a fuller and more impactful sound which also brings that treble back in line with the rest. Great speaker and an ideal allrounder. Let us know how you get on.
Yes. Its a better balanced speaker altogether and overcomes the R1's shortcomings with a fuller and more impactful sound which also brings that treble back in line with the rest. Great speaker and an ideal allrounder. Let us know how you get on.
[quote user="batonwielder"]Any other suggestions?[/quote]
Another one I forgot about: the Usher S-520. http://www.hiaudio.co.uk/UA/520.htm
Last year, HFW said of them: "Dynamic and exciting, yet composed and detailed. Excellent loudspeakers! ...the Ushers really are a breath of fresh air into the budget loudspeaker market..." Cost is about £260.
Another one I forgot about: the Usher S-520. http://www.hiaudio.co.uk/UA/520.htm
Last year, HFW said of them: "Dynamic and exciting, yet composed and detailed. Excellent loudspeakers! ...the Ushers really are a breath of fresh air into the budget loudspeaker market..." Cost is about £260.
gpi, thanks for the suggestion. I've already auditioned the Usher S520, and they were definitely overachievers. They weren't exactly what I'm looking for, however.
I have tomorrow completely planned out. I'm going to listen to the Rega R3 as well as some Wharfedale's, probably on Rega's Brio 3 integrated. As you can see, it's going to be a budget system. And then, I'm going to another dealer to listen to some Jolida integrateds, as raypalmer suggested. I have a hunch that tubes and Rega speakers might have good synergy. It's really too bad that I won't be able to listen to them together. Let's see what happens!
I have tomorrow completely planned out. I'm going to listen to the Rega R3 as well as some Wharfedale's, probably on Rega's Brio 3 integrated. As you can see, it's going to be a budget system. And then, I'm going to another dealer to listen to some Jolida integrateds, as raypalmer suggested. I have a hunch that tubes and Rega speakers might have good synergy. It's really too bad that I won't be able to listen to them together. Let's see what happens!
Crikey, I thought one of my daughters and her boyfriend had joined the forum!
Edited text as trading in, not selling, doh.
Edited text as trading in, not selling, doh.
[quote user="Paul Kim"]oops[/quote]
Why the oops Paul Kim? I didn't see anything wrong with your question.
Why the oops Paul Kim? I didn't see anything wrong with your question.
Listened to the Rega R3 and R5. Loved them! Now I can't decide on which one...might be able to get a killer deal on a demo. By the way, the Rega Brio 3 is just nothing short of amazing!
That's right! Drummerman, which would you recommend considering my room size? R5 did go lower in the bass, but the R3 has something intoxicating about its presentation. More involving, perhaps? Also, do you think 35 watts of tube power might be enough for either? Thanks as always.
I'm seriously considering Primaluna Prologue One. I wish I could hear it with the Rega speakers.
35 watts should work. Although you'll have to dial it up just that bit more, you may end up replacing those el44's more often than you'd like. I can tell you that my amplifier, which incidentally has the same tube compliment, doesn't get "too loud" until about 3 or 4 o clock. That is to say, I'm listening at 12 o clock right now, on my 42Hz rainmakers and not concerned about the upstairs or downstairs neighbours hearing me. And thats with 50 watts. So the worry is that you'll be burying the volume knob a lot. This isn't so much a concern with tubes as there's no clipping. But you're shortening the life of the tubes themselves.
Remember that tube power isn't double solid state, thats a myth. If you stack Naim, or Musical Fidelity or any "good" solid state manufacturer up they'll give you essentially the same loudness per watt. I'd say you should do an in-home and see how much juice you need to pour through that amp on the regas.
Remember that tube power isn't double solid state, thats a myth. If you stack Naim, or Musical Fidelity or any "good" solid state manufacturer up they'll give you essentially the same loudness per watt. I'd say you should do an in-home and see how much juice you need to pour through that amp on the regas.
6 x 4m is not small but I would choose the R3. '35w' seems plenty but it of course depends on how those watts materialize themselves so to speak. The Rega speakers sound very good even with a fatman so I would'nt worry.
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