Speakers(?)

[godfer]

Hi all,

Returning to Hi Fi after too long an absence. In a past life I was a Chord, Naim and Sonus faber owner! Alas, times have changed.

I now have a Sony SACD CD SCD-XE670, Cambridge Audio A1 and Eltax Floortsanders (Concept 200). I'm falling in love with music again and have set up a dedicated listening room. The room is 'bright' and starkly furnisheddecorated (laminate flooring, painted walls, rug and an armchair). The sound is quite warm, with an overblown lower mid bass. I have around £500 to spend, and I am looking at Speakers first, then an Amp...eventually a new 'Front End'. Can anyone offer any suggestions? Not averse to used or 2nd hand (I do love a bargain!)

Cheers guys.

 

[godfer]

Is nobody able to offer sage advice on this? I would like to upgrade the speakers 1st and need suggestions on models to consider up to £500 or so.

I'm looking for a sound to counteract the rather 'live' and 'bright' listening room that compliments the fairly honest Amp. I listen mainly to acoustic 'folky' music and bass driven dance. I like a good 'bang for my buck' but wish to avoid the boomy lower mid and bass my current set-up presents.

Can anyone offer suggestions?

As stated, I'm not averse to buying used2nd hand.

ta,

Godfer

 

[kev g]

Do you want stand mounts or floorstanders ?
A good place to start would be the speaker review pages - Tannoy Mercury v4, Monitor audio BX5, KEF Q300 - so many to choose from.

 

[godfer]

Cheers Kev,

Floorstanders are my aim. I've had stand mounts in the past and find them troublesome, and lacking focus. Which I feel will be compounded by the laminate flooring and 'bright' listening room.

I've been trawling eBay and Gumtree et al in search of used bargains and I am struggling. I live on Merseyside and there are no 2nd handused retailers in my immediate locale.

Any suggestions to retailerssellers?

I will read the reviews and continue to trawl the forum for ideas.

ta,

Godfer

 

[kev g]

You will find a list of dealers in the back of the What hi-Fi magazine. There is a Richer Sounds in Liverpool http://www.richersounds.com/

 

[godfer]

I purchased my current the Amp and Speakers from Richer Sounds (amongst a myriad of other items over the years). In respect of new floorstanders, I find their 'choice' limited. Hence my desire to explore used2nd hand options. I have used Doug Brady (Warrington) in the past - alas, the Smithdown Road branch closed many moons ago - I shall contact 'em again and enquire of 'part ex' bargains!

I'm enjoying this!

Godfer

 

[stevebrock]

Doug Brady..... Well recommended

 

[godfer]

Indeed! He (and his team) are very enthusiastic and knowledgeable! He has 'liberated' me of some serious money over the years, and provided me (through the components offered) with many a listening, pleasurable hour!

I sold my Chord Blu and Dac, Naim Amp set up and Sonus faber speakers some 5 years ago...single biggest mistake I ever made!

Godfer

 

[BenLaw]

.

 

[godfer]

Great set up Ben, your attention to detail is to be commended and saluted! :clap:

 

[BenLaw]

Great set up Ben, your attention to detail is to be commended and saluted! :clap:

Thanks godfer Very kind. That was some system you used to have. What Naim and SF did you have and what did you think of the Blu?

 

[RobinKidderminster]

Have to siggest some room treatment to iron out some of your issues

 

[BronC]

Godfer - I am a great fan of spendor speakers. You can pick up a decent 2nd pair of S5e 's on ebay for under that amount. They were 5* speakers a few years ago but got "replaced" by the A range of speakers.

Just had a quick look at e-bay - they have some S5e's on the go at the moment.

I think there are some great bargains to be had buying "last years" models.

 

[godfer]

Ben,

I had an Arcam Delta 170.3 Transport and Black Box with and Audiolab 8000a and Epos ES11's - thought that system was great! Approached Brady's seeking an upgrade - I had an epiphany!

I ended up with Blu and DAC, Naim Pre, Power and Hi Cap with SF Grand Piano's - it was a majestic system! I auditioned many CD player systems and combo's prior to making my choice - the Chord combo was just so smooth; synergistic benefits really did result in the sum being greater than the parts - Doug's (and his team's) support and advice resulted in a truly wonderful system. I really regret its loss!

 

[godfer]

Head is battered...I'm growing increasingly impatient! Current Elax Concept 200's are frustrating me greatly - the overblown upper mid and bass has me 'annoyed' as I re-aquaint myself with my music collection!

I need to audition new speakers soon...next weekend at the earliest! (Stifles an angry scream: help: ). Been trawling the web all week!!!!

 

[satycool]

You might want to look into ex-demo speakers. You can pick up £1000 speakers for almost half the price and inc warrenty!

 

[godfer]

You might want to look into ex-demo speakers. You can pick up £1000 speakers for almost half the price and inc warrenty!

Cheers,

I'm open to such...alas, there's a dearth of dealers here on Merseyside. Contacted Doug Brady and there's nowt going presently!! Had some options on eBay...with very optimistic expectations!

 

[Sizzers]

Have a look at Moorgate Acoustics in Sheffileld.

 

[satycool]

You might want to look into ex-demo speakers. You can pick up £1000 speakers for almost half the price and inc warrenty!

Cheers,

I'm open to such...alas, there's a dearth of dealers here on Merseyside. Contacted Doug Brady and there's nowt going presently!! Had some options on eBay...with very optimistic expectations!

You might want to check online: Svenoaks Audio and Vision Ex-demo. I got some great savings on my B&W PM1 speakers + PM1 Stands. Just call the shop and even try a little hangling

http://marketing.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/clearance.aspx

 

[godfer]

Having explored the further reaches of my cd collection, I can but conclude that my system is pants! Obviously the (appreciably) weakest link are the Eltax floortstanders - which was the focus of my original post. However, I now feel the Amp (Cambridge A1) simply isn't up to the job!

I have an initial £500 budget. Would you:

* buy speakers (keeping the A1); or

* buy an Amp and Speaker combo?

As previously stated, I am happy to buy used for value!

Your thoughts please guys?

Godfer

 

[Rethep]

Some Epos might be an eh .....epiphany, as some poster said. Don't forget your roomacoustics! Bit strange that you call it warm and bright. Positioning of speakers is also a point of attention.

 

[godfer]

Hi,

I guess I haven't articulated myself too well.

By 'bright' I refer to the room - which I now think is being exacerbated by the Amp - which is starkly furnished and has a large window along the 1 side of the room. The 'warmth' I identify is the speakers (Eltax bought 2nd hand off ebay) and suffering a bloated mid and bass!

The speakers are gone. The question is: do I use all of my budget on replacement speakers alone...or split it and get a 'new' Amp too?

I have seen a Rotel pre-amp and 2 Cambridge Audio P500's for a good price. What say you?

 

[godfer]

Hi,

I guess I haven't articulated myself too well.

By 'bright' I refer to the room - which I now think is being exacerbated by the Amp - which is starkly furnished and has a large window along the 1 side of the room. The 'warmth' I identify is the speakers (Eltax bought 2nd hand off ebay) and suffering a bloated mid and bass!

The speakers are gone. The question is: do I use all of my budget on replacement speakers alone...or split it and get a 'new' Amp too?

I have seen a Rotel pre-amp and 2 Cambridge Audio P500's for a good price. What say you?

Guys,

Can I enquire as to any thoughts on this!? I have the chance for a Rotel RC 970BX Pre Amp, a pair of Cambridge Audio P500's and Mission 737's at a great price (it seems).

Can anyone offer an opinionadvice?

Godfer

 

[godfer]

Took a gamble on a £40 pair of Revolver 250 Floorstanders found locally on Gumtree...it was a mistake! After a cursory listen to confirm they 'worked', I got 'em home and set 'em up. They are a bright, forward speaker lacking any real bass weight and authority - irrespective of positioning, I've tried every which way!

They are going straight back on Gumtree...the quest (sans bargainous endeavour) continues. |(