What speakers should I be looking at?

[Big Chris]

So. in the last 3 months or so, I've replaced my Arcam CD72T with a CD192, and my Arcam A65+ with an A85.

So it looks like the next port of call on my upgrade journey are my speakers. I can't really fault the 602 S3s, but know that they're now the weakest part of my system.

I got them originally as I wanted maximum bass, but having owned floorstanders in the past (too boomy for me) I wanted standmounts. Now I have a PV1 sub connected to my Hi-Fi (which I know divides opinion, but it sounds great so it's staying), I feel as though I need some smaller speakers that excel with mids & treble.

Cost is dependant on how much I can get rid of my old A65+, CD72T and the 602 S3s for, but let's say circa £800 (keeps things on a par with the amp & CD then).

I'm perfectly happy with my Partington Trophy stands, so wouldn't really be interested in replacing these. Would probably keep my QED Silver Anniversary Biwire too, at least for the time being.

Only stipulation appearance wise would be they've got to be black ash, no regular woody finishes. If I can find some good speakers that have a piano black (or white) gloss finish, then so much the better.

Oh yeah. And for those that don't know me, I'm into hard rock/metal, usually of the technical/progressive variety.

Thoughts?

 

[Dave_]

PMC DB1i's?

 

[John Duncan]

Hm...not a bad idea, and very tight and punchy, but I suspect not quite enough bass. Same for the AVI Neutron Vs, which fit all your criteria nicely. You could have a listen and see whether they do meet the bass requirement, but at a guess I'd say no.

The GB1i(or +) though, if you could find an ex dem or s/h pair, are a different matter...

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Big Chris:So. in the last 3 months or so, I've replaced my Arcam CD72T with a CD192, and my Arcam A65+ with an A85.

So it looks like the next port of call on my upgrade journey are my speakers. I can't really fault the 602 S3s, but know that they're now the weakest part of my system.

I got them originally as I wanted maximum bass, but having owned floorstanders in the past (too boomy for me) I wanted standmounts. Now I have a PV1 sub connected to my Hi-Fi (which I know divides opinion, but it sounds great so it's staying), I feel as though I need some smaller speakers that excel with mids & treble.

Cost is dependant on how much I can get rid of my old A65+, CD72T and the 602 S3s for, but let's say circa £800 (keeps things on a par with the amp & CD then).

I'm perfectly happy with my Partington Trophy stands, so wouldn't really be interested in replacing these. Would probably keep my QED Silver Anniversary Biwire too, at least for the time being.

Only stipulation appearance wise would be they've got to be black ash, no regular woody finishes. If I can find some good speakers that have a piano black (or white) gloss finish, then so much the better.

Oh yeah. And for those that don't know me, I'm into hard rock/metal, usually of the technical/progressive variety.

Thoughts?

Monitor Audio GS10 in Piano black - perfect for your Arcams.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Gerrardasnails:Big Chris:So. in the last 3 months or so, I've replaced my Arcam CD72T with a CD192, and my Arcam A65+ with an A85.

So it looks like the next port of call on my upgrade journey are my speakers. I can't really fault the 602 S3s, but know that they're now the weakest part of my system.

I got them originally as I wanted maximum bass, but having owned floorstanders in the past (too boomy for me) I wanted standmounts. Now I have a PV1 sub connected to my Hi-Fi (which I know divides opinion, but it sounds great so it's staying), I feel as though I need some smaller speakers that excel with mids & treble.

Cost is dependant on how much I can get rid of my old A65+, CD72T and the 602 S3s for, but let's say circa £800 (keeps things on a par with the amp & CD then).

I'm perfectly happy with my Partington Trophy stands, so wouldn't really be interested in replacing these. Would probably keep my QED Silver Anniversary Biwire too, at least for the time being.

Only stipulation appearance wise would be they've got to be black ash, no regular woody finishes. If I can find some good speakers that have a piano black (or white) gloss finish, then so much the better.

Oh yeah. And for those that don't know me, I'm into hard rock/metal, usually of the technical/progressive variety.

Thoughts?

Monitor Audio GS10 in Piano black - perfect for your Arcams.

In total agreement BUT I also think you should demo the B&W 685's as well.

I know youve got the 602 S3's currently; Ive owned them as well and believe me; theyre chalk and cheese compared to the 685's.

On solid stands (Partingtons minimum); theyre superb and they rocked when I listened to Rammstein and SOAD etc

 

[Frank Harvey]

Seeing as you are still feeding a full range signal to the speakers (and not filtering via the sub), I think you're still going to need a pair of speakers that are quite capable in the bass area, otherwise you'll be limited by the abilities of a smaller driver, which may limit the volume you may wish to play them at.

Take a look at the ATC SCM11's, B&W CM5's, Dynaudio Excite X12's, KEF XQ10's, Monitor Audio GS10's, PMC DB1i's, and either the Proac Tablette Reference 8 Signature or the Studio 110's. All excellent speakers, but I think some will be more suitable than others.

Based on what you already have, the Dynaudio's and the Monitor Audio's would be of a similar balance, but obviously a step up, and a little smaller than what you already have. Both of these produce a quite sizeable bass for their size. The ATC's will be similar, but slightly leaner and better balanced due to it's sealed cabinet, so these would work closer to a wall than both of them. Along with the Studio 110's, I don't think any of those mentioned so far are going to limit you in any way.

Obviously with the Tablettes and DB1i's, they use a smaller, shorter throw bass driver, so probably won't allow you 'free reign' of the volume control, as they'll be hitting their end stops much earlier than those previously mentioned. Both would be ideal for use with a sub IF the crossover point to them could be controlled in some way.

Reading that back it's a bit of a mess, but make of it what you will!

 

[Big Chris]

d_a_n1979:Gerrardasnails:Big Chris:So. in the last 3 months or so, I've replaced my Arcam CD72T with a CD192, and my Arcam A65+ with an A85.

So it looks like the next port of call on my upgrade journey are my speakers. I can't really fault the 602 S3s, but know that they're now the weakest part of my system.

I got them originally as I wanted maximum bass, but having owned floorstanders in the past (too boomy for me) I wanted standmounts. Now I have a PV1 sub connected to my Hi-Fi (which I know divides opinion, but it sounds great so it's staying), I feel as though I need some smaller speakers that excel with mids & treble.

Cost is dependant on how much I can get rid of my old A65+, CD72T and the 602 S3s for, but let's say circa £800 (keeps things on a par with the amp & CD then).

I'm perfectly happy with my Partington Trophy stands, so wouldn't really be interested in replacing these. Would probably keep my QED Silver Anniversary Biwire too, at least for the time being.

Only stipulation appearance wise would be they've got to be black ash, no regular woody finishes. If I can find some good speakers that have a piano black (or white) gloss finish, then so much the better.

Oh yeah. And for those that don't know me, I'm into hard rock/metal, usually of the technical/progressive variety.

Thoughts?

Monitor Audio GS10 in Piano black - perfect for your Arcams.

In total agreement BUT I also think you should demo the B&W 685's as well.

I know youve got the 602 S3's currently; Ive owned them as well and believe me; theyre chalk and cheese compared to the 685's.

Weird, as others have reported here that there's not as much difference to make a worthwhile upgrade.

GS10s look nice (rather taken with the silver finish), but I think the dedicated stands look like an essential purchase, bumping them to £1200! I'd have to get about £600 for all my old equipment, and I think that's a bit ambitious.

I quite liked the look of the Proac Tablette 8 signatures, or going nuts and looking at the Response 1SCs. Seem quite inefficient though.

 

[John Duncan]

Big Chris:I quite liked the look of the Proac Tablette 8 signatures

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. But not sure it comes in black - think the Signature only comes in exotic veneers.

 

[The_Lhc]

JohnDuncan:Big Chris:I quite liked the look of the Proac Tablette 8 signatures

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. But not sure it comes in black - think the Signature only comes in exotic veneers.

Ebony?

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Big Chris:d_a_n1979:Gerrardasnails:Big Chris:So. in the last 3 months or so, I've replaced my Arcam CD72T with a CD192, and my Arcam A65+ with an A85.

So it looks like the next port of call on my upgrade journey are my speakers. I can't really fault the 602 S3s, but know that they're now the weakest part of my system.

I got them originally as I wanted maximum bass, but having owned floorstanders in the past (too boomy for me) I wanted standmounts. Now I have a PV1 sub connected to my Hi-Fi (which I know divides opinion, but it sounds great so it's staying), I feel as though I need some smaller speakers that excel with mids & treble.

Cost is dependant on how much I can get rid of my old A65+, CD72T and the 602 S3s for, but let's say circa £800 (keeps things on a par with the amp & CD then).

I'm perfectly happy with my Partington Trophy stands, so wouldn't really be interested in replacing these. Would probably keep my QED Silver Anniversary Biwire too, at least for the time being.

Only stipulation appearance wise would be they've got to be black ash, no regular woody finishes. If I can find some good speakers that have a piano black (or white) gloss finish, then so much the better.

Oh yeah. And for those that don't know me, I'm into hard rock/metal, usually of the technical/progressive variety.

Thoughts?

Monitor Audio GS10 in Piano black - perfect for your Arcams.

In total agreement BUT I also think you should demo the B&W 685's as well.

I know youve got the 602 S3's currently; Ive owned them as well and believe me; theyre chalk and cheese compared to the 685's.

Weird, as others have reported here that there's not as much difference to make a worthwhile upgrade.

GS10s look nice (rather taken with the silver finish), but I think the dedicated stands look like an essential purchase, bumping them to £1200! I'd have to get about £600 for all my old equipment, and I think that's a bit ambitious.

I quite liked the look of the Proac Tablette 8 signatures, or going nuts and looking at the Response 1SCs. Seem quite inefficient though.

But you could sell your stands too to make some money back. Sevenoaks would do you a deal for cheaper than £1200 I reckon.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Yeah; I wouldnt bother with the dedicated stands TBH

I've seen them and listened to the GS10's on them and the Partington Super Dradnoughts and the Broadsides and there was no difference!

Go for the GS10's Chris; theyre fast and agile with plenty of gusto and the midrange is sweet as! Plus they look mint in Piano Black!

 

[Anonymous]

Proac Response 1SC are superb speakers. I'm even considering finding a pair if the lounge in my new house swallows up the SA1s.

I have to say, I reckon the MA GS10 will be right up your street. Alternatively you could flog the PV1 and get the GS20s.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I do particularly like the Response 1SC's myself, which have now been replaced by the Response D1.

 

[Big Chris]

igglebert:... Alternatively you could flog the PV1 and get the GS20s.

Alas 'Bert, the PV1 is also part of my A/V system, so it's gotta stay (love it too much to lose it anyhoo).

Sevenoaks Exeter has some gloss silver GS10s for £600 (ex-dem)..... Tempting..... So tempting.....

 

[Anonymous]

I saw those very GS10s a few weeks ago in Exeter, I'm sure. Very nice if that's your kind of thing. Excellent speakers that will last you quite some time. Nice and airy treble and a sound that (to me) sorts out the issues with the Silver range. As to whether they'll get down and dirty enough for metal I don't know but a future partnering to a Roksan Caspian amp would resolve that somewhat

PS, I'm sure the PV1 is superb and I'd love one!