would like some opinions about floor standing speakers

[Anderson]

I am without HiFi: (

I've got 900 in the bank and I've been eyeing up a pair of MA Silver 8 for ages, I like the fit and finish and stereophile gave them a glowing review, measurement were also good. WAF is a thing so gloss black they must be. Total budget about 1600 mostly going on speakers. I'm rambling.

Anyway, I see XTZ has refreshed their 99.36MKII, the new model is called 99.36 FLR, they look lovely SWIMBO agrees. So my dilemma is that I'm torn, I can get either for around 1200 delivered. I've heard the MA, they sound good, I can't audition the XTZ.

I know the drivers on the XTZ are leagues ahead of what's offered by MA, MA are using plastic baskets in their drivers (strikes me as cheap). The MA are 3way, XTZ 2.5 way.

Opinions / thoughts politely requested.

 

[CnoEvil]

I suggest you put Kef R500s on your demo list....best £1500 floorstanders speakers that I've heard.

 

[Anderson]

I suggest you put Kef R500s on your demo list....best £1500 floorstanders speakers that I've heard.

Can't stretch the budget unfortunately, going on holiday this year too.. I could buy the speakers but then I wouldn't have an amp!

 

[CnoEvil]

I suggest you put Kef R500s on your demo list....best £1500 floorstanders speakers that I've heard.

Can't stretch the budget unfortunately, going on holiday this year too.. I could buy the speakers but then I wouldn't have an amp!

Sorry, misread your post......though R300s have the scale of small floorstanders (imo), so maybe worth a listen.

 

[Anderson]

Thanks I'll have a read up on them.

 

[Vladimir]

Be a man!

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanks I'll have a read up on them.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/kef-r-300-loudspeaker/

http://www.tonepublications.com/review/kef-r300-bookshelf-speakers/

 

[SteveR750]

Do they have to be new?

There are plenty of PMC FB1i, Spendor SXe range (6e, 9e) all around your budget.

 

[Gazzip]

I suggest you put Kef R500s on your demo list....best £1500 floorstanders speakers that I've heard.

if you can stretch to £1300 there are a pair of Buy it Now gloss black R700's on eBay right now.....

 

[CnoEvil]

I suggest you put Kef R500s on your demo list....best £1500 floorstanders speakers that I've heard.

if you can stretch to £1300 there are a pair of Buy it Now gloss black R700's on eBay right now.....

IMO. The sweetspot of the range. *good*

 

[Anderson]

Be a man!

Ha the misses can get lost then lol

 

[Anderson]

Do they have to be new?

There are plenty of PMC FB1i, Spendor SXe range (6e, 9e) all around your budget.

I would absolutely prefer new, I love the smell of new, but thank you.

 

[Anderson]

I suggest you put Kef R500s on your demo list....best £1500 floorstanders speakers that I've heard.

if you can stretch to £1300 there are a pair of Buy it Now gloss black R700's on eBay right now.....

You guys are like machines. There's no way I can purchase right now, I've got my MTB up for sale at the moment, this is going to be my completion cash hopefully. If it doesn't sell then I'll be making the big purchase at the end of March.

On a related note anyone want to buy a bike?

 

[CnoEvil]

You guys are like machines.

Not us, surely! *angel*

 

[Vladimir]

Be a man!

Ha the misses can get lost then lol

Or learn to appreciate a pair of oversized electric heaters producing loud sound with massive upper bass frequency suckout.

It's the principle of the thing!

 

[Anderson]

I can't have hear you from underneath this large thumb

 

[SteveR750]

Don't sell your bike to fund your hi fi hobby. It's not worth it. Just be thankful you don't collect musical instruments and cameras too, or do you?! Patience, little one.

 

[rainsoothe]

hi

While I haven't heard anything from MA besides the Bronze BX2, I did have the pleasure of hearing a pair of XTZ 99.36 mkII (not the piano finish version), powered by an XTZ A100D3 which was fed by an SRM or AVID turntable, and I think they sounded stunning. I am a big fan of the XTZ, and if I were on a budget, XTZ would be the way I would go, I think they're a real bargain. Or actives, if I was on a really tight budget and looks were not important. And they give a 2 week (or something like that) trial on stuff you buy from their website, so you're pretty safe.

 

[Anderson]

Don't sell your bike to fund your hi fi hobby. It's not worth it. Just be thankful you don't collect musical instruments and cameras too, or do you?! Patience, little one.

Oh the bike was a phases, haven't been using it and I paid 1350 for the bloody thing, best to sell while still valuable. My other hobbies include drinking, I gave up smoking.

 

[Anderson]

hi

While I haven't heard anything from MA besides the Bronze BX2, I did have the pleasure of hearing a pair of XTZ 99.36 mkII (not the piano finish version), powered by an XTZ A100D3 which was fed by an SRM or AVID turntable, and I think they sounded stunning. I am a big fan of the XTZ, and if I were on a budget, XTZ would be the way I would go, I think they're a real bargain. Or actives, if I was on a really tight budget and looks were not important. And they give a 2 week (or something like that) trial on stuff you buy from their website, so you're pretty safe.

Thanks for your input, its reassuring!

Do you mind me ask, what you're comparing the XTZ to yourself, what's your yardstick?

 

[steve_1979]

Oh the bike was a phases, haven't been using it and I paid 1350 for the bloody thing, best to sell while still valuable.

So you're a bit out of phase at the moment?

Sorry. I'll stop now.

 

[Anderson]

Totes rocking the dad jokes there!!!

 

[Anderson]

For the curious, these are the XTZ speakers that have caught my eye. Price is per speaker.

 

[jonathanRD]

Don't sell your bike to fund your hi fi hobby. It's not worth it. Just be thankful you don't collect musical instruments and cameras too, or do you?! Patience, little one.

Oh the bike was a phases, haven't been using it and I paid 1350 for the bloody thing, best to sell while still valuable. My other hobbies include drinking, I gave up smoking.

Out of interest what bike is it? (and size)

 

[Anderson]

Don't sell your bike to fund your hi fi hobby. It's not worth it. Just be thankful you don't collect musical instruments and cameras too, or do you?! Patience, little one.

Oh the bike was a phases, haven't been using it and I paid 1350 for the bloody thing, best to sell while still valuable. My other hobbies include drinking, I gave up smoking.

Out of interest what bike is it? (and size)

Cube Reaction GTC Pro (Carbon) 18inch frame, 26"er.