Speaker Suggestions

[The Raven 504]

21 minutes ago, Rod H said:

I had a set of those KEFs. Despite the specs, they didn't sound great with less than 200W driving them.

 

Thanks, Rod 

 

Those are nixed.

[Nahash5150 10,700]

39 minutes ago, Rod H said:

I had a set of those KEFs. Despite the specs, they didn't sound great with less than 200W driving them.

 

Keep in mind Jen is a girl...she doesn't turn it up to 11 like y'all.

[RodH 4,866]

With 85W on them they were dark, muddy and nasty. I don't do loud either. (Call me a girl Hash..... If you have the cojones)

[Nahash5150 10,700]

5 minutes ago, Rod H said:

With 85W on them they were dark, muddy and nasty. I don't do loud either. (Call me a girl Hash..... If you have the cojones)

 

Fair enough!

[pindrop 330]

Those new Snells that LT just aquired were super nice. Of course the Bonzorroized 4000t, tubes and VPI Scout only made them even better. Out of bounds I believe $

[Dnspy007 1,484]

Have you thought about in wall speakers,  With limited space may be worth a look...?

 

https://improb.com/best-in-wall-speakers/

 

 

[loner_t 2,568]

2 hours ago, Nahash5150 said:

Keep in mind Jen is a girl...she doesn't turn it up to 11 like y'all.

I listen at 9-10, and am listening to Snells and The Who - It's Hard. It is hard for me to stay in the room at anything past 11. If @The Raven likes Classical, Jazz and Opera, cranking it up may not be necessary. 

 

 

6 hours ago, kve777 said:

Vintage A/D/S/ speakers like L-810's would be an excellent and economical choice. 

@The Raven I have a pair of ADS810s, 710s, 1290s. If the 810s/1290s are too big, consider the three-way 710s. 

Edited October 15, 2018 by loner_t

[halfbaked 267]

 

These might not fit your budget or do they?

 

https://www.whathifi.com/features/11-worlds-most-expensive-loudspeakers

 

Just think those are in pounds. So it would be more iin dollars.

 

That first one says 800 kg speaker. I wonder if thats for one or the pair?

[The Raven 504]

Loud is fun when you're cutting loose for partying or what not, but for average listening, I get more enjoyment when it's low to mid volume and can hear more of the nuances if that makes sense.

@loner_t Yup, like them all! All genres of music really, other than sappy or sad. I'll keep an eye out for the ADSs, seems like they can be found and in vintage shape so they can be refurbed. Really excited about building this now!

 

 

7 hours ago, Dnspy007 said:

Have you thought about in wall speakers,  With limited space may be worth a look...?

 

https://improb.com/best-in-wall-speakers/

 

 

 

Whoever has that TV over their mantel has excellent taste in movies!   I'll look into these, too. Thanks, Doug!

 

 

5 hours ago, halfbaked said:

 

These might not fit your budget or do they?

 

https://www.whathifi.com/features/11-worlds-most-expensive-loudspeakers

 

Just think those are in pounds. So it would be more iin dollars.

 

That first one says 800 kg speaker. I wonder if thats for one or the pair?

 

Ooooh, shiny! Way out of the budget, but man those Master Chronosonics are lovely beasts!

 

[Brian_at_HHH 2,691]

A big thank you from those of us lurking on this thread, for all the great info, here.

 

I have to say I love the idea @The Raven has for "streaming white/pink/brown noise and nature sounds."  The idea of that through a decent system is very intriguing.  There are times I'm watching things online, for work or just working, where having something like that in the background would be great.  @The Raven what  are you using for source material, if you don't mind me asking?

[The Raven 504]

Sad to say it, but there's nothing in the room that has smart tech to stream anything - yet. Working on fixing that too. Right now there's just a sound machine for the background noise, the recordings are decent but its speakers are terrible and over-bright.

 

Ideally, when the system is complete, it'll be capable of streaming from multiple sources including (I hope!) from files on my computer, playing CDs, and have the ability to choose from playlists and maybe loop them. Though I have a specific result in mind, this is the first system I've ever put together, there'll be a lot of trial and error, I'm sure. So any pointers, tips, or help to avoid making *too* many mistakes is appreciated!

 

Oh, I did scamp a C11 that Nahash has had laying around for a while, got it on my bench this morning to clean up and re-cap,  and scamped his amp. So, so far the updated knowns are running the two CF tube amps, a C11 preamp, and a sub we'll make here.

 

Edited October 15, 2018 by The Raven

[dcl 3,276]

Consider Mirage bookshelf series; I had a Nanosat 5.1 system but they did sound good as 2.1. The fronts were easy to place on a mantleshelf, the rears on anything (desk top, plant stand, speaker stand.) When they went up for sale on CL they went pronto. 

Edited October 15, 2018 by dcl
Link fix, text

[The Raven 504]

43 minutes ago, dcl said:

Consider Mirage bookshelf series; I had a Nanosat 5.1 system but they did sound good as 2.1. The fronts were easy to place on a mantleshelf, the rears on anything (desk top, plant stand, speaker stand.) When for sale they went pronto. 

 

 

Nice! I like their shape, too.

 

Do you like Mirages in general as well? I found an MC 2 center channel and M 490 speakers that are in our price range.  

 

[Magnaryder 757]

You might want to look at the Cambridge Audio M-80 or the Alesis Monitor Ones, I have both. Very nice as near field monitors and both are considered ‘bookshelf’ speakers. My Cambridge are gorgeous and have great bass extension. Either set can be had in the $75 a pair range. I’ve powered both with my 2011 amps, they should work well with the new amp.

[Brian_at_HHH 2,691]

8 hours ago, The Raven said:

Sad to say it, but there's nothing in the room that has smart tech to stream anything - yet. Working on fixing that too. Right now there's just a sound machine for the background noise, the recordings are decent but its speakers are terrible and over-bright.

 

No worries, there - my curiosity got the better of me as it all too often does.  It just struck me as a great idea from outside of our normal 'boxes,' and wondered if you had some intriguing source.  A decent 'sound machine' is a great source.  We always have one going in the bedroom, but unfortunately, for many of the sound selections on ours, I can hear the cycle point in the sound stream.  I can imagine feeding that into something with decent sound would be amazing.

 

8 hours ago, The Raven said:

 Though I have a specific result in mind, this is the first system I've ever put together, there'll be a lot of trial and error, I'm sure. So any pointers, tips, or help to avoid making *too* many mistakes is appreciated!

 

Oh, I did scamp a C11 that Nahash has had laying around for a while, got it on my bench this morning to clean up and re-cap,  and scamped his amp. So, so far the updated knowns are running the two CF tube amps, a C11 preamp, and a sub we'll make here.

 

For a first system, you definitely know how to do it in style - good for you.  Don't worry about the "errors" those are part of the fun, and all the advice we have pales in comparison to your ears, and your expectations. My only advice would be to follow your goals, and always feel free to experiment - sometimes the most unlikely things have unexpected results. 

 

Nahash will never notice the C11 that you are "testing and updating" as part of the company QA.  Besides, you do need to test the CF amps - throughly.  ?  If he does, just toss him a handful of caps and resisters, and he will be happily distracted.  (I know, I just got myself banned, but I have no willpower to avoid mischief).

[dcl 3,276]

"Nice! I like their shape, too."

These are shapely, solid little ingots.

 

"Do you like Mirages in general as well? I found an MC 2 center channel and M 490 speakers that are in our price range. "

Beyond the Nanosats & some  unknown Mirage bookshelf speakers at a audio dealer's listening room ('twas years ago)  I am not familiar with the rest of the line.  I do recall being impressed by a pair up  on a shelf along one wall of the listening space plus a Mirage SW ( this was not one of the hi-end-hi-$$ listening rooms with comfy furniture.) The Mirage were the smallest things on the shelf ; however, the sound field impressed me, a bit of a cognitive disconnect. I would look at the models with the upward dispersing Omnipolar driver; I see their floor standing models feature this. They are slim-line, too, a plus. Good luck!

 

 

 

 

Edited October 16, 2018 by dcl
Text

[loner_t 2,568]

I lied (but just a bit...). The ADS-L710 with grill pulled off.

 

Edited October 16, 2018 by loner_t

[The Raven 504]

Oh, wow! Those are really nice, LT! The plates on the top two make it look so burly.

[loner_t 2,568]

3 hours ago, The Raven said:

The plates on the top two make it look so burly.

 

Indeed. Perhaps too many screws (8 each on Midrange/Tweeter). 

 

The WHD on these is 12x22x10.5 (11 with the front metal grill). I am still working on permissions from the powers be to put this in the BR, with appropriate stands. 

 

Got these courtesy of @kve777.