Need suggestion for Speakers + Amplifier

[anubisX]

Hello everyone, I'm planning to get good sets of mid-range audiophile speakers. I'm currently using Logitech Z5500 and I'm not at all satisfied with it. It's just bass and bass and nothing else. It's good for gaming and movies but not good for music. I want a set of speakers that will give me very decent output and I don't have a lot of budget. I was suggested Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 + Norge 2060 by a friend of mine who has the same setup and is very satisfied with it. SKS Traders (I'm from Kolkata, btw) suggested me Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 + Wharfedale receiver (forgot the model) @ 30K, which I think is too much. A friend of mine is also selling B&W floor-standing (used) for 20K (pair) + NAD. Will mention the models in 2days. I just want a decent system for music which will be good for 250 sq. ft. room that has balanced high-mid-low. I'm not sure about movies, my Logitech sucks big time but I don't have that money for buying a decent 5.1 right now. Is there anyway I can get a system which will be good for both music and movies. I buy the receiver + 2 speakers and later on buy the sub and then the rest when I have enough money ? I know I'm a noob asking such questions but just want to know if I can do that. What would you experts suggest me ? Right now, I have a budget of 25-30K.

 

[iaudio]

anubis, I am not sure you can manage a set up good for both movies and music in your budget. If you want good music, try and audition some good speakers with a 2 channel integrated( or a used pre power) amp.

 

[techboy]

You can get an entry level setup for this price, forget about low end, leave alone mid range.

Spend 12k on a Norge 2000 and the remaining 18k on speakers. Your best bet would be Monitor Audio BX2/Usher S520 etc or at least Wharf 10.2 etc.

 

[hemantwaghe]

A friend of mine is also selling B&W floor-standing (used) for 20K (pair) + NAD.

Seems interesting please get model nos

 

[anubisX]

Let's just say I want something for music now at that budget of 25K. I would buy something for movies later. I doubt Monitor / Usher is available here

Another thing, my friend is coming from UK. Shall I ask him to bring Q Acoustics 2010 speakers with him ? It's just 100GBP there and I've heard it's very good. Is it worth it ? Or should I stick with Wharfedale 9.1 or 10.1 ? Will I get any servicing here if something happens to these speakers ?

 

[techboy]

If you can get QA 2010i for 100 bucks, it certainly should be worth it imo.

 

[anubisX]

Is it as good as Wharfedale ?

 

[techboy]

I am not too sure, check some reviews.

It should be comparable to Wharf 9.0/9.1 at least.

 

[iaudio]

anubis, the qa101i for the price they are selling for in GB are a very good deal. If you are looking at speakers in that category, this is a very good option. They are good speakers, but they wont produce bass like the Wharf. However I find the QA quite good. You can spend the rest of the money on a good amp. Try pairing it with a Nad or something with a warm sound signature.

 

[jls001]

Another thing, my friend is coming from UK. Shall I ask him to bring Q Acoustics 2010 speakers with him ? It's just 100GBP there and I've heard it's very good. Is it worth it ? Or should I stick with Wharfedale 9.1 or 10.1 ? Will I get any servicing here if something happens to these speakers ?

WHAT HI-FI mags can't seem to stop raving about Q Acoustics 2010. In fact, it's their product of the year in the category. At 100 GBP, you end up owning a good speaker for about Rs 7000 plus 35% (I think) Customs (approx Rs 2500). Check if 100 GBP includes shipping to UK address. The Q Acoustics 2020 is supposed to be better but not worth the extra price (per said mag). FYI, Q Acoustics sells only online, so your friend will need to buy online. I believe 2020 is in same price range as the Wharfedale 10.1 which is also rated very highly by the same mag.
Joshua

 

[hemantwaghe]

Check richer sounds
Bookshelf Speakers | Hifi Separates | Richer Sounds

Q Acoustics 1010i GBP -50
1020i-GBP 80!
Wharfedale DIAMOND 9.0 GBP 60

some other deals too

 

[hemantwaghe]

Sorry I made a mistake between 1020 and 2010! ( Dislexia attack)?//)

Btw check the site ,lot of interesting stuff!

 

[anubisX]

^^ LOL, Dislexia attack )

My budget is 20K for those 2 speakers. What will be my best bet ? I will get the second-hand NAD amplifier. I'm not sure if my friend can bring those as he already has a lot of luggage. So "PRO"s, suggest me the best bet in 20K. I need balanced high-low-mid. I already have Z5500 and I hate it (

How about Tannoy F1 Customs ? Better than Wharfedale 9.1 / 10.1 ?

 

[iaudio]

Yes, you can pick it up, q a speakers from nearby richer sounds.

^^ LOL, Dislexia attack )

My budget is 20K for those 2 speakers. What will be my best bet ? I will get the second-hand NAD amplifier. I'm not sure if my friend can bring those as he already has a lot of luggage. So "PRO"s, suggest me the best bet in 20K. I need balanced high-low-mid. I already have Z5500 and I hate it (

How about Tannoy F1 Customs ? Better than Wharfedale 9.1 / 10.1 ?

 

[anubisX]

OK, here is the situation. Today, a friend called me and I went to his place. He has some amp and speakers for sale and told me to try these out. He is using Bose BS (don't know the model) + Yamaha 596 + Marantz CDP. He will sell the Amp+BS for 26K to me. The speakers are awesome, 120W each 3-way but I don't have enough space for them as they require bigger place. Volume was 2 and it was more than enough. As it will be a problem, he said to take a ROTEL RA971 MK-II which is 10K after bargaining and a Nakamichi MB-4s which is 3K. He is also selling Kenwood KA-74 which will be 5K. He told me that he can arrange Infinity FS Reference Series (not sure about model no.) for 20K. He can also arrange Quad BS (will give the model no. later) which is 6 months old and will cost more than 17K. He told me that if I want to go for new speakers, then stick to Wharfedale / Tannoy / Q Acoustics. If I don't have that budget, he told me to use Sonodyne 909 BS for few months and then buy something when I have enough money. What do you guys suggest ?

 

[techboy]

For balanced/neutral sound, amongst actives AE5 is your best bet and it is better than Wharf in that dept. The speaker which can beat AE5 is MA BR2.

And whatever you do, don't go for Bose unless you have heard other speakers as well.

Quad, Nakamichi etc are much higher than the above mentioned speakers. Don't know how they would compare to MA.

 

[iaudio]

Techboy, Nakamichi speakers?

Also which other active speaker brands are you comparing the Audio Engines against?

 

[techboy]

I am only stating Cranky and Anish(TE)'s opinion:

AE5 beat entry level Wharfs like 9.2/10.2 etc
AE5s beat entry level Polks like the TSI series, in terms of music, that is

And IMO AE5 will also beat entry level sonodynes as well as most Bose.

You will need to get at least a Monitor Audio BR2 to get a significant upgrade from the AE5.

 

[sonosphere]

I am only stating Cranky and Anish(TE)'s opinion:

AE5 beat entry level Wharfs like 9.2/10.2 etc

Hi techboy,
While I definately respect Cranky 's opinion... during my round of auditions I found SQ of 9.2 FAR better than AE5. This may be because my CD selection is primarily Dire Straits.

The heft of drums and bass was totally missing from AE5, I just heard lot of "crisp" midrange and treble in AE5. Whereas I found 9.2 bass hefty and tight, and midrange and treble "just right" despite the fact that mids of wharfes are a bit recessed.

AE5 lovers please don't flame me, the above is just my personal opinion

Regds,
Sonosphere

 

[anubisX]

I also took an audition of Tannoy Fusion 2 Custom, JBL BS (don't remember exact model) and their own production Invisible 5.1 at Digital Acoustics. I liked the JBL and Tannoy although JBL had better bass compared to Tannoy still the bass was too low when the level was flat. He is asking 22K for the Fusion 2, I think these are available cheaper. Tomorrow I'm going to listen to Sonodyne 5-6 yrs old speakers (5K-7K pair) and Quad speakers. I will keep updating.

Nakamichi MB-4s is a 7-CD Player.