Request advice on Speakers

[vartakavi]

Hi Folks. I need your advice on an Amp (posting a separate thread for the Amp) as well as Speakers.

I have large a 'L' shaped Hall 14 x 20ft plus 14 x 18ft with a high (15ft) roof with large windows and doors leading into different rooms taking up most of the wall space. Not the best place to an audio system, I guess, but that's where it has to be. Right now, the only AV equipment I have there is a Samsung LCD TV. I was originally thinking of buying an AVR with a home theatre system, but since I will be using this 70% for music and only 30% for movies, based on the advice of the Gurus here, I decided to stick to a Amp and two speakers. There is enough room for floorstanders on either side of my AV cabinet on top of which I have mounted the TV. Or I can put bookshelves on the AV cabinet itself, but they will be close to the wall.

I have a budget of 50K, which I can stretch a bit if needed. I listen mostly to film songs (old and new) and I also like soft instrumentals (Indian and Western).

I know Wharfedale is a popular budget brand in this forum, and I auditioned them - the dealer in Hyderabad says the 9 series is better, and the 10 series has not been well accepted in the market. I heard 9.2 bookshelves and also 9.5 floorstanders. To my inexperienced ears, the floorstanders sounded better. The price of the bookshelves with the stands was only marginally less than the floorstanders.

I saw that the Gurus in this forum advised members not to go in for floorstanders for small room. Given the rather large size of the room I am going to put my system in, would I be better off going in for Floorstanders if the price comes close to a set of bookshelves plus stands?

I also see that Monitor Audio and Quad bookshelves have been recommended often. It looks like these bookshelves cost as much or more than Wharfedale Floorstanders. Given a budget of say 25 to 30K for a set of speakers, how should I go about choosing the right speakers for my room and for my type of music? I fear that auditioning rooms being small, the speakers may not sound the same when I put them in the actual location.

 

[afj]

it would be better to keep your queries on speakers and an amp in one post. so what you want is a speaker and amp set up for 80k rupees. firstly you will need to audition. am not sure how loud you want to push it but if you want to listen in quite a few rooms then i guess it'll be quite loud. normally at the same price point i prefer bookshelves over floorstanders, but with loudness being an issue and also the size of your hall, you may need to go for floorstanders.

audition monitor audio bronze for floorstanders, monitor audio silver for bookshelves. you'll then have a good idea which kind you want to go for. other brands to look at are the kef iq series, wharedale diamonds are also very popular. once you decide on the speakers then you can look out for the amps. brands to consider are marantz, nad, cambridge

have fun

 

[vartakavi]

Hi Folks.

I bought a NADC355BEE amp. Now I have to decide on the speakers. I would like to shortlist three or four models and audition them using this amp before deciding.

After reading the posts on this forum, I am leaning towards buying a pair of bookshelves with stands to begin with, even though I have enough space to put in floorstanders.

My budget is max 30K. Can I get decent bookshelves with stands which will pair well with the NAD amp? I do not mind buying used speakers if that helps.

I understand that Wharfedales are a favourite on this forum, but they do not pair with NAD (for reasons I do not understand, being a newbie). It looks like my shortlist should consist of Monitor Audio, Quad11L and B & W. Are there any others I should include in my shortlist? I am in Hyderabad, so I can only shortlist speakers that I am able to audition with one of the dealers here. Thanks for your advise.

 

[bharathana]

Hello Vartakavi

I am looking to sell my Epos M12.2 speakers with the M21 stands. They are in absolute mint condition and they are about 2.5 years old.
Only hitch is I am in Bangalore, if you are able to audition these speakers in Hyd to so and any time if you are in Blore, you can give me a ring and I can let you audition these speakers.
I am expecting 28K including the stands. They retail at 44K (if I am not mistaken) without the stands.
Let me know if you are interested

Regards
Bharathan
+91 9731944166

 

[Kittu]

EPOS are great speakers .. I missed them while Vortex was selling ... :sad:

 

[vartakavi]

I am interested. Sent you a PM.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

Well With NAD amps, PSB's matches really well but u can also audition Epos M12.2 speaker with ur NAD AMP which bharathana is selling and if u like it so buy Epos M12.2

 

[captrajesh]

Epos is a better speaker than the others that are being talked about. I was to audition Bharatan's speakers when I was in search for bookshelf speakers but he was out of country that time and I ended up buying APs.

 

[novice-akki]

I personally think it'll be an apt pairing (NAD+Epos 12.2) because from what I've read , the speakers are termed slightly forward/bright...not in a BAD way by any means and knowing NAD's sound signature it just might work wonders as NAD may nelify that forward sounding nature of the Epos....

But, this coming from a noob like yours truly may be completely incorrect. Nevertheless a BRILLIANT and well regarded pair of speakers...

Cheers

 

[sups]

My budget is max 30K. Can I get decent bookshelves with stands which will pair well with the NAD amp? I do not mind buying used speakers if that helps.

Have a look at Usher V-601 at about 32K. Pairs very well with NAD amp.

 

[rana_kirti]

3 words..... PSB Image B6

 

[sonosphere]

Have a look at Usher V-601 at about 32K. Pairs very well with NAD amp.

Hi,
I agree with Sups recommendation. Though ensure that you have a Marantz or CA cdp as source. You need a neutral /analytical source to bring out the best tonality from NAD + V-601 combo. Generally speaking, buying a new Bookshelf for 30k will give you better sound than a new floorstander in 30k.

BTW that EPOS in 28k its a good deal too.

Regds,

 

[sonosphere]

Epos is a better speaker than the others that are being talked about. I was to audition Bharatan's speakers when I was in search for bookshelf speakers but he was out of country that time and I ended up buying APs.

Hi Captn,
I think, after all you still ended up with better speakers in Acoustic Portrait, compared to Epos you were trying for.... (and do restore them to their original glory by reconnecting the woofer-crossover, if you haven't done already!)

Regds,

 

[captrajesh]

I think, after all you still ended up with better speakers in Acoustic Portrait, compared to Epos you were trying for

Hi Sonosphere,

Yeah, listening to them with various amps and after sufficient burn-in, I think APs are very capable speakers. IMO (recollecting my experience at Decibels) Epos though very good sounding, may not be able to go as low as the APs.

do restore them to their original glory by reconnecting the woofer-crossover, if you haven't done already!

Yeah, I need to do it. I'm thinking of replacing the caps with better make of same value before refitting them.

Rgds

 

[magma]

to the OP

understand that the type of speakers you choose ( bookshleves or floorstanders ) are a function of your room and listening tastes

many a time people do feel a floorstanders is a more VFM option that a bookshlef on which they have to spend extra money for stands- however this is incorrect thinking

a floorstander requires a lot of room to breather.Furthermore they are more difficult to control compartively and have differnt amplifier demands to get the best of them

lastly as one pointed out here - in general a bookshlef for x amount of money does sound cleaner and tighter that a floorstander in the same amount

anyway now that you have decided a bookshlef and you have a good well powered amp . youre set
all above choices are super- the Quad 12 L , or a monitor audio are good choices
the PSB image B6 would be super too ( but thats only if you like the sound - undertand that it will sound like a classic rock and roll speaker)

however the epos used at the rate you are being offered is a lovely choice
you should definetly hear it and if you like it the offer is really good

 

[vartakavi]

Thank You

Thanks to all of you for helping me with the selection of speakers. Without a shortlist, it will difficult make a selection, as there is so much of choice, and frankly, I am not sure what criteria I have to use to choose the speaker.

I am planning to listen to the EPOS speakers during my next visit to Bangalore.

I will also try and audition Quad 12L, Usher V-601 and MA Bronze BX2 if possible at Hyderabad before taking a decision.

I listen mostly to Hindi Film Music (old and new) as well as Hindustani, Carnatic and Western classical instrumental. I plan to connect my TV to the Amp and use these Speakers to watch Music shows and Movies.

As I am new to this wonderful world, I'm not able to understand the comment about PSB Image B6 speakers. While most people say these pair very well with the NAD amp, will these speakers sound too 'loud' or 'harsh' for the kind of music I listen to?

One more question - since I am going to watch movies using these speakers, will I need a subwoofer too? If yes, what would be a good budget subwoofer (say below 20K). Is it necessary to buy the subwoofer of the same brand as the speakers?

 

[afj]

Hi Folks.

I bought a NADC355BEE amp. Now I have to decide on the speakers. I would like to shortlist three or four models and audition them using this amp before deciding.

After reading the posts on this forum, I am leaning towards buying a pair of bookshelves with stands to begin with, even though I have enough space to put in floorstanders.

My budget is max 30K. Can I get decent bookshelves with stands which will pair well with the NAD amp? I do not mind buying used speakers if that helps.

I understand that Wharfedales are a favourite on this forum, but they do not pair with NAD (for reasons I do not understand, being a newbie). It looks like my shortlist should consist of Monitor Audio, Quad11L and B & W. Are there any others I should include in my shortlist? I am in Hyderabad, so I can only shortlist speakers that I am able to audition with one of the dealers here. Thanks for your advise.

to pair with a nad monitor audios and paradigm go very well. also look at the ushers. am not sure how they pair but extremely good value at the price

 

[murali_n]

Re: Thank You

As I am new to this wonderful world, I'm not able to understand the comment about PSB Image B6 speakers. While most people say these pair very well with the NAD amp, will these speakers sound too 'loud' or 'harsh' for the kind of music I listen to?

Hi vartakavi,

From my experience the PSB Image B-6, pairs very well with NAD, you can put all your fears to rest, but try to audition and convince yourself before you write your cheque / swipe your Credit card/ Keyin your ATM PIN.

Hope this helps.

N.Murali

 

[sud98]

Re: Thank You

I listen mostly to Hindi Film Music (old and new) as well as Hindustani, Carnatic and Western classical instrumental. I plan to connect my TV to the Amp and use these Speakers to watch Music shows and Movies.

I hope you dont use the TV as a source for your music as then most speakers will make it sound much much worse. Garbage in Garbage out principle.

You need to look at a source which could be a cd player, a htpc or some source other than the TV

 

[sonosphere]

Re: Thank You

...

I am planning to listen to the EPOS speakers during my next visit to Bangalore.

I will also try and audition Quad 12L, Usher V-601 and MA Bronze BX2 if possible at Hyderabad before taking a decision.

...

Hi vartakavi,
When in Bangalore, audition the Usher V-601 at ARN systems. I am not sure if they are available in Hyd for audition. Our forum member "Odyssey" is the dealer for these. You may PM him regarding auditioning possibilities.

In fact you may audition your whole short-list of speakers in Blore... in a single day. You may arrive at better comparison when you audition all in a single day.

Regds,