Speakers for music

[sandeepmohan]

The time has finally come to get some quality Hi Fi. I wanted to start with speakers but it looks like it will be better to start with an Integrated. Funds being a limitation to do both at one go. I have done some extensive listening to the KEFQ900 and Usher N6361. To me, the Usher sound is what I like. The KEF's play lower than the Ushers. They are outstanding speakers for the money. The Ushers presented the music better, that is what I felt. For a speaker that is much smaller than the KEF's, they play quite low (bass) too.

The Ushers are a difficult speaker load to drive as they are rated at 4ohms. I heard them with a Usher AU-8500 Integrated and Usher CD Player. To me the pairing was great. I don't think I need to look any further. However; when you are spending this kind of money, you must get it right. You have to look at options. This is a long term purchase.

I am no audiophile. I doubt if I can tell the difference if you were to ask me to compare a Marantz CD5004 to a CD6004. I want to enjoy my music and that's it. Good Hi Fi has the ability to move you and make an emotional connection with music.

My genre of music ranges from Shakti to Slayer. Lots of in between stuff too like Mr. Knopfler, Fleetwood Mac, Katie Melua, Avial, etc. These are some of my favorite artists.

I am more inclined towards a floor stander because I like my bass nice and tight. Besides this, my hi fi will be placed in a living room. Book shelves work better in a dedicated music room. I don't have this luxury. I am open to a book shelf is there is one that can make me get up and head bang. I do this kind of thing when I am alone at home.

Room size 18ft x16ft.

What are my options for speakers and Integrated? I won't be buying anything as a blind purchase. Audition is a must and in my city. I'll look at a cd player, digital source later. For now my Rega, Technics turntable and laptop will be the source.

Trust you folks can guide me.

 

[reignofchaos]

What's your maximum budget?

 

[sandeepmohan]

What's your maximum budget?

I can go up to a lac for the speaker.

Would prefer to stay below this for the Integrated. I was hoping to have a complete system with a budget of 2lac. The weak rupee does not support my case. That is speaker, source and Integrated.

 

[efernand1]

Hi

Good integrated amps are hard to find as most big brands are more into making money and don't ensure quality and performance...since you have a nice sizable budget..you should consider the following amps which are too good for music and punched performance...

Marantz / Cambridge Audio / NAD

These amps output power at 8 ohms which is good and ensure all frequencies can be handled (20hz - 20khz)....you need to ensure you buy good speakers like Wharfedale, Polk RTi series, B&W etc which is of 8 ohms and can deliver all frequencies between 20hz - 20khz....ensure that the sensitivity levels are 88db or higher......this will ensure good output and best performance.

There are tons of reviews and videos to help you out which are posted over the internet. If you are 50% movies and 50% music...these brands also make decent AVRs which throw a super performance for music and movies......end of the day it is what appeals to you and your budget...all the best

 

[reignofchaos]

The thread creator already has a high end pioneer 1122k receiver which obviously isn't doing the job for music. Why suggest another receiver then?

 

[elangoas]

You have a very good budget for stereo.... Are you open to Active speakers ?

 

[sandeepmohan]

Marantz / Cambridge Audio / NAD

Wharfedale, Polk RTi series, B&W etc

Marantz have now become a very mainstream brand to even consider. I don't know if what they make today for stereo, is as good as they once used to be. I won't rule it out. If they can effortlessly drive a difficult speaker load and sound great, why not.

NAD has retarded pricing in India.

No interesting Cambridge Products in India. Besides this I don't know what they sound like.

I am past that phase to enjoy Wharfedale and Polk sound. They are not for me. They appeal to a different audience. I have not heard a B&W extensively enough to judge.

The title of my post reads Speakers for Music. I already have a dedicated HT set up. Why would I want another one.

 

[sandeepmohan]

You have a very good budget for stereo.... Are you open to Active speakers ?

I have heard a Yamaha HS8 quite extensively. I like them. They are more suited for personal listening than to be placed in a living room. Besides; I can't have the clutter of power and XLR chords running all over the place. Then there is the concern of getting a top notch mixer that will work well for multiple sources.

 

[Rabepobemababe]

You may have a look at the installs here :

https://m.facebook.com/lithosacoustics/albums/10152048171488207/

 

[jai1611]

@Sandeep, suggest you pay Jochen a visit to listen to the Blumenhofer offerings.

The other option I would've suggested is Dynaudio Focus or Contour series. Unfortunately, not really available in India anymore

 

[hemantwaghe]

Hi

Good integrated amps are hard to find as most big brands are more into making money and don't ensure quality and performance...since you have a nice sizable budget..you should consider the following amps which are too good for music and punched performance...

Marantz / Cambridge Audio / NAD

These amps output power at 8 ohms which is good and ensure all frequencies can be handled (20hz - 20khz)....you need to ensure you buy good speakers like Wharfedale, Polk RTi series, B&W etc which is of 8 ohms and can deliver all frequencies between 20hz - 20khz....ensure that the sensitivity levels are 88db or higher......this will ensure good output and best performance.

There are tons of reviews and videos to help you out which are posted over the internet. If you are 50% movies and 50% music...these brands also make decent AVRs which throw a super performance for music and movies......end of the day it is what appeals to you and your budget...all the best

asking for third time

Is Marantz NOW really honest about their power raings??

 

[nosortf]

Since you like the Usher, take a home demo.
All well known audio magazines like stereophile, absolute sounds,what hifi, hifi world, hifi choice will have suggested best products in your price range in their Jan issues.Study them, narrow your choices and ask senior forum members about it.

 

[sandeepmohan]

@Sandeep, suggest you pay Jochen a visit to listen to the Blumenhofer offerings.

I will be visiting Jochen for this.

I have heard the Blumenhofer floor stander, not sure of the model. It was great.

 

[sandeepmohan]

Since you like the Usher, take a home demo.
All well known audio magazines like stereophile, absolute sounds,what hifi, hifi world, hifi choice will have suggested best products in your price range in their Jan issues.Study them, narrow your choices and ask senior forum members about it.

The Ushers are coming home for a demo. In fact, the dealer is so flexible that he has offered to dump the entire rig at home. Can't get better than this.

I have the Stereophile Recommended Components hard copy. I am using it as a reference. A lot of equipment in there has not made it to India. Getting a audition is the hardest part.

 

[hydra]

Wow! Is this ARN Systems? Really good of them!

 

[mowgli80]

You can also give a listen to monitor audio speakers. They are really good. You can go for RX6 FS or GX50 BS.

 

[sandeepmohan]

Wow! Is this ARN Systems?

Yupp.

I see that you are a Trishna owner. Do these fall in my budget for a speaker? Will have to give them a try. I don't mind traveling to Cochin for this.

 

[hydra]

Sandeep, they are well worth a listen. You might be able save on the amp budget, as Trishnas are 93dB sensitive. You could try using a Nelson Pass AmpCamp build for a bit with them, while you looked for a SET/Class A amp. If you're in Cochin, you can listen to them at my place (small room, home environment) and at the Rethm Studio (much bigger room, treated environment).

I do know about a lovingly used pair of Saadhanas for a nice price (close to what a new pair of Trishnas would come to). I've PMd you about the Trishnas and the Saadhanas.

EDIT: There'a a Harbeth P3ESR and an Odyssey Syren & Audio Analogue Amp (all these in Bangalore itself) for sale in the classifieds. These will be well worth a look, IMHO. The Harbeth might have pretty demanding amplification requirements, though.

 

[nosortf]

The Ushers are coming home for a demo. In fact, the dealer is so flexible that he has offered to dump the entire rig at home. Can't get better than this.

I have the Stereophile Recommended Components hard copy. I am using it as a reference. A lot of equipment in there has not made it to India. Getting a audition is the hardest part.

I suggest you get some UK reviews too, usually gives good insight.

 

[square_wave]

You already own a decent speaker.

Investing in a brand new half decent floor stander and an integrated amp (both together under 2 lakh) will pretty much be a horizontal upgrade which will not give you much.

Invest in a good DAC. Look for good deals on a slightly high end speaker ( like the cadence capt rajesh has on sale). Find an amp which will work with such a speaker. This will take you places !!