Yet Another Budget Bookshelf Quest (Rs.15-30k)
Yep, this is another shoestring budget BS speaker thread! However, as a bonus, it also includes some rather detailed bickering about my previous experiences with sound equipment.
Amplifier: Topping Amp TP20
Source: M-Audio Revolution soundcard
Budget: 15-30k. Prefer buying used equipment as it would offer more value for money. But, hard to spot a good deal in Bangalore.
Intended purpose: 100% Music
Musical preferences:
1) Acoustic, Folk, Jazz, Country, Classic Rock, Occasional Pop
2) I do NOT need my music to be loud.
3) I prefer my speakers to be non-fatiguing (allergic to high-frequency noises)
4) Warm, detailed and realistic.
Background:
Have been using a Creative Inspire 2.1 for the past 10 years. Quite nice, but have been craving for something better and failed so far in my quest for better equipment.
Got a Logitech Z5500 five years ago. The sound that was coming out felt like metallic noise to me. So, I upgraded to an M-Audio soundcard. Guess what? The speakers still sounded like crap and thus sold it within a few days. But, decided to keep the new soundcard as it sounded better on my good old creative speakers. Got an Edifier S730 earlier this year. I felt there was a hole somewhere in the mid-bass spectrum, disproportionate bass and sold it within a few days. I have lost quite a bit of money in these deals.
I also recently tried auditioning the Audioengine A5 for a short while; I found them to be a bit loud, a little brash and concluded that it was not my kinda sound. While auditioning at a dealer's place is better than buying with your eyes closed, it comes nowhere close to listening to music in my room for a substantial amount of time. That's when all the bickering, fuss and regrets start.
Although we pay more money for our equipment compared to other countries, no dealer here AFAIK offers a 30-day money back guarantee. This has been one major reason why I have kept away from going through the separate amplifier + Bookshelf route. I don't want to end up plonking 30-40k on amp+BS and stay sleepless until I sell it off for a fraction of the price.
However, psychotropic's experiments with the Topping TP20 Amp with Cambridge Audio S30 has given me new hope. So, I have placed an order for the aforesaid amp on ebay. Since Cambridge audio and creative are owned by the same group, I am hoping the sound will suit my preferences. I understand that Topping TP20 will need speakers with the following qualities:
1) Highly efficient (sensitivity>89db)
2) not too much of an impedance drop (shouldn't go below 4 ohms)
While I will audition the S30 this week, I am looking for alternatives. Based on online research (endless Google-ing) and my gut instinct (freewheeling, random notions devoid of real-world logic), I have shortlisted a few speakers:
1) Cambridge Audio S30 -10k (Audio Planet, Bangalore)
2) Axiom Audio M3 -31k (direct shipping from Canada with 30-day money back guarantee)
3) Usher S520 - 25k (ARN systems, Bangalore)
4) Focal/JM Labs Chorus 706V -25k (hopefully online used market)
5) Epos (used BS within my budget, just wishful thinking really)
What I really want more than an awesome pair of speakers is, NOT ending up with something I despise. If I don't like something, it has to be out of my house immediately. I'm fussy like that. :indifferent14:
Sorry about the long post, but someone please stop me from making yet another mistake!
Yep, this is another shoestring budget BS speaker thread! However, as a bonus, it also includes some rather detailed bickering about my previous experiences with sound equipment.
Amplifier: Topping Amp TP20
Source: M-Audio Revolution soundcard
Budget: 15-30k. Prefer buying used equipment as it would offer more value for money. But, hard to spot a good deal in Bangalore.
Intended purpose: 100% Music
Musical preferences:
1) Acoustic, Folk, Jazz, Country, Classic Rock, Occasional Pop
2) I do NOT need my music to be loud.
3) I prefer my speakers to be non-fatiguing (allergic to high-frequency noises)
4) Warm, detailed and realistic.
Background:
Have been using a Creative Inspire 2.1 for the past 10 years. Quite nice, but have been craving for something better and failed so far in my quest for better equipment.
Got a Logitech Z5500 five years ago. The sound that was coming out felt like metallic noise to me. So, I upgraded to an M-Audio soundcard. Guess what? The speakers still sounded like crap and thus sold it within a few days. But, decided to keep the new soundcard as it sounded better on my good old creative speakers. Got an Edifier S730 earlier this year. I felt there was a hole somewhere in the mid-bass spectrum, disproportionate bass and sold it within a few days. I have lost quite a bit of money in these deals.
I also recently tried auditioning the Audioengine A5 for a short while; I found them to be a bit loud, a little brash and concluded that it was not my kinda sound. While auditioning at a dealer's place is better than buying with your eyes closed, it comes nowhere close to listening to music in my room for a substantial amount of time. That's when all the bickering, fuss and regrets start.
Although we pay more money for our equipment compared to other countries, no dealer here AFAIK offers a 30-day money back guarantee. This has been one major reason why I have kept away from going through the separate amplifier + Bookshelf route. I don't want to end up plonking 30-40k on amp+BS and stay sleepless until I sell it off for a fraction of the price.
However, psychotropic's experiments with the Topping TP20 Amp with Cambridge Audio S30 has given me new hope. So, I have placed an order for the aforesaid amp on ebay. Since Cambridge audio and creative are owned by the same group, I am hoping the sound will suit my preferences. I understand that Topping TP20 will need speakers with the following qualities:
1) Highly efficient (sensitivity>89db)
2) not too much of an impedance drop (shouldn't go below 4 ohms)
While I will audition the S30 this week, I am looking for alternatives. Based on online research (endless Google-ing) and my gut instinct (freewheeling, random notions devoid of real-world logic), I have shortlisted a few speakers:
1) Cambridge Audio S30 -10k (Audio Planet, Bangalore)
2) Axiom Audio M3 -31k (direct shipping from Canada with 30-day money back guarantee)
3) Usher S520 - 25k (ARN systems, Bangalore)
4) Focal/JM Labs Chorus 706V -25k (hopefully online used market)
5) Epos (used BS within my budget, just wishful thinking really)
What I really want more than an awesome pair of speakers is, NOT ending up with something I despise. If I don't like something, it has to be out of my house immediately. I'm fussy like that. :indifferent14:
Sorry about the long post, but someone please stop me from making yet another mistake!
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