Stereo Speakers for Rs 50000-60000

[theneer]

BNW 685 are best in this range. I have heard them and they are really nice.

 

[ravi_d]

For the size of your room go with the front ported ones, something like Mezzo 2 or B&W 685. You will be rewarded with easy placement options.

 

[rana_kirti]

@rana_kirti

I am not sure if you are in Mumbai. In case you are, do have a listen to the following Indian speakers: Lithos contra series in Bandra. You may google "lithos" to find out the address.

i'll look them up

BNW 685 are best in this range. I have heard them and they are really nice.

the 685 were the first speakers i heard when i started this venture. they were nice

For the size of your room go with the front ported ones, something like Mezzo 2 or B&W 685. You will be rewarded with easy placement options.

yes the port thing is on my mind, though i ve read in many reviews where they said despite a speaker being a front ported one it needed a lot of space in the back to work well and many back ported speakers which worked quite well even placed close to a wall... so quite confusing eh ? but fun none the less as i just love research and then going out and hearing out these different beauties....

that being said i heard the mezzo 1 with a denon 510A and really loved the sound.

i see you have a Mezzo 2. it'd be nice if you'd share what kind of a sound signature they have and what according to you are it's strengths & weaknesses. also have you compared a mezzo 2 to a mezzo 1 and how do they differ ?

cheers

 

[ravi_d]

yes the port thing is on my mind, though i ve read in many reviews where they said despite a speaker being a front ported one it needed a lot of space in the back to work well and many back ported speakers which worked quite well even placed close to a wall... so quite confusing eh ? but fun none the less as i just love research and then going out and hearing out these different beauties....

that being said i heard the mezzo 1 with a denon 510A and really loved the sound.

i see you have a Mezzo 2. it'd be nice if you'd share what kind of a sound signature they have and what according to you are it's strengths & weaknesses. also have you compared a mezzo 2 to a mezzo 1 and how do they differ ?

cheers

I placed them 1 1/2 feet away from the wall. They work very well without any signs of boominess as against the Mission M32i which I owned before.
I would say their sound signature is Neutral to Bright with great resolution and enough bass weight when paired with my NAD amp. Its more musical and everything is in just right quantity. Remember when pairing with a bright sounding amp it may be too bright for you.
I bought these new for about 20k INR here in UK. For that price I didn't look at other brands or consider listening to Mezzo 1.
Also I invested in a pair of speaker stands which could have increased its bass performance. Need to try sand filling the stands and see.
I heard the Mezzo 2 were as good as B&W 685 if not better. They were priced 80 (about 6k INR) more than B&W 685 when introduced and lost a star against 685 in What hi-fi review.

A pic of my set-up.

 

[WildRain]

@Kirti_rana, Did you ever consider adding PMC DB1i to your list? Heard some really good things about them. Although i didn't have a chance to hear them.

You might also want to give attention to stands used. This is something I learnt the hard way. Some speakers like Dynaudios work best when they are coupled to the stands while some others sound good when de-coupled. Not using proper stands or not coupling/de-coupling them can easily make a good speaker sound very average.

In my case, I was using Atacama's award winning Nexus 6s first and they really were not the right stands for the excites. Moving them to something of the likes of Target HR60 just raised their performance to a different level. The timing's improved and some of the details not heard before started coming out. Not that the Nexus are bad (I've heard them make some entry level speakers sound good) but they're not a match for the excites.

Good luck

 

[rana_kirti]

I'm adding the pmc db1i to my demo list.

Speakers upto 50k which was my initial budget just won't cut it...

Hence guys I've decided to up the budget to 100k. Do feel free to go ahead and suggest speakers which you feel i should consider in that budget...

I'm considering only bookshelves as this is for my bedroom and will be used with my pc on a desk.

Cheers

 

[ravi_d]

Speakers upto 50k which was my initial budget just won't cut it...

Hence guys I've decided to up the budget to 100k.
Cheers

If you up the budget for the speaker you will need a good amp too

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

If you up the budget for the speaker you will need a good amp too

+1 hyeah:

 

[sonosphere]

If you up the budget for the speaker you will need a good amp too

Hi Ravi,
There is another angle to above situation.

When I was in similar situation, it was comfortable for me to buy Usher S520, however I knew that maybe 2 yrs down the line, upgraditis would hit me... then I would be selling the S 520 at approx 25% discount and buy the next level V-601. In order to avoid the discount-loss, I stretched a bit and got Usher V-601 directly, and saved money+time on one spkr upgrade cycle.

So as long as your present amp can handle the next level spkr "reasonably", one can avoid the discount-loss by stretching a bit. Not to mention you will get taste of better sound early on, compared to conventional upgrade cycle.

Rgds,

 

[ravi_d]

Hi Ravi,
There is another angle to above situation.

When I was in similar situation, it was comfortable for me to buy Usher S520, however I knew that maybe 2 yrs down the line, upgraditis would hit me... then I would be selling the S 520 at approx 25% discount and buy the next level V-601. In order to avoid the discount-loss, I stretched a bit and got Usher V-601 directly, and saved money+time on one spkr upgrade cycle.

So as long as your present amp can handle the next level spkr "reasonably", one can avoid the discount-loss by stretching a bit. Not to mention you will get taste of better sound early on, compared to conventional upgrade cycle.

Rgds,

Hi Sonosphere,
I agree with you. In your case you made a wise decision. IMO stretching the budget by about 20% you getting the next level speaker in the same league. But stretching by 100% you're entering in a different league. Say before initially as per his budget he has options like Usher, B&W, Mordaunt-Short etc. Now with the increased budget he has options like Dynaudio's, PMC's, ATC's etc.

In my case I bought the NAD c356bee and then decided to upgrade my speakers. I was looking for a bookshelf with the biggest bass driver available and stumbled across Dynaudio Excite X16 and also considered EB Acoustics EB2 and ATC SCm 11. From various reviews and few dealer opinions I came to know that amps from entry level NAD/Marantz/CA/Yamaha etc. will not be able to do proper justice to above entry level speakers. I was advised to upgrade my 4 weeks old amp or look for speakers in the same range as my amp :sad:.
So backed off and got myself the Mezzo-2's for which I'm extremely happy with my decision.

 

[rana_kirti]

If you up the budget for the speaker you will need a good amp too

+1 hyeah:

absolutely.. m quite excited about gettin an excellent amp to match my final speaker selection and i've started looking at the various options....

Hi Ravi,
There is another angle to above situation.

When I was in similar situation, it was comfortable for me to buy Usher S520, however I knew that maybe 2 yrs down the line, upgraditis would hit me... then I would be selling the S 520 at approx 25% discount and buy the next level V-601. In order to avoid the discount-loss, I stretched a bit and got Usher V-601 directly, and saved money+time on one spkr upgrade cycle.

So as long as your present amp can handle the next level spkr "reasonably", one can avoid the discount-loss by stretching a bit. Not to mention you will get taste of better sound early on, compared to conventional upgrade cycle.

Rgds,

that's a good decision you took there... i don't want to feel upgraditis for a while.. hence the decision to get the best i can right now rather than looking at an upgrade in a year or two....

Hi Sonosphere,
I agree with you. In your case you made a wise decision. IMO stretching the budget by about 20% you getting the next level speaker in the same league. But stretching by 100% you're entering in a different league. Say before initially as per his budget he has options like Usher, B&W, Mordaunt-Short etc. Now with the increased budget he has options like Dynaudio's, PMC's, ATC's etc.

In my case I bought the NAD c356bee and then decided to upgrade my speakers. I was looking for a bookshelf with the biggest bass driver available and stumbled across Dynaudio Excite X16 and also considered EB Acoustics EB2 and ATC SCm 11. From various reviews and few dealer opinions I came to know that amps from entry level NAD/Marantz/CA/Yamaha etc. will not be able to do proper justice to above entry level speakers. I was advised to upgrade my 4 weeks old amp or look for speakers in the same range as my amp :sad:.
So backed off and got myself the Mezzo-2's for which I'm extremely happy with my decision.

i'm comfortable to look at the next level of speakers as i'm not tied by an amplifier right now simply because i don't have one though i guess you did the right thing in your situation....

At this point in time my top pick is the PSB Synchrony 2 Bs.

After some reading around and researching these are the new contenders that are going to try to impress me to find a place on my desktop.... I'm gonna demo each of these highly regarded speakers to conclude the winner....!!

All are free to add their suggestions if they feel i have missed out on any excellent speaker in this price range and i'll add them to my demo list ( Bookshelves only )....

1. ProAc Studio 110
2. ATC SCM 11
3. PMC DB1i
4. Spendor SA1
5. Spendor S3/5R
6. Dynaudio Excite X12 & X16
7. Dynaudio Focus 140
8. DALI Mentor Menuet, 1 & 2
9. Totem Rainmaker
10. PSB Synchrony 1 B
10. Nola Boxer
11. Paradigm Studio 20
12. Paradigm Signature S1 & S2
13. Usher BE - 718
14. Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand
15. Harbeth P3ESR
16. Thiel Audio SCS4

These lovely beauties are going to fight with each other for my luv and attention hyeah: and try to steal my heart which is right now firmly set on the PSB Synchrony 2 Bs....

 

[AMITNOIDA]

Hi Rana,
Although you have listed PMC Db1, I request you to keep PMC TB2i also in your audition list. I happened to listen to it pairing with my Leben 300xs valve amp. and the result was a real pleasure. I think the above combo will win your heart. You may give it a try.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

Hi Rana,

Do add ATC SCM11, PMC DB1i, Dynaudio DM 2/7, Roksan Kandy K2 TR-5

 

[ravi_d]

Hi Rana

You auditioned PSB Synchrony 2B with the discontinued NAD c355bee and you liked it.
Do you think you will still like those speakers when connected to different amps or you want to buy the same amp with which you auditioned?

My feeling is NADc355bee is not the best amp to bring the best of those PSB Synchrony 2B's. You need to go for an higher level amp. Keep another 100k for that hyeah::clapping:

When you don't have any analog sources or don't have intention to add one (like cassette deck or turn table) I wouldn't suggest you to go with an integrated amp which is more emphasized on analog inputs. For the same money of an Integrated amp you will get a better power amp.

You can got for a very good DAC with a built-in pre-amp connected directly to a power amp to have the shortest signal path between the source and the speakers or just a good DAC with pre-amp to active speakers.


While auditioning the PMC's try auditioning it with Bryston amps as they both were a good combo.

Also remember most higher level speakers are not for small rooms. They require 2 - 3 feet spece behind them and the wall.

 

[AMITNOIDA]

Also remember most higher level speakers are not for small rooms. They require 2 - 3 feet spece behind them and the wall.

Yes, the placement of speaker is very important, specially the breathing space behind and side of the speaker. Ny Usher BE-718 was earlier in my bedroom with approx. 1 ft space behind them and the result was boomy with limited soundstage. But after resiting them in my drawing room with approx. 3 ft space behind, the boominess has gone and soundstage also improved with approx. 7 ft distance between the two speakers.

So while speaker selection, the room factor needs to be kept in mind. If possible, one should insist for home demo before finalisation of the speaker.

 

[rana_kirti]

Hi Rana,
Although you have listed PMC Db1, I request you to keep PMC TB2i also in your audition list. I happened to listen to it pairing with my Leben 300xs valve amp. and the result was a real pleasure. I think the above combo will win your heart. You may give it a try.

yep.. will give them a go...!

Hi Rana

You auditioned PSB Synchrony 2B with the discontinued NAD c355bee and you liked it.
Do you think you will still like those speakers when connected to different amps or you want to buy the same amp with which you auditioned?

My feeling is NADc355bee is not the best amp to bring the best of those PSB Synchrony 2B's. You need to go for an higher level amp. Keep another 100k for that hyeah::clapping:

When you don't have any analog sources or don't have intention to add one (like cassette deck or turn table) I wouldn't suggest you to go with an integrated amp which is more emphasized on analog inputs. For the same money of an Integrated amp you will get a better power amp.

You can got for a very good DAC with a built-in pre-amp connected directly to a power amp to have the shortest signal path between the source and the speakers or just a good DAC with pre-amp to active speakers.


While auditioning the PMC's try auditioning it with Bryston amps as they both were a good combo.

Also remember most higher level speakers are not for small rooms. They require 2 - 3 feet spece behind them and the wall.

yes i surely believe the PSB Synchrony 2B deserve better and more respect than the 355 BEE. I loved them with that amp and i'm sure i'll love them ever more if i hear them with a higher level amp. I ve just started looking into different amps and started my initial research. Though i guess my amp choice will finally depend on my speaker choice and not the other way around. Or maybe it works the other way around well too for some people. So lets see where this takes me....

I'm gonna demo them again with a higher level amp once i have my top 3 down. Then i'll re-demo the top 3 and make a decision... The fact remains that i've heard so many speakers but the PSB Synchrony 2B sound has remained etched in my mind. It still brings a smile on my face everytime i think of it. That is a very very special speaker out there and if i didn't had to demo others on my list i would have already picked them up by now. But i'll demo others to have a fair opinion of what other speakers can do and how they sound.

i agree with what you said about...... "very good DAC with a built-in pre-amp connected directly to a power amp to have the shortest signal path between the source and the speakers"

Can you suggest a DAC + Power Amp combo like that.... Thanks

Yes, the placement of speaker is very important, specially the breathing space behind and side of the speaker. Ny Usher BE-718 was earlier in my bedroom with approx. 1 ft space behind them and the result was boomy with limited soundstage. But after resiting them in my drawing room with approx. 3 ft space behind, the boominess has gone and soundstage also improved with approx. 7 ft distance between the two speakers.

So while speaker selection, the room factor needs to be kept in mind. If possible, one should insist for home demo before finalisation of the speaker.

Home demo could be difficult to arrange though i'll try to get a home demo for the top 3 speakers after i've heard all of them. This is gonna be on my desktop which is against the wall so the most i'll get behind the speakers will be about 1 to 1 1/2 feet and 2 feet between them.

Not the most ideal i guess though i hope a excellent speaker is a excellent speaker and should sound better in not so great placement position than a good speaker in a great placement position . Or i might be totally wrong about this

 

[WildRain]

Not the most ideal i guess though i hope a excellent speaker is a excellent speaker and should sound better in not so great placement position than a good speaker in a great placement position . Or i might be totally wrong about this

doubt your theory there. good speakers can be quite demanding and to an extent, unforgiving.

One example is, a better speaker reproduces details well. Good low level details means more vibration on the cabinet. Now the vibrations have to be effectively transferred to the ground or dampened/controlled. This is where stands come in. If the vibrations are not controlled effectively, it can cause the lows to mask the details around mids and upper mids. Similarly, placing them on shelves/desk etc. can cause colouration or transfer vibrations back to the cabinet which again could interfere with the mids (your favourite singer might sound like he has flu or something ). The better the speaker, more the ill-effects. End of the day, even though the better speaker reproduces more details than an average one, you might not be able to enjoy them as the details are missed int the process. On the other hand "average but good" speaker might sound better in this situation as it might not be as demanding.

Now this is probably the simplest example; although similar theory could apply in every sonic department. Now to what extent this happens in your set-up is a very subjective thing, depending on multitude of factors.
Depending on the set-up, you can try to tweak using things like Finite Element/TAOC (and a zillion such things) spending of dollars and hundreds of days. However, you'll still be far from what you heard at the showroom

This is gonna be on my desktop which is against the wall so the most i'll get behind the speakers will be about 1 to 1 1/2 feet and 2 feet between them

speakers with wide soundstage might sound cluttered if placed so close to each other and not to mention boomy, being close to the wall.

Dont mean to discourage you, but thought could share somethings we learnt the hard way and help you manage expectations better .

In ur case, one option could be to place your audio set-up in your living room, if you have to, and get something like the Denon DM-37 for ur bedroom (its very hard to be disappointed with a system like DM-37 for that little money, from my experience, provided you dont skimp on cables).

HTH.
Enjoy your music

 

[rana_kirti]

some very interesting and valid points from you wild rain.... i'm gonna be reading more on this though the positioning of the speakers are gonna be compromised in my setup.

i'm gonna have to find out which of these speakers behave best with less than ideal space behind them...

Hows this to help a bit...?

Auralex Acoustics - SpeakerDudes(HD)

 

[akhil7j]

Hi Rana,

To your long list of beauties, add Canton also. I am sure you will like the music quality.

 

[rana_kirti]

give me the model no. bro.... and you know i'm lookin for bookshelves