New to the forum Current set up:Custom built (Yaeger Audio) Freed-Williamson design tube amp rated at 25WRogue 66 preampRega 25 w/Grado Platinum 3Pioneer PD 65 through MSB Nelson Link III DACM&K S-1Bs speakers I LOVE this amp. It is so vintage sounding... very mellow, laid back, natural. Obviously not a lot of power. I live in a small apartment in a large high rise. Therefore, I never play loud anymore. My tastes run to jazz, classical, vocals. I do still listen to rock (but less so). The vintage MKs I'm running were well thought of in the day. Unfortunately, I don't think their sensitivity is sufficient to be powered by 25W. While the MKs are neutral and cast a wonderful sound stage, I'm not getting enough bass, nor inner detail/placement of the musicians in space.
As all of us know in this hobby, avoiding "going sideways" in the next purchase is paramount. So... looking for opinions of stand mounted or SMALL floor standing speakers to enliven this rig and tastes. Budget: $1-1.5K. Thanks for your wisdom and experience in advance. Peace
Try the BIC DV-64 pair. Not the most beautiful cabinet. They are a tower, not too wide, have a very nice sound at moderate and low volume. They won’t win a brand award or give you status, what they do ave is a nice sound. Look at the Martin Logan bookshelf speakers. Motion 35XTi.
So... after consult with Walter @ UnderwoodHiFi, came down to the LSA 10 Sig vs Silvelrline Prelude. Given the room and associated electronics... any last thoughts???
Omega does have a good rep because they are bought by rockers( most speakers are). I have a 2,000 $ pr and it is great on vocals and compressed rock(it all is ) just fair at best on dynamic Jazz and symphonic music .One driver can only do so much .
thanks for that comment on omega - they have been on my radar due to their high efficiency easy impedance nature...
The MKs really are pretty sweet, especially considering they're 35+ years old now. Not a sub guy, though, especially in my apartment building. I've enjoyed my time with them, and someone else will appreciate them for what they are. My hunch is the NAD integrated was a great pairing. My little-watt valve amp doesn't have the oomph, and the MKs don't have the refinement to respond to the amp. My guess. Hence, the speaker quest.
As an afterthought, if you really like the M&K's but just want to boost the low end why not consider a Schiit Loki+ for $150. It's a basic equalizer and may be the least expensive way to tailor the sound to your liking.
The M&K's were designed to be used with their subwoofer but since you live in an apartment this might not be a good idea. I have owned the satellite 1A's and volkswoofer A ~35 years ago and drove them with a 40W/ch NAD integrated with lots of headroom. Those speakers were awesome and could really boogie.
I am very grateful for all the suggestions and expertise. I guess by way of clarification: I'm more of a music lover and vinylholic than an audiophile. At 70, and on a fixed income now, I'm hoping to make one more adjustment to the rig... and that would definitely be speakers. While the MKs have a generous soundstage, the depth isn't there (again, a 12x12, dual purpose, living/listening room). Imaging isn't as crisp as I'd like, and then there is the bass which, while fairly articulate and natural, isn't very present at all.
Thoughts on ELAC (which schurbert mentioned... model?), B&W 606 s2, SVS Prime, others? I have the ProAcs on my list of auditions (gotta brave 50 miles of ATL traffic to meet a new dealer), but finding another $500-1K is a real stretch. So I continue to collect data here (and from my local, true audiophile buds) in what will be a lengthy process.
The Silverline Prelude should do fine with your amp and in your situation. If you’re open to used there’s a pair of Joseph Audio RM22XLs on US AudioMart for $1250 that are outstanding. Best of luck.
I’ve heard PSB a lot lately and there are a find with any music .If I lost my 5k speakers that where I’d go. Some quite nice PSB at less than a grand.
Omega does have a good rep because they are bought by rockers( most speakers are). I have a 2,000 $ pr and it is great on vocals and compressed rock(it all is ) just fair at best on dynamic Jazz and symphonic music .One driver can only do so much .
No first hand experience with Salk Exotica Monitors but worth a look. At least one user here did recommend Exoticas (recent). Eight ohm and 20 watts Recommended Power. Seas Drivers 92 db and 50 Hz on the low end.
no idea where you are located... these might work well... i have not heard omegas myself but their reputation is excellent and following is substantial for higher efficiency type speakers
jjss49, Thx for your request for clarification.Room: 12x12MKs are 22" from wall, mild toe-inEquilateral distance between speakers and seating position - 8 ft
I have been lusting after the ProAc Tablett 10. Silk dome tweeter for sweet non edgy sound. 10 ohm load and can be driven with low watt amplifiers, 5 to 50 watts. ProAc has a very organic sound...
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