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B & W speaker upgrade suggestions

I am currently using B&W CM4 speakers for my front speakers, and a B&W CMC center speaker. I use them bi-wired with a Rotel 1055 receiver, Rotel RMB 1075 power amp, a Rotel 1072 CD-player and my beloved Teres 160 turntable. My rear speakers are Infinity Alpha 20s. My sub-woofer is an Onix Rocket. My system, due to space constraints is used for pseudo home theatre (I don't have a dedicated room) and music, with the emphasis on musicality.

My musical preferences are somewhat varied, but tend to be mostly in the jazz, classical, classic rock, world music, and blues genres.

At some point in the future (probably far future!) I would like to upgrade my main speakers. My fantasy budget is $5000. I know this amount is somewhat limiting, but I doubt that I will be able to afford more. Besides which, my sources (other than the Teres turntable, IMO) are no doubt considered mid-fi here on Audiogon, so stellar speakers would just point out their short comings. I also have a preference for maple/birds-eye maple finishes, just because I like the look of the wood, but finish is secondary to sound.

Anyway, any suggestions as to what speakers I should consider?

Holly
oakiris
oakiris OP
206 posts
 
I bet it will be worth the wait, Jkalman! At least you have decided on what to save up for. Now that I have decided which main speakers I want, I have to figure out what speakers, if any, will match the Abbys for my center and rears. I really think Abbys, and the other Cain & Cain speakers, are made for 2-channel systems, so it maight be a bit awkward to blend in other speakers.

It's a good thing we all like a challenge, isn't it? :-)

Holly
jkalman
298 posts
 
If I were you, and since you do have a lot of money left over now, I would just use the same speaker for everything, except the sub. Lay one on its side for a center (or don't depending on your TV setup) and get two for the rears. I've heard it is a terrible idea to mix brands or sometimes even series within one brand. My biggest worry is that the 801D won't match well with the rest of my speakers which are 7 series.

Oh, BTW I may be getting the 801Ds instead now, I found a demo pair for half the price of retail! I can't pass that up if he gives me that price. This also means I could own them in two or three months now (and I'll save up for the 2 channel amp later).
oakiris OP
206 posts
 
A lucky find for you, Jkalman! A great price for what is said to be a very good speaker.

I, too, have read that it is best to get the same speakers/series all away around for the best HT sound. Though having the Abbys as rear speakers is certainly a possibility, have you seen a picture of the Abbys? I don't think laying one on its side would work. http://www.cain-cain.com/abby/index.html

I emailed Terry Cain yesterday. He responded and said that he was planning to make a center speaker soon; I am going to wait for that. I'll try to figure out something for the rear speakers - another $1500 for a pair of Abbys is doable I suppose, though I really wanted something smaller. I'm not sure that my room can handle two pairs of these largish speakers. :~

Holly
oakiris OP
206 posts
 
My search is over, though my wait is not!

Terry will also be making a mini-Abby speaker (29" tall) "in the near future" so I will be buying these and his new center as soon as they are in production - and as soon as I have the $$ togehter, of course. I expect sonic bliss with finally having 5 matched speakers for my HT setup and 2 wonderful speakers for my 2-channel set up.
:-D

I am very excited about this and can't wait to see the mini-Abbys and what Terry comes up with for his new center design.

Holly
jkalman
298 posts
 
Hey Oakiris, my dealer hooked me up and let me trade back in all my B&W 7 series gear at the cost I payed to put towards a pair of 802Ds. I'll have my 802Ds delivered this coming Tuesday. Guess I'll have to start saving up again to make my hi-fi back into a home theatre and surround system. Unfortunately, the 801 demos that were for sale were not the diamond series so I passed on them.

Cheers!
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