+1 on the Spendor rec 3/5's or A1s would be great choices. And @rogclark783 we may have to revoke your audiophile card for never having heard of Spendor a classic British loudspeaker maker. 
Low Volume Speakers to pair with Gato 150
I recently moved back into my home and into a new audio set up throughout my house. After shifting my equipment around and settling in most places, I am left with an unassigned GATO 150 amp and my main bedroom to set up, but no speakers. I am hoping for some speaker recommendations that would pair well with this amp. While this is a really nice amp, long story short, this is a 2nd/3rd system in my house, so trying to keep my speaker budget for this room in the $1k ballpark so I don't get too carried away. The room is roughly 16' square, about 250 SF with vaulted ceilings and carpet floor. Since this is my bedroom, I am looking for something that will play very nicely at low volumes. Essentially will be playing jazz, folk/rock, acoustic, anything from Radio Paradise mellow mix. This does not need to be a very resolving system, but much rather looking for that musicality. I also have a Moon/KEF Reference set up as my main system, so looking for something very different in this room. I have not selected my source yet (probably SONOS port to stream to accomodate whole house music, and some sort of external DAC eventually), but in any case will be all streaming, no vinyl or cds. Also would the speakers to produce a sound field that is great off-axis.
Thanks and appreciate any input.
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just to finish explaining how Yamaha implements Fletcher Munson curves Classic Receivers Yamaha CR420, 22 wpc/8ohms
LoudnessThe loudness control on the Yamaha CR-420 is a bit unique. It is a separate, continuously variable loudness control apart from the main volume knob. The loudness knob is positioned before the tone control circuitry in the signal chain. At max clockwise position, it provides no loudness boost. In use, the listener sets the volume for a natural sound level, then turns the loudness knob counterclockwise. This attenuates the overall level while progressively emphasizing bass and treble to compensate for the Fletcher-Munson effect on human hearing at lower volumes. Unlike loudness switches that work unpredictably, this layout allows effective loudness compensation regardless of program level or speaker efficiency. this model is CR-1040, 80wpc, I got one for my Garage/Shop system, it’s terrific. I use a Chase RLC-1 thru the tape loop for remote mute and remote volume.
here’s a CR-420 on eBay
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At Low Volume Listening: on average, human ears hear mids best, less well the highs and lows. We hear them all equally at ’normal’ volumes. Maintaining awareness of the Bass player in Jazz groups is what keeps low volume listening ’involving’ for me. you said ’musicality’, it’s about preserving that ’musicality’ at low volume. Your ’left over’ amp has no balance, tone, or ’loudness’ features. Your placement limitations might make balance a needed feature for imaging. Low Volume Listening (loudness is such a stupid name) is what Fletcher Munson Loudness Compensation is all about. As you lower the volume, progressively, the bass and highs get boosted, progressively. One maker inversely cuts the mids progressively as their method, I forget which one. You could see if you think you need it, then solve it one of 2 ways: 1. replace the amp with one with built-in ’Loudness’, and Balance, and Tone Controls, many vintage Yamaha (and other makers) have all this, some with no remote control. Proper implementation: Look for Two controls, One ’Volume’, other ’Loudness’. Start with loudness ’flat’, set ’normal’ volume with volume control. use ’loudness’ control to lower the volume, fletcher munson begins progressively. loudness back to flat (essentially loudness off), use the main Volume control for occasional increase above normal listening level. Do not lower the main volume below your pre-determined 'normal' as that does not progressively boost the highs or lows. Always use 'loudness' to lower below 'normal'.
2. my solution, to use featureless, or vintage feature laden non-remote equipment, is to add the Chase Remote Line Controller RLC-1. You must have the remote, no controls on the unit itself. Remote Volume and Balance, and progressive bass boost as you lower the volume, continue to use your or any amp. Mute, tone controls, 4 switchable line inputs, two identical outputs
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" I have not heard of those before." Here ya go! Spendor is a British loudspeaker manufacturing company founded in 1969 by audio engineer Spencer Hughes and his wife Dorothy1234. The name "Spendor" is derived from the first names of both founders. Spencer applied his knowledge gained from working in the BBC’s sound engineering department to create the company’s first loudspeaker, the BC1 I’ve owned many! |
I am going to be selling my Magnepan Mini speakers + 2 sets of Blue Jean speaker cables that are 10 AWG. The Mini is better than the Magnepan LRS+ that I had before. Only reason I am selling the Mini is to buy a 15x more expensive speaker for nearfield. You wanted different, then the Mini is different, and everything will be $1k. I do not think Magnepan need expensive speaker cables. I compared the Blue Jean with the Audience FrontRow and the Blue Jean was great. On my Yamaha NS5000 the Blue Jean was nowhere as good as the Audience FrontRow. I will be putting up photos of the Mini system tomorrow. |
"does not need to be a very resolving system, but much rather looking for that musicality." Sealed bookshelf speakers in the BBC tradition would be great. Spendor A1's are a current model, BBC design principles but modern materials. They were good off-axis for me, as well as a sonic delight. Used they would still cost 60 to 80% over your desired budget. You can keep in your budget buying used Spendors or other old "BBC" speakers in your budget. The older they are, the more you need to be confident the speakers are in good condition.
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