As long as your rooms not huge I'd check out the B&W CM1, B&W 685, Paradigm Studio 10, Focal Chorus 706, Focal Chorus 806, Dynaudio Excite. Good luck. Have fun. |
You can get some great deals on the Focal Chorus V speakers as they are being replaced. Music Direct is a place to start. My local shop was also discounting them so you might find a local deal as well. |
Agree with suggestions of Focal and Dynaudio. Others to consider:
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 -- read the reviews.
Vienna Acoustics -- used Haydn Grand, but not if you mainly listen to rock.
If lucky, you might find a used pair of KEF LS50 or Nola Boxer. |
Have heard the Dynaudio Excite X12. I thought them to be wonderful for the price. They were driven by SS amp though. 1st version can be found under $1000, New version just released. A pair on sale here for~$850. |
Any experience with the original vienna Haydn? There is a pair for sale here for $345. I am inclined to give them a try for that price. I listen to mostly jazz and vocal music, and mild rock/pop |
Silverlines will beat any speaker mentioned so far. |
Forgive the long reply but the below may help.
One of the problems with a asking for a recommendation for a speaker is that you are bound to get replies that endorse what folks already have or want to have. These recommendations may be the right speaker for them, but is it the right one for you? At the same time I can appreciate why you have to ask, with the closest dealer being 4 fours away. Before you go though, start asking yourself these questions, and you may find you don't need us to recommend anything.
*How do you like your current PSB's? Do you want to replicate the same sound but in a smaller package?
*Your PSB's have metal tweeters. Do you like the sound of these? If so, look at monitors that have metal tweeters and stay away from those brands that use soft domes. That eliminates Dynaudio, Vienna Acoustics, Sonus Fabers, Proacs, Spendors, etc.
*The materials used in tweeter construction all have their own unique sound - metal, textiles, ribbons, even horns. By doing some research on the net you can group brands by the type of high frequency drivers they use and then audition these various types to find out for yourself what you prefer when you make the 4 hour trip. You will have a plan.
*You said you need monitors because of your new room. Will they be on a bookshelf or stand mounted? If bookshelf, then make sure they are front ported. If on a stand, you can look at either.
*Are you going to use a sub? If not, you will be losing a lot of bass coming from your PSB's with those 10" drivers. Therefore, the question of placement, shelf or stand, becomes even more critical.
I would take all of the above into consideration first so I could make a list of those brands that would work best for me. Then make the trip, listen and come back with a short list, and ask the question of actual owners of those brands about what they think. You will be a lot closer to finding out what is the best speaker for you and not us.
Or run the risk of dozens of recommendations that will get you nowhere. Good luck in your quest and happy listening. |
Not sure if you have interest, but I have 2 pair of proacs for sale right now. both have new surround that were professionally done through Audio Connections in NJ (a top Proac dealer). They are both teak. One is a Studio 1 MK2 and the other is a studio 100. Similar sound for both. No other speaker I've ever heard under 2k will image or soundstage like these two. I also have a set of Super Towers mk1 in teak that I'm selling too. I personally don't use a sub for monitors as it usually takes away from the strengths of the monitor. If you are thinking of subs, why not think of a nice looking tower that does what a monitor does, but goes deeper because of the size of the cabinet. It's also fewer connections and electronics and unless you are an expert in set up, most subs just don't work like they should be. That's my take on hearing so many systems set ups over the years. Bass is very expensive and there are no short cuts not matter what folks will tell you. It costs money to get subs (you need two), cables and crossovers set up properly. I know of a couple of designers of subs who will even tell you the same thing. They design and sell them because they became the rage and it pays the bills, but they don't love them as most don't get two and the proper cables for them.
The biggest thing I take away from speakers is matching them properly with electronics, stands and cables. all make a difference. There are many good monitors out there and some of them are good bargains too. Use your ears and chose who to listen to. All of us have opinions and we all love what we have chosen. Figure out what you want out of a speaker and then figure out what you don't want. Once you get them and have them working, you will probably be vey happy and not worry about what you didn't get. Just my thoughts. Let me know if you have interest in the Proacs. Great luck to you. Have fun with this and don't' over think it all. |
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Thanks for the responses. I hooked up my old B&W DM 602's to see what they sounded like. I had forgotten how nice they are. I like their sound but they just seem a little rough around the edges to me. I am looking for a little more refined sound. I didn't seem miss bass from the PSB' s as much as I expected. My new speakers will be stand mounted to answer the above question.
Thanks again all. I will be back periodically as the search continues |
I have a pair of now ancient KEF Q10s I use for extra speakers and studio near field monitors and they sound really good...plus, the port is on the front so shelf positioning isn't as big a deal. I assume new ones are better, but I've always been impressed by these. |
Does anyone know or compared the Focal 700 vs 800? Not sure i am really grasping what the difference is say between the 706 vs the 806. I did briefly have a pair of 807 v's when I had a ss power amp and i really liked them. Anyone use either with tube amplification? |
How long have the 602s been sitting? If it's been awhile and you have them on good stands set up well you might want to run them for a few days and let them settle in. You might have what your looking for in them. They are a great speaker. |
Two other suggestions (both would be used): Celestion SL-700 or Spica TC-50 |
how about ATC SCN11 , excellent monitors, can get used in top condition for around 1,000 usd |
LSA Signature 1. Beautiful sounding tweeter with big, tight bass. Sounds great with tubes. |
+1 on the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 monitors. Used to be my main speakers, now in the office. Love 'em. |
I eventually decided on a pair of vienna Haydn's. I got a really good deal on a pair and heard a pair driven by a similar system and they sounded fantastic. Thanks for all of your rec's. I did manage to make the 4 hour trip and audition a bunch of the speakers mentioned here. The Haydn's just seemed right to me. I'm hoping they will sound as good in my system.
Thank you to all who replied to my thread.
Best regards and happy listening!
The skipper |
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Skipper - the difference between the 706v and 806v is primarily the cabinet think was. If you knock on the top of them you will quickly hear the difference. The 706v will have more cabinet resonance.
My father-in-law has a pair of 706v, a friend has 807v, and I have the 836v and currently have a tube amplifier that I think sounds fantastic with them. |
