Speaker Upgrade


Hello. I'm considering upgrading my speakers. I can't say I'm unhappy with my current speakers (what you don't know won't hurt you) but suppose I'm curious if new speakers will make a difference. I'm actually quite happy with my current speakers but psychologically I wonder if a new set will sound better.

My system consists of a Yamaha DSP-1A integrated amp, Pro-Ject Debut Carbonturntable (acrylic platter equipped) with an Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge, a Denon DVD-2900 DVD/CD player (used just for CD's) and a DBX 3BX-DS. My speakers consist of a pair ofWharfedale Rubiance RB-27's in the front and RB-23's in the rear with a Mirage FRX-S15powered subwoofer. Everything is about 20years old except for the turntable which is about a year old. room is 15 feet by 12 feet and is fairly heavily furnished (it doubles as my office). I have the listening area set up width-wise. And I listen to primarily classical, jazzand big band.

I started thinking about new speakers after seeing so many articles and videos praising the Elac Debut speakers. So naturally these arewhat I'm considering (F5/B5 or F6/B6 combos) and I'll keep the Mirage sub. I did speak to alocal high-end audio shop who suggested thatI also audition Klipsch and B&W. I did meet someone recently who is selling his 1 monthold Elac F5 speakers for $350 so I considering that heavily. But I don't want to just buy a newset of speakers (even if they are a great deal) if they don't sound much different (or better)than my Wharfedale's.

If I do this, I don't think I want to spend much more than $1,000 if new for fronts and rears (I can get the Elac F5/B5 combo for about this new and much less it'd I go used).

Does anyone out there have any experience with and thoughts on Wharfedale Rubiancespeakers as compared with today's speakers like the Elac F5 ad F6?

Thanks
cspiegs

Showing 5 responses by ctsooner

Most of the Elac's are very good for the price. If you can find a pair of Vandersteen 1's you may want to check them out also.
What changes they have made.  I was blown away when listening to their newest stuff a few years ago.  That's when I got the Treo's and now teh Quatro's.  I was a Pro ac guy for years.  I have loved many speakers over the years, but tonality, no smearing etc.. are important to me now.  I owned ADS, Ohm and Dahlquist for a bit, but always wanted more. I have no desire so far to leave Vandersteen as I've auditioned soooo much gear over the years adn nothing to my ears, beats them in their various price ranges.  JMHO....These aint your dad's Vandy's, lol.
Yes, it goes 1, 2, 3, Treo, Quatro, 5 and 7.  I would personally purchase a new pair of 1's over a 15 year old pair of 2's.  Newer components means a lot in a pair of speakers.  

cs, email me at ctsooner@alumni.ou.edu Pete
Tomic, he listens to mostly Orchestral music and Jazz.  That's why I was thinking he should try adn get a speaker with fuller range (not using sub as that's out of his budget when you figure things out) and tonally correct.  The new Vandersteen 1's are a couple of hundy out of his budget of 1k max.  He can get the 15yo 2's, which I am not familiar enough with.  Rutan sold those and remembers how they sound against his newer speakers as well as other speakers.  He can look at the Maggie set up as well as B&W's (not my favorite, but many like a more forward mid (he doesn't) and others that are out there.  There are options, but I also feel strongly that upgrading from the 1990's Yamaha integrated amp to a newer and better sounding amp will even help his Warfdales sound much better.  

He has options and focusing in with one who knows what's up may help.  As anyone knows who has dealt with Rutan, he isn't always about purchasing through him etc...  he just wants to help out as do many in this industry. 
Good luck C.  Hope that our call helped.  Hope you get a chance to get up to Johnny's with your amp and try some new amps.  Honestly, that alone may give you much much better sound.  The 2's are in a different league than what you have and what the ADS are and it's not close to most ears I'm sure.