Speakers for electronic/hiphop/rnb [$4000 range]?


Hello everybody,

Let me start off by saying I don’t know much about hifi. I’m trying to educate myself by visiting forums like these and I’m learning some things but most information goes over my head. And most of you listen to classical/rock/jazz so it’s hard to find an opinion that is relevant to me without asking. I currently have a set of Kef ls50’s that I blind bought because of amazing reviews paired with an arcam a19 integrated amplifier and it’s basically the best purchase I’ve ever made. It’s made me appreciate music in a different way and now I would like to upgrade to a new setup in a designated music room with new speakers and new components. The room will be 12x17.

A store near me sells Harbeth speakers but I think I read bass is lacking in these but I may still try to audition them, I’m not really sure what else is well regarded in my price range..
torontoelectro

Showing 5 responses by gregkohanmim

Hi torontoelectro - Sounds like you already have a nice system considering that you bought sight unseen.

I agree with the advice above in that you should try to listen to as many speakers as you can at the dealer but I think that I would hesitate to try to integrate a sub at this point simply because it takes a lot of fiddling to get just right and often has you chasing your tail to get beyond massive bass slam and to an integrated frequency response that integrates with your speakers, placement and room.

Without giving you a specific speaker recommendation, assuming that you do get a chance to listen to several speakers at the dealers, keep in mind that they will be able to help you narrow down your choices if you come with a clear wishlist of what you want and preferable in the lingo that they're familiar with.

For the type of music that you like, you're going to want:

Full range floor standing speakers that:

Low frequency response - Preferably down to about 30hz or better
Exceptionally tight bass
Very detailed mid/high
Fast dynamics

I'm guessing this will probably be a 3-way design and will also have the ability to bi-amp at some point in the future.

Once you've narrowed it down to a few, then you should start thinking about your amplification - For the type of speakers and music you like, you're probably going to end up with speakers that will be power hungry - Lots of tight bass with great detail and dynamics almost always means lots of fast power to drive them.

All of that said - I'm curious what it is with your current setup that you feel is missing since you seem to really appreciate it.

Finally - You can expect to get dozes of varying opinions here because everyone's taste is different - at the end of the day the most important thing is that you enjoy the sound of your music in your room with your setup.  In fact, part of the fun is the journey along the way where you get to better understand yourself and the effect that different equipment will have.  Only you can be your best expert.

Greg
Just one more thing to add when you're auditioning speakers.  As you're listening, recognize that's there only one "right" volume to play any music.  If it doesn't sound realistic and get you off your couch at that volume, then they are not the right speakers or system - move on (quickly) and figure out why and find a solution.

Fun times
No prob at all -and you can all call me Greg :)

One thing I would make sure that you look for is a set of speakers that can throw an absolutely massive sound stage that has incredible front and center focus that have zero muddiness.  Given your room size, that should be easy to do.

For your music preference, you want to make sure that whatever you go with, your speakers have the ability to sound that music is coming from all directions (including behind you) and still sound centered and focused.

Happy to share my personal preferences with you but at the end of the day, your ears alone will need to be the judge.

But in the end, the one thing that's indisputable is that if you want to listen to your music at realistic "live" volume levels, you're going to need some serious power to control the speakers.

I'm sure that you're going to enjoy this process and so glad that you have your first system that has awakened you to the possibilities.

Only happens once - enjoy it!

Greg
Todd speaks the truth- except this (no offense Todd):

"floorstanding speakers with integrated powered woofers/subs"

Unless you've got the scratch for Beolab 90's that is...

The guys that design drivers
The guys that design cabinets
The guys that design crossovers
etc.

You want each of them to be the best in their field right?

I would never want an audio component that was jointly designed by the best in their discipline and have to listen to them beat it out every day on my system.

Corporations - you can hear it

Greg

By "right volume" - I'm talking about the volume setting at which the loudness of the central image and/or vocals/lead sound natural (live) and the soundstage appears appropriately sized.