Haydn are great looking speakers - since you say they are in good condition, you can resell them at the cost - good thing about getting used gears, as new ones depreciate...enjoy the hunt! |
VA speakers tend to be very natural/a little forgiving (choose your epithet). My favs are the Beethoven Baby Grand and the Liszt; I imagine these characteristics extend to most if not all models (not quite so keen on the Beethoven Concert Grands). |
TBH forgiving and neutral is probably for the good.
For sure they don't have that blam in your face presentation but that can get old very quickly.
I had a Lyra Dorian cart which was very direct and in your face and at first I was thrilled with it.
But that presentation ALL THE TIME soon wore me down and it became very fatiguing.
I certainly don't want that in my speakers |
Vintage: KEF Q1 (AMAZING SPEAKERS: plenty of detail with amazing midrange and sufficient bass for me); doesn't do well with music like the "AMERICAN IDIOT " CD or Big Orchestral pieces, but Opera, solo voices and Eagles-Kansas-RHCP surprising enjoyable...
Vintage Big Boxes: JBL L25 PRIMA ( funky looking boxes with plenty of jump and presence)
And if I was looking at new: I'd investigate specials from KEF (who sells direct)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!! |
Injust bought a pair of Polk Audio Lsim 703 for 449$ shipped from Audorama. I know most audiophiles do not include them on their list but I personally think the Lsim series is underrated. Retail price on these bad boys is $1,500 so this is a killer deal. Heard great things about them and cant wait to listen to them. Will be using Arcam SA20 and Rega Planar 2 TT. God bless |
Edwinf, please get back to us once you have listened to the Polk's for a while. |
I second that on the Polks.
I so very nearly pulled the trigger on a pair on ebay at $534
So $449 shipped is a true killer deal indeed!
Please do report back upon listening although as new you will need break them in but would still love to hear first impressions.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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Used Spendor SP3/1 on ebay for $895.
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I listen to both Monitor Audio bronze and silver floor standers, and I don't find them to be too bright to interfere with enjoying music - perhaps it's system matching but I enjoy MA speakers - granted they are only mid-fi...I bought them not auditioning them before hand because of favorable reviews on an European audio magazine - they gave 5 out of 5 stars at the price point. I admit the silver line tweeter is a bit bright, but I love it for their piercing sound of soprano that goes to my heart...
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What are ultimate goals for this speaker purchase ? Will this be a garage-man cave rock n roll system ? Do you expect to play challenging, detailed, well recorded music ? What are your musical tastes ?
Various Klipsch models are probably a default choice. Hersey would probably be the sweet spot, as a used pair can be found for less than $500 and are easily modified to sound better (if desired). They are efficient, play to loud db levels, and are very good rock speakers....but not so good with other kinds of music.
If you want a plain head banger pair of speaker, look at Cerwin Vega. Raw, uncouth, unrefined, but excellent for loud raucous music.
MoR option would be a pair of JBL. Many choices for less than $500.
Polk can be hit or miss.
If your tastes are more demanding and you listen to acoustic jazz, classical, etc in addition to Rock, then look for a pair of Triangle Titus 202.
Moderate sized boxes, 91db efficient, benign crossover load, and can play loud when connected to low power tubes (in fact they are an EXCELLENT match with tubes). Outstanding transient response, and reproduction of instruments. Soundstage space in spades. Can sound bright, and no bass below about 75 hz (but will couple well to a sub).
You have a lot of choices. |
Wharfedale 10.1 or 225 models are pretty decent and much better than their price might suggest. I had the Diamond 225 in use for the past 3+ weeks. The sound was quite good and I could listen for hours to their comfortable sound. However, I wanted something a little more when it came to the top end detail and opted for the Elac B6.2 speakers instead for $170 - locally, and still in the box. I've read about some crossover upgrades and would gladly spend $100 in components to slightly enhance the sound. |
I have a good friend who owns a pair of Roger's Studio 1a that are in immaculate condition placed on 14" stands I believe, not positive on that but they sound pretty fantastic in his room. Still impressive after all these years. A larger bookshelf than may be desired though. Finding a pair of them in that condition would be challenging. Another classic sounding bookshelf would be a pair of Snell type Jll's. It will come down I think on the type of Music you fancy most. |
Any PARADIGM STUDIO 20 pair in good shape would be awesome. I have a pair of Klipsch RP-160M speakers ans do not find them too bright for my Classical listening. The Paradigms are a step up. |
They are normally (Paradigms) on eBay for a descnt price. I ahd a pair of series 1s for years. |
Well after living with the Haydn's for a few weeks I am happy in my choice.
The bass and mids have a lot more texture, timbre and solidity compared to the old MA speakers.
The treble is a little softer in delivery, not rolled off but just not as harsh or brittle as the MA were.
Now I am sure there were plenty of other competent speakers amongst the suggestion list and not saying these are the best but.....
As I was able to view and pick up local and pay cash it worked out very well for me.
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You just missed out on a pair of Klipsch Heresy IIs advertised on CL, not far from you, at an asking price of $300. If I did not have so many speakers around, I would have picked them up. They were in very nice shape. I feel I am at a loss, at that price, as I am regretting not getting them. Happy Holidays, to all, and, Enjoy ! MrD. |
Yes , the Haydns are a very refined speaker. I am sure they can be listened to all day without fatigue. Exceptional with acoustic music.
This said from having listened to them in a showroom a few years back.
Congrats on your find. |
Good to hear the Haydns worked out for you :) They're beautiful speakers and easy to listen to. |
Refined is a good description indeed.
Smooth but powerful and not rolled off but not harsh.
Yes refined.
And yes it does not hurt any that they look good to boot.
For the application of second system I can see them staying for quite some time. |
Refined, pleasant to look at, and easy to live with, doesn't happen often. |
Even less so with a woman. |
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One thing that really helps is the fact they are being driven by a brute of a vintage receiver that has been recapped.
And it has those items that had Audiophools running in horror but are darn useful IMHO.
Yes tone controls( bass and treble), a loudness button and low and high filters. |
Paradigm Studio 20 were excellent, I had Version 1s. |
