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Which speakers for a Yamaha A-S2000

Hello all -

I am undergoing an overhaul on my audio setup, and recently replaced a Yamaha CA-1000 with a (used) Yamaha A-S2000. The amp is paired with a set of (vintage) JBL L50s. I’m sure speaker technology has improved dramatically in the last 40 years, and I’m interested in entertaining something that would pair well with the new Yamaha. This system is audio-only (no movies), and is limited today to CD/streaming via a Yamaha CD-N301. I’ve picked up an Oppo BDP-105D for the SACDs and DVD/BRs I’ve managed to collect as well.

KEF R300s were recommended, and there’s a lot of talk about the KEF LS50s. But given their size, I don’t know if they’d be right for me. That may be coming from a ‘bigger is better’ bias, though. I haven’t heard them and can’t draw a conclusion one way or the other.

The budget here is maybe $900-1200/pair, used or new. The room size is about 15’x12’, with two large opening on two walls leading to other rooms. 

Music style is primarily early 70s prog/rock, so think Genesis, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, early Journey, Wishbone Ash, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd, etc. Clarity is important to me; proper separation of sounds (not muddy sounding), punchy but not overwhelming bass. I like to be able to listen to the music as it was intended to be heard by the musician or the band, and not manipulated by cheap components.

Anyway, I appreciate any and all feedback, and understand that opinions are available all over the spectrum. If spending a little over budget is justified, that’s OK too.

Thanks in advance,
James
busterswt
mesch
3,481 posts
 
I agree Klipsch Heresys are best with tube amplification.  
mrdecibel
3,063 posts
 
As someone who has a few sets of Heresy and other Klipsch Heritage models, a good, clean ss amp can sound excellent with them. I love good Klipsch horns ( I am a modifier of them ), and gave up on tubes a long time ago. Your Yamaha would be fine, if not excellent. Dynamics are their strong suit, but they are musical, coherent, fast, image as well as anything else with proper room set up, and make you forget you are listening to hifi. There are many professional reviews on the Heresy III. However, I always recommend auditioning any speakers you are considering, if at all possible. Enjoy ! MrD.
busterswt OP
9 posts
 
Thanks again for all the suggestions. I am taking them to heart.

I stopped by a local audio shop that looks to deal in B&W and Focal, primarily, along with Dynaudio. Now, I know none of these were on the list of recommendations here, but it was helpful to have some reference as to what to expect from a modern (good?) floor standing speaker. I would've checked out what you suggested but this was all they had that fit:

I listened to:

Focal Aria 936 (demo/clearance)
Dynaudio Excite 34 (soon to be discontinued)
Focal Chorus 716

The one take away listening to the Focals is that they would benefit greatly from a subwoofer for my tastes. The Chorus didn't really do it for me, but after listening to the Aria for a bit it grew on it. I have some 'go to' songs when trying things out, including King Crimson's "Easy Money", Bon Jovi's "Let it Rock, and Genesis' "The Cinema Show". I'll tell you, I don't know that I've ever heard "Easy Money" any better than that. With Genesis, the percussion was well represented and all voices heard. I could've done with more bass, though. Tuning the bass on the amp simply made it more "punchy" and not "boomy", if that makes sense. 

What *didn't* work well with the Focal 936's was Mountain's "Climbing". It sounded very muffled and muddy. That type of music represents nearly half my catalog, so they might not be a good fit long term. 

The Dynaudio Excite 34s made up for the lack of bass in the Focals, but didn't really do a great job (to me) in the mid-high end. Plus, everything sounded a bit... mixed. Less separation of instruments, especially the percussion. The cowbell in "Easy Money" sounded hidden, while guitar and bass were more at the forefront. As for Bon Jovi, the Dynaudio's were missing that "kick in the pants" feel. Underwhelming there, to say the least.

Anyway, I'll keep looking and appreciate the suggestions. I will say, that after getting home and connecting the JBL L-50s, there is certainly a LOT of room for improvement!
willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
The larger Klipsch Heritage are definitely better with tubes but many, including myself, have found the Heresy models to not be too amplifier picky and as mentioned by @mrdecibel a good clean SS amp, like the Yamaha A-S2000, can pretty much bring out the best they can provide.

Bill
busterswt OP
9 posts
 
Hello all -

Found another local audio shop and was able to demo the following:

- Klipsch Heresy III
- Klipsch RF-7 III
- B&W 705s2
- Revel Performa2 M105

Let me just say that the B&W were impressive - I hadn't heard a bookshelf speaker of that - stature - put out that kind of sound. Their size was deceiving; the bass was better than expected. I don't know if I would be completely happy with a 2-way, though. But these could grow on me. A subwoofer would probably address my overall concerns here. The Revel's were OK, but not as good as the B&Ws (to me).

I really, really wanted to like the Heresy's, and I DID like them, but they felt like a newer, better version of what I already have. That is to say, miles above what I'm using now but in the same "family". The RF-7s were good, but man they're big! I didn't take good notes on them, but they weren't for me.

I keep coming back to the Focal Aria 936s, but may want to audition them in my own home before committing to them. I could say the same for most of them, actually. The Aria's "spoke to me" and I really enjoyed the instrument separation with these vs all of the others. 

We'll see! Thanks for all of the feedback.


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