Phil - I don't know if I'd call the VR950s bright, but the strings do stand out. I like it though. The upper bass range isn't the best with these speakers. While I could put the PS-1000 into play, I want to see if I can sort out the upper bass with these speakers. Seems a little muddy.
Is there anything I *can* do to help this? A separate amplifier that is supposed to be on the warm? Or is my only option going for a better set of speakers? |
I used to have a pair of small Boston Acoustics. They were very popular back in the 80's. I had no qualms with them. Its a matter of personal taste. |
fwiw, any Boston Acoustics speaker I have heard has been a bit bright. I do not know your particular models however...
I recently have been listening to an old pair (15 years) of Sound Dynamics 300ti speakers that are very good and can be bought for $300 or so. Nearly full range and easy to drive too.
I think it may be a good thing the Maggies are unavailable as they are difficult to drive and need lots of room as well.
Maybe try this angle regarding your stereo: what are you looking for? or: what are you unhappy with? |
Thanks. Just out of curiosity, are the Boston Acoustics really that bad? To my inexperienced ears, they sound pretty good, but maybe that's because I don't know any better?
Still, thank you all for your responses.
Stevesctt - you are the only person I know locally that knows (a lot) more than I do. I'm going to be picking your brain a lot more if you don't mind. :) |
"With a tight budget (<$500) can you folks recommend something that will fit my bill? "
Since you have a sub already, you do not need anything too big or extended, but speakers that can do the rest that the sub does not very well. A pair of Triangle Titus monitors can be had for <$400 used. These often get recognition as one of the best speakers around in their price range and I would have to agree. Integrate a good sub well and you have a sound that can contend with the big boys.
Same true with Maggie mmgs which you might be able to find used in your price range.
Another option would be to look for refurbished OHM Ls at www.ohmspeakers.com. You might be able to work a deal to get these newly refurbed from teh factory for $500 or less maybe. I've had mine (with some mods) for over 30 years now and they hold up quite well. I can say from experience that they particularly shine with the kinds of music you identify, specifically Porcupine Tree. Fear Of A Blank Planet in particular sounded so good on mine, that I was tempted to just go with them and ditch my upgraditis at the time. |
Not surprising the Maggies sold. I likely would have bought them for $200 if the seller responded. Good deals like this go fast.
I would continue with Craiglist searches. With your budget and music preference, maybe look for a pair of Paradigm Studio 60s to pop-up. I bought a pair on Craigslist a few months ago for $175 from a seller in Mesa. They were v2 and in great shape. The Studio 60s are good for your listening tastes and budget. Since you have a SW, maybe consider the Studio 20 or Studio 40 bookshelfs.
I've seen B&W DM640s on Craiglist for less than $500/pair another good choice. Also, look for B&W DM602s -- a large bookshelf monitor that is VG for rock. Depending on the version, you should find a pair for less than $300. |
Wow. Thanks for the responses, fellows!
I wanted to include more info in the original post, but there was a word limit on the post.
I will be listening to Progressive rock (Porcupine Tree, Riverside), Classic Rock (Pink Floyd and the likes) and occasionally Hard rock/ Metal (Metallica/ Tool/ A Perfect Circle) kind of music.
I prefer listening to music more than watching movies. I don't listen to things loud as I prefer to NOT blow my eardrums out.
I have a sub (Paradigm PS-1000) that does nice duty during movies. I put the DTR6.5 in Pure Audio mode when listening to music.
That said, unfortunately the Maggies are sold. (Stevensctt - Yes, they are from the guy in Chandler, AZ :D)
With a tight budget (<$500) can you folks recommend something that will fit my bill? |
"Would replacing the VR with the 1.4s be considered an upgrade?"
Maggies sound and do things differently from conventional dynamic designs.
I think that would depend mostly on whether you consider the differences you will hear to be an upgrade or not.
Most would consider the potential benefits to be with certain kinds of music, more acoustic forms of music and less electronic/rock/pop types or for HT, at least without use of subs. |
Are you referring to the Magnepan 1.4, Chandler, AZ seller on Phoenix craigslist? If so, I emailed the seller regarding his "re-gluing" work yesterday (24MAR), but no reply yet.
The 1.4s are definitely worth $200 if all checks out. Webnick's response is very good. |
Martin, simply put, I think the 1.4QRs would be a music upgrade, but a HT downgrade and that overall you probably wouldn't be too happy with them since they require lots of power (your amp only appears to venture into 4 ohm territory for bursts of power, which is where the 1.4QRs like to hang), they are very room and position dependent, and they have a much narrower sweet spot.
"Regluing" is probably the seller telling you that the drivers in his 1.4QRs had delaminated (the drivers consist of very thin strips of wire glued onto sheets of mylar and under certain conditions and/or over time the glue doesn't hold), a common issue with older Magnepan speakers, that may have been fixed completely or partially, well or poorly. The only way to tell is to pull off the cloth covering called a 'sock' (not an easy task) or shine a light of some sort through the sock to inspect the drivers, and to listen to them - if you hear aberrant sounds and/or see wires coming up off the mylar, the delamination problem probably remains.
Given the aforesaid brief description of caveats of ownership, these speakers could be a cheap easy way to enter into the wonderful world of planar magnetic speakers - Magnepan is a revered company and the Magnepan Users Group on the Audio Asylum provide a wealth of information on Magnepan speakers and the folks there are very helpful. http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/MUG/bbs.html |
wire comes off the mylar (it runs the length of the speaker) and needs to be reattached using glue. I did it a couple of times to an old pair, it is quite easy but not an ideal situation. Sometimes a bit of wire is loose and you need to glue it again etc.
You get the glue from Magnepan (at least I did 25 years ago)
I would not bother with it again myself |
while there are many members here that know and own Maggies I would suggest that you venture over to the Planar board a Audio Asylum where most Magnepan fans hang out. |
