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Which Speaker

Hi, I'm building my first set up and need some help deciding on a set of speakers, I don' have a ton of money to spend but I've narrowed it down to some speakers that are in a sale deal so I can get the best ones I can. The main input will be vinyl from a pro-ject debut carbon evo and the amp will probably either be a marantz pm6007 or yamaha As501 depending on the speaker. The options I have: KEF Q550, Q Acoustics 3050i, Fyne Audio F303, Yamaha NS-F350, Wharfedale Diamond 12.4, Dali Oberon 5, Bowers & Wilkins 603 and Monitor Audio 200 or 500.
The website does say I can enquire about others to see if they would do a deal for them, they have many options like KEF 750, Dali Opticon 5,Elac Debut F6.2, Monitor Audio Silver 6, Kudos x2 and Mission QX4 - I dont know if they would allow any of these but I can always ask.
Music wise I tend to listen to indie/rock/metal but also a bit of everything from across the board, good bass is important but I can always add a subwoofer in the future. I know the best thing to do would be to listen in person but with full lockdown due to Covid I cant.
I think thats all the information I can give, I know I've listed quite a lot of speakers but it's my first try I want to do it well, thanks in advance for your thoughts.
oliverben5672
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,660 posts
 
What I did was pick a price for speakers then double it and shop used for 50% deals. If you can find a pair on your list used and within driving distance, buy them and try them then resell them. You ain’t going to make any money, but you’ll control the bleeding while you figure out your room acoustics, personal preference, and components signature. I’m on my 5-6th pair, idk maybe 10, probably more, but...I’m getting there and am only out time and gasoline.(and initial investment)
oliverben5672 OP
20 posts
 
Ok, I've spent a lot of time looking at speakers and my budget over the weekend. For now I am going to have to go with a more budget friendly speaker but I wholly intend of upgrading in the future and will certainly come back to this thread when that time comes. For now, however, I am limited by expenses but I still believe I have some good options. The two speakers I've narrowed it down to are the Q Acoustics 3050i and the Dali Oberon 5, both I can secure for the same price. For reference if I could afford it I was leaning to a pair of the monitor audio silvers so if you recommended them good job. But maybe I could even go for some golds in the future you never know.
Anyway its between the Dali and the 3050i, what's getting your guys votes and why? Thanks again
agwca
86 posts
 

As a response to the Wharfedale diamond 11.2 for only $199.99 on amazon it was a great price but I couldn't get used to the bottom ported bass.  Also, nothing remarkable about the SQ though mides and highs expected for its' price and somewhat above.  The 225’s, had a warmer bass and sounded nice but I'd miss the highs and with either the 11.2s and 225s, the tone changes alot when you move outside the sweet spot so I prefer a wide dispersion speaker.  Sent back the 11.2s.

The Martin Logan 15s with the folded motion tweeter presented voices with a more live sound vs studio, were easy to drive with lower power but couldn't be driven to louder levels without breaking up. I thought the mid cone held them back. Nice looking speaker but the gloss gave alot of glare with light. sent them back. Other than voice, sounded exactly like my Paradigm SE-1s. The Paradigms needed more power to get them to sound level with the MLs but you could crank them loud and they still sounded cohesive while the MLs didn't. Both didn't have the mids/highs I was looking for.

Next up, an MA Silver 50 6th.  The Silver 100s were really nice but a bit overpowing for me for my room. Would have kept them but compared them against Focals I have.  Liked the upper mids and highs better on Focals but the Silver 100s are really nice and were definitely worth the discounted price.

Needs now are for a small speaker with small sub if necessary

BTW, tried the Oberon 1s in my system too and found them decent enough but not enough dynamic range/capability, ok for music but not as good for movies. King of overpriced for what you get but then again, aren't they all now? Nice vinyl finish though and easy to place. Can be a bit bright too without the added airiness I look for. Should be priced under $500 IMO.

 

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