A lot of nice speaker recommendations. Here's mine: The Monitor Audio Silver 300 7G. It's nearly identical big brother the 500 7G was given Stereophile Class A status for a reason. The 300s work better in smaller rooms, and don't have to be so far out into the listening space. Their dual rear ports allow LF trimming to avoid mid-bass 'thickness' on vocals. But most importantly they have both smoothness and dynamics. They sound like what I always hoped for: the British "PRaT" Pace Rhythm and Timing, with the definition and clarity of a horn, yet none of the harshness. Way more speaker per dollar than anything else I listened to. Soundstage and imaging? Very good. My LS-50s required that I be within a few feet (nearfield) otherwise they sounded tiny and my Magnepans simply required too much real estate. The B&Ws - didn't care for their house sound, and as much as I respect Harbeth, Spendor and ProAc, they required spending at least 2-3X my budget to even get close to the Monitor Audios. Use the change to play with cables, and you can bring it all in for your $4K budget.
Speaker and Cable Suggestions Please
Greetings, some time ago (maybe over a year ago) I asked for some advice as to what tube integrated amp to buy. It was to be my first tube amp and I needed a lot of help. After a long search and much study, I decided on an ARC VSi75. Now I need your help again. I currently have a pair of Focal Aria 926. My listening room is small, 15'7" x 11'7" (4.75m x 3.5m).
I'm looking for a speaker for a near-field situation that extends into the upper mids and high frequencies. Since my amp puts out 75 watts of output, I need something with decent sensitivity, say at least 91db. I also need new speaker cables. I'm using circa 1980s Monster Cable now.
One more consideration, I have lost some hearing due to a neurological autoimmune condition. Yet, when I auditioned Paradigm Persona Bs recently through an ARC, I could here all the sound that I remember hearing when I was a teenager. The point being, I know that upper range I'm chasing is possible I just don't know if it's achievable on my budget. I have about $4,000 to spend on speakers and cables. I was thinking about DH Lab Q-10 for cables and the rest for speakers. What do you guys think? I don't mind buying used. Thank you.
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@diminishedchord check the Focal website and spec sheet for your speakers. I believe it says your speakers drop to 2.9 ohms, which can be difficult for a tube amp to handle. Do a search here for speaker impedance. Lots of info to digest and one more important point to consider if you replace your speakers and continue to use tube amps. |
Now I have a new question. As marco1 suggested, my Focal Arias operate at a nominal 8 ohms but at a minimum impedance of 2.9 ohms. I don't know what this means. Does the impedance fluctuate during operation? If so, what makes a speaker have a fluctuating impedance? Should I use the 4 ohm speaker terminals on my integrated or the 8 ohms? |
Spend your money on the speakers as they are 99% or more of the sound. Use 14 or 12 gauge zip cord for cables. Yes, cables can make a tiny tiny difference and if you are a trained listener and have 30 year old perfect hearing, they can be audible. For the rest of us, nope. Of course, the more you spend the more your brain will justify magical improvements. I love magic, but my preference is the old school right in front of you slight of hand. Blackwood kind. |
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