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.
PM sent to OP. I have a set of the monster cables from the 80s. You might enjoy something to compare to those speaker cables as a first step. There's good advice above for both cables and speakers and such. I think that you might be pleasantly surprised with an inexpensive speaker cable swap. I've heard the Persona Bs, and recently the Dynaudio Heritage Specials. I own a pair of the Founder 40b, and have used them for small and medium room listening.. |
All I can tell you is this, if you can get your hands on a good pair of pre-owned JPS Audio Superconductor 3 speaker cables, you'll be done with speaker cables for life. I've owned my Superconductor 3 cables for over 15 years and have found them to be some of the best speaker cables regardless of price. Over the years, I've changed all my cabling except for the Superconductor 3s. They were pretty expensive when they were being produced new, and I'm not sure what they're currently go for on the used market. But, I can assure you, they are well worth every penny. |
With high frequency hearing loss, I think that the Dynaudio 40 is a great recommendation based upon what I have heard about Dynaudio having the best tweeters. GR Research has an upgrade for it that will take it to a much improved level. Speakers, often insanely expensive ones, frequency use really horrid components in their crossovers. So, if you can solder, that's probably a great way to go. He sells speaker cables too, but I have never heard them. Another consideration is to get bright speakers. I know a guy who has hf loss, and his system would drive most out of the room, but he loves it. There's no shame in designing the system for you, just don't try to impress others with it! 😉 All listening is personal. Some like systems so muddy that you can't hear differences in cables. They love their systems, I'd have listening fatigue in a minute, but they'll listen for hours. It's tough since most stores don't really focus on audio anymore. I think that TMS, The Music Store may work with you as long as no damage is done, and you'll pay shipping and perhaps a restocking fee, but I can't tell you that authoritatively, I think I read it somewhere. Hope you find what pleases you! |
High efficiency is always a good choice for tubes imo. As for cables, try lamp wire.* Seriously: focus on good speakers first. Then see how much you want to waste on speaker cable. Imho, as long as it’s thick enough, you’re good. * Oh merciful God, please protect me, your humble servant, unreceivedogma, from the slings and arrows of expensive cable fetishists. 😬😬😬 |
Stager Silver Solids pure silver cables have a reputation for being exceptionably accurate and transparent, among the finest available according to users and critics alike - many of whom purchased them for reference cables and for their own use. And priced well below what you would expect. Website has all the specs, review links, user comment - worth a look: |
