Finally upgrading the AE109's.....

[Gazjam]

:)

managed to land a billy bargain (and a half) and I'll be getting a set of Rega RS3's next week.
Should be a good step up over my AE109's I think?

Changing the speakers will be a great upgrade for me, probably the most significant I'd reckon.
I've taken care of the source, all the power stuff (cables, filtering 'n stuff) and soon the amps.

Getting there... :)


Will put the AE's up for sale if theres any interest, or stick them in the bedroom system to replace the Mission M73i's in there already.
Might be too big n boomy for a small bedroom with wooden floor though?

[aquapiranha]

Very nice Gary. Be sure to give us a full report!

http://www.audiot.co.uk/imagegen.ashx?image=/images/product/main/Rega-RS3.jpg&height=388&width=405&constrain=true&compression=100&pad=true

[John]

They not big (AE!109) so should be ok for a smaller room
Anyway good luck the 109 has a lovelly mid but you will get so much more with the new speakers

[DSJR]

The RS3 will give you treble clarity and sparkle the AE109's haven't got. They sparkle a tad too much for me, but this is easily forgiven because the bass and midrange is so lovely and open. Can't remember if the bass units face in or out - HiFi dave did tell me.

While you have the two together, PLEASE look at the series resistor on the AE109 tweeter, which I suspect will be a good few Ohms in value. I suspect that severaly reducing this value should bring the AE109's tweeter up to proper balance instead of the 5db step down in level it had when new (measured and CERTAINLY audible...

[Alex_UK]

Great choice Gary - tremendous speakers for the money, and will be a big improvement on the AE's I think. (Bass drivers face outwards, I seem to remember from hifi_dave.)

[Ali Tait]

Good stuff Gary, let us know how you get on.

[wee tee cee]

Gary,
I demoed a pair at glasgow audio a while back, A fine speaker.You can alternate the positioning to suit your bass preference....in or out.Need to give them a wee bit of time to get your heid round the new sound.
Regards Tony.

[Gazjam]

The RS3 will give you treble clarity and sparkle the AE109's haven't got. They sparkle a tad too much for me, but this is easily forgiven because the bass and midrange is so lovely and open. Can't remember if the bass units face in or out - HiFi dave did tell me.

While you have the two together, PLEASE look at the series resistor on the AE109 tweeter, which I suspect will be a good few Ohms in value. I suspect that severaly reducing this value should bring the AE109's tweeter up to proper balance instead of the 5db step down in level it had when new (measured and CERTAINLY audible...

thanks for that Dave, I've read up on the AE109 mod...to be honest I fond the treble ok, its the upper mid thats a wee bit congested compared to others I've heard...?

But you get used to it I guess (Had the 109's since 1996!)

[Gazjam]

Gary,
I demoed a pair at glasgow audio a while back, A fine speaker.You can alternate the positioning to suit your bass preference....in or out.Need to give them a wee bit of time to get your heid round the new sound.
Regards Tony.

Cheers Tony,
read nowt but good stuff about them.

should be good. :)

See your running 4 Bantam mono's now....?
Whats the benefit of 4 over two you think?

[DSJR]

thanks for that Dave, I've read up on the AE109 mod...to be honest I fond the treble ok, its the upper mid thats a wee bit congested compared to others I've heard...?

But you get used to it I guess (Had the 109's since 1996!)

Stepping the treble down so will make the upper mid a bit "loud" and exposed - it's a definite step down, not a smooth transition which wouldn't have been so audible. When you have the Rega's in situ you'll easily hear it.

With a typical vinyl source and a sweet digital one, you'll LOVE the RS3's I reckon - a huge step on from ELA's and suchlike IMO :)