What speakers to get?

[steviej233]

I will be turning 30 in a couple of months :( and my wife is looking for ideas, she mentioned getting me new speakers and that got me thinking - do i want to upgrade? :scratch: The budget is £800 and i want another set of monitors, so there it is gents what do you think is the best i can get for that money? Suggestions please!

[Yomanze]

Music preferences? Anything in particular that you want to improve? Speakers are probably the most 'personal' component as they have the biggest impact on the overall sound.

[steviej233]

Sorry chaps it is early, i meant to say that i want them to be floor standing.

[steviej233]

Music preferences? Anything in particular that you want to improve? Speakers are probably the most 'personal' component as they have the biggest impact on the overall sound.

I am running a Sony DA-2400ES av receiver and my sources are mainly coming from a PC, music tast varies SO much, one minute it i will be listening to classical, the next hip hop, the next metal and so on. My paradigms have been with me for a long time and they have a good warm bassy sound but with quite a lot of detail, i am going to try an demo the new version of them and see what they are like. My system also get used a lot for watching films with a blu ray player as the source and a sky HD box so they have to be very musical but have great punch and detail for that cinematic feel. Not to much required eh? :eyebrows:

[icehockeyboy]

If you could set the budget a bit higher, Isuckmandellsonslemons has a bnib pair of Ushers in the classifieds, they are sublime!

[synsei]

If you could set the budget a bit higher, Isuckmandellsonslemons has a bnib pair of Ushers in the classifieds, they are sublime!

+1 :)

[realysm42]

I reckon this would compliment your system nicely:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paper-Plate-Speaker/

[steviej233]

I reckon this would compliment your system nicely:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Paper-Plate-Speaker/

The search is over! :lol:

[steviej233]

If you could set the budget a bit higher, Isuckmandellsonslemons has a bnib pair of Ushers in the classifieds, they are sublime!

I think i am being thick but i can't see them......:doh:

[realysm42]

Here you go:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23516

[isuckedmandelsonslemons]

Just seen this thread. Shameless plug for my Ushers. If you can find a better pair of loudspeakers (new or second hand) for a grand, I'll eat them. It's a crying shame that these are sitting in a box. The only saving grace is that I have four other pairs of Ushers to listen to. There must be some reason why I buy Usher speakers.

[isuckedmandelsonslemons]

FWIW, my newly-installed home cinema has all Usher speakers. The rears are 6311s. I can assure you that they tick all your boxes as far as music goes. For home cinema they'll punch like Mike Tyson.

[steviej233]

If i had £1000 i would definitely consider them but as my wife is buying i can't take the p*ss to much! :lol:

I have been talking to my brother and we are going to demo these on the weekend:http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/p/b-w-684speakers?pp=96&pp=96
and these http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-3277-kef-q500-speakers-pair.aspx?gclid=CNnLmbLDtbUCFWbKtAodckQAOg

I am properly excited!:eek:

[julesd68]

Steve,

If you can't run to Harry's Ushers, I would consider these ones at Emporium - brand new and nearly half-price ...

https://www.emporiumhifi.com/shop/article_1332/Usher-V602-Speakers-floorstanding-Brand-New-boxed-%28W%29-retails-at-%C2%A3800.html?sessid=B8mJCh8IXqXyp3cQNRPArsBt7MQE WEcQBh4ofcYjih8JyFF0fzl9BOtMIIRxneE2&shop_param=cid%3D1%26aid%3D1332%26

[chelsea]

Heco's may well be worth a demo if you can.

[isuckedmandelsonslemons]

Steve,

If you can't run to Harry's Ushers, I would consider these ones at Emporium - brand new and nearly half-price ...

https://www.emporiumhifi.com/shop/article_1332/Usher-V602-Speakers-floorstanding-Brand-New-boxed-%28W%29-retails-at-%C2%A3800.html?sessid=B8mJCh8IXqXyp3cQNRPArsBt7MQE WEcQBh4ofcYjih8JyFF0fzl9BOtMIIRxneE2&shop_param=cid%3D1%26aid%3D1332%26

Cracking buy.

[Yomanze]

If i had £1000 i would definitely consider them but as my wife is buying i can't take the p*ss to much! :lol:

I have been talking to my brother and we are going to demo these on the weekend:http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/p/b-w-684speakers?pp=96&pp=96
and these http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-3277-kef-q500-speakers-pair.aspx?gclid=CNnLmbLDtbUCFWbKtAodckQAOg

I am properly excited!:eek:

Sorry to be blunt, but there are much better speakers than these at the price. I'd think that the £200 pair of Royd Minstrels on eBay would be more musically involving than either of these models. £800 is a price range where second-hand gets you so much more... those Ushers above would kill the B&W & KEFs.

[isuckedmandelsonslemons]

Sorry to be blunt, but there are much better speakers than these at the price. I'd think that the £200 pair of Royd Minstrels on eBay would be more musically involving than either of these models. £800 is a price range where second-hand gets you so much more... those Ushers above would kill the B&W & KEFs.

TBH my little Usher bookshelf speakers would probably give both of them a kicking. But What HIFI five star reviews suggest we may be wrong ;-)

Let's face it, most people have never heard of Usher and I bet if What Hifi got their hands on a pair they wouldn't be impressed.

So it goes. Apologies to OP if that's come across as a bit rude. We're just trying to help.

[johnwhit]

But What HIFI five star reviews suggest we may be wrong ;-)

:lol: But Hi Fi Choice rather like the 684's too or was it the 683's:hmm:

John

[johnwhit]

It was the 683's

"We've never heard this level of transparency from a sub £1000 pair of speakers before, killer bass is sublime"

They need plenty of space which unfortunately I don't have:rolleyes:

John

[Macca]

The 683 are bloody good. Not sure about the 684 or the KEFS but the 683 would kill Minstrels and stamp on their graves - if you have the room.

[Alex_UK]

The 683 are bloody good. Not sure about the 684 or the KEFS but the 683 would kill Minstrels and stamp on their graves - if you have the room.

Not heard either, but the B&Ws and KEFs are certainly nice looking speakers, which for some is important, and there's also nothing like opening a box of brand new anything - will feel much more special than a pair of second-hand speakers...

Enjoy your auditions Steve and good luck with the decision making - a nice place to be :)

[chrism]

How about a really nice pair of JM Lab Electra 926's that I have for sale?

Work well on most amps - I have used them on everything from Naim stuff to a T2020 chip amp!

Regards

Chris

[realysm42]

Those Kefs certainly look the part...

Will be interesting to hear how they all perform.

[Alex_UK]

Not sure if you've seen this thread (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23875) Steve but Shaun (Haselsh1) is loving his Q500's...

[realysm42]

Lol he's happy with 15 watts; I wonder what 110 will sound like :P

[steviej233]

Tried the b&ws and some acoustic audios I felt that both of them lacked the bottom end that my paradigms offer, although they were both very detailed. I will be trailing the kef q500 and the new paradigm monitor 7s I will also have to see if I can give these ushers a listen as a lot of people are rating them. What I really need is to be able to try them at home in my setup! :doh:

[steviej233]

Has anyone had a listen to these: Tannoy Revolution DC6T SE, if so are they any good and is it worth trying to find somewhere to demo them? :scratch:

[julesd68]

What I really need is to be able to try them at home in my setup! :doh:

Steve, this is the beauty of buying second-hand. If you buy quality, well-looked after gear at a good price, you'll always be able to sell on using forums like AOS or ebay if needs must ...

[steviej233]

Steve, this is the beauty of buying second-hand. If you buy quality, well-looked after gear at a good price, you'll always be able to sell on using forums like AOS or ebay if needs must ...

I appreciate what you are saying but buying second hand makes me a tad nervous especially if i can't demo the gear before hand. I simply don't know enough and havent sampled enough to make an educated decision. Buying new allows me to try before i buy albiet not in my own environment and gives me a rough idea of what i am getting into!!!

[isuckedmandelsonslemons]

Agree totally with Jules. Buy at right price (ex demo or 2nd hand) and you will get most if not all of your money back if you move them on. Buying from someone on a forum such as this is very safe as everyone is trustworthy.

[Yomanze]

Agree totally with Jules. Buy at right price (ex demo or 2nd hand) and you will get most if not all of your money back if you move them on. Buying from someone on a forum such as this is very safe as everyone is trustworthy.

+1

[isuckedmandelsonslemons]

Sorry to seem smug but a perfect example of this is the Usher speakers I was selling. Because I managed to get a good deal on them, the person who's just bought them has got a brand new pair of speakers at a price that means he can listen to them for a few years and sell them on and only lose a few hundred quid. And don't forget that a fifth of the price you pay is VAT.

[julesd68]

If you really don't have the confidence to buy second-hand, hopefully you might have a dealer who has a good stock of second-hand gear to widen your options.

[steviej233]

If you really don't have the confidence to buy second-hand, hopefully you might have a dealer who has a good stock of second-hand gear to widen your options.

Do you know of any dealers in the london area that would have good second hand stock?

[julesd68]

I'm a Norf London boy innit - don't know Sarf London too well - have u tried Infidelity Hi-fi?

Got another suggestion. Emporium probably stock one of the biggest ranges of second-hand stock but they are some distance from you. I would give Hughie a call there - he's a very helpful chap - see if they are willing to take stuff back if it doesn't work out in your system. He will also be able to advise what speakers he reckons will do the job. Definitely worth a shot ...

[Yomanze]

I'm a Norf London boy innit - don't know Sarf London too well - have u tried Infidelity Hi-fi?

Got another suggestion. Emporium probably stock one of the biggest ranges of second-hand stock but they are some distance from you. I would give Hughie a call there - he's a very helpful chap - see if they are willing to take stuff back if it doesn't work out in your system. He will also be able to advise what speakers he reckons will do the job. Definitely worth a shot ...

Also Central Audio. I bought my Krell KRC-3 from Anthony, great price and dealings. http://www.centralaudio.co.uk/

[steviej233]

Cheers guys I will give all of them a go and see if they can help. :)

[steviej233]

Cheers guys I will give all of them a go and see if they can help. :)

Just a quick update, i have now tried:

B&W 678's - very detailed sound, but no bottom end whatsoever. Very good quality finish and nice to look at but over all quite disappointed.

Monitor Audio RX6 - Much the same as the 678 but could handle low end frequencies better, still now wow factor for me.

Rega RS5 - Fantastic speakers for quite a small cabinet with fairly small drivers .... WOW what a sound :stalks:, fantastic detail and good bass. Excellent finish and i am seriously considering them.

Paradigm Monitor 7's MK9's - The replacement of what i currently own. Smaller cabs and drivers than mine but the soundstage and the authority of these speakers was immense great detail in vocal and strings, lots of controlled bass. Finish isn't as good as the Rega's but i was very impressed with these, and they are cheapest of the lot i think so i think we may have a winner! :eek:

[kininigin]

Hi Steve,

Glad you got there in the end.Having bought some Paradigm's last year myself,i can see why you have gone for them.I think they make some very good speakers and any future upgrades from me,will definitely include Paradigms in the shortlist ;)

Enjoy your new speakers!!

[icehockeyboy]

Don't write off buying Ushers because you think you can't give them the space, I also thought that, and its total piffle, mine are almost up against a rear wall and still sound sublime!

[steviej233]

Don't write off buying Ushers because you think you can't give them the space, I also thought that, and its total piffle, mine are almost up against a rear wall and still sound sublime!

After hearing my brothers i am totally sold on them, i may have to hold off of buying for a while so i may see if i can demo a pair that i can afford! :)

[realysm42]

This is the thread that encouraged me to get Ushers, so so glad I took the plunge!

Those Regas were impressive so the Paradigms must really be some thing. Christmas present methinks ha ha!

[Stubies]

This is the thread that encouraged me to get Ushers, so so glad I took the plunge!

Those Regas were impressive so the Paradigms must really be some thing. Christmas present methinks ha ha!

Martin, are you pleased with the Ushers??

[Marco]

Hi Stuart,

Sorry to butt in, mate, but where in the UK are you from? We like at least a geographical area in the profiles of our members. If you could sort it, I'd be much obliged - cheers! :cool:

Marco.

[Stubies]

Hi Stuart,

Sorry to butt in, mate, but where in the UK are you from? We like at least a geographical area in the profiles of our members. If you could sort it, I'd be much obliged - cheers! :cool:

Marco.

Happy to Marco!

I'm sometimes in London, and sometimes in Sofia, Bulgaria - its complicated, i have a shipper that forwards equipment i buy in UK out to me here - so it takes weeks! but at least it gets here safe!

Im still burning in the Bushmaster Dac (due to shipping delays from my shipper)- but i fear it may reveal other weaknesses in my system... As i have not upgraded for a considerable while...

I like what i ready about the Ushers - could be a great option, expecially used.

[Marco]

Much appreciated, Stuart. Jetsetter, eh? :eyebrows:

Marco.

[Stubies]

Much appreciated, Stuart. Jetsetter, eh? :eyebrows:

Marco.

Seemed like a good idea at the time. Lately regretfully - would be happier with a simpler life!