Speaker Upgrade.

[Utterchaos]

Hi All,

I posted a speaker upgrade question a while back... but lot's changed since then...I've already just upgraded to a pair of Warfedale Diamond 8.1s (£24.00!). I know, nothing that special, but hey, I have a new Baby so that's where all the money's going these days!!

The clarity of the diamonds is better than I was running previously, but the bass is a bit lacking IMO.

What might be a good further upgrade pref S/H?

Running: 96kHz ALACs > Mac mini with USB to Optical interface > Beresford Caiman > Onix OA-21 (Or NAD C350 but I prefer the Onix!) > Bi-Wired Diamond 8.1s.

Size is unfortunately an issue. max 35H x 25w x 30d and no rear ports as they need to be pretty close to the back wall.

Was thinking of:
Diamond 9.1 (10s are rear ported)
Diamond 122
B&W 601 S1-3? (602s are too big!)
A.N Other?

I'm not after a massive upgrade, but think I can do much better for £200 quid or so...Thanks all.

J

[Emmings]

Whilst this may be a long shot (slightly deeper than your specs) but would you consider the B&W 685s?

From the web site they are listed as:
Height: 345mm (13.5 in)
Width: 190mm (7.5 in)
Depth: 324mm (12.8 in)

If you do - I've got a pair available and would be within the budget:)

Cheers
Dave

[Pieoftheday]

hi james, ive just had a change in the speaker department, wharfedale diamond 122, size is about what you mention and they have a downward firing port so little issue with positioning, i love em, though to be fair the vinyl wrap on the cabinets looks a bit cheap, but once on their stands its easy to ignore. sound is big and effortless with nice detail, good hunting, jim, btw they can be had for around £239:)

[Utterchaos]

Cheers both. Unfortunately depth is the one dimension I can't be flexible on!

So... Diamond 122s better or worse than DM601s ? S/H 601s cheaper....

[Macca]

I had the 601 MK1 for a few years sold them to a friend who still enjoys them. A good example about £70 used would be a fair price. They are quite capable for what they are but not a euphonic sounding speaker. The Wharfies I don't know but I generally like the balance of Wharfedales. I don't think it is a question of better or worse here but rather which presentation you will prefer personally.

[Pieoftheday]

I had the 601s3's a few years ago, I think I sold them because they could sound quite hard, cracking build quality from what i recall,they seem to go for quite high prices on eBay so must be popular

[Utterchaos]

Cheers guys.... Time for a trip to the store to have a listen to the Wharfedale 122s

[Lee1976]

You should be looking S/D for 200 notes you can get some superb speakers. I have a pair of Ruark Sabre mk1 I am selling for 100 notes and honestly will wipe the floor with the speakers you are looking at and they are about the same size as a pair of 601.

[Utterchaos]

Cheers Lee.

Theres some Ruark Epilogues local to me too... might take a look.

Heres a quandary though... How on earth do I go speaker shopping and know what I'm buying matches my amp (Onix OA-21)?

The only answer I can come up with is take the amp along... but will a HiFi shop allow me to use it.. surely they risk their speakers if they don't know your amps good working order? - Unlikely.

[Lee1976]

I have taken my amp to a shop before to hear some speakers with no problems. The Onix should drive the ruarks no problem and to be honest a good match as the onix is a stonking little amp.