View Full Version : Vintage speaker recommendation for Radford STA 15
Having just bought the Radford from Roger I am looking at partnering it with a pair of vintage speakers.
So what would you recommend for around £500
Thanks everyone in advance.
Opti-cal
30-05-2019, 11:03
Hi Nigel,
as you may know the Radford sounds terrific with Quad (ESL) 57's. Depending on if you are willing to have electrostatics with power requirements, its a marriage made in heaven.
In a medium (not large) listening environment they will absolutely sing.
Sometimes you can get a half decent pair for around that price but like any vintage hifi it can be a shot in the dark sometimes if they haven't been serviced recently.
Apart from that I'd go for some Tannoy HPD monitors (I'm sure the Tannoy guys will come in here) but again price may be a bit of a restriction here.
The Radford deserves some very high quality speakers IMO.
Cheers,
Chris
walpurgis
30-05-2019, 12:07
£500 is a bit limiting for speakers to do the Radford justice.
Well, could go to a £1000 if I can move on a couple of things
would think some tannoys would fit the bill
Light Dependant Resistor
30-05-2019, 12:26
There are very good reasons why Electrostatics will be a excellent choice with the Radford, namely valve amps favour
high impedance speaker loads. Whilst electrostatics dip to lowish impedance at high frequencies their nominal impedance is perfect with valve amps like the Radford
A modern day alternative to the ESL57 is here : https://robmid42.wixsite.com/diyaudiokits/er-audio-esl-speaker-kit
It was also forum reviewed here: https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/249361-hybrid-er-audio-505-mini-esl-build-details/?tab=comments#comment-3933655
Hi Nigel,
as you may know the Radford sounds terrific with Quad (ESL) 57's. Depending on if you are willing to have electrostatics with power requirements, its a marriage made in heaven.
In a medium (not large) listening environment they will absolutely sing.
Sometimes you can get a half decent pair for around that price but like any vintage hifi it can be a shot in the dark sometimes if they haven't been serviced recently.
Apart from that I'd go for some Tannoy HPD monitors (I'm sure the Tannoy guys will come in here) but again price may be a bit of a restriction here.
The Radford deserves some very high quality speakers IMO.
Cheers,
Chris
Had Quads in the past and liked them but they take up so much space!
Got fed up of rearranging the furniture every time I wanted to listen to music.
Expecting a lot of recommendations for Tannoys. Never owned a pair and the prices seem to have escalated in recent times.
Anyone have any experience with IMF's or TDL's?
And from me also Tannoy recommendation. Heaven marriage met.....
I've also driven a variety of other speakers with Radfords all with lovely engaging sound. Including IMF, Kudos and Radford speakers.
Come to think of it you are welcome to try out the Radford speakers. Where are you?
§
And from me also Tannoy recommendation. Heaven marriage met.....
I've also driven a variety of other speakers with Radfords all with lovely engaging sound. Including IMF, Kudos and Radford speakers.
Come to think of it you are welcome to try out the Radford speakers. Where are you?
§
Unfortunately I am a long way from you in Mid Wales but thanks for the offer it is appreciated!
I would add another vote for the Quad 57s, but you have already tried them and would rather not put up with their impact on room positioning. So, I'm sure someone will come up with alternatives from the Tannoy, KEF or perhaps B&W stables.
I have a pair of B&W DM2a speakers, but have never tried them with my STA 15 III. However I see no reason why they should not work well.
Do they have to be vintage speakers?
Do they have to be vintage speakers?
Not necessarily Martin, do you have a suggestion?
I am open minded
I know someone who is looking to sell a minty (with boxes etc) pair of Spendor S6E speakers. Heard them yesterday actually and was most impressed. I'm sure the Raddies will drive them with aplomb. Beautiful looking speakers. PM if interested.
Not necessarily Martin, do you have a suggestion?
I am open minded
It will sound great with pretty much any speakers, it's one of the best amps ever. Makes it quite hard to pick something specific :)
I'll have a think. Budget is a bit of a limiter.
Light Dependant Resistor
31-05-2019, 03:04
Not necessarily Martin, do you have a suggestion?
I am open minded
Did you see my suggestion at post 6 ?
Lawrence001
31-05-2019, 08:38
Having just bought the Radford from Roger I am looking at partnering it with a pair of vintage speakers.
So what would you recommend for around £500
Thanks everyone in advance.You've got Klipschorns already I see, are they not sounding good with it?
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You've got Klipschorns already I see, are they not sounding good with it?
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Don't know yet as I pick the amp up on Sunday.
However the Khorns are in the house and most of my listening is in a cabin.The Khorns are too big for the cabin.
Want to use the Radford in the cabin mainly.
I have Bastani o/b in there being driven by a Transcendent mini beast and a Behringer iNuke 3000.
Lawrence001
31-05-2019, 10:53
Don't know yet as I pick the amp up on Sunday.
However the Khorns are in the house and most of my listening is in a cabin.The Khorns are too big for the cabin.
Want to use the Radford in the cabin mainly.
I have Bastani o/b in there being driven by a Transcendent mini beast and a Behringer iNuke 3000.
I'm listening to Bastanis Dragonflies with an EL34 push pull amp as I type, just love them, sound more "real" than anything else I've owned . I bet your OBs sound great and would sound even better with the Radford. [emoji3]
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I'm listening to Bastanis Dragonflies with an EL34 push pull amp as I type, just love them, sound more "real" than anything else I've owned . I bet your OBs sound great and would sound even better with the Radford. [emoji3]
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Yes, it's going to be very interesting.
That's what's so great about this hobby....so many different ways to achieve a great sound.
Lawrence001
31-05-2019, 11:38
Yes, it's going to be very interesting.
That's what's so great about this hobby....so many different ways to achieve a great sound.I'll probably get shot down here but I've been through a lot of vintage speakers (but not Tannoys, although I've heard several pairs) and the only ones I've really liked were B&W DM2as, Cambridge Audio R50s and IMF TLS80s. All are transmission lines of some sort with Coles supertweeters. I've struggled with old tweeters covering the full HF range. Only problem is they take a bit of driving, but I'd certainly recommend trying the Radford with one of them if you get the opportunity. The DM2s are common and more easily transported. Get a pair for c£100 and you can always pass them on if not happy.
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Did you see my suggestion at post 6 ?
Yes I did Chris but not had time to read through it all yet.
Thank you!
hornucopia
31-05-2019, 19:55
Swap your Klipschorns for my Leak 3090s! (-:
(I had Ks for over 20 years)
Lawrence001
31-05-2019, 21:31
Swap your Klipschorns for my Leak 3090s! (-:
(I had Ks for over 20 years)My mate ran his 3090s with an EAR valve amp, marriage made in heaven.
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Swap your Klipschorns for my Leak 3090s! (-:
(I had Ks for over 20 years)
These have the Volti mods that take them even further in a good way
Your Leak's look really good!
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