Sure they sound great... But maybe a face only a mother could love!? :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Macca
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Sure they sound great... But maybe a face only a mother could love!? :lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Macca
Can't see the young un shifting a pair of Kef 105.2 misen
Exterminate
Yes they are discontinued but do not let that put you off if they still have them these are serious speakers but somehow doubt they still do. The new version is just a bit brighter in the treble its just a question of what you perfer. As my system improved they would show every improvement when I had them with the SAC Glowmaster they sounded very impressive but that valve amp can really control deep bass. I had no intention of changing them until I heard decent open baffles
Somehow Alex, something in the back of my mind has you pegged for a Sonus Faber owner. Don't ask why - I dunno!
Probably highly unlikely that SF's could meet you brief, though.
It iz cuz I iz bling, innit!Quote:
Originally Posted by The Grand Wazoo
Yes, I can see me being a SF owner too, but as you say I reckon I will struggle with current requirements and budget I think.
Andre - they're even uglier than the Tannoys! A few quid over my budget I dare say, too...
John - I don't think Superfi have them, but may well check with them. Can't find much about them but they do look very nice... Thanks again.
Martin, i questioned that seller about the drivers previously as i was looking for a specific driver pair. He took a look inside the cabinets & let me know what drivers they actually were. He also let it be known that he'd sell the drivers & crossovers cheaper without the enclosures ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
Just thought i'd let you know seeing as you might be interested :)
Well that's something, Mark, as the cabinets are to all intents and purposes useless with those drive units.
What drivers were they, HPDs?
Martin, if you do go for it, one word of warning I'd give you is that those types of drivers with the Tulip Wave Guide tweeters are prone to a somewhat 'toppy' sounding treble, and take no prisoners with anything which resembles a bad recording. You could say that they are ruthlessly revealing!
The Pepperpot tweeters used in Monitor Golds (and in some of the current Tannoy Prestige range) are rather sweeter and more forgiving, although every bit as open and dynamic.
So if you do go for them, then some work will likely need done to the crossovers to tame their balance, and some serious thought put into the design of the cabinets. You would definitely want wide baffles, for starters, and I'd say 250 litres minimum.
Anyway, just a few words of advice :cool:
Marco.
I'm not really a fountain of knowledge when it comes down to Tannoy drivers Marco :eyebrows:
What i do know is the model number is 3836 & when i checked the specs for that driver it's a bit of a pita to be honest :doh: QTS is over 0.41 & VAS is pretty big at somewhere over 350L, FS i can't remember but just under 30Hz springs to mind.
In all honesty the ideal enclosure size is huge at just over 500L :eek: I guess they could go into smaller enclosures of about 250L but this will give a slight peak in upper bass around 60-70Hz & they'd then need to be tuned quite low to avoid the port reinforcing the upper peak at twice the port resonance frequency :scratch:
E2A:- The drivers are basically more suited to a sealed box imo...
All in all not ideal, a lower QTS driver would be advantageous such as the type you own :)
Here are the driver specs without me guessing ;)
Attachment 3468
Ideal enclosure is a 254L sealed box for QCB of 0.7... If the enclosure was stuffed with something like rockwool it should give the same performance in 200L ;)
Ugly :eek:! Na saw a pair the other day under your buget..Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
Hi Mark,
That's interesting - now you can see why they'd be less than useless inside those tiny Lancaster cabs! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Reid Malenfant
Marco.
Tweedle-Dee has a pair of Mission 782s for sale - any thoughts as to how these would go in my setup compared to the AE's???
Hi Alex
I have the full hi-fi world review by SP & NK here to hand - pretty much all of the comments are positive:
'acoustic guitar strums were crystal clear'
'Addictive drive to the sound'
'overall sound is quite bright (but) smooth and sweet making prolonged listening pain free'
'with the right material these 'speakers can go deceptively low'
'I got a well balanced and tuneful bass, with attack and depth'
price £699.90 - 3 and a half globes.
Hope that's some help:)
Regards
Thanks Martin, very helpful - much appreciate you taking the time to dig it out and post.
No worries dude it was sat right here in a bookcase in the lounge!
The current Castle range might well be worth having a look at.
I've heard the Knight 2s and they were excellent.
Peter Comeau is the head speaker design at IAG, so there's good engineering pedigree behind the current Castle range.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamish
nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
782's? Bland, bland bland and perfect mag fodder...Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
These aren't bland when properly driven and cabled, but for under a grand, Alex could buy some Spendor S series. Much better balanced than PMC's, better driver integration AND NO BOOM, especially if used close-ish to a wall. The cabinet finish is impeccable and the styling WAF friendly. The Beech finish S6's or S8's (S6e/S8e slightly better in the bass but may cost more) would look grand in Alex's room and he'd be hearing dynamic range he never thought possible.
Alex, you and me need to pay HiFi Dave a visit. I'll see what I can do as I NEED to go there myself very soon :lol: A listen to the current Harbeth range will give you a very good idea what the Spendors above are hinting at ;)
Thanks Dave, I was going to give you a prod to let me have your thoughts as you started me down this train of thought... ;)
I have to say Spendors would probably be top of the list if they sound as good as they look, which from what you're saying, they do.
Only problem is, the new wood floor has now turned into a much more expensive proposition than originally envisaged (well, by me at least!) and has developed into a whole living room project, so pennies will have to be held back for a while before I make any move. The thing is, I don't know what I'm missing, so I'm quite happy to wait! ;) (As I said to you Dave when you came over, my system is the best I've ever heard, not having ever attended a bake off, hifi show or having any mates into hifi, so it is very difficult to know if you've done it right, even if you yourself are happy with the sound.)
Would love a trip over to Hifi Daves some time (happy to be chauffeur as long as I don't have to wear the silly hat again) to have my ear-'oles opened up to the possibilities, and I'm also really looking forward to Scalford which will also give me a bit more of an idea of what can be achieved. (Hat at the ready for then too, if you're up for it Dave - picking Mark (Reid Malenfant) up on the way too, I believe.)
If you'd be so kind, yes please :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
Just thought I'd give you all a quick update as you were so kind in your suggestions.
Just after I started this thread, the tumble drier packed up, so Mr. Zanussi relieved me of half of my speaker fund... Friday night the dishwasher packed up, so Mr. Smeg has just relieved me of the other half, and then some... The new walnut floor is being fitted next week, which is another £2k, and all of this is really annoying, as I have found a pair of Spendor 6e's that are immaculate and as new for £795... :doh: That's what I've got my heart set on really, but unless Mr. Lottery is going to play nicely, I doubt it will happen for a month or 3.
There is something coming up on ebay which I have hankered for for a long time - an itch that I'd like to scratch - and assuming they don't go for really silly money will, I think, give me something in the style of the Spendors, but hopefully at around half the price - although if I win them they are 200 miles away and collection only, so it will cost me best part of £100 in fuel on top to get them! All will be revealed when the auction finishes, whatever the result!
Assuming I'm not successful, then I will be back for advice on something in the £2-300 range - I'm pretty sure that's about how much is in Avatar's piggy bank, and she won't notice for a few years! (I'm thinking at the moment that I may go for a pair of stand mounts, and keep them locked up in the understairs cupboard, dragging them out only for proper listening sessions. I got narrowly outbid last night on a pair of Spendor SP2/2s, which would have been good, but at least it gives me a shot at the other mystery speakers coming up... :) I will just leave the AE's in situ for normal background and TV listening if I go this route, which will probably save me a lot of heartache and pushed in drivers on any new speakers!) Oh the joy of kids - Hamish, if you're reading this, you have all this to look forward to!
Have you thought of Rogers Studio 1a's?
Seem to go for about £300 - £350 on ebay and are an overlooked gem. You won't lose on them in the future either.
I would love to try some Rogers, and it looks like the 1a's were available in walnut too, which would be a bonus! (Long story, but I inherited my Garrard 401 20 odd years ago, and I know they were originally paired with some small Rogers speakers - can't swear to it, but I reckon they were LS3/5a... They'll still be in his loft, too - though probably eaten by mice by now! I have often wondered if I should ask if I could climb up there and check!)
I'll do some reading on the 1a - thanks Andy.
Chorus 714v
The baby's of the floor standers but still great VFM!
I recommend Magnepan MMG (http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG). This will be the best $599 you'll ever spend on audio!Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
What's that? How is it possible to promise high-end audio on such an unbelievable shoestring budget? Okay, not everything is as rosy as I make it look, so let me hit you with the bad parts first:
- MMGs are not world famous for their bass. They take a lot of burn in time before they can offer you good bass. Getting them second hand may be a better option for you (you should be able to get them used for about $400).
- MMGs need a lot of power and current before they can fully blossom.
- MMGs can be very placement-sensitive.
- In order to deliver properly balanced soundstage, MMGs need to be elevated off the floor by about 8"; you're looking at possibly additional expenditure in building the stands (or simply place them on a stack of books).
-- Even after the full break-in, you may steel need more deep bass, in which case a subwoofer may make a dent in your budget.
OK, now for the good parts:
- MMGs will offer some of the sweetest, most magical midrange you'll ever hear.
- MMGs will image like the devil. Their soundstage magic powers are legendary.
- MMGs will give you the uncanny illusion that you are attending a live performance.
Finally, one major downside to MMGs is that, once you experience their magic, you won't be able to resist hearing their older brethren (like, 1.7 or 3.6 or the new 3.7). You will then check 1.7 or 3.6 or even 3.7 at your dealer, and will realize, on the spot, how music reproduction should really sound.
Uh-oh, now you're in trouble -- the new 3.7 costs $5,500!
Well, as the old saying goes -- you can't have it all. 'Cause, where would you put it?
The situation with MG speakers is a bit different over here Alex (magic alex, that is).
I think the MMG is only available direct from Magnepan, which may be a bit tricky from this distance (but I could be wrong).
The cheapest model that's available in the UK is the MG MC-1, which is a bit of a compromise (and £1400 odd) next up is the MG12 which at £1900 may be a bit beyond what Alex(_UK) is looking at spending - his OP talked of £500-£750.
OK, still I believe non-magic Alex could try to get a used pair that could get shipped to the big island north of Europe.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Grand Wazoo
Like I've said, a guy in my hood was selling a really good pair of modified MMGs (he had improved the XO) for only $400, which was a bargain of the century. Not sure how much would shipping to the northern island in the midst of Atlantic Ocean end up costing him, but I'm pretty sure not more than $200 on a slow boat to China.
At the end of the day, he'll be a happy owner of these amazing speakers with some leftover money to spare. And I bet you that, providing only that he's not looking for some monstrosity of a 20 Hz bass to get reproduced on his home stereo, he'll end up completely delighted with these speakers (again, providing also that he can resist the urge to check their older brethren, whose sound is absolutely addictive and intoxicating).
Very, very peed off... :(
Speaker fund is completely in the red after battery light came on on my car on Friday, took it to the garage yesterday morning and the alternator has gone, (2 weeks after the warranty ran out) - £818 bill coming my way... :eek:
So, the maximum bid of £350 I was preparing to place on a pair of TDL Studio 1M's had to be reduced to £175, which wasn't enough to win them - just as well really because I couldn't even have afforded that - but they would have been perfect - (apart from 400 mile round trip to collect them) and in walnut to match the new floor which is being fitted next week.
Oh well, you win some, you lose some - hopefully after the tumble drier, dishwasher and car - that will be the three things - and no more for a while - please!
Looks like I picked a good time to start the "Cheap as Chips Challenge!"
£818?? Alex, it's often just the brushes in motor that go. Even if you don't fancy having a go yourself, have a look locally for a car electrical specialist who may be able to repair or exchange for a damn sight less than that!!
+1 to that ....... check out google and make a few calls before committing to that kind of bill ... Here are a coupla links ..... they may be able to repair it for a lot less than 800 quid .. didn't know you drove a Roller ...... :eek: ... ........... :) ....
http://www.carelectricsuk.com/services.htm
http://www.yell.com/s/car+electrics-suffolk.html
My step dad did the same thing. Noticed a leak on his Volvo XC70, took it to Volvo because he gets all his servicing done by them- "Well Sir, it looks like there is a problem with the hydraulic clutch system, we need to replace, that'll be £1500 thank you very much"
Next day he gets a phone call " While carrying out the work Sir, we noticed you need a new flywheel fitted also- that'll be another £500 thank you very much"
Two GRAND??? These people are serious rip-off merchants! I have been trying to tell him for years to take it somewhere else but he won't listen. You can lead a horse to water etc.
Fair enough if the car is new and still under warranty, but it's an 05 plate!
Thanks chaps - It's a complicated issue, which I am going to be taking up with the dealer/manufacturer, but basically I'm hoping that they will at least contribute to the cost (the alternator has died I believe because of a leaky fuel line which was covered under warranty, 3 weeks ago - so I will be arguing that the resultant damage should also be covered) - but the long and the short of it is that I need the car, so I haven't got much choice but to get it fixed at the main dealer and hope I'm successful in my appeal...
I've bought brand new alternators on e bay, but generally for older cars, never paid more than £100. For my ancient Volvo, brand new boxed alternator was £29 inc. postage.
I have also bought second hand alternators on e bay, they have been OK too.
I have a brand new boxed spare starter here for the same Volvo, that was £25, think postage was on top of that.
Jeez Alex, seems like you have had your run of bad luck - well i damn well hope so :eek:
What kind of alternator costs £800+ pounds to replace? Someone is having a laugh i reckon & something tells me it's not you!
Seriously that takes the p*ss m8, if you look around the ICE audio magazines you'll get a brand new 300Amp alternator for less that that :doh:
Shop about, i reckon you are looking at less than £200 fitted & i'm being serious :cool:
I agree that sounds a sh!t load of money! Not sure about the part, but it is 3.6 hours to fit - stupid design - the engine has to come out! (From my research (not what the dealer has told me) - but even so, that means they are charging £500 odd for an alternator! :eek:) (The car is a Chrysler 300C 3.0 V6 CRD (Mercedes engine and running gear - 320 CDI engine same as E/S-Class - but still sounds a lot of wonga!)
Going to the dealers first thing in the morning for a chat...
It's stuff like this that makes me thankful I don't own a car.
Hope you get it sorted for a lot less than you've been quoted and can get that speaker fund going again.
FFS who designs things like this, obviously some :wanker:Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
:donk:
Going back to the speakers Alex wanted to buy...........does anyone have any experience of these?
I very nearly got myself a pair back when they were new 'n' shiny. I spent a long time listening to them in several dealers and in my own home. I wonder whether Alex' amp would make a good match here. I seem to remember these as requiring a good dose of whumptie and not really waking up until they got it.
I don't know your amp at all Alex, so forgive me if I'm casting nasturtiums at it.
Dunno... Dave DSJR didn't mention it, as I consulted him on these, my Creek puts out 85w RMS into 8 Ohms, not sure if that would be enough juice, or not?Quote:
Originally Posted by The Grand Wazoo
The silver lining I am looking for in this particular cloud is that having resigned myself to having to find £800 for car repairs, if I can get that covered under the warranty, then I can happily spend the £800 on the Spendors I really want... Two big "ifs" there - Chrysler & Mrs Alex - not sure either of them will see it my way! :lol:
I fully accept that I'm working off my decidedly ropey memory, but I think the Studio 1's were a bit easier to drive & the 1M's were rather different, having more reactive characteristics.
Drum roll please... a deal has been struck, and although I won't be able to collect them until Friday 11th, a pair of Spendor SP1s will be squeezing their way in to Alex Towers. They are early serial numbers, one owner from new and in very good condition apparently... Sourced from a local(ish) hifi shop who are selling them on behalf of a customer.
My plan is that the AE's will stay in situ in the living room, and be used for background and general listening when the little 'un is about, and the Spendors will live in the under-stairs cupboard (they'll fit - I checked!) being brought out for when I have the chance for some proper listening. This way, I've got a fighting chance that they won't get knocked off their stands, or little fingers finding their way into those lovely drivers...
I will of course put some pictures up and my thoughts once they're here - can't wait!
Nice choice, Alex! :)
They'll be VERY different to your AEs... Expect to lose some bottom end welly (or perhaps flab? ;)) and gain oodles of midrange and high frequency information, making voices and acoustic instruments in particular sound so lifelike and emotionally communicative, it's spooky!
Hope you have lots of fun with them :cool:
Marco.
I have BC1's, BC1a's BC2's and Preludes, but no SP1's, love the combination of Celestion HF1300 and Coles 4001G.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex_UK
So do I - awesome combo! I think the 1300 unit every bit as good as the HF2000s in my Ditton 66s, Paul?
Marco.
Nice one Alex :) They should easily out perform those AEs you have in every area :eyebrows: Just had a look on the web to see what they entail, very nice to i might add ;)
I'd say the HF1300 is possibly slightly better in certain areas than the HF2000 Marco, it just runs out of steam at about 13KHz, hense the Coles 4001 supertweeter to get the bandwidth back.
I don't think they are quite as efficient though, if you take a look at the Ditton 25 which is very similar but smaller than the 66 you'll see they use two of them. That might be due to how low a frequency they might be asked to do in the 25 though thinking about it.
I have a feeling Alex is going to be very happy with his purchase :)
It all depends on how the tweeters are used, crossover point, rate of attenuation etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
The HF2000 is a small hard dome, not good if one crossovers at a lowish frequency, but fine if crossover freq is high and rate of attenuation is steep.
The KEF T27 is an example, does not sound that good in many early KEF designs (e.g. Cadenza, Choralle etc, but is OK in LS3/5a, KEF Corelli and as a supertweeter above the HF1300 in the Rogers Export Monitors.
It is possible (and likely) that given the correct crossover, the HF1300/Coles combination would be better than HF2000 in the Ditton 66. In fact I have been thinking of that very conversion for my Ditton 44's.
The HF2000 is used as a supertweeter in my Rogers LS3/6 BBC Monitors. In this situation it is more robust than the Coles 4001G.
Nice one, guys - much as I suspected :)
When Alex fires them up, I'm sure he'll be over the moon! :cool:
Marco.
Thanks guys! I can't go wrong really - if I don't like them I should be able to pass them on without losing much, as there will always be a strong demand for these I think. Should be an interesting journey - and of course big thanks to DSJR who has been my personal guru - not so much in pushing me towards these, but making sure I didn't make a silly mistake with one or two of my other suggestions! Cheers Dave. :)