Vintage speaker recommendation for Radford STA 15

[shaman]

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]

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]

£500 is a bit limiting for speakers to do the Radford justice.

[shaman]

Well, could go to a £1000 if I can move on a couple of things

[struth]

would think some tannoys would fit the bill

[Light Dependant Resistor]

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/diyaudi...sl-speaker-kit
It was also forum reviewed here: https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/top...omment-3933655

[shaman]

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?

[Edward]

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?



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[shaman]

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!

[Barry]

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.