What Speakers Would you Suggest for me?

[Alex_UK]

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.)

[Reid Malenfant]

picking Mark (Reid Malenfant) up on the way too, I believe.)

If you'd be so kind, yes please

[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... 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!

[BTH K10A]

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.

[Alex_UK]

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.

[UV101]

Chorus 714v

The baby's of the floor standers but still great VFM!

[magiccarpetride]

So over to you folks - what would you suggest? Might just give me the motivation to divert the money from somewhere! (I've never won anything with my premium bonds anyway!)

I recommend Magnepan MMG (http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG). This will be the best $599 you'll ever spend on audio!

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 Grand Wazoo]

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.

[magiccarpetride]

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.

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).

[Alex_UK]

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...

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!"