if you like b&w just move up the line
B & W speaker upgrade suggestions
I am currently using B&W CM4 speakers for my front speakers, and a B&W CMC center speaker. I use them bi-wired with a Rotel 1055 receiver, Rotel RMB 1075 power amp, a Rotel 1072 CD-player and my beloved Teres 160 turntable. My rear speakers are Infinity Alpha 20s. My sub-woofer is an Onix Rocket. My system, due to space constraints is used for pseudo home theatre (I don't have a dedicated room) and music, with the emphasis on musicality.
My musical preferences are somewhat varied, but tend to be mostly in the jazz, classical, classic rock, world music, and blues genres.
At some point in the future (probably far future!) I would like to upgrade my main speakers. My fantasy budget is $5000. I know this amount is somewhat limiting, but I doubt that I will be able to afford more. Besides which, my sources (other than the Teres turntable, IMO) are no doubt considered mid-fi here on Audiogon, so stellar speakers would just point out their short comings. I also have a preference for maple/birds-eye maple finishes, just because I like the look of the wood, but finish is secondary to sound.
Anyway, any suggestions as to what speakers I should consider?
Holly
My musical preferences are somewhat varied, but tend to be mostly in the jazz, classical, classic rock, world music, and blues genres.
At some point in the future (probably far future!) I would like to upgrade my main speakers. My fantasy budget is $5000. I know this amount is somewhat limiting, but I doubt that I will be able to afford more. Besides which, my sources (other than the Teres turntable, IMO) are no doubt considered mid-fi here on Audiogon, so stellar speakers would just point out their short comings. I also have a preference for maple/birds-eye maple finishes, just because I like the look of the wood, but finish is secondary to sound.
Anyway, any suggestions as to what speakers I should consider?
Holly
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- 28 posts total
If you can spend the extra money I would get a pair of 803Ds (or at least audition the 803S, which I never did, but is in your range if you get 12% discount). As far as bass on the 703s, the bass extension seems great to me when playing in stereo (two channel bypass through a Bryston SP1.7 into a Bryston 9B SST Amp using a Meridian G08 CDP). I've read reviews that mention it as surprisingly deeper than expected.
I liked the 703's better than the 804S when I auditioned both. Definitely worth audtioning both IMO, or any choices you are considering for that matter. I auditioned the 803D and 802D and wept inside... If I had known how much I would love that 802D, I would have bought those and filled out a 5.1 system later. Anyways, I didn't, so now I will add those later and move the rest of my equipment to other positions when I can. I don't see why people wouldn't like B&W speakers here, their speaker models seem to be excellent values at their price, and they are well received across the board in every publication I have read. |
Look for speakers that don't require gobs of power and also sound like music. Not something arid, cold, and lacking dynamics. In other words, stay away from B&W and look at Proac, Verity, Silverline, Tyler, JM Lab, Kharma, Von Schweikert, Vandersteen, etc. Tons of better choices at every price point. |
I don't dislike B&W speakers, but they were my first foray into "better" equipment, and I would just like to try something different. Despite the fact that the majority of my audio equipment is solid state, I really long for the sound of tubes! (All I have right now in terms of tube equipment is a couple of headphone amps and I love them.) But, since I can't afford to buy tube amplifiers for my main system, I am looking for speakers with lusher, warmer sound. And yet I still want detail. Sigh.... Any opinions on the Onix Reference 3 speakers? http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=38.1AV123 is a local company and I like my Rocket UFW-10 sub quite a bit, but have never tried out their other speakers. Holly |
Oakiris, Ignore what judy426 has to say. I have listened to the jmlabs utopia and consider it to be comparable with with the B&W Nautilus series. That said there is nothing wrong with staying with B&W. I recomend going up the B&W line but I am a devout B&W fan. The N803 can be had used for around $3600.00 here on audiogon. |
- 28 posts total