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Confused and unsure about upgrading my speakers.

I guess there are two general thought about how to spend your money on your system. One is to spend the larger % on your speakers. The other is to spend the more money on electronics.
At least something like that.

Anyway, I am happy with my system. Which currently consists of: DK Designs MKII VS1 amp. Stello DA220 MKII DAC.
Cambridge Audio 640C V2. Philips 963 SACD/DVD player. Revel Concerta F12 speakers.

For some reason (probably budgetry constraints), I have always gravitated towards speakers that are very good value.

But as you can see, I seem to have spent a larger amount of money on the Amp and the DAC. Event though I got them at a reduced price they are still more then what I paid for my speakers.

So I keep thinking, should I upgrade my speakers to something more in line price wise with the rest of my system? But if so, what can I gain considering that according to the press the F12s are overachievers. Off course everyone has their opinions and some people won't like the F12s but generally they are considered to be a very good value.

So I guess the question is really how much would I have to spend to make an improvment? Off course I have to go and listen myself and decide myself. I understand that. So I guess I am just looking for some general answers and words of wisdom.

My local dealer has suggested I come and listen to the Magneplaners 1.6. I sometimes think the Paradigm Studio 100 might be the way to go. I haven't listened to them yet so I don't really no yet. Both of these would be in the $2000-$2500 range for me locally. Or should I be saving more and spend up to $4K-$5K on something really better.

I am just very unsure and confused as how to approach this problem and where the greater gain is to be made. Also just where do speakers that are very good value fit into audio.

I will appreciate any wisdom you can provide from your experiences.

Oh, I also listen to mostly classical (Both European and Indian). Also a lot of Jazz. Some new age stuff like Jean Michel Jarre and Asian Underground or what ever they call it like D J Cheb etc.

Thanks,

-- Sanjay
schugh
mlauner
250 posts
 
A good rule of thumb, spend equal portion for Source[cd, phono], amplification and speakers. This creates balance. Look at Neat, Kudos, PSB, B&W, Focal speakers. I agree a home demo is best, if possible.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Do you have a large room?

Or put another way do you find you ever play your speakers in a way they sound really quite loud?

If you do then you are probably runnning into the limitations of an excellent great value design. Small voice coils quickly get hot (small surface area) - so you'll soon run into a kind of wall of compression/crossover drift and Xmax issues where the reality is that it just doesn't get any louder and just loses that effortless dynamic punchy sound and becomes congested. (Although you will perceive this as simply being extremely loud due to the dullness from compression and distortion. So you will tend to "think" it is just way too loud.) Anyway, if you do then consider upgrading.

Do you ever struggle to ever hear the individual notes in a bass riff clearly behind the drums?

If so then also consider upgrading.

Otherwise you are probably fine with what you have...
pacific_island_audio
49 posts
 
Speakers induce the greatest amount of distortion of all kinds than any other component in a system. The greatest improvement can be made with carefully chosen speakers. The Magnepan 1.6 suggestion is a very good one—they are a great value—nothing I've heard in their price range comes close. There are two drawbacks to the Maggies. Like other panel speakers, they are for one person listening. Very narrow dispersion limits the listening area to a very focused sweet spot. The other is their imposing size. I'd own them if it weren't for those two shortcomings. (They also could use some bass extension, but that's easily remedied with a sub.)

Classical music is very demanding on speakers. Most can't handle the dynamics or the mass of sound from a full orchestra without sounding strained and muddled.

I sympathize with the position you find yourself in. After listening to dozens of speakers and not being satisfied with any of them, for one reason or another (price sometimes the issue), my solution was to do a lot more research and build my own.
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mapman
22,210 posts
 
You can pick from a very nice variety of speaker models for the price you probably payed for the Rebels by going with something used but in good shape from here on A'gon or even ebay, if you're careful.

If you must go with something new, the Maggies sound like a good choice. A decent pair of Triangles might be had in this range as well.

If you want to try something a little different, you could probably pick up a pair of Ohm Walsh speakers direct from the manufacturer in this range as well.

I would also recommend the Dynaudio line as well, depending on budget, but these don't come cheap, especially new.
lapierre
547 posts
 
Wait and save your money. Continue to shop in HiFi stores and learn about different speakers that plays jazz and classical very well.

Focus on a speakers strength of midrange and treble with satisfying bass.

ATC SCM 20
Quad ESL 989
Dali Helicon 400MKII
AudioNote
Vandersteen Quatro
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