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$600 +/- Bookshelfs w/ Holographic Soundstage

Hello all,

Thank you all for your time & dedication to Audio :-)
This site has been a wonderful find for me (and a constant source of amusement for my wife watching me! LOL!)

I have been reading a bunch of the articles - trying not to clog up the forum with yet another speaker advice column - but have learned that it is the specifics of each individual situation that makes this such an exciting topic. So ...

I am looking to upgrade my bookshelf speakers - and would love input on my situation:

Right now I have a pair of B&W DM.601 s1 - that I am enjoying, but I feel their holographic soundstage is a bit limited.

This is my #1 priority - I love 'seeing' the music. My pinnacle moment came when listening to Rimsky-Korsakov, Sherezade on Primare driven ProAc Response D28s - when, with my eyes closed, I could tell you exactly where each member of the orchestra was sitting! That was when all of this began!!

Budget is self set at $600 +/-
Used / New all-ok
I'm partial to bookshelfs due to the size of my room (12'x10') in an NYC Apartment.

My current system:
Rotel RX-1052 Receiver (my upgrade dream right now is the Primare I30)
Rotel RCD-1072 CD
Technics SL-1200MK2 (w/ Shure M97xE)
B&W DM.601 S1 on Stands
Decent Wiring (Monster M850 Interconnects, Kimber Kwik 12 Speaker, I'm working on power cabling next)

What I've listened to in the last 48 Hours:
Art Farmer - Modern Art - CD
David Byrne - Grown Backwards - CD
Pink Floyd (bootlegs circa 1968-1974) - FLAC burned to CD
Thin Lizzy - In Sunshine or Shadow - LP
Radiohead - OK Computer - Audiophile LP
Miucha & Antonio Carlos Jobim - LP
Jorge Ben - BEN - LP Digitized to CD
Amadou & Mariam - Dimache & Bamako - CD
Pepe & Cheich - CD
Franz Liszt - A Faust Symphony - CD
Schuman - Frauenliebe und Leben - CD
Bach - Sonatas & Partitas - CD

Ok - I think this is probably more then enough info!

Thank you all so much & Happy Holidays
Ethan
128x128septemous
tobias
1,534 posts
 
If that's a real brick wall, not a metaphor, in your listening room, you are lucky, especially if it's behind your speakers. The rough, jointed surface ought to diffuse the highs very well. You can try other treatments on it, why not, but my guess is that other things, like side reflection points, would need more attention.

Jim Smith's book Get Better Sound is an excellent reference for matching your system to a room. His techniques really work, they have made my system sound fantastically better.

http://www.getbettersound.com/
kats
26 posts
 
Ethan, I think your new plan sounds like a winner. I saved up some cash and was trying to decide my next upgrade until I became interested in room acoustics. After some research, learning, and less than $100 for rigid fiberglass panels my very modest system has taken a huge step forward IMO.

You might never know what your room/system is capable of without proper placement and treatments.

Of course, you can always upgrade down the line (I know I will be!) and proper room setup will just help your upgrade shine even more. And, while having fun getting your room together you can keep saving up for those Proacs. Be cautious of lateral upgrades and try to get what you really want. I realize it will take a while longer for me to save up for a true upgrade.

Finally, I know this will eat into the budget a bit but audition some decent interconnects - dump the Monster! Maybe some Kimber for cable synergy?

Good luck and happy holidays!
pedrillo
560 posts
 
I would also consider speaker placement, I have had experiences in which cheapo speakers were used and placement made such an impression. The speaker used was the psb alphas from a few years back, they still are considered awesome!! Not so much around $280 new! But earlier recommendations that sell for more will be better most likely.
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
Agree with Paradigms; I would also look at the entry level products by PSB, Harbeth and ATC.
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