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Speakers for Rock - up to 1kusd

Hello everyone,
While I have been reading the forum for quite some time, this is my first post.

I have a modest audio set-up that I want to upgrade: Yamaha rxv 657, Infinity P253 and technics 1700 turntable. Just sold a Denon CD player that I need to replace too.

I want to start with the speakers. I listen exclusively rock music in a 4x7 square meter room.

Due to availability in my country, I wonder what would be the best speakers that 1 kusd could buy. My options are:

- BW 685 s2 (due to great reviews).
- Paradigm 20 
- Monitor Audio S6
- Dynaudio x14

Could consider/get Jamo 803 and Dali too.

I wish I could stretch to the Sonus Faber Venere 1.5.

What would be your recommendation, taking into account that most dealers do not have demos.

Thank you!



gustavos
gustavos OP
10 posts
 
Many thanks for your feedback. So the BW 685 could be a good buy, according to Extravaganza and Cerrot - thought the Dyaundio too, and was afraid that BW were not 'rock' speakers as I've heard many times.

Paraneer: thanks for your honest opinion. And yes, I am conscious that I need to get rid of the Yamaha, but wanted to match the amp according to the speakers I will finally choose, with the feedback from you.

I have seen very good reviews for the Studio 20, but don't know if I need a perfect 'clear' speaker if does not come with a good, or best of breed, bass dynamics.


avanti1960
1,509 posts
 
Paradigm Monitor 11 if you can swing them- amazing for rock.  Next best from there would be the PSB X2T.  Really good speakers.  
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Like paraneer says, it is best to match amp and speakers, however it is important to look at some specs carefully. The Paradigm 20 and B&W 685 have almost identical specs.

B&W 685 - 87db, 8 ohm dropping to a 3.5 ohm minimum
Paradigm 20 - 87db, 8 ohm dropping to a 3.45 ohm minimum

Paraneer's comment about a sensitivity rating of 90db for the Paradigm is a room sensitivity rating, not anechoic chamber which is 87db, the same as the B&W 685 anechoic rating. IMHO, the match of these to the amp is very similar.

The Dynaudio x14's spec is a low 85db, measuring even lower, so agree it should be avoided.


paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
Thanks tls49.  Guess I missed that second rating.

OK, strike the Paradigms off the list too.  That should leave the MA's as the easiest to drive.  All the more reason to budget for a new amp in addition to the speakers.  The AVR is seriously limiting you.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,964 posts
 
All excellent suggestions.
add Thiel speakers to this list.
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