2. speakers
  3. 133654-103414

Speaker Upgrade

Hello. I'm considering upgrading my speakers. I can't say I'm unhappy with my current speakers (what you don't know won't hurt you) but suppose I'm curious if new speakers will make a difference. I'm actually quite happy with my current speakers but psychologically I wonder if a new set will sound better.

My system consists of a Yamaha DSP-1A integrated amp, Pro-Ject Debut Carbonturntable (acrylic platter equipped) with an Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge, a Denon DVD-2900 DVD/CD player (used just for CD's) and a DBX 3BX-DS. My speakers consist of a pair ofWharfedale Rubiance RB-27's in the front and RB-23's in the rear with a Mirage FRX-S15powered subwoofer. Everything is about 20years old except for the turntable which is about a year old. room is 15 feet by 12 feet and is fairly heavily furnished (it doubles as my office). I have the listening area set up width-wise. And I listen to primarily classical, jazzand big band.

I started thinking about new speakers after seeing so many articles and videos praising the Elac Debut speakers. So naturally these arewhat I'm considering (F5/B5 or F6/B6 combos) and I'll keep the Mirage sub. I did speak to alocal high-end audio shop who suggested thatI also audition Klipsch and B&W. I did meet someone recently who is selling his 1 monthold Elac F5 speakers for $350 so I considering that heavily. But I don't want to just buy a newset of speakers (even if they are a great deal) if they don't sound much different (or better)than my Wharfedale's.

If I do this, I don't think I want to spend much more than $1,000 if new for fronts and rears (I can get the Elac F5/B5 combo for about this new and much less it'd I go used).

Does anyone out there have any experience with and thoughts on Wharfedale Rubiancespeakers as compared with today's speakers like the Elac F5 ad F6?

Thanks
128x128cspiegs
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
Well, it is a little more complicated that just 1,2,3.
The smaller the Vandy, the less bass output (due to less cabinet area).
One of the ways to overcome that is to incorporate a sub-especially a Vandersteen sub(-which allows you to use a less powerful amp), and integrates via a crossover. Very ingenious, and it works seamlessly.

Please do contact Pete. I bought his Treo's. He is a very knowledgeable guy.
You can also contact John Rutan at audioconnection (his Agon name and his store). He is one of the best dealers in the Nation.- And, don't feel pressured, he gives great advice without a sales pitch. 
Going the Vandy 1ci route with subs is something I wish I had known about earlier.
B
cspiegs's avatar
cspiegs OP
42 posts
 
Sounds good. Already spoke to Pete for about an hour today and plan on calling John tomorrow.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Cats and dogs really
and I sold a ton of both to very different customers
the ADas use steep slope crossovers to keep that dome mid alive
they might need a driver and crossover refresh
rising high end but reasonably flat, detailed, etched, great thinking mans rock speaker
far far outclassed by musicality of the Vandersteen
yep owned both

ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Tomic, he listens to mostly Orchestral music and Jazz.  That's why I was thinking he should try adn get a speaker with fuller range (not using sub as that's out of his budget when you figure things out) and tonally correct.  The new Vandersteen 1's are a couple of hundy out of his budget of 1k max.  He can get the 15yo 2's, which I am not familiar enough with.  Rutan sold those and remembers how they sound against his newer speakers as well as other speakers.  He can look at the Maggie set up as well as B&W's (not my favorite, but many like a more forward mid (he doesn't) and others that are out there.  There are options, but I also feel strongly that upgrading from the 1990's Yamaha integrated amp to a newer and better sounding amp will even help his Warfdales sound much better.  

He has options and focusing in with one who knows what's up may help.  As anyone knows who has dealt with Rutan, he isn't always about purchasing through him etc...  he just wants to help out as do many in this industry. 
cspiegs's avatar
cspiegs OP
42 posts
 
 I am also not a fan of the B&W speakers. Please keep in mind though that I do have a mirage 15 inch down firing subwoofer.

FYI, I hooked up the ADS speakers last night and in all honesty found little difference between them and my Wharfedales. They did have a little bit more at the bottom end, but when I kick in the subwoofer, I really couldn't hear that much of a difference.

I'm going to meet the gentleman with the used Vandersteen 2Ce this afternoon. I'll let you know what I think of them later tonight.
More to discover