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Just confused about where to start

Hello all,

I'm looking to add speakers to my audiophile setup which currently consists of (very high end) headphones. I want speakers for everything the headphones cannot do - simple enough. Problem is, I'm having difficulty deciding which gear I want to buy. I demoed a pair of B&W 705 S2's today and was very impressed. Unfortunately, my budget isn't that high. It's $1500 total, for the speakers and amp combined. Source is a computer. I listened to a cheaper pair of B&W bookshelf speakers (can't remember which, but were around $1200) and was not impressed. I am leaning toward bookshelf speakers but don't know if getting floorstanding at this price point would be a large increase in quality. The room they will be placed in is only 100 square feet. I am willing to buy used.

So, my questions, summed up are:

Is bookshelf a better option than floorstanding?

Is it worth looking at cheaper B&W models, or should I look at other companies altogether?

At least with headphones, I like a pretty neutral sound, if not a tad warm. Are there any companies that predominantly have this sound signature?

How should the room size inform my choice of speakers?



muffinhead123
twochannelami
5 posts
 
  Man if it was me all I want to do in any price range , especially yours is wait for something great under the money to come along. My choice however would be especially based on your comments to look for a pr of lightly used Magnaplanar MG II,s for around $800 or so. On EBay right now is one of the biggest baddest best sounding underrated bullet proof integrated amps around. Sansui  Aud11 for $700 that would make some Maggy’s very happy with its 200 w x 2 huge power supply and just as happy into 4ohms 
 Sold a lot of better audio in my early days and always thought this amp sounded as good as a lot of other gear costing 3x the $
 bookshelves can sound great but nothing better at modest volumes than Maggie’s ,they get up and follow you around.
 Good luck.
ethos123
83 posts
 
I've never heard the LS50W described as sounding that way. I wonder if there was a problem with that speaker, a poor quality source, etc., but there are plenty of other great options out there and it sounds like you have some you're excited about...pick what sounds great to your ears and best of luck.

You definitely aren't obligated to buy from your local dealer, but if you're buying something they offer, I think it's a good idea once you've worked with them to at least make a phone call as a courtesy and see if they can match the price you can get online or elsewhere...many times they will get far closer than you expect and you'll have the benefit of someone local to deal with any issues down the line. They'll appreciate getting the chance to earn your business and most are very understanding that you buy elsewhere when they can't come close on the price...and if they're a total jerk about it, you know you're better spending elsewhere anyway.
muffinhead123 OP
35 posts
 
I got them!
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis8gig3-snell-m-7-stand-mount-monitor-speakers-monitors?show_list...
$500 in the hole, I can stretch my budget up to $1500, but I’d like to keep it under $1000 if possible.

Thanks so much @jond for the recommendation!

Haven’t auditioned them sadly, but it seems that this was too good of a deal to pass on. They supposed to be pretty neutral, owing to their inefficient power use.

So now that is done, I ’d welcome any recommendations for the amp. The Luxman before has been suggested, so I can contact the seller for that.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis8f99a-luxman-l-530-stereo-integrated-amplifier-solid-state

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sansui-AU-D11-II-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier-Japan-Serviced-Near-MI...
The Sansui AU-D11 looks like a good option on paper. Looks like a quality amp, but the specs sheet didn’t tell me what class amp it is.

I have this
https://www.electromod.co.uk/schiit/amplifiers/lyr-2/
which can be used as a preamp for *powered desktop speakers*
I’m not sure about its use with a power amp for passive speakers.

I really appreciate everyone providing their input. It's exciting hearing everyone's different takes on gear. With headphones it pretty simple, but speakers have so much more variety in the setups.


tutetibiimperes
202 posts
 
The new Yamaha integrated amp is worth checking out.  It has bass management and YPAO room correction, plus more wattage than the Elac Element I mentioned upthread.  

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/yamaha’s-new-21-channel-receiver-boasts-ypao-room-correction
jond's avatar
jond
5,911 posts
 
Congrats on the speakers I hope you love them! And good luck with finding an integrated that Sansui is Class AB since you were asking.  Never heard one but they do have a following. Looks like you have some good options and plenty of budget to find a good amp.
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