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
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.


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
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.
Project amp box DS2 seems like a good amp for the money. I think I heard one or a similar Project amp at a show and the system sounded great.
If budget is tight, nothing beats Yamaha with their AS 501/701/801 integrated amplifiers or their receivers like the RN803d that was mentioned earlier. I see no point in going second hand with budget gear: by the time you have had them refurbished, you may have spent more than on a new unit.
Howeer, you have not yet answered my question about your DAC/headphone amp: can you use it as a pre amplifier? If so, all you would need is something like a $200 Behringer A500 power amplifier.