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Speakers for.....every type of music?

I'm new to this site & first time poster. I am one of the guys that receives the emails every night, reads them and tries to be informed about this "hobby". A little background. I got into stereo early but never pursued it due to drumming, so I am only trying my best to keep up with you guys on this level. I have no gear like yours but keep a modest system that I have pieced together with whatever change I had. But I saw something interesting tonight on the popular discussions about a certain speaker not being a good "rock" speaker. So what do you recommend I think about when looking for speakers when I listen to everything? This is not a joke, I listen to almost every genre of music: classic, jazz, metal, thrash, world, easy listening, disco, you get the idea including vocal only. What say you fine gentlemen about my particular dilemma on your level? I am looking at used Advent & KEF speakers but will they fill my needs? I realize sound is a personal taste but in which direction might you think about?
vista1868
brayeagle
362 posts
 
You can find speakers at a somewhat "reasonable"price that can sound very good to excellent in classical and jazz, but not necessarily  on rock, heavy metal or organ.  That's where a good subwoofer comes into play.  

IMO, an excellent speaker in the 35hz to 20 kHz range, coupled with a good subwoofer probably can do better than a speaker that attempts to furnish smooth reproduction from top to bottom..  Very few full range speakers can provide the octave-plus bass that can be obtained by an active large-cone subwoofer. (On a decent recording, the sound of those 32' pipes of a cathedral organ can be felt as well as heard.) 

Disclaimer:  I'm a full range plus subwoofer guy
vista1868 OP
29 posts
 
On my A/V systems I am as well brayeagle, do you have a recommended disc to put my system through the paces?
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
My speaker of choice is Tannoy, my first pair came in 1971, 12" Monitor Golds. I somehow got away from them, and 8 or 9 years ago I decided it was time for a return. On Ebay UK, I bought a pair of HPD 315 drivers (ca 1975), with crossovers, then constructed a 150 liter pair of enclosures (bass-reflex with two 4" front facing ports). They are massively built, and weigh 192 lbs. each. Custom crossovers completed the project.

These play any type of music I choose to listen to equally well, In a large room. My opinion is that a full range speaker system should be designed to be able to play any music well, perhaps with the exception of very low bass, such as synth music, for that, you'd probably want substantial subwoofers.

Anyway, that's what's worked for me, though I must confess, I have two subwoofers in use as well, to augment that part of the music to couple better in my large room.

I hope you're able to find what will do the job for you. Best of luck, regards,

Dan
n80
2,116 posts
 
It is interesting that someone mentioned organ music and a subwoofer. I'm mostly a rock guy but I like a number of the more popular symphonies. I have a good CD recording of Saint Saenz organ symphony. When that organ hits the bass notes through my Aerial Acoustic 7Bs (no subwoofer) it shakes the room and the inside of your chest. It is almost uncomfortable even at modest volume. But, they're being driven by 250 watts. I had access to a large Bowers and Wilkins subwoofer but decided I did not need it.
musicloversaudio's avatar
musicloversaudio
44 posts
 
Speaker design has probably improved more than anything else, with the possible exception of DACs, in the last 5 years. The latest Paradigm offerings, as well as the Sonus Faber Sonnettos, are outstanding. At the top, The Wilson Audio Sabrinas, Yvettes and Alexia 2s are stunning.
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