How to shop for speakers?
I would second the comment above on knowing your room; what size is your room and what limitations (if any) do you have on speaker placement? All of those speakers you mentioned are very good; very good in the right room... Second, I also agree with trying used; you can get some really great deals on used speakers right here on Audiogon. Narrow down your choices to a couple of candidates then watch for the best deal on nice used pair. |
While I appreciate the specific speaker suggestions that have been posted - they have opened my eyes (ears?) to others I should consider - I am really looking for a methodology to evaluate speakers when they are auditioned at different times in different settings and with different electronics. I agree that the best evaluation is in my own listening room, and that is how I picked my current speakers. Regarding the comment that there is no common thread in the speakers I listed - there is, but it is not an obvious audiological one. They are speakers I have heard briefly and liked, and have been well spoken of. I do not feel I heard them long enough or with music of my choosing, so I would want to audition them in greater depth before making a buying decision. I would buy used if I wanted to use the hit or miss buy and sell method, but if I take up the dealers time and resources, I am more inclined to buy from the dealer. Still, if the dealer of the model I decide upon does not give good service, then I would hope to find what I want used. Finally, my room is 19x17 feet with the speakers on the shorter wall. Currently they are almost 4 feet from the front wall and about 3 feet from the side, positioned by the Iron Chef Speaker Setup Protocol. I'm not sure my wife will tolerate this much longer as they are almost directly in front of the door from the garage and really need to be closer to the wall to satisfy her. |
Methodology????? A great thread on its own... My first impressions are based on tonal balance, is the bass tight, fast, full, boomy??? Is the mid range through the top end articulate, detailed and smooth? I've built alot of speakers in my time, I'm a stickler for drivers matching sensitivity and am annoyed by mis matches. Next, I listen for sound stage, I have recordings that I am very aware of. Is the stage as deep, wide, tall as I am used to, how is instrument placement on stage? Are these speakers dynamic? Yes/No, what amplification are they using and how does that affect the dynamics, warmth or lack of, dryness or sweetness on top or total accuracy. You get the idea, this can go on and on front end? cd? phono section, cables, yadda yadda yadda. Good luck, Tim |
The issue here is matching- you might want to look at this: http://www.atma-sphere.com/papers/paradigm_paper2.html IOW, If you know that you are wanting to use tubes (Mac275), you have to look at speakers that are friendly to tubes. Since tube power tends to be more expensive, I would reject speakers that have low efficiencies (less than 90 db) unless you are in a small room. Its helpful to look at the designer's intention- does he use tubes or transistors? In many ways, that is the easiest guide to start with. Wilsons, FWIW, are tube-friendly. B&Ws generally are not. |
