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Which Speaker

Hi, I'm building my first set up and need some help deciding on a set of speakers, I don' have a ton of money to spend but I've narrowed it down to some speakers that are in a sale deal so I can get the best ones I can. The main input will be vinyl from a pro-ject debut carbon evo and the amp will probably either be a marantz pm6007 or yamaha As501 depending on the speaker. The options I have: KEF Q550, Q Acoustics 3050i, Fyne Audio F303, Yamaha NS-F350, Wharfedale Diamond 12.4, Dali Oberon 5, Bowers & Wilkins 603 and Monitor Audio 200 or 500.
The website does say I can enquire about others to see if they would do a deal for them, they have many options like KEF 750, Dali Opticon 5,Elac Debut F6.2, Monitor Audio Silver 6, Kudos x2 and Mission QX4 - I dont know if they would allow any of these but I can always ask.
Music wise I tend to listen to indie/rock/metal but also a bit of everything from across the board, good bass is important but I can always add a subwoofer in the future. I know the best thing to do would be to listen in person but with full lockdown due to Covid I cant.
I think thats all the information I can give, I know I've listed quite a lot of speakers but it's my first try I want to do it well, thanks in advance for your thoughts.
oliverben5672
aeriya
8 posts
 
Start by crossing off your list all speakers less than 92dB sensitivity.

My Mirage M3-si speakers have 83dB sensitivity and I drive them just fine with 110 watts. I like my music very loud and of course accurate. The same amp driving the Klipschorns (105.5dB) will easily reach unsafe levels. Either setup is backed up by a 1250 watt 18 inch sub crossed over at 80Hz. 

OP you say that "good bass is important" but I'd say good deep bass is necessary regardless of music choice. The last octave is the most important ;-)

Sometimes I setup the sub with a very small pair of Mission bookshelf speakers to trick people. They are astonished that the sound is not coming from the big speakers and sometimes have to check. So I would say don't make the decision based on mains bass extension, they probably should not be trying to reproduce much under 80Hz. 

Given that you cannot listen to the speakers I agree with others that you should concentrate on reviews from higher end reviewers and ignore speaker specs - most of which are provided by the marketing department.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Dali is good if you're looking for a wide dispersion speaker. You might look at their active line. 
soix
9,456 posts
 
Music wise I tend to listen to indie/rock/metal but also a bit ofeverything from across the board, good bass is important
I’d go with Monitor Audio as they’re good all-around speakers but can also belt out rock when called for, and specifically I’d go with a model like the 300 or 500 with a dedicated midrange driver if possible.  If you tend to like neutrality and more treble detail I’d go with the Yamaha, but if you prefer a warmer, richer sound with a softer treble presentation detail go with the Marantz.  Best of luck. 

b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,274 posts
 
Thats pretty much what I said earlier soix.

Monitor Audio Silvers and whichever sound signature you prefer with regards to yamaha or marantz...

@Oliver, where are hou getting these deals?  Thats pretty good if you are getting around 35% off new!

adg101
1,062 posts
 
Don’t bash me but if you play much metal, and enjoy it a fairly loud volume you might want to look into Paradigm as another option. Only personally familiar with the B&W and Monitor Audio’s mentioned and both are fine speakers, but if you want to push your system a little on the harder side my opinion is the Paradigms can be pushed harder without losing it.
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