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Full circle and thinking about speakers

This all started a couple of months ago by buying a pair of old B&W DM305 speakers and i'm completely new to all of this..
Then a  Rogue Cronus, Nottingham TT w/ a Lyra Cart. Waiting for an EAR phono stage to arrive Monday.
On the digital side - a Pro-ject streamer and Schitt DAC (place holder but it all sounds very decent).
So now I'm back to the speakers, cables and interconnects. I would like something at a level with the other gear - not that the B&W's are bad, they just aren't great.
What I like about the B&W's: clear detailed and focused.
What I don't like: At times the highs are glaringly high and when I expect there to be gobs of bass, there just isn't any to speak of. Jazz trios and quartets sound pretty awesome.  Rock not as good.
Condo life, which means my listening level is on the low side. Wall moving bass is probably not what I am looking for.
Listening space: The room is 14' x 25' and I haven't settled on which direction to arrange speakers. Currently they are projecting across the 14' width. That may very well change.
Any recommendations of where to start the search are highly welcomed. Speaker types, specs etc...as I know very little.
Let's say under 2K and used is fine if it gets me to a higher level.
Thanks  all
smaarch1
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Conventional wisdom is to settle on the speakers you like first, and then get an amp well capable of driving them.

Someone mentioned ProAc Response 2.5's a while ago.  They are phenomenal speakers, remarkable bass extension for size, really superlative performers.  Find a good used pair and you could be very happy.  And... they are easy to drive.
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,008 posts
 
I just Googled your speakers and they look like a bookshelf speaker built in a tower cabinet.  Does the added space below the speakers serve to enhance the sound or are they designed to just look like tower speakers.  I have not seen these before.

Right off, I would look for a true tower speaker.  That would certainly improve sound quality.

Do you have subwoofers to extend the lower end frequencies?
coachpoconnor's avatar
coachpoconnor
380 posts
 
mc-
You can do a lot of room treatment for $1000.00. GIK has a starter kit for around $600.00. It can be just as impactful as buying new speakers. You also could buy red carpet and a lava lamp, but the smart audiophile would choose room treatment.
ps. They also have bass traps in red.
chorus
976 posts
 
If you are near a move I would postpone any purchase.

Room differences. 

$2k used can get you some great sound.

Good Luck!
smaarch1 OP
95 posts
 
Larry the 305's are ported on the back about midway up. the 302's are bookshelf and the top portion looks identical but without the lower port
How much of a difference the port makes? I don't know.
The 305's can also be bi-wired, which they currently are.
Chorus - no not moving - just jokingcoachpoconner - great, thanks - more to consider
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