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Please recommend speakers

I’m just starting my audiophile journey and want to make sure I pair the right equipment before going too far down the rabbit hole. I am coming into this as a complete newbie. I listen pretty much to everything but mostly pop, classical and jazz in a fairly large-ish lower level living room (maybe 20 x 20 feet square) and speakers sitting on bookshelves. I know they should be on stands or floor-mounted, but that doesn’t really work for me right now space-wise. So far I have Jamo 803 bookshelf speakers with newly purchased SMSL DA-9 amp and matching SMSL SU-9 DAC (previously was using an old NAD D 3020 V1 integrated amp with direct connection from iPad to internal DAC). Now I stream directly from an old iPhone/iPad via a USB camera adapter to the DAC which has balanced connections to the DA-9 amp. I pretty much stream music exclusively (currently on free trials with Tidal and Amazon HD). No other sources. No library to speak of. No headphones. The Jamos sound great to me, but I feel like I need something better to pair with the mid-fi DAC and AMP. So I’m looking for upgrade the Jamo 803s which were purchased on sale for $130. Looking to spend up to maybe $800 for a pair. Recommendations? Thanks in advance!

 

Edit:  Here's what I'm considering so far.  KEF350, Polk R200s, Audio Monitor Bronze.  Thoughts on pros and cons?  Anything else?

expresstrain
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 

Definitely no on Tekton and I’m not a fan of Polk either. +1 for Klipsch and Monitor Silver. Have you thought about a used pair of JBL’s? PS. KLH makes some very good speakers too.

expresstrain OP
7 posts
 

Thanks everyone! So here’s the final list in approximate ranked order from most to least likely, though I haven’t entirely decided yet. I need to spend some time browsing the used ads on a regular basis to familiarize myself with what is out there especially the brands with which I am not familiar. Certainly the less risky approach is to go with a brand that is well known and respected, and given my general approach to things, this is likely the path I will take, at least until I learn a lot more about high-end audio. But I also respect what the smaller companies are trying to do and recognize there is potentially great value being offered. I know it’s not easy competing with the big brands with huge marketing budgets. I appreciate all the advice and recs, and the lively debate that has opened my eyes a bit to the world of high-end audio. Without further ado, here’s my final rank list:

1) Klipsch 600M (new) - high efficiency so good match for my 50wpc amp, good for detail, good reputation

2) Monitor Bronze (new) or Monitor Silver (used) - good reputation, detail, appreciate the design

3) Original KEF LS50 (used) - excellent reputation, detail, risk of purchasing used speaker that is several years old

4) Wharfedale Diamond - excellent reputation for value, warm sound will balance the SMSL SU-9 DAC, but will likely be looking at Wharfedale for floorstanders in the future and want to have a contrasting pair of bookshelf speakers for more technical listening

5) Wharfedale EVO 4 - could be the dark horse here, need to look into this some more, curious about the AMT tweeter

rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 

I would not worry too much about purchasing used.  I have built two systems that make me very happy purchasing used.   If you can make local purchases, even better.  If not,ask lots of questions,and ask for lots of pictures.  Enjoy your journey! 

lanx0003
862 posts
 

There are so many reviews on Youtube, Stereophile and several other sources on the budget bookshelf by experts with good ears.  I think you should do your own homework.

leemaze
330 posts
 

Try from music direct. They allow returns

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