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Want speakers for 700 but none sound good.

Hello all,

I apologize for asking a question which might have been asked many times before, but I have a small problem at hand. I need speakers around <$700 and I have auditioned quite a few incl B&W 602.5 S3, Triangle Titus 202, JBL S38II, Paradigm Studio 20 v2 etc. These are all good speakers I am sure but somehow don't do it for me. I am probably like the other guy who said he had 'audiophile tastes but a poor man's budget' or something.

The speakers above were auditioned at home. I have a NAD c350 amp, Cambridge audio CD player with Straightwire Maestro interconnects and apature speaker cables. The (small) listening room measures about 10'x12'x8' (LxWxH) w/ hardwood floors (I know bad!). The speakers are going to be replacing the excellent Boston Acoustics A70 speakers from the late 80s. Very very good for it's time but, sadly, dead with torn woofers and distorting tweeters. I may not get good replacements knowing the only mid-fi quality of current BA drivers (some may beg to differ).

Sorry for the longish post but I need help getting room filling sound with tight bass and good detail/imaging from speakers that you recommend. Not much concerned with playing too loud. New age electronic/ acoustic and some rock music.

Thanks a lot!
pranagas
pranagas OP
7 posts
 
thanks Bbtuna, danheather and others. I will also explore the B&W CDM1. Yes, used is probably the way to go for my budget. I have bought used and not had any problem so far with the equipment.

I think the basic "problem" according to my wife at least, is that my mind is burned in with the BA A70 sound from all these years that I cannot get away from that. And so I am unconsciously rejecting every speaker. If that's true it's frightening and not a good sign although I doubt that theory. But anyway, she is not too happy with me bringing speakers in almost every week and leaving all these boxes lying around the house + obesessing about speakers. Yes, there is some pressure to make a quick decision here.......but that's another story.

I will look into all the speakers mentioned and also look at other threads. Most seem to know what they're (you're) talking about.

cheers.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I owned a pair of BA A70-II (series 2) for 11 years. You will be fine.
pranagas OP
7 posts
 
What do you think about ACI Emeralds or Sapphires in kit form? How about Mission M73s, if I may be so bold.
mes
393 posts
 
Just put together a system for a friend which included a NAD C-370 and Maggie MMG's. The MMG's are incredibly good and there is a nice synergy between them and the NAD. I agree with Danheather,the MMG's are outstanding speakers, particularly for $550 shipped.
pcs
109 posts
 
No one has mentioned Spica TC-60's. At times I feel they just disappear in my room that is approximately 12 X 16 and also has a hard floor. Since they are only available used, they will be hard to audition. I haven't heard most of the speakers above but I have always liked the sound of Magnapans.

Regards,
Paul
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