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speaker suggestions for modest arcam alpha system

hi, I have very recently changed my system with a used arcam alpha 7se cd player and alpha 9 integrated amp...these two pieces and a pair of paradigm monitor 7v2s are my whole main system....i am considering changing my speakers (although i am not unhappy with them, just want to use them with my old amp (NAD T751) in a seperate home theatre setup) and i was wondering if any of the low-end-mid-fi gurus out there could suggest a good match for this modest setup.

the listening/living room is 8'Hx12'Wx16'L. my listening position is about 3.5' from back wall and about 9.5' from speakers which are along the 12' dimension of room (only way to make room work).

I love the look of floorstanding speakers but probably don't need them in my listening enivronment.

I mainly listen to modern rock, acoustic rock, vintage blues and some electronica...periodically i listen to vivalldi's 4 seasons, which is the only piece of classical music that i own

my price point is $600 to $800 (incl. stands if bookshelf variety) and prefer used gear (my cd player and amp costed $650 total after shipping, used)

any suggestions would be great, thanks, Mark
m_laken
tombowlus
416 posts
 
Paradigm makes some great speakers in its price range. So does PSB. But I was trying to throw out some suggestions in a slightly different direction. I happen to be putting together an Arcam/ProAc setup, myself. After falling in love with the ProAc Tablette Reference 8's, I ordered a pair of the Signature series. Shortly thereafter, that same dealer had someone trade in an Arcam FMJ A22, so I snagged it, although I have yet to pick up either unit. So, while I, too, have read that they match up well, I have not heard them togehter yet. I am currently trolling for a CD player to match.

Tom.
cdc
1,786 posts
 
Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 are $328 direct from Ascend. This includes shipping. They would cost $1,000+ if sold at a dealer and in a nice wood veneer. The sound is neither low-end or modest. Worthy competition to the B&W speakers. Their only fault was that they were a bit etched to me and I think the Arcam would be a great match to tame them down a bit.
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
Check out the Dali bookshelf spks. on www.canadianhifi.com They also list a used pr. of ATC bookshelf spk. for around $650. For floorstanders one dealer is advertising some new Morel's for $849. Personally I haven't heard them, but they seem quite an interesting design w/the dome midrange. (Asking $ seems a little too high, IMO.) Many yrs. ago had an Alpha 10 int. amp w/ some B&W's DM-640's which sounded pretty good. Lots of possibilities! Good Luck!
tombowlus
416 posts
 
Mark:

The Thiel CS.5's are floor standers, and you don't absolutely need a subwoofer with them. My father-in-law has a pair with no sub, and he loves them. But for many of the speakers in your price range, if you want detail, tonal balance, good imaging and soundstage, you probably won't get that AND great low end output without a sub. You can get good low end, but usually at the expense of something else (in that price range, that is). Plus, most of the speakers that are going to fit your room well are going to be on the smaller side.

I'm not sure if the ProAc/Arcam match-up is due to them both being British, but I would think that this is part of why they work so well togehter. For kicks, if not for sonic reasons, I am setting up my office system to be all British, while my home system is all American.

Tom.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
For a while I've been contemplating a mini system. Choosing speakers is confusing /difficult.-- There are so many small book-shelf speakers new and used; it's a chore to separate 'claims' from opinions, from reality. Seems everybody's monitors sound like Wilson X1's for 3/6 hundred ?? (Read GMA Europa;Whorfdale 8.2 VSM--on and on.)
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