Quality standmounts
Posted by: sonofcolin on 29 May 2002
Moving apartments may mean that I have to sell the Credo's and replace them with some quality standmounters:
P9/CDX/72/140/Hi
Speakers must be able to work close to wall. Any thoughts on the following:
Acoustic energy AE1's
Dynaudio 1.3
Neat Petite
Proac Tabs (any flavour)
AVI neutrons or bigatrons
Any other suggestions? Decent stands (do Target still exist and make the R1?) Speakers should be in a similar price bracket to the credos.
Regards
Colin
P9/CDX/72/140/Hi
Speakers must be able to work close to wall. Any thoughts on the following:
Acoustic energy AE1's
Dynaudio 1.3
Neat Petite
Proac Tabs (any flavour)
AVI neutrons or bigatrons
Any other suggestions? Decent stands (do Target still exist and make the R1?) Speakers should be in a similar price bracket to the credos.
Regards
Colin
Posted on: 29 May 2002 by Bruce Woodhouse
Some years ago I was down to AE1 vs Credo as my new speaker. I had 72/140 at the time too, Meridian 506 source. The AE1 impressed hugely in the dealer, lively, sharp and clean-sounding. It did some things for me better than Credo, especially at higher volumes by avoiding the more boxy bass of the Naim.
I had an extended home-dem which left me very frustrated. The dimunitive size and gorgeous looks are one thing but I found them very hard to position and in my room needed to place them well out from the wall to avoid a really flat performance. Since I had looked at them specifically as suitable for my smaller room this rather defeated the object-and my be important to you from what you say.
Set up well and with good system behind them I felt I could have loved the speaker but practicalities prevailed and I bought the Credo.
If you are smitten make sure you try them at home before writing the cheque.
Bruce
PS Never heard any of the others to compare.
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on THURSDAY 30 May 2002 at 08:04.]
I had an extended home-dem which left me very frustrated. The dimunitive size and gorgeous looks are one thing but I found them very hard to position and in my room needed to place them well out from the wall to avoid a really flat performance. Since I had looked at them specifically as suitable for my smaller room this rather defeated the object-and my be important to you from what you say.
Set up well and with good system behind them I felt I could have loved the speaker but practicalities prevailed and I bought the Credo.
If you are smitten make sure you try them at home before writing the cheque.
Bruce
PS Never heard any of the others to compare.
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on THURSDAY 30 May 2002 at 08:04.]
Posted on: 30 May 2002 by Frank Abela
Depending on the room, the Credos are quite capable of working against the wall. This would mean a similar footprint or less than any alternative you go for, so I'm confused by your reasoning.
The latest version of the Dynaudio Contour 1.3 is a cracker. However, it's still quite difficult to drive and even a 140 may find it hard work, so bear this in mind.
The Biggatron Red Spot is a very good sealed standmounter. The earlier Biggatrons were a bit of a handful (as per 1.3s), but the latest ones are wonderful. The Neutron III is a very capable little speaker but I think it's not in the same ballpark as the Credo really - too many compromises. But you should try AVI's ProNine - one of the best speakers around in the right location.
As to stands, factions of Target have resurfaced as Sonus. Sonus make Biggatron stands (and Neutron stands) and have quite a wide range - and of course, there's always Peter Partington.
Other suggestions - maybe now's the time for a pair of SBLs? Admittedly you'd be limited to black ones if you want to buy new ones, but their bass control is way superior to the Credo and more like a standmounts than the fuller Allaes. If buying 2nd hand, make sure they were built in the last 2 years for the best.
Mission are launching their new range. I've heard the £300 standmount and it's very good vfm, so it's possible there's something there worth a listen.
Linn Katans?
If the Contour 1.3 is too much for the 140, try a pair of 52s - very capable.
Good luck!
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
The latest version of the Dynaudio Contour 1.3 is a cracker. However, it's still quite difficult to drive and even a 140 may find it hard work, so bear this in mind.
The Biggatron Red Spot is a very good sealed standmounter. The earlier Biggatrons were a bit of a handful (as per 1.3s), but the latest ones are wonderful. The Neutron III is a very capable little speaker but I think it's not in the same ballpark as the Credo really - too many compromises. But you should try AVI's ProNine - one of the best speakers around in the right location.
As to stands, factions of Target have resurfaced as Sonus. Sonus make Biggatron stands (and Neutron stands) and have quite a wide range - and of course, there's always Peter Partington.
Other suggestions - maybe now's the time for a pair of SBLs? Admittedly you'd be limited to black ones if you want to buy new ones, but their bass control is way superior to the Credo and more like a standmounts than the fuller Allaes. If buying 2nd hand, make sure they were built in the last 2 years for the best.
Mission are launching their new range. I've heard the £300 standmount and it's very good vfm, so it's possible there's something there worth a listen.
Linn Katans?
If the Contour 1.3 is too much for the 140, try a pair of 52s - very capable.
Good luck!
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Posted on: 30 May 2002 by sonofcolin
Thanks for the responses guys.
The major reason for the change would be to reduce the low frequencies, as the apartment has thin walls! I've tried the Credos next to he wall before, but found them to become more 'boxy' and did suffer a bit from the 'one note' bass syndrome. At the mo, I have them about 3 feet into the room and well clear of boundaries (much friendlier for my current neighbours in terms of bass). This wouldn't be possible in the new place.
I've always enjoyed what standmounters do and had a dem of the AE1's about 5 years ago on the end of Naim electronics (and LP12) and was suitably impressed. They were, however well clear of the walls, so maybe this won't be suitable.
Never heard Katans (have heard kans), so maybe worth a listen. Heard the Neutrons a while ago and liked them, so would like to listen to their newer siblings. I will try and buy 2nd hand and will be looking for bargains available in August/sept time.
The major reason for the change would be to reduce the low frequencies, as the apartment has thin walls! I've tried the Credos next to he wall before, but found them to become more 'boxy' and did suffer a bit from the 'one note' bass syndrome. At the mo, I have them about 3 feet into the room and well clear of boundaries (much friendlier for my current neighbours in terms of bass). This wouldn't be possible in the new place.
I've always enjoyed what standmounters do and had a dem of the AE1's about 5 years ago on the end of Naim electronics (and LP12) and was suitably impressed. They were, however well clear of the walls, so maybe this won't be suitable.
Never heard Katans (have heard kans), so maybe worth a listen. Heard the Neutrons a while ago and liked them, so would like to listen to their newer siblings. I will try and buy 2nd hand and will be looking for bargains available in August/sept time.
Posted on: 30 May 2002 by Alex S.
I still have AE1s and love 'em. But Bruce is right, no way will they work too near a wall. I know B&Ws are not fashionable here but the N805s I found better than AE1s (they sound awful next to a wall too BTW). I found the CDM1NT similar but different. I think son of AE1 is released this summer - may be worth waiting for.
I've heard Katans sound excellent with Naim - close to the wall too!
All standmounts I've heard have been greatly improved by sitting them on hne granite stands and using Nordost Pulsar Points instead of blu-tack or spikes.
Alex
I've heard Katans sound excellent with Naim - close to the wall too!
All standmounts I've heard have been greatly improved by sitting them on hne granite stands and using Nordost Pulsar Points instead of blu-tack or spikes.
Alex