Speaker recommdations

Listen to ATC SCM40.

I have Audio Physics Tempo 4s with a Superuniti front end. I enjoy the sound - they are very clear and neutral. Also looks are important to me so that narrows the options.

I would be interested in seeing what you go for as I too will probably upgrade in the next 2 yrs...

How big is your budget? New or 2ndhand?

See if you can still find a pair of Ovator S400s. Works for me on a similar system

Shahinians of whatever meets your budget, top of the range eclipse if they fall within it ( you did say midrange, they may just make you forget the extremes are only hinted at), the new Kudos 707as ( this is a guess). The world is your oyster if you're well placed for home demos, if not you're playing roulette.

I love my NBLs but they don't meet your criteria for new, you may just find a dealer in used gear will let you demo but he'll need to know what he's doing with setup and there are only tweeters left as spares so maybe not.

it would be worth trying the 252 with the speakers you have, if you audition replacement speakers with the 252 in place they might fit it better than some chosen with the 282, assuming a 552 isn't a remote possibility. 

You don't mention available budget, or any physical constraints. Based on my own experience (with the speakers, not 250), PMC MB2SE are fantastic, though I don't know if the 250 is up to driving them. PMC Fact 12 also very good, even if in terms of soundstage rather constrained compared to MB2, and positively tiny looking for such a capable bass performance, and I would imagine an easier drive for the 250. If these are too expensive new, then ex-dem or secondhand. Secondhand also brings in the older EB1i, though its midrange is'n't as good as the others, though again maybe a bit much for the 250.

CSI_Basel posted:

I have Audio Physics Tempo 4s with a Superuniti front end. I enjoy the sound - they are very clear and neutral. Also looks are important to me so that narrows the options.

I would be interested in seeing what you go for as I too will probably upgrade in the next 2 yrs...

How big is your budget? New or 2ndhand?

I think 2nd hand might be my best option with around 2k , I love the physics but I feel there maybe as you say too neutral 

cdboy posted:

See if you can still find a pair of Ovator S400s. Works for me on a similar system

 

Thanks those I could demo

yeti42 posted:

Shahinians of whatever meets your budget, top of the range eclipse if they fall within it ( you did say midrange, they may just make you forget the extremes are only hinted at), the new Kudos 707as ( this is a guess). The world is your oyster if you're well placed for home demos, if not you're playing roulette.

I love my NBLs but they don't meet your criteria for new, you may just find a dealer in used gear will let you demo but he'll need to know what he's doing with setup and there are only tweeters left as spares so maybe not.

it would be worth trying the 252 with the speakers you have, if you audition replacement speakers with the 252 in place they might fit it better than some chosen with the 282, assuming a 552 isn't a remote possibility. 

Hi yeti.. thanks yeah I'd go 2nd hand , good idea to demo with a 252 of was being brutally honest a 552 is probably a no ☹️

Klyde posted:

Listen to ATC SCM40.

Heard good things about the atc 

Innocent Bystander posted:

You don't mention available budget, or any physical constraints. Based on my own experience (with the speakers, not 250), PMC MB2SE are fantastic, though I don't know if the 250 is up to driving them. PMC Fact 12 also very good, even if in terms of soundstage rather constrained compared to MB2, and positively tiny looking for such a capable bass performance, and I would imagine an easier drive for the 250. If these are too expensive new, then ex-dem or secondhand. Secondhand also brings in the older EB1i, though its midrange is'n't as good as the others, though again maybe a bit much for the 250.

Very interesting.. I shall do a bit digging on these

thanks 

Try to get an audition of the somewhat new Quad S5, or Z series if your budget would stretch to those. I heard them recently on the end of an Exposure 3010S2D and they sounded very very good, that ribbon tweeter is pretty special.

Innocent Bystander posted:

You don't mention available budget, or any physical constraints. Based on my own experience (with the speakers, not 250), PMC MB2SE are fantastic, though I don't know if the 250 is up to driving them. PMC Fact 12 also very good, even if in terms of soundstage rather constrained compared to MB2, and positively tiny looking for such a capable bass performance, and I would imagine an easier drive for the 250. If these are too expensive new, then ex-dem or secondhand. Secondhand also brings in the older EB1i, though its midrange is'n't as good as the others, though again maybe a bit much for the 250.

I think those are all great but also all too much for a 250 from purely a power perspective. Matching the 250 with the PMC ranges pretty much leaves the Twenty5 range and Fact3/8. Beyond that, I think you are looking at a something else to drive them. Most people will plug whatever they own or have owned here. Might be better to just let your dealer guide you through demonstration. Plans always change once you are in the middle of a demonstration anyway.

Budget of 2k? My advice is to save up. Spending 2k now is just a waste of money. Even for 2nd hand speakers. 

Those Audio Physics were about £2,700 in 2006 I believe, and a current £2,000 speaker is unlikely to be better, simply different. If it was me, I'd get the 252 first - if after testing you actually prefer it to the 282 - and then look at speakers. 

You can get a very good deal secondhand if you are careful, but do stick with speakers that actually match your system. Some of those mentioned, such as PMC Fact 12 are in Naim 500 series territory, and something like the NBL, which you can pick up for £1,700 or so, need more than what you have. In terms of current speakers something like the Kudos Super 20 might be ideal, but cost over £4,000, but that's really the budget you need to be looking at for a real improvement. Some Ovator 400s may of course be just the ticket, if you actually like them of course. A dealer in Scotland - hifi Corner I believe - was selling the last remaining stock off, or so I understand. 

Thanks HH .. I can go higher but that was incorporating a 252 , a 252 is on the to do list, maybe do that a bit quicker, I'm close to hifi corner in Edinburgh might be worth popping in

Richard archbold posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

You don't mention available budget, or any physical constraints. Based on my own experience (with the speakers, not 250), PMC MB2SE are fantastic, though I don't know if the 250 is up to driving them. PMC Fact 12 also very good, even if in terms of soundstage rather constrained compared to MB2, and positively tiny looking for such a capable bass performance, and I would imagine an easier drive for the 250. If these are too expensive new, then ex-dem or secondhand. Secondhand also brings in the older EB1i, though its midrange is'n't as good as the others, though again maybe a bit much for the 250.

Very interesting.. I shall do a bit digging on these

thanks 

Ah, knowing your budget these unfortunately are beyond it (secondhand). With £2k I would be searching info on older speakers, or the lower ranges of recent ones. An awful lot is available secondhand at that price depending on age, but the only other speakers of which I have favourable experience are the now ancient IMF transmission line ones (TLS50, TLS80 & RSPM), all of which are great speakers and willl be well within your budget, but possibly older than you would want. (My son has my original TLS50s, which has had mid driver surrounds replaced and recapped crossover, costs peanuts and still sounds great!)

Find some late SBLs and get some new grills from tomtom for under 1k. I am yet to hear anything better under 4k, although I confess to limited access to speakers. You will easily get your money back if they are not to your taste. And they love a 252...

Stu

....And they love a CDS3.

C.

They do indeed Chris, and also 250/300s....

Stu

I guess second hand Spendor D7's might be in reach for your budget. The speakers have a dry / fast but deap bass with Naim. The mid-range is beautiful. 

If we are allowed to promote our own speakers - and I'm only following your lead, Stuart - with a budget of £2,000 one could get some SL2s, which are significantly better than SBLs. 

I think I'll leave the speakers and go for a home demo on 252 first 

Now, now Nigel....  Was going to mention SL2s but they are very hard to find. Either would be a great solution IMHO. They (SBLs) are the only thing that I really plug on this place.

I had a lovely dem of some LP12 upgrades recently with some modern £4000 'speakers. They were good, but the benefits of my upgrades were only fully realised at home with my Sibbles. At current prices they must be the bargain of the century!

How is your noggin after the accident?

Stu

Very briefly, and thanks for asking, it's very thoughtful of you: damage to frontal lobe with impaired executive brain functions. Highly unlikely that I'll be able to return to work. Still waiting to hear about compensation. No income, so no upgrades for me!! Able to drive again, though it's really scary. Prefer the bus.

I am really sorry to hear that Nigel. I suppose the only silver lining is that your injuries were life changing but not life ending! Hope everything works out for you so that things can move on to your satisfaction and more!

Stu