What Speakers May I be Overlooking?

Which speakers do you have now? 

Have a look at and listen to the Kudos and Russell K loudspeakers in your price range. 

John. 

Richy posted:

 

5. Proac DB1 - I have heard these twice.  One time they sounded perfect, the next they were a touch too shouty, and also the misses doesn't like the look of them. 

 

What's wrong with the looks of the DB1? To me they look as ordinary as most other speakers. 

Kudos X2?

Used SL2 are right in your price range and requirements for placement.

Not popular on this forum, but recent Quad loudspeakers get amazing reviews in HiFi News and don't cost a lot.....

best

David

HiFi World are a bit lukewarm over the Quad Z3,  nice but hard treble & boxiness

The one I was thinking of was the S5 which is £1500 and is a hybrid ribbon design. HiFi News gave it "Editor's Choice", but I haven't heard them myself.

best

David

Have you thought about the Revel Concerta M16? Brilliant little speaker for a grand. You will need the stands though. 

Richy posted:

1. B&W CM8 S2 - These seem to get very little recognition but I find them incredibly well balanced (top to bottom) and a joy to listen too.  Why do very few people seem to own them?

Hi

I currently have a pair of CM1's and a pair of CM5's. I did listen to the CM8's too, but did not buy them. They are excellent speakers on the level you are currently and up to the SuperNait (2). They probably look nice in your interior, have no problems on stereo imaging and work very well in an AV setup.

You can also influence them well by positioning - especially the bass responds well on that..

When you aim for a level higher than the SuperNait, you better look after the 800 series of B&W.

Finkfan posted:

Have you thought about the Revel Concerta M16? Brilliant little speaker for a grand. You will need the stands though. 

+1, heard them at this year's Bristol show,  exceptionally good.

ATC scm11 or scm19 may fit the bill. Easy to position, no over the top uncontrolled bass, sweet top end, and very nice mids. Forgiving without sugaring the pill.

Don't neglect matching speaker to room, room acoustics, and using an amp capable of driving speakers with plenty of headroom.

On the end of a UQ audition the Proac Tablette 10

If I had a unitiqute id be out looking for a pair of Ruark Talisman 3's. I had a pair and sold them and really wish I hadn't, they were great. 

If PMC DB1s sound shouty, then there is a problem upstream of them. They are not a harsh or shouty speaker.

for a small, slim floor stander that works close to a back wall, I would look out for a pair of the baby Totem Arro speakers. I heard them on the end of a Uniti and they did a superb job of capturing the very essence of the music.

hope this helps, FT

I can vouch for Proac Studio 118s and Proac D2's - both in budget.

If you could accept a 'vintage' design - refurbished QUAD ESL-63s. Simply stunning... and they fit your description as well as the budget.

Blumenstein Audio Thrashers are now the Triton with an upgraded finish and internals.   They sound great with the UnitiQute2. My son has a pair and I could live easily with them were I to downsize.  Unless you are in the Seattle area, you are definitely overlooking these.

Used Shahinian Obelisk or Arc.

Legendary SQ with Naim driving them.

Thank-you all for the replies.  I do not know how to quote text from multiple responses but here are my thoughts...

I currently don't have any speakers (and haven't had any for nearly 5 months!).  Previously I had PMC Twenty.21 and Neat Iotas - loved both but I want something with similar levels of detail  / musicality but more full range. 

I have heard Kudos X2 in the past but found the mid-range a little recessed for my liking and also the bass was a little overpowering in our room.  Nice speakers though!

Proac DB1 I personally like, but the misses doesn't like ordinary looking speaker boxes and thinks the offset tweeter is ugly!  I have tried the Studio 118 also but they weren't for me.  DB1 tears them apart imo.  

Regarding Quad speakers I have heard and liked the Z1 and Z2, but there was something about them that I couldn't put my finger on that just made a bit uninvolving.  I';ll have a look at the S5 though. 

Revel are another brand I had a demo of but tbh I found them some of the worst and most overpriced speakers of all.  Too much bass for me and just a bit shouty, as if they were trying too hard to show off. 

Regarding B&W speakers as Ive said I don't understand the seeming lack of interest in the CM series.  I know of a people with the 600 series, and a few on here seem to use the 800 series with Naim, but not CM.  !?  Anyway, I suppose if I like them that is all that matters. 

There are a few brands mentioned above such as Russel K, Shahinian and Blumenstein that I have never heard of.  Are these available in the UK? 

Cheers,

Richy

Try and listen to the Totem Arro' s 

PSB makes some wonderful speakers. Including slim floorstanders in the colors you like. The Imagine T2 and Imagine T3 series are at the bottom and top of your range. I'd highly recommend both. 

As you liked the twenty.21 but want a fuller sound, why not get some used twenty.23s. The Lite will just about manage them, but they will stand you in good streak when you upgrade. I used them with a SuperUniti and they were excellent, though I really found out what they were capable of when I swapped to a 272/250DR. I'm sure lots of PMC dealers will have used or ex dem pairs. 

HungryHalibut,  I have already looked into this and actually did by an ex demo pair but they were damaged and scratched so I returned them.  Unfortunately because PMC have stopped selling the gloss finish of the Twenty series, they are no longer really an option for me as we have too much wood in the lounge as it is!  Also, for some strange reason I don't like buying used or ex demo speakers really - I like them to be new so I know they have been cared for.  I know that is a little stupid but that's just how I am.  Electronics wise I am happy with used, but I treat speakers like a new born baby! haha

Richy posted:

I have heard Kudos X2 in the past but found the mid-range a little recessed for my liking and also the bass was a little overpowering in our room.  Nice speakers though! 

 

I'm surprised that you found the bass overpowering on the X2s, as they're small, and certainly don't provide excessive bass for me. In fact, I run mine with an N-Sub. When they were new, I found the upper mid/lower treble a little bit harsh and forward, but managed to tame that by careful positioning, and getting a better rack than the old steel frame one I had at the time. I wonder if you could do anything to improve your system setup and room acoustics to make sure you get the best out of any speakers that you listen to?