Afternoon All,
I am in the market for new speakers and have had 8 demos and 2 home demos so far. I am ideally looking for slim floorstanders that can work approximately 12" from a rear wall, but would consider standmount speakers also. My budget started at around £1.5k but I would be willing to go up to 2.5k to find the right speakers for me.
The speakers need to be available in white, black or oak finish to please the misses and we both like a musical sound that lends itself well to all music genres rather than an overly detailed or analytical system. I also do not like speakers that are bass heavy.
System wise I only have a Unitiqute2 at the moment but would look to upgrade that overtime to a 1-3 box Naim system.
My current shortlist is as follows:
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?
2. Spendor A4 - I heard these at the Bristol show and liked what I heard but haven't been able to demo them yet
3. Neat SX1 - Like the B&W, I find these a joy to listen too, but they can get a bit toppy with some music.
4. PMC Twenty5. 21 - I previously owned the Twenty.21 so I would like to try these at home. Having said that Ive found them overly analytical on the odd time that Ive heard them.
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.
So, what could I possibly be overlooking, and are there any other speakers that you would recommend I try???
Posted on: 10 May 2017 by Ardbeg10y
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.
Very much understood and true.
If you don't like heavy bass, just close the bass reflex port by the supplied bungs.
Posted on: 10 May 2017 by Timo
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.
+1 With the new range, lots of Twenty series bargains in the market. I thought about getting one of those bargains, but I couldn't resist the new Twenty5 series...
Posted on: 10 May 2017 by Innocent Bystander
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
I wouldn't dream of buying speakers brand new unless I had surplus cash to dispose of, because buying secondhand or ex-dem opens the door to better for the same outlay, and they will have already loosened up so they will then be consistent. Any damage from misuse you will hear or see, and if you can't it doesn't matter! But each to their own.
However, that aside speakers are very personal as they contribute the most to the overall character of the sound, so very much a must-hear - I can't recommend anything as I don't like my music bass-light, but as has been suggested room placement can be critical, in some rooms more than others, and if you're finding things too boomy when others don't find it so then that could be a distinct possibility (alternatively the room(s) they've heard it in are causing cancellation, or your reference for what constitutes too much bass is different from theirs!)
Posted on: 10 May 2017 by hungryhalibut
I don't disagree. I paid just over £2,000 for my speakers and there's no way I could afford the new price when they were still being made. They'd probably cost over £8,000 if they were still made today.
Posted on: 10 May 2017 by TOBYJUG
Another brand Audio Physics, these don't get enough mention as well.. The Classic 10 floorstanders look interesting and could be worth an audition , and are stocked by quite a few good dealers.
Seem the right size, with down firing ports and you can order them clad in glossy glass in some interesting colours.
Posted on: 12 May 2017 by heihei
You seem to find quite a few of them "shouty" or "toppy" - as such, I'd check for any room issues.
Am using a pair of Wilson Benesch Square 2's which am liking a lot.
