Speakers again !?

Have you set a budget? 

Regards,

Lindsay

Hi - earlier this year I was in the same boat as you with a 28 year old pair of Kan's, which I still have but no longer use. I auditioned quite a few speakers (Kef LS50, good value but not what I was looking for, Linn Malik 109's, a slight improvement on the Kan's but I wanted more) and three or four pairs of Neat speakers which were all good in their own way. The Motixe SX2 mini floorstanders were extremely capable, but ultimately I went for a pair of Momentum XLs which will certainly give you all the bottom end you could want as an ex-Kan listener. They need a fair bit of space from the wall but the detail, clarity and Prat are all a delight once you get them in the right place. Recently I heard my first Atc speakers (scm 19), I was very impressed but felt they were a tad "light" in comparison to the Momentums, but speakers, perhaps more than any other audio component, really are a matter of personal choice. No opinion on this Forum will beat getting out there and discovering for yourself.

Taxman,

Did you mean Momentum Xli or Ultimatum XLi?

Sorry - I should have added - budget up to around £2k - and must be capable of being fairly close to back wall

I have been informed the Kudos ones should be okay

At that price if it were me I'd only be looking secondhand, when you could consider speakers a few years old maybe costing 4k or even more equivalent new price, giving a wider choice, and opening up greater possibilities which may be significant especially if looking for a full range sound.

Bear in mind that if your last speakers lasted you 30 years, you could well be looking at your final pair to outlast you!

IB  - thanks for reply + reminding me I do not have too long to go !!!

Al

How about a pair of SL2s, if you can find them? They will be great with a pair of 135s, and go against the wall. 

I buy quite a lot of my gear 2nd hand - but with speakers, I do think I would like the possibility of a home demo for a few days / week...

Therefore perhaps buying via a dealer new or ex-dem is the better option ?

SL2s look & I understand sound great - they may 1) be difficult to find / audition & 2) not quite fit in my space available

What I did was take my speakers to the seller's house and spent an enjoyable evening comparing - that the PMCs had a similar character to the IMFs made it very easy, just picking out where the 40 years newer speakers improved on the trusty IMFs to convince myself it wa sworth the cost of changing (it was), but with no qualms that it would work for me at home. 

Some people may allow you to try at home

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Taxman,

Did you mean Momentum Xli or Ultimatum XLi?

Strat

apologies, too early on a Sunday to be let loose on the Forum. I meant the Neat Momentum Sx3i. I have only owned them six months or so !

Lovely speaker a work colleague has them paired with a CD5xs  and SN2 and it sounds just sublime. 

Get some ruarks mate end of story 

SBLs. The logical upgrade for many Kan owners...

Stu

I'm with Stu. A pair of SBLs would be the most sensible match provided they're in good nick with grilles. They're a very tidy size, designed for wall placement, easier on rooms than most other speakers, a natural match for your system, and if you don't get on with them you can sell them for what you bought them!

Try to find a late pair (1998-2000) which sound the best, or at least a pair of Mk2s (or Mk1s with Mk2 drivers).

Frank.

Speaking as someone who did change from Kans to SBLs - and loved both of them - and who wouldn't mind trying some old school Linn Isobariks at home, is it really such a great idea to change nearly 30 year old speakers for a different pair of unknown heritage that are likely to be around 16-18 years old?

Thanks for all the replies. I take all the points on board, but I would prefer a new/nearly new pair of loudspeakers. I did hear SBLs when they came out and they are great, but the reason for my original question / shortlist is the speakers' size as well as price etc.

I will be looking hard for perhaps a more expensive pair ex-dem but do wonder if anyone here has either Kudos X£ or Neat SX1 and what they think of them ?

Thanks to all

Do bear in mind that SBLs take up less space than Kans on stands.

I find the trouble with many modern speakers is that they have too much bass. Your mention of the Motive SX1 is what got me thinking about this - I briefly had some of the original Motive 1s and they were dreadful, with so much bass it was ridiculous, though if you like solo violin in dub it may work. The SX1 may be better though.

The thing is, all these £2,000 speakers are really not in the class of something like an SBL or SL2. Of the current speakers, I do like PMCs, and had their twenty.23s before the SL2s. They will work about 8" from the wall. Rear ported speakers seem to be a challenge that close. I've also enjoyed the Kudos C20, and the S20 is said to be even better. These too do not need too much space, as the port is at the bottom, and are nice and small, and inoffensive looking too, with no blingy drivers and shiny bits, which seem to be all the rage along with excessive bass.

HH - Thanks very much for thoughtful reply !

Al

Agreed Nigel. I personally do not like an overstated bass in a system. It might originally stem from being a considerate neighbour but Kan/SBL//SL2 have that fast detailed bass that I now enjoy. But others here love that fully blown bottom octave which I totally respect. To the OP, small footprint wall loaded 'speakers are a tough nut to crack in the modern era. Good luck with your search!

Stu

Chris, I think you make a good point. Those classic designs are getting on a bit! My personal solution was to store my original Mk1s and recently purchase some late Mk2s. New Paxo from Naim at £200 and new grills from Tom Tom at £174 plus good condition SBLs for £250. I expect at least 5-10 years out of them (and have a spare set for emergencies).

Drive units are still available from Naim too, but you never know how long for.

I do not believe the quality of these SBLs at £600 can be bettered by anything new circa £2000, the OPs budget. And you can get them for less than what I have paid....

Stu

Used Heybrook Sextet with Naim olive sounded good they were designed to work up against a wall.

But Al wants new speakers, and ones that sound better than Kans. 

Can anyone answer this question please?

My idea was a floorstander - I assumed better !?!?!?

e.g. PMC Twenty5 21 / 22 models which are both standmount speakers

They are not far short of or equal to the price of some of their (and other manufacturers) floorstanders

Perhaps they are worth consideration? - Would they be satisfactory near the back wall ?

I do not need cavernous bass - just wish a bigger punchier sound than with the Kans, preferably with a smooth treble, as the room seems a little "bright" anyway

I can see me just giving the idea up ! 

The 20.21 (I've not heard the 25.21) is very nice but I wouldn't say it was bigger and punchier than the Kan - in fact certainly not punchier. The 22 is bigger but looks really odd as it's very deep. The 20.23 is really the one to try - I used them with the top 8" from the wall, which places the front of the the base about two feet out. I don't know where you live, but if you are within reach of Portsmouth you are welcome to have a shufti at my SL2s, which while bigger take up far less room space than the 20.23s did. 

Al, my best friend once said that, when facing a difficult choice, do nothing.

My dealer recently said that we forget just how good our systems really are.

Giving up on the idea is a valid and positive option. Replacing your Kans is a tough act to follow if you like what they do. However, if you are determined to change I would visit a few Linn/naim dealers as they will have solved this conundrum a few times over the years. Bending of ears and booking of dems...

Stu