Speakers again !?

gary yeowell posted:

Afraid so James! bonkers really. I've had 3 pairs of Compass. The first i bought new for 2.9k, the 2nd ex dem for 2K and the last, my current, 1K used. I would not pay 5K for a pair now i'm afraid, but at 1K used, nothing new can get close and they are far better than an Alpha.

Hmm - interesting. Yes 5k is just daft but 1k is trial and punt on if not liked territory  

Hungryhalibut posted:

James, as you've had your GB1is for ever, have you thought about trying the new 25.23s? I found the 20.23 sufficiently better than the GB1i to make the change, and the 25.23 is reputed to be even better. It may be a slightly dull option but it would give you an improvement over the house sound you clearly appreciate. 

They're on the list Nigel. I do like the GB1's as they work really well in my room which is why they've been a constant presence for so long. Like you, i find the whole speaker auditioning process a real pain and they have to fit in with domestic constraints. Saying that the last demo has been great - speakers delivered to my house, no time pressure and a chance to really evaluate the changes and make a decision. 

James

james n posted:

gary yeowell posted:

Afraid so James! bonkers really. I've had 3 pairs of Compass. The first i bought new for 2.9k, the 2nd ex dem for 2K and the last, my current, 1K used. I would not pay 5K for a pair now i'm afraid, but at 1K used, nothing new can get close and they are far better than an Alpha.

Hmm - interesting. Yes 5k is just daft but 1k is trial and punt on if not liked territory  

5K puts you in the territory of a lot of good speakers. Even at 3K i can't think of many new speakers as good as Compass, but at a grand, they are a steal if you like what they do. If the room i use them in did not dictate free standing, then a couple of other options come into play. Lastly, if you like Compass, and want more, then the Arc is an option, which at 1.5k used is again, hard to beat.

gary yeowell posted:

Afraid so James! bonkers really. I've had 3 pairs of Compass. The first i bought new for 2.9k, the 2nd ex dem for 2K and the last, my current, 1K used. I would not pay 5K for a pair now i'm afraid, but at 1K used, nothing new can get close and they are far better than an Alpha.

Out of curiosity, what drives the need to keep changing them?

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Its funny, I have ATC 19s, but am wanting to reorganise my listening area now it appears I can't easily demo active ATCs I was earlier considering, I have reconsidered and so would like to try smaller less obtrusive speakers and see if they still do the magic for me.. ... I am considering the Russel K50, Neat SX2 and the Neat Iota Alpha...  the last speakers intrigue me... and where there are no obvious room resonances and volumes are not required too loud seem to be well considered by various voices I have in some regard...

How interesting.  For the same reason, I have been considering something different from my Harbeth Compact 7ES-3.  Also considering  the Neat SX2 and Iota Alpha.   Along with with ATCs SCM11v2 and SCM7v3.  

Innocent Bystander posted:

gary yeowell posted:

Afraid so James! bonkers really. I've had 3 pairs of Compass. The first i bought new for 2.9k, the 2nd ex dem for 2K and the last, my current, 1K used. I would not pay 5K for a pair now i'm afraid, but at 1K used, nothing new can get close and they are far better than an Alpha.

Out of curiosity, what drives the need to keep changing them?

No need whatsoever. I've changed speakers sometimes because i want to try something else. The rest of the system has stayed roughly the same for the last 8-9 years., a CDS3 with a Nait of differing varieties. I also run two systems and have had a variety of kit in that too. 

Guys,

The speaker thing for me is probably going to be resolved by early next year. 

What do you guys consider to be near to the rear wall?

Regards,

Lindsay

Hungryhalibut posted:

Yes indeed. I can't stand trying speakers. It doesn't help when you need them to go against or very near to the wall either, which seems to rule out 90% of those out there. 

Just find a pair of DBLs and be done with it HH. According to SWMBO the dual purpose as coffin was the thing that swung it for her.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Guys,

The speaker thing for me is probably going to be resolved by early next year. 

What do you guys consider to be near to the rear wall?

Regards,

Lindsay

Lindsay,

I haven't been following this thread especially, but if you're looking to change your speakers next year, abandon this rear wall malarkey ................ give in ....................... and treat yourself to that pair of MF 9's you've lusted after for so long now. 

I know the 272 is good, but DBLs might be a step too far.... The SL2s were far enough. And the room is a little too compact... I like the coffin idea though, though perhaps not being chopped up first. 

James, Gary, yes I will report back.. if I am honest I'm itching to try the Alphas, but I fear I will be disappointed, but PCD they clearly work for you...Gary no I haven't heard Shahinisns.. although heard of them. Patk, interesting.. for me I think I want an ATC change. It's a bit like my cars.. I have had BMWs since the late 90s, but my next car almost certainly will be different.

S

James, you're lucky to have an ATC dealer nearby, we do not have a single one in north east. I had to purchase mail order on the proviso that if I did not like them then I could return them. Audio Emotion in Scotland were very good.

Simon, I can understand your desire for a move away from ATC, I did the same with BMW. However, what do I drive today? BMW.

Halloween Man posted:

James, you're lucky to have an ATC dealer nearby, we do not have a single one in north east. I had to purchase mail order on the proviso that if I did not like them then I could return them. Audio Emotion in Scotland were very good.

 

London/Oxford aren't far if you seriously want to assess: My speaker auditioning trip touched west, east, south coasts and Gateshead...

Simon, perhaps you should try some Naim speakers. Or maybe you don't like them. 

Gateshead! Let me guess, Lintone Audio? They are very good there, I've used them often. Best dealer around here. Hull was the furthest I got. Speakers sounded amazing in the large shop demo room. Sounded terrible when I got them home, bass was massively overwhelming for the room. I learned you really need to try speakers at home in your listening room.

I hate using couriers for large heavy items such as speakers as they are likely to get damaged. Indeed they did. A lovely new pair of ATC SCM19A were damaged in transit that I ordered on demo. Ideally, if possible, I would prefer to collect and take them home for a listen. Then you know speakers will arrive at your house intact, and you can hear them as they will sound in your listening room.

Yes, a dealer I had used when Imlived up there - and Hull was on my route!

i took my old speakers with me to provide a baseline when auditioning, to largely be able to disregard the different room effects.

i did have the ones I bough delivered, because they were from my first stop on the south coast and I didn't have time to return there - but the PMC boxes were pretty good, and maybe the size limited the ability to throw around, or I was just lucky, but I had no problem - though I did consider booking another trip to avoid the risk, and with Feeling Zen's recent experience I'd be more morried another time.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Simon, perhaps you should try some Naim speakers. Or maybe you don't like them. 

Nigel, I never used to like Naim speakers.. I just found them too much of acquired taste... but I have not seriously auditioned any recently.. and of course not helped by the fact they are only used now. Like others I find auditioning speakers a real chore.. but if my local emporium had a used pair I guess I might find myself giving them a whirl.. listening in my fave chair after a knackering day up in the smoke.. and Amy Winehouse certainly sounding good through the ATCs this evening...

Simon - out of interest, have you ever tried panels? (My first wow moment with panels was hearing Quads at the Bristol show a few years ago, in a packed basement room and all. I accept they are a bit marmite tho...)

The thing is, you get used to what you have. After years with SBLs everything else wasn't quite right, until I got the SL2s. I imagine it's the same with ATCs. I've thought about them a few times, but there are so few dealers around. I'd never buy new speakers though. They lose value so fast. I got mine for just over £2,000 and you get amazing quality for your money, rather like Gary's Shahinians, which also have a definite appeal. I like speakers that are a bit different, rather than just me-too boxes.  

Hungryhalibut posted:

I'd never buy new speakers though. They lose value so fast...I like speakers that are a bit different, rather than just me-too boxes.  

Thought-provoking as ever, HH - I have generally tended towards new, thinking that I would get more use out of them (provided I chose correctly in the first place). But I categorically agree with your latter point, hence my own choice.

nickpeacock posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

I'd never buy new speakers though. They lose value so fast...I like speakers that are a bit different, rather than just me-too boxes.  

Thought-provoking as ever, HH - I have generally tended towards new, thinking that I would get more use out of them (provided I chose correctly in the first place). But I categorically agree with your latter point, hence my own choice.

Thank goodness! SOmeone has to buy new, and sometimes replace/upgrade, or else there'd be nothing for the rest of us to buy!

Innocent Bystander posted:

nickpeacock posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

I'd never buy new speakers though. They lose value so fast...I like speakers that are a bit different, rather than just me-too boxes.  

Thought-provoking as ever, HH - I have generally tended towards new, thinking that I would get more use out of them (provided I chose correctly in the first place). But I categorically agree with your latter point, hence my own choice.

Thank goodness! SOmeone has to buy new, and sometimes replace/upgrade, or else there'd be nothing for the rest of us to buy!

Ha, quite! Although I've been much happier buying used otherwise (currently ex dem NDX, used 252, ex dem SCDR). Speakers just seem much more vulnerable to misuse/abuse to my mind, and less easy to have serviced...

But the comment about buying different I find a bit odd for speakers (unlike cars, where I  agree) - I choose simply on the basis of how they sound, and the only consideration about looks is whether they are so large they won't fit or so hideous I'd throw up every time i saw them...

Ah, ok, I didn't take it as a comment about looks. More about what people tell you ought to work well. Eg, when I auditioned Harbeth 30.1s (expecting to love them), they were - genuinely - slow compared to my current speakers.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Its funny, I have ATC 19s, but am wanting to reorganise my listening area now it appears I can't easily demo active ATCs I was earlier considering, I have reconsidered and so would like to try smaller less obtrusive speakers and see if they still do the magic for me.. ... I am considering the Russel K50, Neat SX2 and the Neat Iota Alpha...  the last speakers intrigue me... and where there are no obvious room resonances and volumes are not required too loud seem to be well considered by various voices I have in some regard...

I'll be interested in your findings too....on paper, my Kudos X2s are arguably the weak link in my system, and I sometimes consider what I could shortlist as an upgrade. The problem for me is that spending more cash on something 'better' inevitably means bigger, which I really don't want.

I mentioned this to my dealer recently, thinking that he might pounce on the opportunity to take some more of my hard earned cash, but to my surprise he just said 'No, I'd stick with what you've got.' I might have to raise the subject with him again at some point - especially as he's a Russel K dealer....