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Budget System
Like so many others, I'm looking to build a good system on the cheap.
Right now, I only have $1000 bucks to spend. I'm keen on the NAD C320 BEE ($400). Unless somebody knows of a better deal for the money, I'm sticking with the NAD. For now, I think I'll stick with my current CD player (Sony). I will upgrade later. Now for speakers... I like the Huark Epilogue ($500). I would prefer to go the bookshelf route as opposed to floor standing (for reasons of space). I'm a bit worried that I'll long for more bass. However, at my first test drive, I thought the Epilogues handled the low end pretty well all things considered. Any other suggestions for speakers? Thanks in advance |
#2
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#3
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#4
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B&D wrote in message ...
You have to be careful with Energy speakers - but they have some good, affordable speakers to choose from. I almost added the Energy C-3 to my list, but then decided to stick to models I'd actually heard. Still, based on measurements alone, I'd say it's worth a listen: http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/me...onnoisseur_c3/ What makes you say "you have to be careful" with Energy? bob |
#5
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On 9 Oct 2004 15:25:08 GMT, B&D wrote:
One quick comment: to get the most out of bookshelf speakers, they really need to be mounted on stands - if they are actually placed on a bookshelf, in my experience, you aren't going to get the most out of them and in extreme cases it would sound pretty nasty. If that is the case, they *are* not bookshelf speakers, now, are they? :-) I think that is a problem with many speakers, they are not designed for a room at all. It should not be that thard to design a speaker for bookshelf placement, in fact it is a rather ideal placement: a half sphere with a rather dead surrounding. On the other hand: if the speakers are designed to be placed on stands well away from the wall, they should marketed as such. If you are committed to having them on stands - you have to buy stands - and it might be cheaper to get a floorstander in some cases. I agree, if the stands must be there, why not put the volume to good use? Per. |
#7
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#8
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On 9 Oct 2004 15:25:08 GMT, in article , B&D
stated: On 10/8/04 1:18 AM, in article , "mt" wrote: Like so many others, I'm looking to build a good system on the cheap. Right now, I only have $1000 bucks to spend. I'm keen on the NAD C320 BEE ($400). Unless somebody knows of a better deal for the money, I'm sticking with the NAD. That is an excellent choice - though I think it depends upon what it replaces - some people think a better source is a worthy first step, and better speakers is a second. But it depends upon where the "weak link" might be in your system. Still, I don't think you would go wrong with the NAD. For now, I think I'll stick with my current CD player (Sony). I will upgrade later. NAD has some really great CD players - the BEE series is really sophisticated, when you are in the market for a CD player, it would be a good consideration. Now for speakers... I like the Huark Epilogue ($500). I would prefer to go the bookshelf route as opposed to floor standing (for reasons of space). I'm a bit worried that I'll long for more bass. However, at my first test drive, I thought the Epilogues handled the low end pretty well all things considered. One quick comment: to get the most out of bookshelf speakers, they really need to be mounted on stands - if they are actually placed on a bookshelf, in my experience, you aren't going to get the most out of them and in extreme cases it would sound pretty nasty. If you are committed to having them on stands - you have to buy stands - and it might be cheaper to get a floorstander in some cases. PSB, Paradigm are both good choices for speakers in the price range you mentioned- you also should consider the bookshelf speakers from Quad and JM Labs - they are both excellent. You have to be careful with Energy speakers - but they have some good, affordable speakers to choose from. For more money, you could try Gallo Acoustics speakers with a small Gallo sub - it is perfect for tight spaces, though it is more money. Have fun! My only comment on this is on the NAD. One thing that often is overlooked with budget systems is that, if you have only $1,000 to spend, then it's likely that reliability and longevity will be as important to you as sound. In this regard, I've unfortunately found, in the past, that NAD components don't really make the grade -- they sound great but, in the past, I have had issues with the build quality and durability of their components (this has been the case, in my experience, with multiple components they make, including integrateds and tuners). My experience is a bit dated at this point (once bitten, twice shy), so it may be that they have addressed these problems. I admittedly can't comment from personal experience on their current line. On speakers, you might also look at Polk; a used set of Vandersteen 2Cs (you might be able to pick up in the $500 to $600 range) is an interesting idea if you change your mind about floorstanders, in that they would likely address your bass issues pretty well and simplify the setup process. They have the benefit of being quite shallow for their height so the footprint is not massive. |
#9
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Fluance SV-10 (295/pr.) with or without B-10 subwoofer. very good
build quality, too. You'll have to spend more than $1500 a pair to do better. http://www.fluance.com/index.html Cheers. On 8 Oct 2004 15:21:49 GMT, (Bob Marcus) wrote: (mt) wrote in message ... Like so many others, I'm looking to build a good system on the cheap. Right now, I only have $1000 bucks to spend. I'm keen on the NAD C320 BEE ($400). Unless somebody knows of a better deal for the money, I'm sticking with the NAD. A good choice. I picked up a Pioneer Elite brochure the other day and discovered they make an integrated, the A-35R, rated 45w/ch into 8 ohms (65 into 4), although they don't list a distortion spec. (Hmmm.) I think it goes for only $250, so it might be a great value, but I don't know anything more about it. For now, I think I'll stick with my current CD player (Sony). I will upgrade later. As good as any. Now for speakers... I like the Huark Epilogue ($500). I would prefer to go the bookshelf route as opposed to floor standing (for reasons of space). I'm a bit worried that I'll long for more bass. However, at my first test drive, I thought the Epilogues handled the low end pretty well all things considered. Any other suggestions for speakers? If you're concerned about bass, I'll echo a recommendation made in another thread: Try 'em at home. Bass can really differ depending on how big a room you're trying to fill. Don't assume you'll get the same response at home that you hear in a shop. Bookshelf speakers worth a listen in your price range ($400-600) include: --B&W 601/602 --Paradigm Monitor 3/5 --PSB Image 2B That's only a beginning, really. There's no best speaker, so it comes down to what you like. You're better off choosing among whatever brands you have reasonably available to you than trying to track down a speaker that somebody tells you is the greatest. If the Huarks sound good to you (at home!), then they're a good choice. bob |
#10
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"Stu-R" wrote in message
... Fluance SV-10 (295/pr.) with or without B-10 subwoofer. very good build quality, too. You'll have to spend more than $1500 a pair to do better. http://www.fluance.com/index.html The essence of what you're saying is that there's no reason why there should be any speakers between $300 and $1500--or did I misunderstand you? Norm |
#11
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On 10/19/04 7:34 PM, in article , "normanstrong"
wrote: "Stu-R" wrote in message ... Fluance SV-10 (295/pr.) with or without B-10 subwoofer. very good build quality, too. You'll have to spend more than $1500 a pair to do better. http://www.fluance.com/index.html The essence of what you're saying is that there's no reason why there should be any speakers between $300 and $1500--or did I misunderstand you? Seems like he really likes those speakers! I personally have a soft spot for Paradigm, and PSB at the low end of the range, but before saying that the Fluance SV-10 is the cat's meow as one approaches the multiple kilobucks, try the Vandersteen 2's latest incarnation. It clocks in around $1500 a pair and would eat most low end speakers for lunch! The Magnepan 1.6 (~$1600) and MG12's (~$1100) are in that range as well, and if you sit still when you listen, some would argue it really doesn't get much better for any amount. Focal JM Labs make a lot of speaker in that range (Electras) and you can get a pair of Harbeth's for around that money as well - and the Harbeth's are very, very neutral and a reasonable speaker to drive, though they aren't efficient. I think the speaker field is crowded, and you really can't say that speaker X is better than "all the speakers" up to 5x the price - you are bound to find something that does that to speakers 5x above their price. Sounds like a good speaker, but it might be good to consider that you are saying those monitors can beat some really good full or nearly full range speakers that are noted for being real-and-genuine high fidelity. |
#12
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No. I said what I said. No more, no less. I've owned more than 25
speaker systems. And I've known a many people in the industry - designers, manufacturers, reps, and marketing folks. I can't account for their pricing, sales volume, or lifestyle. It's just another business. And they're entitled to a livelihood. For absolute quality and performance, I would certainly prefer a set of Aerials (at $27,000). And the size listening room to do them justice. Nevertheless, Fluance has done a great job and they sound great bi-amplified. On 19 Oct 2004 23:34:34 GMT, "normanstrong" wrote: "Stu-R" wrote in message ... Fluance SV-10 (295/pr.) with or without B-10 subwoofer. very good build quality, too. You'll have to spend more than $1500 a pair to do better. http://www.fluance.com/index.html The essence of what you're saying is that there's no reason why there should be any speakers between $300 and $1500--or did I misunderstand you? Norm |
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