Trouble selecting speakers - Take pity on me please help
Lippo1234 -- Fri, 08/04/2006 - 15:16
I am having difficulties selecting new speakers for my two channel system. I am somewhat new to this and there are so many choices, but I do not want to make the WRONG choice. With a stay at home mom and two small kids, I can only afford to spend about $1000-1,500.
So here's where I am. I am strictly a two channel guy and value accurate reproduction of music over loudness. I want my new speakers to dissappear so I can focus on the music instead of focusing on my speakers.
I have a dedicated listening area in my basement with sheetrocked walls and carpeted floors. It a small to medium sized area.
I am currently running a Jolida 1501RC, with a Sony CDP 400 disc changer (i know its a weak link but its sooo convenient) that goes thru a channel island DAC and Musical Fidelity X10v3 before the signal gets to the Jolida. My current speakers are Cambridge Soundworks Tower IIs. I use Signal interconnects.
I like the Tower IIs, the system sounds pretty good now but I just feel like it can sound ALOT better with new speakers.
So I auditioned the Totem Arros. I liked the sound but I don't know if they would be best for me, they seem to be low on bass and they may sound very bright with my electronics? I also read that they do not sound as full as other speakers, so I am a bit nervous about selecting these.
I am also interested in the Totem Sttaf although I here mixed reviews on these. I am very interested in the Quad 22Ls, and I ahve read good things about the Revel Concerta F12, the Triangle Altea and the Bohlender Graebner Radia (all recieved good reviews by TAS). The PSB T55 is also interesting.
The problem is that I am unable to audition any of these speakers because there are no dealers locally. Right now, I have kind of narrowed it down to the Arros, Sttaf or Quad 22L. But I am trigger shy because what if they don't match my system or room and don't sound good, I would be crushed after all this!
Any input would be extremely appreciated! I cannot be the only guy out there in this situation. I just want the best MUSICAL sound that I can get with my limited resources. Help!
sorry for the loooong post...
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Two questions: what sonic parameters are most important to you? How much flexibility do you have to move the speakers once you buy them?
Hi Lippo,
Not having a local dealer creates big problems, because most high-end shops will let you take speakers home to live with for a few days, to see if you can live with them long-term.
There's another solution, and that's to build your own from kits. You can get great results this way if you are mechanically and electronically inclined, and you can save a ton of money. Plus you learn a lot. There's a huge network of speaker building enthusiasts, and they are generally extremely eager to help newcomers. Why don't you do a Google search on speaker building and see where it leads?
Barry Willis
I've really liked every product I've heard from Totem. They favor soundstaging, ability to disappear, and resolution over bottom-end slam and weight. Placing them close to the corners will allow them to develop more bottom-end weight; similar placement of some other speakers may result in some boom.
Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Absolute Sound
The Perfect Vision
What if the Dali Ikon 6 and Focal 816V were added to the choices here? Still go with the Totems? I have a similar set up...
I haven't heard the Focal, but the DALI Ikon 6 is an outstanding choice. I would put all three on your short list of products to audition.
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