jeff@tesla.UUCP (Jeff Frey) (10/07/83)
So, who can recommend a good loudspeaker in the $150-$1000 range? Several people have asked me lately but I am always so rebuffed by faddism and glitz in loudspeakers that I don`t bother to keep up with the literature. Here are the constraints on advice: 1. No recommendations of Japanese products accepted. 2. No recommendations of Bose-type products 3, No fads 4. Comments on electrostatics, particularly reliability characteristics and amplifier requirements of Quad speakers, welcomed. 5. Some people have recommended Mission Acoustics (?) British (?) How about them? 6. Advice should be geared toward the playing of classical music. Thanks in advance, Jeff
softech@micomvax.UUCP (10/10/83)
I used to work in a recording studio and have listened to a googol of different brands of speakers over the years. British loudspeakers are generally far more faithful musically than any others. Brands such as KEF, Spendor, IMF and B & W are excellent speakers that will give accurate tonal rendition of music, especially classical. IMF makes speakers that cover the whole price spectrum, from under $300 to over $2000 per speaker. I own a pair of KEF 105.2, which many regard as the "reference", although I have a very strong inclination towards IMF's latest top of the line model which my friends at the studio now use. Richard Blouin, ...!philabs!micomvax!softech
wjm@whuxk.UUCP (10/10/83)
In reply to Jeff's query - here are some suggestions for good loudspeakers in
the given price classes:
(prices are per pair)
$200 - 300 Boston Acoustics or Advent or some of the lower priced Ohm models
$400 - 600 AR, the less expensive Polk models, some of Boston Acoustics better
models or some of the better Ohm models
$700 - 1000 some of the lower priced KEF models, or some Polks
I can't comment on Mission's speakers but I'm quite happy with their high-end
turntable (the 775SM with their 774 arm and a Denon 207 cartridge). In general
they make a fairly good product but its not cheap.
The British have some rather good higher priced speaker companies like KEF
and Celestion, but most of them cost more than $1K per pair.
I'll be glad to give my recommendations on speakers for $1K or so each, if asked.
Electrostatics tend to have several nasty characteristics - many solid state amps
get "upset" with their capacitive loads and shut down - the Carver is particularly
bad in this regard, but it is not alone. Amps that use MOSFETS as their active
devices (like the Haflers) tend to work fairly well with them. Quads have a
good reputation but don't come cheap - a USED pair will set you back about
$1700 in the NYC area.
As usual, take some of your favorite records to the dealer with you and LISTEN
remembering to match volume levels, since a louder speaker generally sounds
better.
Happy listening
Bill Mitchell
(whuxk!wjm)zzz@mit-eddie.UUCP (Mike Konopik) (10/11/83)
I've been scheduling the gradual upgrading of my system, a component at a time, for the last year or so. I'm about to the step where I replace my speakers (right now, I've got a wimpy pair of Jensons that won't be able to handle anything > 50 W or so). The article about general price ranges and suggestions was helpful, but I have a specific question: Are there any particular comments about Ohm Walsh II's? I've read about them, gotten a demo or 3 in stores, and heard a pair in a friend's room, all of which impressed me a lot. Besides the $700-800 setback and the fact that they can't live on shelves, are there any reasons to avoid these? Thanks. -Mike ...!genrad!mit-eddie!zzz (UUCP) ZZZ%MIT-OZ@MIT-MC (ARPA)