shortcuttomo
Active Member
So a few days ago I noticed a local ad for some generic big-box stereo equipment. In the back of the picture I could see some distinctive grilles. I phoned immediately, and went home with some Yamaha NS-1000Ms. He'd bought them new about 12-13 years ago, on a closeout sale, and figured $150 was fair. I didn't argue. Condition is about a 8.5/10; they've been in a basement for years, so they have the normal light scratches from stuff being placed on them or leaned against them, but nothing that's not cosmetic only. As you can notice in the picture, they're pretty good overall.
I've never really got a "great deal" like this before. I've just paid the normal used price - for example my last used speakers I bought were some Boston Acoustics A200s with tech-replaced woofers, which I took for $180 (probably reasonable).
I've been running the NS-1000Ms for a few days, and they're pretty solid. I've recently moved into a condo (temporarily!), so my regular stereo equipment has been put in storage. I've been running some Polk Audio bookshelves off a Harman Kardon 3375 receiver, so I hooked them up in this less-than-ideal situation. I don't have proper stands, so they're about 3" high on some books, and probably 6" off the back wall. Definitely a bright speaker - I've dialed the high level back to -3dB and the mid level to around -1. High-end is pretty impressive - I've been playing some Jeff Buckley and ISIS today, and they do a good job with the midrange and top-end at least. I haven't heard any sign that the drivers are gone or damaged as of yet.
Bass is definitely lacking, which I'd expect at least a bit given the receiver and placement. It's accurate and you can definitely hear it, but still, it doesn't really "fill out" the low-end like I want it to. Probably doesn't help that my stereo mains are normally Energy 22 Reference Connoisseurs, which are a two-way with fantastic low end omph.
I'd love to A/B these with the Ref Cons, but with everything in storage don't know if I'll be able to any time soon. I think the Ref Cons are definitely better.
Still, I'm happy that I got such a desirable speaker for so little!
What's your best speaker score? I'm not talking about how little you paid for some half-decent speaker that is easily replaceable, now - I'm talking about a good speaker, that people want, that you got for much less than market value. And did you sell it, or keep it?
I've never really got a "great deal" like this before. I've just paid the normal used price - for example my last used speakers I bought were some Boston Acoustics A200s with tech-replaced woofers, which I took for $180 (probably reasonable).
I've been running the NS-1000Ms for a few days, and they're pretty solid. I've recently moved into a condo (temporarily!), so my regular stereo equipment has been put in storage. I've been running some Polk Audio bookshelves off a Harman Kardon 3375 receiver, so I hooked them up in this less-than-ideal situation. I don't have proper stands, so they're about 3" high on some books, and probably 6" off the back wall. Definitely a bright speaker - I've dialed the high level back to -3dB and the mid level to around -1. High-end is pretty impressive - I've been playing some Jeff Buckley and ISIS today, and they do a good job with the midrange and top-end at least. I haven't heard any sign that the drivers are gone or damaged as of yet.
Bass is definitely lacking, which I'd expect at least a bit given the receiver and placement. It's accurate and you can definitely hear it, but still, it doesn't really "fill out" the low-end like I want it to. Probably doesn't help that my stereo mains are normally Energy 22 Reference Connoisseurs, which are a two-way with fantastic low end omph.
I'd love to A/B these with the Ref Cons, but with everything in storage don't know if I'll be able to any time soon. I think the Ref Cons are definitely better.
Still, I'm happy that I got such a desirable speaker for so little!
What's your best speaker score? I'm not talking about how little you paid for some half-decent speaker that is easily replaceable, now - I'm talking about a good speaker, that people want, that you got for much less than market value. And did you sell it, or keep it?
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