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Advice needed : which speakers to pair with Kenwood KA 60

M

mottati

New Member
Hello everyone,

I’m definitely not an expert compared with most people here, so I’d really appreciate some advice.

Over the years I’ve inherited various pieces of hi-fi equipment from people close to me. It might not be the greatest equipment in the world, but I’ve always taken good care of it because it has a lot of sentimental value.

I’m now looking for a good pair of vintage speakers to replace my Sony SS-E420, to be used with my Kenwood KA-60.

I’ve mainly been looking at older Mission speakers, but the second-hand market here in Belgium can be rather confusing, with quite a few incorrectly labelled models and conflicting information.

I listen to both CDs and vinyl. Musically it’s quite varied: 70s Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, funk, but also plenty of 90s stuff.

I’m not looking to build a hardcore audiophile system — I’d simply like a pair of good, musical vintage speakers that would be a noticeable step up from the Sonys and work well with the KA-60.

What models would you recommend I look out for? I’m certainly open to brands other than Mission as well.

Thanks!
 
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mottati said:
Hello everyone,

I’ve mainly been looking at older Mission speakers, but the second-hand market here in Belgium can be rather confusing, with quite a few incorrectly labelled models and conflicting information.

What models would you recommend I look out for? I’m certainly open to brands other than Mission as well.
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I see this is your first post so welcome aboard and here's hoping you enjoy your time here at AK.

A majority of folks here are U.S. based and I'm assuming might not be that knowledgeable about the availability of certain brands/models in Belgium.

What's nice about your Kenny is that it can play with speakers rated 4ohm along with the standard 8ohm which give you some flexibility when looking for speakers regardless of Brand or Model

For example a pair of Mission 700 are rated 8Ω and recommend amplification of 15 to 80W, so that would be a good pairing.

Another thing to look for is speaker sensitivity rating as measured in dB, seeing as your Kenny is rated 30wpc you'll get more out of it if the speakers are rated in the high 80's or higher. This allows for the amp to not work as hard to push the speakers.
 
Thanx for your reply…i’d say most models are available on the second hand market here…at least the ones that were widely available in the UK/Western Europe during the 70s/80s…
 
^

Braun, Canton, Visonik speakers, to name a few, were of German manufacture and based on info gleaned from sites such as this sold well and were/are considered great speakers.

Maybe some UK manufactured speakers might be readily available in the EU such as Wharfedale, Tannoy to name a few.

You'll get this a lot, and it's easier said then done, but if you can try to demo any speaker you're interested. Speakers are subjective and what might sound good to some might not to others.

Again easier said then done but if you can shop along those lines as opposed to a specific brand name recommendation.
 
Off topic

How revered is Wout Van Aert in Belgium? I was very, very happy to see him win Paris-Roubaix earlier this year.

If anyone deserved it was him.

Also once you get your system set up sit down relax and enjoy a La Chouffe :biggrin:
 
I guess Van Aert is revered in certain circles…though Eddy Merckx he is not. I think I will pass on the La Chouffe it ended badly one time… :beerchug: I’ll go for Orval instead…or maybe Saison Dupont ;)
 
mottati said:
I guess Van Aert is revered in certain circles…though Eddy Merckx he is not. I think I will pass on the La Chouffe it ended badly one time… :beerchug: I’ll go for Orval instead…or maybe Saison Dupont ;)
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Well no one is Eddie Merckx, as for the La Chouffe I had a similar experience with Delerium Tremens

Back on topic

Best of luck in your search and here's hoping you find a nice pair of speakers that your ears like.
 
It might help if you could decide what you like in a speaker. Your Sony's are considered floor standing. What are your requirements? For some of us, we only know what we want by listening to a lot of speakers and deciding from there. Some are looking for transparency. Others are wanting something that sounds good at low volumes. Others want good bass.
 
Thank you for replying!

I definitely want good bass, but not necessarily huge or boomy — more punch and weight, especially for the funk. I also like clear vocals, and I'd like good separation so that individual instruments are easy to follow. I guess that’s a lot :D

I listen at moderate volumes most of the time (appartment, poor neighbours), so sounding full and engaging without having to turn the volume up very high would also be important.

I suppose what I'm looking for is something musical, full-bodied and punchy rather than overly bright. A noticeable improvement over my Sony SS-E420s while still being a good match for the KA-60.

I have room for either floor or bookshelf, though I wouldn’t go huge in terms of size…i guess the sound would decide.
 
mottati said:
listen at moderate volumes most of the time (appartment, poor neighbours), so sounding full and engaging without having to turn the volume up very high would also be important.
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Maybe a bookshelf speaker would work better, especially if the listening room isn't huge. Speakers that have impressed me have been Rega and Acoustic Energy, only because I have heard them at a dealer's showroom.
 
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