Are BA A70's really that good?
- Thread starter Knet70
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kbott
Addicted Member
questions like these are all relative. It all depends on what you have and what you're looking for. Are you looking for a main speaker, another system for a bedroom, speakers for your kids, something you'll keep for the long haul or move on after a month or two
personally I liked the A70's when I had them. to me though they weren't a long term keeper. A whole lot of stuff I had at the time was better. so as a month or two play toy or a nice speaker for a secondary system I'd say yes. At $80 Canadian I'd say they're certainly worth that and you won't lose anything should you decide to sell them
personally I liked the A70's when I had them. to me though they weren't a long term keeper. A whole lot of stuff I had at the time was better. so as a month or two play toy or a nice speaker for a secondary system I'd say yes. At $80 Canadian I'd say they're certainly worth that and you won't lose anything should you decide to sell them
jallenbass
Member
I enjoy the quality of bass from that line of BA speakers. Full but not over-powering.
wineslob
Wiping out white van
+1 :yes:
krimney
Super Member
depends
they are much better than anything new you'll get for 80 bucks.
If you just need a smaler speaker for background music or for a smaller room, and can maybe incorporate a small sub, then the 80 bucks should prove a good investment.
If you are looking for a speaker that will be your main speaker than you will compare others to, then maybe hold onto the 80 bucks and put it towards something else.....maybe an Axxx model.
they are much better than anything new you'll get for 80 bucks.
If you just need a smaler speaker for background music or for a smaller room, and can maybe incorporate a small sub, then the 80 bucks should prove a good investment.
If you are looking for a speaker that will be your main speaker than you will compare others to, then maybe hold onto the 80 bucks and put it towards something else.....maybe an Axxx model.
thedelihaus
Nocturnal transmissions
I found them to be more natural in the bass than a Dynaco A-25, which I thought was boomy.
I found them to be clearer than an AR4ax and KLH Six and Seventeen, both wooly on the top end to me.
I found them to have better midrange/vocal capabilities than the EPI 100.
In fact, a bit surprising to me, I found them an equal to offerings from aDs.
It's a speaker built by Andy Kostasos/Petite, who worked with henry Kloss. Andy did a good job at bringing quality sound at a budget price to the consumer, much like Advent had done.
Is there better? Of course. But for what market it was designed for, it's a winner and performs well beyond it's capabilities.
Bass isn't room-shaking, but is pleasant and natural sounding. The upper models like the A150, A200 and A400 are better than many speakers of that time period that had cost much more.
This is not an "exciting" speaker, but natural in it's quality. Nothing leaps out at you, but everything combined as a cohesve whole works out to be a quality package that does so much right.
I found the early model SEAS tweeter to be very accomodating.
I found the BA tweeter to be bright with my Yamaha gear, but perfect with Sansui and Marantz.
I found them to be clearer than an AR4ax and KLH Six and Seventeen, both wooly on the top end to me.
I found them to have better midrange/vocal capabilities than the EPI 100.
In fact, a bit surprising to me, I found them an equal to offerings from aDs.
It's a speaker built by Andy Kostasos/Petite, who worked with henry Kloss. Andy did a good job at bringing quality sound at a budget price to the consumer, much like Advent had done.
Is there better? Of course. But for what market it was designed for, it's a winner and performs well beyond it's capabilities.
Bass isn't room-shaking, but is pleasant and natural sounding. The upper models like the A150, A200 and A400 are better than many speakers of that time period that had cost much more.
This is not an "exciting" speaker, but natural in it's quality. Nothing leaps out at you, but everything combined as a cohesve whole works out to be a quality package that does so much right.
I found the early model SEAS tweeter to be very accomodating.
I found the BA tweeter to be bright with my Yamaha gear, but perfect with Sansui and Marantz.
thedelihaus
Nocturnal transmissions
Oh- the vinyl veneer- a cost cutting measure for sure, but doesn't impact sound quality.
I own or have owned lots of nice speakers. While many have come and gone, I find I can't resist picking up A70s at any opportunity. Currently 3 pair (again) in the house.
I plan on veneering one pair in wood...
I own or have owned lots of nice speakers. While many have come and gone, I find I can't resist picking up A70s at any opportunity. Currently 3 pair (again) in the house.
I plan on veneering one pair in wood...
I agree that its a relative thing, and depends on what you are looking for. I don't think they'll change your life, that's for sure.
On my own end, I wish I'd spent less money on a lot of decent but not life changing speakers because I eventually upgraded beyond them, and wish I'd just skipped ahead in the beginning.
If I were you, and you have the room, why not start farther up the ladder? The A-150 and A-200 are really great speakers. I think the A-70 still has a lot of compromises due to it's relatively small size.
On my own end, I wish I'd spent less money on a lot of decent but not life changing speakers because I eventually upgraded beyond them, and wish I'd just skipped ahead in the beginning.
If I were you, and you have the room, why not start farther up the ladder? The A-150 and A-200 are really great speakers. I think the A-70 still has a lot of compromises due to it's relatively small size.
thedelihaus
Nocturnal transmissions
john- in agreement with you there. The A70s are "relative". Good for what they are, including obvious compromises. This puts them in the league with the EPI 100s, AR 4ax, KLH Seventeen, and most any other speaker of that time period, size, and driver configuration.
Boston Acoustics even admits in literature the first "no compromise" speaker in it's lineup begins with the A100. The A40/60/70 had less intrinsic bracing and were dressed in vinyl. The a100 could be had in wood veneer (I think orignally it was stock as such and only later was vinyl an option) and the a100 and up featured improved bracing.
The true star however, begins with the a150. The addition of a mid driver did wonders for the line.
So, if it is a room size issue, or budget issue, or spousal acceptance issue, the A70s are an excellent choice.
Got more room? Hunt out an A150.
Got more money? Modern monitor speakers do wonders with smaller sized cans and improved technology and materials.
Boston Acoustics even admits in literature the first "no compromise" speaker in it's lineup begins with the A100. The A40/60/70 had less intrinsic bracing and were dressed in vinyl. The a100 could be had in wood veneer (I think orignally it was stock as such and only later was vinyl an option) and the a100 and up featured improved bracing.
The true star however, begins with the a150. The addition of a mid driver did wonders for the line.
So, if it is a room size issue, or budget issue, or spousal acceptance issue, the A70s are an excellent choice.
Got more room? Hunt out an A150.
Got more money? Modern monitor speakers do wonders with smaller sized cans and improved technology and materials.
Knet70
Active Member
Thanks for the replies. They were all very helpful. I wish I had more exposure to some of the other older speakers mentioned often in these forums like the Dynaco's, BA's, KLH, Advents, infinity, etc... . I just never knew anybody that owned any of these speakers. I only knew one guy that had the BA A200 ( I believe ) way back when. They just blew me away, I could listen to those speakers all day long, and a few times we did.
