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Floor Standing Speaker Recommendation

Isaac C.

Isaac C.

Cat Hoarder
Hello everyone, I'm looking to upgrade to some floor standing speakers in the next few months and I am looking for recommendations. For reference my room is around 13'x13', my amp is a Hitachi Ha 610 (70wpc), and my current speakers are Dynaco A25s. As for criteria, my budget would be somewhere in the $350-$500 range for vintage floor standing speakers. Sound wise I want something that is an upgrade to the Dynacos. I like the overall presentation of them (neutral, balanced, dynamic, musical, detailed), but want something with better imaging and immersive soundstage. Finally I would like something with real wood veneer. I've been looking at Vandersteen 1s, 2s, 2Cs, and 2CEs; DCM TimeWindows, Ohm Walsh 1s and 2s; KEF 104/2; and B&W Matrix 3s. Suggestions and recommendations are welcome.
 
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Isaac C. said:
Hello everyone, I'm looking to upgrade to some floor standing speakers in the next few months and I am looking for recommendations. For reference my room is around 13'x13', my amp is a Hitachi Ha 610 (70wpc), and my current speakers are Dynaco A25s. As for criteria, my budget would be somewhere in the $350-$500 range for vintage floor standing speakers. Sound wise I want something that is an upgrade to the Dynacos. I like the overall presentation of them (neutral, balanced, dynamic, musical, detailed), but want something with better imaging and immersive soundstage. Finally I would like something with real wood veneer. I've been looking at Vandersteen 1s, 2s, 2Cs, and 2CEs; DCM TimeWindows, Ohm Walsh 1s and 2s; KEF 104/2; and B&W Matrix 3s. Suggestions and recommendations are welcome.
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OHM Acoustics model i

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While some speakers present a better image/soundstage, a significant influence to that effect is placement in the room and seating position.

You can get some amazing results from smaller speakers on stands with a sub filling in the bottom end.

I run a pair of NHT SuperOne's on 42" stands with a sub and the sound is immersive. The stage goes wall to wall and has significant depth with the speakers 8' apart, 4' away from the side walls and about 2' away from the back wall.

To use a realtor's phrase....location, location, location.
 
In my opinion, some really nice choices here, but you cannot go wrong with the KEF 104/2's. Make sure tweeter work, most times just need cleaning and refilling with magnetic fluid. I love mine.
 
You would be hard pressed to find even beat up Kef 104.2 in your price range . But a great sounding speaker no less .
 
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Have you ever heard any ADS speakers? They’re voiced like the Dynacos but more refined and do pretty much everything at least a little bit better.
All the Vandersteen models you mentioned will have voicing similar to your Dynaco’s, except the 2ce. Look for the ci, instead. But you may not have enough amplifier for any model 2 Vandersteen. They eat up
power.
DCM Time Frame is probably worth a look...and easier to find than Time Window. I had TW3’s and TF600. Both are excellent, but the TW3’s prefer some power...TF600’s get you much of what the TW’s offer but without the power hungry nature. I still have the TF600’s in my bedroom system. Great speakers.
Snells were mentioned...get ‘em if you can find ‘em.
 
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There is a pair of ADS 520 on BT now for pocket change , that I would recommend you check out . A sleeper speaker from what I have read
 
Advent Maestros might be a little modern looking for your taste, but they sound great and should be at the low end of your price range.
 
@tomlinmgt Yes I forgot to mention ADS, they are on my list too. I have heard L520s and Vandersteen 2s in person at a family friends house, they sound really, really good. Their is a local shop that has some Time Windows in pristine condition just south of four Benjamins. But he said they are more boomy and rock oriented and best suited for loud listening. Contrarily, I have heard some other Akers mention they are rather good. I'll probably subscribe here this week.
 
Isaac C. said:
@tomlinmgt Yes I forgot to mention ADS, they are on my list too. I have heard L520s and Vandersteen 2s in person at a family friends house, they sound really, really good. Their is a local shop that has some Time Windows in pristine condition just south of four Benjamins. But he said they are more boomy and rock oriented and best suited for loud listening. Contrarily, I have heard some other Akers mention they are rather good. I'll probably subscribe here this week.
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I didn’t find the TW’s boomy. But I will say this about them (and this applies to TF series also)...if there is ever any problem with any drivers needing replacement, they ARE NOT easy speakers to perform repairs on. There are plenty of threads here on AK that describe how to perform said repairs and many have done them successfully, but that doesn’t change the fact that’s is a huge pain in the ass. WAY more involved than just unscrewing a few screws, pulling the driver out, disconnecting the leads and reversing the process with the replacement. Proceed with caution.

I’d be hittin my friend up to sell me the 520’s if I were you (provided they’re in suitably good condition). These are a well respected model in the ADS line up...and that’s saying something as there are a lot of great models in said line up.
 
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