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Help my pick the right speakers

Nino P

Nino P

New Member
I've been running my dad's old Marantz 2270 through a pair of cruddy Cerwin-Vegas for the last few years and I'm ready to step it up a notch. I listen to mostly 50s, 60s jazz vinyl (his Garrard Z20008 turntable), and want something warm and full that requires little to no maintenance on my part, since I'm absolutely out of my depth when it comes to audio equipment. Under $1000. Any advice is most welcome. Thanks!
 
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This is essentially what all of us here are seeking - so there is a TON of information about this. I know it's a bummer to not get direct responses, but there's a lot that goes into the "right" speaker - and even great speakers can sound radically different. Chances are, there are some great sounding speakers on Craigslist in your area. The best deals come when you're not set in a specific model...

Spending some time at a local hifi shop will be well worth your time. No substitute for actually hearing things yourself.
 
asilker said:
This is essentially what all of us here are seeking - so there is a TON of information about this. I know it's a bummer to not get direct responses, but there's a lot that goes into the "right" speaker - and even great speakers can sound radically different. Chances are, there are some great sounding speakers on Craigslist in your area. The best deals come when you're not set in a specific model...

Spending some time at a local hifi shop will be well worth your time. No substitute for actually hearing things yourself.
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What asilker said. Why not find some C'list speakers that interest you, and post a question on that specific item? If you're interested in the price/worth issue, you would post your question in "Dollars & Sense".

I like alot of the music you do, and really like vintage speakers, like Wharfedale (larger models), Electro-voice. Others might recommend Altecs (I've never had the pleasure). Your budget could get you some nice stuff. Maybe Tannoys even, if you find a deal. Some might need a little work, but recap etc. isn't really that hard. Heck, I've done it. Just ask for help. Akers will hold your hand.

Oh, and welcome to AK !! I joined just a few years back, and just today learned I earned an, "Addict" designation (1,000 posts).
 
I'll say this, as a novice.
Any $1000 pair of speaker will likely sound great.

I auditioned many speakers (limited at best buy magnolia...), they all sounded good. Some had more bass than others, but mids and highs were all pretty much the same.

It would take a seasoned audiophile to notice any difference in my humble opinion.

I picked my speaker solely on the fact it was front ported which is great for my small bedroom.
 
If you are around the DC area, I remember (yesterday, so even my memory should be reliable) someone here offering a pair of Spicas. Warm might not be exactly the description, but involving and believable imaging (actually spectacular imaging) push aside considerations like warmth -- I like warm speakers, but loved the Spicas. My wife hated how they looked, and the absence of booming bass, so they did not make it at my house.
 
I am partial to the early Snells. Find a good set of E II's or Type C's, and you will be in Heaven. IMHO
 
For me 50s and 60s jazz vinyl is best with vintage Yamaha and period speakers.Bozak Electrovoice and Wharfedale is what works for me.These older large speakers may not be what you have in mind but they sure do sound nice and it is what I use almost exclusively for this type of music.
 
OK, please describe your room? If the speakers can be placed in corners, out from the wall, flat against the wall etc... Speakers interact with room dynamics to a large degree. Need to know what we have to work with ...
 
I agree completly with Brocluno. The room where you have your set up will have a major impact on the way the your speakers will sound.
 
A nice pair of ADS L-880's would be worth the short road trip to Delaware. Nothing nicer for a refined sound than the Braun (later ADS) sticky dome midrange. If you're the type to start eyeballing the next step up, grab your best girl and take a road trip up to Boston for some 1230's and save yourself the incremental path.

1352_img_3127.jpg L880s.jpg
 
Porkloin stole my thunder. Ran my updated 2270 with a pair of Braun L710's and it was marvelous whatever the music.
JBL's and Marantz are a very good match as well. Polks, Advents, Bostons..... The list goes on and on.

Lots of great new speakers out there in that price range too.
 
With a budget of 1k you can buy a better sounding new amp and have plenty of money left over for some amazing speakers. That is unless there's too much sentimental attachment with the old Marantz. I understand that as I have a vintage Model 1150 that I won't part with as I've owned it forever.

If you can use the Marantz in another system I'd recommend:

Tekton Mini Lore - $725
Yaqin MS23b tube phono preamp - $179 ( Amazon )
Nobsound TPA3116 amp - $40 ( Amazon )
 
thatToolguy said:
Well, I'm going to be the guy that chimes in with the opinion that nobody likes.
First, if your speakers do jazz real well, but they suck for death metal, your speakers just suck. I'm not one of these guys that think there's a speaker for every type of music because there really are very well rounded speakers that do everything very well.

Second, I wouldn't suggest 901's to my ex-wife. I'm not a fan of jazz, but I appreciate that it's nuanced music. 901's are specifically designed to destroy sonic precision and nuance. If you're looking for that vastly spacious kind of sound try Quads, Maggies or ESS.

Third point. The 2270 has a warm sounding amp. Speakers on the brighter side compliment it well. Think Focal, Golden Ear, Paradigm, ESS, and MartinLogan.

I'd also recommend getting that 2270 serviced and/or recapped if it hasn't been already. It makes a difference and that's a unit known to drift from spec.

Like I said from the start, just one guy's opinion. Take it or leave it.
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I'm in total agreement with you, especially your first point.
BTW, I'm a jazz fan.
 
Good god, you guys know your stuff! Thank you for all this helpful advice; you've given me lots to consider, and more to research. Two things I should've mentioned:

The room is large (12 ft. wide, 24 ft. long) with the stereo against the wall, speakers maybe 12 inches from the wall, facing the couch. In a perfect world I suppose I'd have more than two speakers, but my wife doesn't want a bunch of wires junking up the room. And the speakers can't be butt ugly, as my wife is already letting me get away with murder for turning our living room into a music studio (I recently introduced a 100-year-old upright piano to the room).

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
 
With a well set up 2 channel system, you'll never wish you had more speakers. Watching movies is one thing, but music is mixed to two channels as an industry standard. A nice room will reveal what the studio intended with just a left and a right :)
 
Ah, so now to find some really good performing speakers with that "Furniture " look. There are some out there with lattice grills that look quite nice. Problem is there are a bunch with the same look that do not play all that well...

That's a big'ish room. So it's going to take some energy to fill it. More to think about ...
 
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