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I need help Choosing speakers

E

Ezra Edison

New Member
Hi this is my first post I really need some advice here I mainly listen to vinyl, so my set up is...
I have a pro-ject esprit sb turntable a pro-ject tube box s phono stage a Cambridge cxA60 amp and I'm only using Polk speakers ATM budget only stretches so far. I'm getting paid soon and desperately want new speakers my top 2 choices are the wharfedale dentons and the elac uni fi ub5s my budget is 500 bucks and I'm leaning towards the dentons I really like they way they look too. Or is there something better I can get for 500? And help would be great thanks!
 
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Just the RTIA3s and I'm not impressed I want to get something that's in the same price range as my other gear I paid 750 for the amp and would really like to have good speakers for the amp
 
Ezra Edison said:
Just the RTIA3s and I'm not impressed I want to get something that's in the same price range as my other gear I paid 750 for the amp and would really like to have good speakers for the amp
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Your Polks are a very well reviewed speaker....what kind of music to you listen to?
 
Bodyblue said:
Your Polks are a very well reviewed speaker....what kind of music to you listen to?
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Well I'm not entirely disappointed with them I just feel like it could be better I listen to mainly grunge jazz alternative rock bands like the cure red hot chili peppers nirvana the Beatles smashing pumpkins the strokes Stuff like that, I just feel if I got the dentons my system would be awesome specially with the integrated amplifier I just bought
 
Ezra Edison said:
Well I'm not entirely disappointed with them I just feel like it could be better I listen to mainly grunge jazz alternative rock bands like the cure red hot chili peppers nirvana the Beatles smashing pumpkins the strokes Stuff like that, I just feel if I got the dentons my system would be awesome specially with the integrated amplifier I just bought
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The reviews of the Dentons I have seen say they are a bit light in the bass (but still a great sounding speaker) and that is where the Polks you have shine for such a small speaker. The Elacs are very well reviewed but the biggest knock against them is the cheap vinyl cabinets. They are also 4 ohm and not very sensitive at 85db, but your amps should be able to drive them ok. They get stellar reviews for their sound however. My point is that there is never the perfect speaker really. If you were running the $99 Polks I would say you would see a big difference in sound quality, but I am not so sure about it now I know what you listen to. The Polks are also easier to drive at 8 ohm and 89db. Looking at price points is helpful but not the best way to decide on a speaker. Polk has the rep of giving a lot for the money as well.

IMO I think the Dentons are the way to go if you must change speakers. They have a wood veneer cabinet and are a bit easier to drive at 6ohm and 86db. But everybody's ears are different so if you can, try to listen to them before spending a lot of cash.
 
Bodyblue said:
The reviews of the Dentons I have seen say they are a bit light in the bass (but still a great sounding speaker) and that is where the Polks you have shine for such a small speaker. The Elacs are very well reviewed but the biggest knock against them is the cheap vinyl cabinets. They are also 4 ohm and not very sensitive at 85db, but your amps should be able to drive them ok. They get stellar reviews for their sound however. My point is that there is never the perfect speaker really. If you were running the $99 Polks I would say you would see a big difference in sound quality, but I am not so sure about it now I know what you listen to. The Polks are also easier to drive at 8 ohm and 89db. Looking at price points is helpful but not the best way to decide on a speaker. Polk has the rep of giving a lot for the money as well.

IMO I think the Dentons are the way to go if you must change speakers. They have a wood veneer cabinet and are a bit easier to drive at 6ohm and 86db. But everybody's ears are different so if you can, try to listen to them before spending a lot of cash.
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Thanks for the reply I still don't know what I'm going to do I could take that money and just get a bunch of really cool albums and just save up for speakers later maybe get something a little more high end
 
Ezra Edison said:
Thanks for the reply I still don't know what I'm going to do I could take that money and just get a bunch of really cool albums and just save up for speakers later maybe get something a little more high end
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That may be your best idea yet!
 
Welcome to AK, Ezra. Couple more considerations for you.

- Add a sub to your Polks. Makes a monster difference.

- $500 will buy some all star used speakers.

The material you listen to needs very good bass reenforcement, and a speaker with larger woofers, or adding a sub, will truly increase your enjoyment.

GeeDeeEmm
 
i like GDM's plan - get something larger with better bass response. a sub would be cool too, but they can be tricky to hook up, and not all of them are so musical, imo (many are meant for home theatre).

i'd recommend you shop around and use your ears.
 
Ge the best sub-woofer you can and see how that works out for ya. Then get back to us.

Understand, you're asking for personal preferences here. That's like asking what's the best ice cream flavor.
 
gdmoore28 said:
Welcome to AK, Ezra. Couple more considerations for you.

- Add a sub to your Polks. Makes a monster difference.

- $500 will buy some all star used speakers.

The material you listen to needs very good bass reenforcement, and a speaker with larger woofers, or adding a sub, will truly increase your enjoyment.

GeeDeeEmm
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Thanks I will consider adding a sub what used speakers do you think I could get on eBay with 500? Any Recommendations ?
 
Ezra Edison said:
Thanks I will consider adding a sub what used speakers do you think I could get on eBay with 500? Any Recommendations ?
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Heck yes. This pair of ADS 810 speakers that I've been watching for a while, hoping a few bucks would pop up so I could buy them myself. These need a little DIY TLC, but they will rock your world:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-ADS...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

No affiliation with the seller. I did correspond with him (her?) to check on specific aspects of the speakers' condition, and they swear they function without fault.

GeeDeeEmm
 
Subs are easy to hook up and there are a lot to choose from. You will be able to set it from just a light touch of background to overwhelming, your choice. You dont have to blow your entire wad, try a sub first then see how they sound. You have a nice system as is.
 
gdmoore28 said:
Heck yes. This pair of ADS 810 speakers that I've been watching for a while, hoping a few bucks would pop up so I could buy them myself. These need a little DIY TLC, but they will rock your world:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-ADS-810-Pair-of-Vintage-a-d-s-810-Speakers/362051065339?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

No affiliation with the seller. I did correspond with him (her?) to check on specific aspects of the speakers' condition, and they swear they function without fault.

GeeDeeEmm
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Did you see this picture?

s-l1600.jpg


I am not sure they would look that good the room he is using. I am not against vintage speakers but these seem a little rough. The Polks he has are actually pretty nice and a sub just might do the trick.
 
Bodyblue said:
Did you see this picture?

s-l1600.jpg


I am not sure they would look that good the room he is using. I am not against vintage speakers but these seem a little rough. The Polks he has are actually pretty nice and a sub just might do the trick.
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Yeah those are nice but in rough shape there big too which is nice and yeah the polks are good I just really love the warfedale dentons the 80th anniversary ones there like a limited edtion I think I have the Cambridge cxA60 integrated amplifier and I was thinking about adding the matching CD transport because I have a handful of CDs from back in the day when I was in high school. Something about those speakers look really nice, also I found for sale a pair of kef q150s for $495.00 brand new like b stock in satin black. You guys have any experience with those? not as nice looking as the dentons tho.
 
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Bodyblue said:
Did you see this picture?

s-l1600.jpg


I am not sure they would look that good the room he is using. I am not against vintage speakers but these seem a little rough. The Polks he has are actually pretty nice and a sub just might do the trick.
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I agree. But if he wants some unit speaks that will recreate the type of music he listens to, these would fill the bill.

And, yeah, I saw the grill damage, but that kind of stuff means nothing to me. Building grill frames is easy, easy, easy and very cheap - even for non-wood workers. The question I had about them was what the same moisture had done to the cabs. They sent me more pics of the cabs and they looked fine, needing only some touching up.

But that's why I cautioned that these require DIY TLC to bring back to good visuals. That may be enough to put some folks completely off from them. I'm just not one of them! I'm the kind of wood-working pervert who enjoys these kind of projects. And the money saved.

GeeDeeEmm
 
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