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In need of recommendations

H

hejaus

New Member
G'day,

Being relatively new to this world of hifi I'm starting to spend a lot of time browsing through the forums here and firstly would like to say thanks for all the valuable information offered!

I would like to ask for advice about my speakers and their suitability for my wants. I currently have a pair of series III Bose 901's running from my Yamaha A-720 Integrated. I got the Bose completely rotted and took on the job of refoaming 17 of the drivers and therefore haven't had to invest too much money into my current setup other than my amp. I'm happy with the job and the complete system, but I can't help but to wonder if it suits my taste in music entirely. I listen to a broad range of genres but I would say electronic music is one of my most favored. I feel the Bose fall short in this genre when compared to their performance when playing jazz or classical. Am I right to think that maybe these speakers aren't for me? I have been looking at Klipsch KG 4's and 5.2's can I expect an improvement from them? Are there any speakers that you know from experience to be a suitable all rounder?

I'd love to hear what speakers you all would recommend! I am currently a University student so obviously money is finite but I am open to spending a little to end up with something that will keep me happy for a long while to come.

Here are some links to the kind of music I feel the Bose struggles with, all of which I have on Vinyl except for Petre which I have on CD.


Thanks In advance
 
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funny, most people say that electronic music is what the 901s are BEST at! electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick used 901s in his New York studio for monitoring..
 
Blue Shadow said:
I sold the 901 along with the DCM TimeWindows, Magneplanars, Dahlquists and Epicures as the top speakers in the store. I have written a good bit over the years about the differences (901 arena sound, Magneplanar jazz club and such)

Here is the result of a search that has some of these posts. Maybe you can check em out.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/in...planar&o=relevance&c[node]=27&c[user][0]=4989
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An interesting selection of speakers you have knowledge about. I'm not sure how often DQ 10's or ADS's pop up in Australia but I'll keep an eye out for them. How much do ADS 810's typically sell for?
 
nexus said:
funny, most people say that electronic music is what the 901s are BEST at! electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick used 901s in his New York studio for monitoring..
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Interesting, perhaps my refoam job was not as good as it could have been... Maybe the age of the equalizer or speakers have put them out of spec, or possibly placement is incorrect. I don't know why exactly, it just seems that when I play electronic music that is heavy in deep bass I don't get the sound I expect, or atleast a sound comparable to what I get through my headphones or other friends soundsystems. When I play jazz, early electronic music, classical, disco, soul or really any genre other than more modern electronic music they sound great, even at very high volumes. I just seem to be left slightly dissastified when I play techno or dub, making me wonder what some more experienced people suggest I could do.
 
The heavy bass might be using up the entire amp to get what you get with electronic. That style might have more energy than the amp can handle. I say this because the Bose EQ boosts bass response quite a bit to get them to sound right and this sucks power.

ADS 810s sell for 250-400 here in the states.
 
You have a nice integrated amp. Since I have no idea what is available to you in the new or used local to your market (shipping speakers is not cheap), you'll need to throw up some makes & models of what is available to you, and you can (maybe) decide based on our applause-o-meter.
 
Michael Powers said:
You have a nice integrated amp. Since I have no idea what is available to you in the new or used local to your market (shipping speakers is not cheap), you'll need to throw up some makes & models of what is available to you, and you can (maybe) decide based on our applause-o-meter.
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Thanks, I like it a lot.

Good idea:

I am curious about Klipsch speakers. This is mainly because my Dad has some Klipsch bookshelf speakers running off his Marantz Integrated, and although small they sound crisp to my ears. There are a pair of Klipsch KG 5.2s for sale in my area that I have been keeping an eye on. I am assuming that a twelve inch and ten inch woofer alongside a horn could drive bass while still sounding crisp and defined, potentially solving the main problem I have with my 901's. I've been keeping an eye on KG 4's for the similar reasons and also because they have come up in many posts on Audiokarma in good light. Any idea on the worth of KG 5.2's in comparison to KG 4's?

I have a friend who has some Technics Sb 2090's (in pretty rough condition) that have surprised me despite some dodgy mids. Nice Technics do come up for sale, but more rarely than Klipsch. I'd love to hear any good or bad experiences with this brand.

My first pair of proper stereo speakers I got were JBL Lx-44's I liked the sound of them when powered by my NAD 3240, but I have since given them to my Dad. I would be very interested to hear some of the better models made by JBL.

I'd be keen to hear any experiences with brands/models that you all have dealt with. And again thanks for any advice you can offer.
 
My most recent Klipsch experience is with the 3.x series. I found them natural, efficient (= easy to drive + they can be played loud), not harsh in the highs, not wanting in the bass department. Didn't hear any faults. I could live with them long term.

I've heard JBL Studio Monitor 4311 speakers I've liked even more. Livelier, a bit more compelling.

The low ($) end of the JBL line is fine for the garage or the workshop.

Technics had some nice small and larger high end models.

These are outnumbered, by a wide margin, by the cheaper Technics speakers. Another great choice for the shop.

I've heard Bose 401's that I did not think could be bettered in playing back live Jazz club recordings.
 
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Michael Powers said:
My most recent Klipsch experience is with the 3.x series. I found them natural, efficient (= easy to drive + they can be played loud), not harsh in the highs, not wanting in the bass department. Didn't hear any faults. I could live with them long term.

I've heard JBL Studio Monitor 4311 speakers I've liked even more. Livelier, a bit more compelling.

The low ($) end of the JBL line is fine for the garage or the workshop.

Technics had some nice small and larger high end models.

These are outnumbered, by a wide margin, by the cheaper Technics speakers. Another great choice for the shop.

I've heard Bose 401's that I did not think could be bettered in playing back live Jazz club recordings.
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Nice, the Klipsch sound like they may be what I am after. I had read that they are quite efficient which I thought would be good in allowing me to make the most of the Yamaha's class A ability in lower outputs. I haven't bothered to have it active while powering the Bose as I have heard they are power hungry.

Those JBL Monitors look the business, I could be wrong but I think that model or one of a very similar appearance was up for sale local for a pretty high price (like most JBL's in Melbourne) locally not to long ago. Maybe in a few years time I might be able to afford them, haha.

In the meantime I'll try to get my hands on these KG's.

Oh and I'd appreciate any Jazz recommendations if you had any. Unfortunately none of my mates are much into Jazz leaving me with a selection smaller than I would like. I have mainly had Alice Coltrane playing regularly. No pressure at all however.

Thanks a heap for the help with speakers.
 
The KG-3.2 should fit your needs as well if you're looking for a budget speaker that doesn't need a subwooofer. I find it easier to setup with its front firing passive radiator than those with a passive on the rear. Kind of rare as I believe these were only made for one year, but prices are about 1/2 what a pair of KG-4's usually sell for, a real sleeper in my opinion.

P1020312-021.jpg
 
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Friends don't let friends listen to Bose speakers.... unless they are a gift, then only in private. :D
 
Fitero said:
Friends don't let friends listen to Bose speakers.... unless they are a gift, then only in private. :D
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Not really true especially in re to 901's. while not the ultimate speaker, it aspires to be do things that very few other speakers can in regard to getting a 'live' sound and an essentially a full range single driver speaker.

I do have to ask if you are using them with the electronic equalizer needed to get anything close to a full frequency response.
 
You are right of course Putterman. My disdain is mostly directed at their small cube speakers and systems.
 
hejaus said:
Nice, the Klipsch sound like they may be what I am after. I had read that they are quite efficient which I thought would be good in allowing me to make the most of the Yamaha's class A ability in lower outputs. I haven't bothered to have it active while powering the Bose as I have heard they are power hungry.

Those JBL Monitors look the business, I could be wrong but I think that model or one of a very similar appearance was up for sale local for a pretty high price (like most JBL's in Melbourne) locally not to long ago. Maybe in a few years time I might be able to afford them, haha.

In the meantime I'll try to get my hands on these KG's.

Oh and I'd appreciate any Jazz recommendations if you had any. Unfortunately none of my mates are much into Jazz leaving me with a selection smaller than I would like. I have mainly had Alice Coltrane playing regularly. No pressure at all however.

Thanks a heap for the help with speakers.
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I got a recapped A-720 from @39cross yesterday and I've been enjoying my Klipsch 5.2s more than I have for a long time.
I've played (all CD) Van Halen ~ Women & Children First, White Zombie LOUD, Tool ~ Undertow, Stones ~ Tattoo You, Budgie, Blood Sugar Sex Magik rocking now. It's a much better match than my old, unrestored Marantz 2275 & the K5.2s
Classical & acoustic will be better served by waiting until my abused ears recover.
I had 4.2's & Quartets in the 90's and loved those Quartets but sold the system. About 10 years ago I replaced some wrecked Sansui SP3000's with 3.2's (not impressed), quickly replaced the 3.2's with 4.2's and better but jumped at these 5.2's for $200 a few years ago with no regrets.

So what speakers did you get?



BTW - I Could Have Lied is playing now and the acoustic guitar sounds sweeeeeet.
I might not get any sleep tonight. It's your fault @39cross :beerchug:
 
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