Information about Mitsubishi SS-106 speakers

[kevotron]

Hi. First time post, glad to be here. I can find nothing on the internet regarding the Mitsubishi SS-106 speakers I got from junk store for $30. I bought a Sherwood 7010A receiver from a local guy and he asked what speakers I was using with it. I told him and he said " you know they aren't bad, they are OK". Dunno if he was being polite or what, but without much reference point --as this the only stereo setup I've ever had-- sounds good to me. Anyone have any comments? I've been thinking how I can improve my setup and was wondering if maybe better speakers...or just be happy with what I have (yeah right!).

Thx

 

[swechsler]

Junk store, eh? Appropriate. Well, you did ask. These are the sort of speakers that would have been sold with a rack system in the 1990s. Big, thin walls, no decent bass or treble to speak of (that is, they may reproduce bass and treble, but it won't be decent).

Find a good set of speakers. In many places you don't have to spend much more than what you paid for those to get something worlds better.

 

[kevotron]

I mean this may well speak to my lack of knowing my butt from a hole in the ground when it comes to stereos and speakers. To me I sit there and say " wow, this sounds good....while wondering, does it really sound good or could it be much better". So from your response it's sounds.like my nagging doubts are legit. SO...what speakers do I get now? Ohh boy.

 

[swechsler]

I suppose it depends what you're comparing it to. For most of us, the ideal system is one that sounds as if you are in the room listening to the musicians perform live. You're unlikely to get anywhere near that sort of experience with those.

You say you have no other experience with audio systems. Ever been to a live concert? How about a movie theater? They're sort of hard to compare because it's a different kind of experience, but it gives you an idea of what to strive for.

The fact that you joined here makes me believe you're interested in a decent sounding system. So maybe do some careful listening to what you have for a couple of weeks; listen to all the sorts of music that you enjoy. See if you can figure out if anything seems lacking.

I can tell you that I've had situations where I thought my system sounded pretty good, then I upgraded something, listened to some music I was familiar with, and thought "wow, I've never heard that before" or "it never sounded as good as it does now". So good luck. You may be just entering the rabbit hole. But one important thing to remember is, don't upgrade just for the sake of upgrading. First identify the weaknesses in your system and then look to eliminate those without adding other weaknesses.

 

[kevotron]

I suppose it depends what you're comparing it to. For most of us, the ideal system is one that sounds as if you are in the room listening to the musicians perform live. You're unlikely to get anywhere near that sort of experience with those.

You say you have no other experience with audio systems. Ever been to a live concert? How about a movie theater? They're sort of hard to compare because it's a different kind of experience, but it gives you an idea of what to strive for.

The fact that you joined here makes me believe you're interested in a decent sounding system. So maybe do some careful listening to what you have for a couple of weeks; listen to all the sorts of music that you enjoy. See if you can figure out if anything seems lacking.

I can tell you that I've had situations where I thought my system sounded pretty good, then I upgraded something, listened to some music I was familiar with, and thought "wow, I've never heard that before" or "it never sounded as good as it does now". So good luck. You may be just entering the rabbit hole. But one important thing to remember is, don't upgrade just for the sake of upgrading. First identify the weaknesses in your system and then look to eliminate those without adding other weaknesses.

 

[kevotron]

Excellent. Thanks for taking the time to give me some guidance.

 

[kevotron]

Do you have any recommendations for speakers to research that might pair well with my little Sherwood and the 70s and 80s rock I listen to in my basement listening spot?

 

[swechsler]

Look at what's available in your area first. Then do some searching, or ask here if you don't find anything conclusive. Trying to find a particular model or brand on the used market is an exercise in futility.

When auditioning speakers, make sure no drivers have been changed. Find pics online, or post pics here.

 

[Nat]

If you like them, they are fine. It is easy to dump on rack system speakers, and on plasticy looking Japanese speakers, but some can sound surprisingly good. And they tend to be efficient, which means that smaller recievers can power them successfully - 'better' speakers may actually sound worse, or not get loud enough.
If you want a project, recapping them might make for some improvement, as might a bit of bracing, particularly on the back panel.
I fished a very large pair of Kenwoods out of the dumpster, refoamed the woofer and passive, and was stunned at how good they sounded - big, deep, natural sound. Marvin Gaye sounded like he was in the room. I'm sure they might not have been the last word in detail (though they did have four leaf tweeters in an array) or otherwise lacked some qualities that state of the art speakers might have, but they stomped on the 8 inch two ways and 12 inch three ways that are often the recommendation.

 

[goodolpg]

Hi. First time post, glad to be here. I can find nothing on the internet regarding the Mitsubishi SS-106 speakers I got from junk store for $30. I bought a Sherwood 7010A receiver from a local guy and he asked what speakers I was using with it. I told him and he said " you know they aren't bad, they are OK". Dunno if he was being polite or what, but without much reference point --as this the only stereo setup I've ever had-- sounds good to me. Anyone have any comments? I've been thinking how I can improve my setup and was wondering if maybe better speakers...or just be happy with what I have (yeah right!).

Thx

Better than nothing, so if you had no speakers you're ahead already.
I've wasted $30 in worse ways I'm sure.
At this point, maybe they are just place holders, a stop on the way to your final destination. Hang out here long enough and that very well could happen. Bunch of enablers here.
Rather than asking and hoping you could find speakers someone else likes, as mentioned already, check for what is local to you, then Google or ask here about them. It's rare but sometimes asking about something that is truly good and well priced may get picked off by a reader here, but it's not that common I'd think. You're close to a big market, and Ann Arbor is also a good place to internet window shop.
Only by listening to other speakers can you truly decide what you like or don't like.
Anything else is just guesses or opinions.

 

[Nat]

If memory serves, Ann Arbor was where DCM was, which might make them more common around your area. I've never heard a bad old DCM speaker, and all of the one with 'Time' in the name - 'Time Frame, Time Window, Time Piece' and so on are excellent. I haven't heard the QEDs, but they also have excellent reputations. I had a pair of D 27(?) with one tweeter out, also very good ideed.

 

[kevotron]

Sorry so late responding. I purchased Yamaha ns670 speakers. They are very nice, in great shape for $300 with stands. They are a bit wanting for bass but I'm very happy.

 

[kevotron]

Also.. Nat...you referenced Marvin Gaye...my all time favorite album is "What's Goin On?". Being from Detroit, my dad has regaled me with stories of being one of the few white kids that showed up to the Motown revues that would happen at the Fox theatre in Detroit in the mid to late sixties and his love of Marvin Gaye passed on to me. So it's funny you mentioned him. Good work!

 

[halo71]

Sorry so late responding. I purchased Yamaha ns670 speakers. They are very nice, in great shape for $300 with stands. They are a bit wanting for bass but I'm very happy.

You did pretty well in my opinion. Back in January I went to pick up a pair of Boston Acoustics A200's for about what you paid. Guy was moving out of state and tells me....I got 2 other pairs of speakers to get rid of if you want them. I said sure. Ended up being a pair of Infinity Qb's and Yamaha NS-670's. The Yamaha's sound pretty dang good! And I have many many speakers around the house. The Yamaha's replaced a pair of DCM TF600's in my bedroom stereo.

 

[kevotron]

I now have ordered a Yamaha CR420 to keep them company. I think a reasonable setup for budget minded dude for a small space.

 

[kevotron]

And....despite being warned: I bought Yamaha CR420 off eBay and the lights lasted thru half an album side before they cut out and won't go back on. The seller agreed to take it back.