Almonds
Active Member
Hello All!
I was at the swap meet in San Diego last week and I saw a pair of real wood speakers that were gorgeous. I've lived in an apartment for 16 years but we bought a house last month and I've always said I was going to put together a Hi Fi system when I had the space. Just the looks of these speakers got me started on the project. I've had plastic little surround satellites for the last decade and a half, and I knew these were something different. I lifted them up and they're something like 30 lbs each compared to my satellites being about a pound each. I asked the guy and he said $30. I knew I couldn't lose.
https://goo.gl/photos/gqA6gFmBZLHm142CA
Well, the reality is a bit different! I just started my trip down the rabbit hole. I got my speakers home, but you can't just plug your phone or your computer into the speakers; you need an amp! So, onto craigslist I jump. I was so impatient, I just bought the first thing I could find that was vintage. I got a Kenwood Ka-3500 from an awesome guy here in San Diego, Greg at Sea Level Sound. I instantly had that real stereo sound that I remembered from the 70's.
https://goo.gl/photos/MdxUMfGu2KbHRGxZ7
And of course, the rabbit hole goes deeper. I decided I need more power, so I start lusting after the Kenwood Ka-9100. So I find one on Craigslist and drive an hour and a half each way to get it.
https://goo.gl/photos/zS37nkHqwSfcJnsi9
But you know it doesn't end there, more power, and I decide I'm not sure these speakers are all that I want, even though they are an amazing deal for $30.
So here I am, introducing myself on AudioKarma because every search I've done on HiFi has lead me here!
I got myself a reel to reel as pictured above, and I've got myself two amps and some Ok speakers. I'm looking for advice. Should I try bi-amping some speakers using the KA-9100 to do the bass and the KA-3500 to do the highs? Should I get some new speakers?
My biggest issue right now is I think the LS7s are a bit harsh for me, especially in the mid range. it's about at the level of male vocals, maybe second octave. everything sounds gravelly to me. almost distorted, or I should say, they do sound distorted. I crave warmer, smoother, deeper bass.
I play all kinds of music. I know everybody says that, but I really do. Tool, Air, Thievery Corportation, U2, Tinariwen, Coltrane, The Verve, Black Keys, Mazzy Star, Jack Johnson, Gregory Isaacs, Makyo, The Prodigy, chemical brothers, etc. So I need bass, I need versatility, I need a great soundstage.
Anyways, thanks for reading, and I would love any tips on what kind of speakers might pair extraordinarily well with the Kenwood Ka-9100 or Ka-3500.
I was at the swap meet in San Diego last week and I saw a pair of real wood speakers that were gorgeous. I've lived in an apartment for 16 years but we bought a house last month and I've always said I was going to put together a Hi Fi system when I had the space. Just the looks of these speakers got me started on the project. I've had plastic little surround satellites for the last decade and a half, and I knew these were something different. I lifted them up and they're something like 30 lbs each compared to my satellites being about a pound each. I asked the guy and he said $30. I knew I couldn't lose.
https://goo.gl/photos/gqA6gFmBZLHm142CA
Well, the reality is a bit different! I just started my trip down the rabbit hole. I got my speakers home, but you can't just plug your phone or your computer into the speakers; you need an amp! So, onto craigslist I jump. I was so impatient, I just bought the first thing I could find that was vintage. I got a Kenwood Ka-3500 from an awesome guy here in San Diego, Greg at Sea Level Sound. I instantly had that real stereo sound that I remembered from the 70's.
https://goo.gl/photos/MdxUMfGu2KbHRGxZ7
And of course, the rabbit hole goes deeper. I decided I need more power, so I start lusting after the Kenwood Ka-9100. So I find one on Craigslist and drive an hour and a half each way to get it.
https://goo.gl/photos/zS37nkHqwSfcJnsi9
But you know it doesn't end there, more power, and I decide I'm not sure these speakers are all that I want, even though they are an amazing deal for $30.
So here I am, introducing myself on AudioKarma because every search I've done on HiFi has lead me here!
I got myself a reel to reel as pictured above, and I've got myself two amps and some Ok speakers. I'm looking for advice. Should I try bi-amping some speakers using the KA-9100 to do the bass and the KA-3500 to do the highs? Should I get some new speakers?
My biggest issue right now is I think the LS7s are a bit harsh for me, especially in the mid range. it's about at the level of male vocals, maybe second octave. everything sounds gravelly to me. almost distorted, or I should say, they do sound distorted. I crave warmer, smoother, deeper bass.
I play all kinds of music. I know everybody says that, but I really do. Tool, Air, Thievery Corportation, U2, Tinariwen, Coltrane, The Verve, Black Keys, Mazzy Star, Jack Johnson, Gregory Isaacs, Makyo, The Prodigy, chemical brothers, etc. So I need bass, I need versatility, I need a great soundstage.
Anyways, thanks for reading, and I would love any tips on what kind of speakers might pair extraordinarily well with the Kenwood Ka-9100 or Ka-3500.
...and you sure have been bitten by the Vint Bug, big time, but in a good way and you ARE being selective which will pay off.