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Next Speakers to try -- Value questions?

B

Buanadha

Well-Known Member
Hi, I was thinking of trying some new speakers and have been looking into older DCM speakers, Acoustic Research (not the super expensive ones), and even came across some old Spica's. Would also look into some Vandersteen's, but haven't seen many pop up in my radar lately.

I'm not really looking or upgrades to my main systems (KEF 103/4's driven by NAD C270 and the other set by NAD 3400/7400 right now). So this is more to set up in one of my offices or bedroom or to keep as something I rotate in sometimes or to even give away.

For these speakers, I have a big assortment of NAD receivers and amps (from 20 watts to 120 watts) so should have something that can drive all of these relatively easily. Listen to lots of classical, jazz, classic rock/pop and folk type things -- lots of strings and vocals

from roughly cheapest to most expensive (shipping included if applicable). In most cases, I may be able to offer a bit less. Most get pretty good reviews, but would love to hear the wisdom/experience of the people here on AK :)


Any thoughts on value/how good these are??

thanks in Advance!

DCM CR-17 - 90.00
AR 94Sx - 125.00
DCM Timepiece Bookshelf - 135.00
Spica SC-50's 145.00
DCM Timeframe TF-275 - 210.00
 
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I think the cr17 would surprise you. I also think the timepiece is overpriced. The Spicas image wonderfully but don't expect too much Bass. I don't know that little time frame but I had a pair of time frame 600s that were just great. I don't know those ARs either, but if I recall they have a lot of drivers and foam that doesn't last. You didn't say if these prices are restored or not but I definitely would not pay that if I had to go and pay another hundred bucks for surrounds.
 
markshan said:
I think the cr17 would surprise you. I also think the timepiece is overpriced. The Spicas image wonderfully but don't expect too much Bass. I don't know that little time frame but I had a pair of time frame 600s that were just great. I don't know those ARs either, but if I recall they have a lot of drivers and foam that doesn't last. You didn't say if these prices are restored or not but I definitely would not pay that if I had to go and pay another hundred bucks for surrounds.
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All are supposed to be in working order, but... I doubt that they checked foams to see if they are falling apart or that the sellers even know. I'm kind of thinking that if they have foam surrounds, they'll need to be replaced (extra project time for me).

Heard some OK things about those AR's, but they are likely going to require a refoam and like you said, lots of drivers

Safest choice may be the CR-17's, and they'd likely be a nice gift to someone if I don't find a spot for them in my house.
 
I have a pair of the AR94R. I don’t know what the exact differences are between the R and SX, but they look similar.
I wouldn’t let the surrounds hold you back. Use it as a bargaining chip to get them cheaper.

I got my surrounds from Rick Cobb. I think they were 7$ each. It was less than 40$ with shipping. Took me about 2 hours to refoam the 4 woofers.

I think I paid 50$ for my AR94R. Mine have socks and not grills. The only sucky thing about them. They sound nice.
 
elitopus said:
I have a pair of the AR94R. I don’t know what the exact differences are between the R and SX, but they look similar.
I wouldn’t let the surrounds hold you back. Use it as a bargaining chip to get them cheaper.

I got my surrounds from Rick Cobb. I think they were 7$ each. It was less than 40$ with shipping. Took me about 2 hours to refoam the 4 woofers.

I think I paid 50$ for my AR94R. Mine have socks and not grills. The only sucky thing about them. They sound nice.
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I agree with all of that but I'm not sure how likely it is to get a seller to move from 125 all the way down to 50. If he can make that happen then I say go for it.
 
elitopus said:
I have a pair of the AR94R. I don’t know what the exact differences are between the R and SX, but they look similar.
I wouldn’t let the surrounds hold you back. Use it as a bargaining chip to get them cheaper.

I got my surrounds from Rick Cobb. I think they were 7$ each. It was less than 40$ with shipping. Took me about 2 hours to refoam the 4 woofers.

I think I paid 50$ for my AR94R. Mine have socks and not grills. The only sucky thing about them. They sound nice.
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How would you characterize the sound from these speakers? I've been thinking of taking on a refoam project to build my experience with that, and if the result is a pretty good set of speakers, then this might be a good one to do.

I think I'll send the seller a question to see if they've been refoamed already - it's possible they were and he just didn't think to state it
 
Buanadha said:
How would you characterize the sound from these speakers? I've been thinking of taking on a refoam project to build my experience with that, and if the result is a pretty good set of speakers, then this might be a good one to do.

I think I'll send the seller a question to see if they've been refoamed already - it's possible they were and he just didn't think to state it
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And if not that is a good early feeler question anyway.
 
You can buy a pair of DCM TimeFrame 600s for the same or less than what you've posted for the smaller versions. The TF is a surprising speaker but owning the TF500 and the TF600 I can tell you the higher number the better!
 
Yeah I’m not thinking he can get him down to 50$ from 125$. That’s just what I got mine for. The seller was asking 50$ and I paid it. I think they’re worth 100$ in need of a refoam anyways. If they’re in good cosmetic condition.

To the OP, they sound like AR’s to me. I know that doesn’t help if you don’t know what that sounds like. Definitely not as laid back as the earlier AR’s, but not very HF forward either. But, mine still have original caps in them still. A recap might brighten them up some.

They do have great bass
 
I'd choose the TF-275 over the others even if they cost more as they image nicely, especially in a smaller room, and replacement Philips tweeters are cheap and abundant if you ever need to replace. I am not familiar with the Spicas, but the ARs will require more power than the others. Another choice would be Vandersteen model 1's, or possibly a smaller pair of Kefs.
 
silvernutsaq said:
I'd choose the TF-275 over the others even if they cost more as they image nicely, especially in a smaller room, and replacement Philips tweeters are cheap and abundant if you ever need to replace. I am not familiar with the Spicas, but the ARs will require more power than the others. Another choice would be Vandersteen model 1's, or possibly a smaller pair of Kefs.
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The TimeFrames are tempting, makes me think I should look locally for a TF-500 or TF-600 set as well.

The AR's aren't a problem with power as I have some 100+ watt amps I could toss at them to try them out.

KEFs would be my standard fallback, but I already have too many KEF sets! (2x103/4, 101/2's, Q70, Q50, C40's, Coda 8's)

Vandersteen's are tempting also -- how would you compare them to the TF-500 or 600's?

thanks!
 
Buanadha said:
The TimeFrames are tempting, makes me think I should look locally for a TF-500 or TF-600 set as well.
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The 600s have rear firing tweeters and are very room dependent. If you have them in front of a big flat wall space they can be magical. They are less impressive in front of curtains or non linear spaces.
 
Buanadha, I have owned the 103/4 and currently have Q50 hooked up to Sansui G-22000 or AU-X701 for secondary system. I have also had several DCMs in the past- TF600, Time Windows 1/1a, Timepiece, and Macrophones. DCMs perform well with the types of music you enjoy, which are also in my wheelhouse, but I don't really think you're gaining anything over your Kefs. I used to think my Time Windows were the king of Imaging (along w/DQ-10s) until I got a set of Vandersteen 2CE. They're really too much for a bedroom or office system, so perhaps Vandy model 1 would be better suited. The TF600 also a bit much for a smaller room, as mentioned previously they are definitely placement dependent, hence my suggestion for the TF275 out of the choices you had listed.

My jazz guru friend, who sold me several hundred of his old records, had Vandersteen 2C or 2CI hooked to a big Bryston amp, and he referred to them as Vandersweets for a good reason. I think you'd enjoy Vandys, but you're definitely not lacking with your collection of Kefs. My only other suggestion would be a more recent and modest priced Tannoy smaller monitor w/concentric design (similar to Kef Uni-Q).
 
markshan said:
The 600s have rear firing tweeters and are very room dependent. If you have them in front of a big flat wall space they can be magical. They are less impressive in front of curtains or non linear spaces.
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I don't have a longtime experience with the DCM TFs but I bought my TF500s locally for under $100 just over a year ago and the guy threw in a B&O linear tracking turntable missing a cartridge. I was so impressed but once I brought home the TF600 from a trip, they so out-performed the 500s in any position, I'd give them a much stronger recommendation—and I've yet to play them up against a wall that would to augment their magic. 500 and 600 side-by-side in a wide open room, there really is no comparison. The TF600 rules!
 
markshan said:
"In front of" is very different than "up against". I would not recommend placing them against a wall.
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Got it. My TF500 and TF600 are both playing more than six-feet from the closest wall and flanked by JBL L7s. A good room acoustically and the 600s easily outshine the 500s. Though both play out of their league.
 
Thanks to everyone! So much to think about.. I get to delay some of this until a consulting client pays my invoice though ;)

I'm super happy with my KEFs, but I have multiple systems running in my house and like to try new things, so I'm going to tinker a bit (when I get paid, finally!)

The DCM's are very interesting and I'll definitely try to add a pair to the collection at some point.
Same for the AR's, but I have enough projects on my plate right now and business is super busy, so may push off until I want to spend the time as well!

As for upgrading above the 103/4's, I would probably look for other KEF references. There's a 107.2's near me, but the price tag's in the sticker shock range still ;)
 
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