Speaker advice

[jimmkitts]

I know speaker preference is a purely subjective thing, but I need some advice. I'll provide as much info as I can.

First, I love the sound of the stereo in my music room. The smallest bedroom in my house after my kids moved out. Reallistic STA-2100, LAB-400 and a pair of KEF 104/2's. Also a Hitachi D800 cassette desk.

I put together a small footprint system for my living room. Here is where I need help. I have a Sansui 800 which I had serviced and it sounds wonderful with a Dual 1019 and a Sony 8 Track player all on this really nice teak shelf that a friend had for years. It belonged to his father. Right now I have it playing through a pair of POLK RT-12's. They sound great but look horrible, especially considering above all they are black.

I am looking for something more period correct. I found a pair of gorgeous W60E's. My friend, whose opinion I have come to value, tells me I am wasting my time with these. HE was the one that originally turned me on to the W60's and told me only go for the D or later with the purple tweeter.

He has many reasons I should be aiming higher than the W60's but they all assume that I am interested in the endless cycle of buying and selling and testing everything on the market. I am not. I want something I am happy with so I can STOP.

I am sold on the appearance of the W60's but due to "Covid" I will not be hearing them until I get them home. Hence, I need advice. If the W60's are not for me, any suggestions? I want to keep it below 350 dollars.

I listen to primarily classic rock, some jazz, some folk, some Diana Krall and the like, some R&B. Not a huge hip-hop or rap guy.

 

[RGA]

If you like the Wharfedale sound I would try and go to the newest ones before they went bankrupt. You could probably buy my Wharfedale Vanguards which were upgraded E-70s. You could get either one for your budget - and you can get replacement parts for them as there is an outfit in the UK that sill supports the Wharfedale E-series.

The problem with going so old back to the 60s and 70s is that they're basically all falling apart - like disintegrating. The Vanguard was sold from 88 to 92 - which in itself is now also to be consider "classic" era as even these are getting uncomfortably old.
This is the Vanguard

The E Series - E-70 is second from the right

These speakers can go very loud - the Vanguard hits 119dB - they are 95dB sensitive and sit mostly 10 ohms so virtually any tube amplifier of 5 watts and up will drive them.

I still have my Vanguards and they still sound very good - especially so with Jazz.

Whenever someone wants Klipsch - I always say get a Wharfedale E-Series - Klipsch but better.

 

[galactus2]

If you like the Wharfedale sound I would try and go to the newest ones before they went bankrupt.

Wharfedale went bankrupt? Did some other org buy the brand at some point? The newer ones, such as the Diamonds, Dentons and Littons all sound quite good to me.

I have Diamonds from 2017 and 2018, and am quite happy with them.

And yes, I know they're not made in England any longer.

 

[RGA]

Wharfedale went bankrupt? Did some other org buy the brand at some point? The newer ones, such as the Diamonds, Dentons and Littons all sound quite good to me.

I have Diamonds from 2017 and 2018, and am quite happy with them.

And yes, I know they're not made in England any longer.

Yes they were bought by a Chinese outfit and they began selling utter junk through the 1990s. But then they went belly up again and the name was bought by Quad (or the mega group that owns Quad). So Wharfedale began a resurgence - bring back their famed Diamond series (which is still a great budget speaker line). Quad also began making boxed speakers as opposed to just Electrostats and Quad speakers began using AMT tweeters - Now so does Wharfedale.

Wharfedale has brought back some of their classic lines but I think the E series was the best - for folks who listen to rock, pop and jazz anyway. But the look is harder to sell to a mass audience I suspect and the Vanguard is like 90lbs each so in today's world it's just easier to sell a Linton or Denton.

The Wharfedale Elysian series has received very good press and the Elysian 4 is pretty easy to drive making tube amps lovers pleased.

But these are £4,500 per pair (standmount) £6,500 per pair Floorstander

 

[rothwellaudio]

He has many reasons I should be aiming higher than the W60's but they all assume that I am interested in the endless cycle of buying and selling and testing everything on the market. I am not. I want something I am happy with so I can STOP.

Very sensible. But not very audiophile.

 

[quiet]

Period correct, lets see. I would get a pair of the period correct Sansui SP-3500 in that scenario.
Your buddie is right, don't bother with the w60 series if sound is important. With the Sansui 800 they will sound nice and warm and smooth and dull as a door nail. And you don't have the power for them.