Speaker choice for a (kind of) vintage system?

[rgiskad]

If you're willing to push that 500 dollar top end of your budget and have patience you can get into some JBL L5s pretty easily. A lot of people actually prefer them to the larger L7s and they're supposed to be easier to set up correctly. I've never heard the L5s but my L7s are never going anywhere, and FWIW I only paid 650 for them last year.

What is this thing called patience you speak of?

Budget is kind of tight, so really looking for now just to get something going. I can upgrade later if this isn't a passing phase.
I found a set of Monitor 7s on CL...if it works out, will pick those up. If not, gonna go for it on either the 5Jrs or Boston Acoustics i found on ebay I think...

 

[MaxP]

What is this thing called patience you speak of?

Budget is kind of tight, so really looking for now just to get something going. I can upgrade later if this isn't a passing phase.
I found a set of Monitor 7s on CL...if it works out, will pick those up. If not, gonna go for it on either the 5Jrs or Boston Acoustics i found on ebay I think...

The Boston A70s are a solid choice. I’ve had numerous speakers from BA and all were good, some exceptional. How big is the room (I might have missed this information).

 

[rgiskad]

The Boston A70s are a solid choice. I’ve had numerous speakers from BA and all were good, some exceptional. How big is the room (I might have missed this information).

It's approximately 20x30. Some irregularity, but that's the main area.

 

[rgiskad]

Here is a pic of one of the 7s I have a line on. He's the original owner, purchased in '89. More pics from the seller to come.
Y'all know which version this is?

 

[rickb119]

Some don't care for that particular tweeter due to how bright it can be, especially at higher volumes.

I just checked your area, and there is a pair of Norman Lab, Model 83 for sale in Belmont NC (FB marketplace). I have the model 8's, and love them. Very smooth, but still very detailed sound. Well within your budget.

 

[rgiskad]

Some don't care for that particular tweeter due to how bright it can be, especially at higher volumes.

Is that the SL-2000?

...I probably don't have the most discriminating ears...if a tweeter upgrade to the RDO 194(?) for <$100 is far superior (at least as some threads state...) and it otherwise resolves that brightness...that wouldn't scare me off

Will look on FB...really don't go there much anymore.

 

[kermit z]

That is the SL-2000 tweet. I never had issues with the SL-2000 in my Model 10B's, but did eventually replace them with RDA 194 and that did sound much better. I think you may like the 7's. Many prefer the 7's over the Model 10s'.

 

[rgiskad]

And...it's a 7C then I take it?

 

[H2oman7.62mm]

I am space limited to bookshelf speakers, so I tried new Klipsch RP-160Ms then a set of vintage JBL 4311Bs, both are very good speakers but ported speakers aren't the best choice because I can't set them away from the wall and into the room. My search for an non-ported alternative lead me to vintage ADS speakers, I picked up a set of L570/2s and a set of L780/2s ... my search for speakers has ended.

Good luck with your search.

 

[hopeless]

Nothing at the local stores...

Looking at a few...I've never refoamed speakers, but suspect it cannot be that hard. ie, I rebuilt the Planar 2, so figure it's easier than that.
So, would these be a strong contender re-foamed?
Advent Prodigy Towers

I'm wondering where they would fall in comparison to my old AR Classic 8s, and vs. something like these:
Polk Audio 5JR
Polk Audio 7C
Or these Advent Prodigy IIs

I almost bought these...still considering: Boston A70

I figure it'll be one of those 5. Guess I'm wondering if there are any clear winners in that group?
Thanks for all the input!

I would avoid the Advents. They are very polite, but the build quality is sub-par. They are not competitive with the other options.
This doesn't mean you won't like them, you just need to be aware. Dad had the Prodigy Towers. Rather than refoam, I got replacement woofs from Parts Express. Having a few refoams under my belt, I would have refoamed them today. They are kind of the Henry Mancini of speakers.

 

[Drum]

I suggest looking around on marketplace in your area to see what is available. Zeroing in on a specific speaker can be frustrating. Sometimes you just have to see what is available. Post what is available in your area and you can probably get some better insight.

Having said that, there are a lot of great brands out there with some excellent offerings.

ADS - I have 520's and they are very nice. Very reasonably priced too - compared to some of the bigger ADS. These are an 8" 2-way. Lots of other great offerings from ADS
EPI - I have M202's and love them. Excellent build quality and fantastic sound. Lots of other great EPI models.
Dahlquist - I have some DQ-20's that I got fairly cheap last month ($275). Incredible sound. Just an example that there are some awesome speakers out there that may not be your standard brands.
Canton - I have some CT-800's. Great sound, wonderful looking cabinets. Fly under the radar price wise. Lots of other Canton's that are awesome.
Magnat - Was impressed with some of their speakers but never owned. Seen a few for sale lately.
Boston Acoustics - Don't own but have always liked these.

 

[Old Guy8]

Talking vintage speakers you might see:
I preferred Boston Accousics A100 series 1, over Advent, new large, steel woofer version or Advent One (smaller cabinet, same drivers) models. I think it was the Seas tweeter of BA series 1. Wasn't a fan of Advent fried egg tweeters.

 

[rgiskad]

All other pics of the Monitor 7s look nice and clean, like they were stored very well. A couple more below.
Serial #s 7 43342 & 43317

I think these are the ones. Gonna take a listen when I can, and hopefully all is good.

 

[tonyk]

FBM is your friend.

Much better than Craigslist imho.

 

[rgiskad]

I ended up not getting those Polks. Wanted something newer.

KEF Q150s from Crutchfield are in place now.

 

[Bill S]

I ended up not getting those Polks. Wanted something newer.

KEF Q150s from Crutchfield are in place now.

How do you like them? They aren't real efficient at 86 SPL but I've heard the have nice dispersion and separation.

 

[rgiskad]

How do you like them? They aren't real efficient at 86 SPL but I've heard the have nice dispersion and separation.

They are still being broken in, I read these do need 30-40 hrs, but they sound good now to me.
Read a lot of good reviews, the one with the KEF sound mgr was interesting, that they are supposed to be patterned after the higher end LS50s.
But yeah, read a lot of good things about them before purchasing. Had a chat with Crutchfield as well, was down to these or the Wharfedale Diamonds in the end.

I didn't look at SPL ratings tbh.

The room they are in isn't that big, and while I haven't really played them very loud, what I have played has filled the room well enough.

....not that it really matters, but they do look pretty cool in person too!

 

[MaxP]

They are still being broken in, I read these do need 30-40 hrs, but they sound good now to me.
Read a lot of good reviews, the one with the KEF sound mgr was interesting, that they are supposed to be patterned after the higher end LS50s.
But yeah, read a lot of good things about them before purchasing. Had a chat with Crutchfield as well, was down to these or the Wharfedale Diamonds in the end.

I didn't look at SPL ratings tbh.

The room they are in isn't that big, and while I haven't really played them very loud, what I have played has filled the room well enough.

....not that it really matters, but they do look pretty cool in person too!

As long as you are happy, then you have accomplished your mission!