• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Speaker recommendations

shamrock.

shamrock.

Active Member
Recommendations for speakers to use in my lounge setup please
Amp will be Sansui au 505
Not a truckload of watts so speakers need to be quite efficient

Locally available I have found

Athena s2
Pioneer s-710
Monitor audio silver s1

What's the best bet, I listen to mainly classic rock blues funk
 
Register to hide this ad
shamrock. said:
Recommendations for speakers to use in my lounge setup please
Amp will be Sansui au 505
Not a truckload of watts so speakers need to be quite efficient

Locally available I have found

Athena s2
Pioneer s-710
Monitor audio silver s1

What's the best bet, I listen to mainly classic rock blues funk
Click to expand...

Have you considered going vintage? A pair of Wharfedales from the '60's would be perfect for music like that, plus they do well with that early solid-state Sansui warmth. They're also not finicky about room-size and do well at lower levels. The early, ported ones are the most-sensitive, so they don't need much power. Is yours the 505 or 505a? One has more power than the other. Even my big W90's sounded great on only 20wpc from a Radio Shack tube amp, and I'm currently feeding them 30wpc of Fisher power, but I'm barely cracking the volume.

A little earlier, I was listening to a funk CD collection, and Kool & The Gang's "Funky Stuff" came on, and it made me think how much I love the drivers in these things. Great for horn instruments. The tweeters are super-smooth. Every tine I get a chance to listen to them, I don't want to stop. You get addicted. University is another brand to look for in terms of vintage. Again, an excellent choice for classic-rock, funk, blues, etc., not to mention a Sansui amp from the early '70's.
 
Last edited:
Mine is au505 at least that's what's written on the face, I wasn't even aware there was a 505a actually.
I would absolutely go vintage and I am keeping my eyes out for early wharfedales too, they don't come up here often, . I live in New Zealand and the choice for me is fairly limited to what comes up on the local auction site. The way it works too is that you can't try before you buy.
Thanks for the suggestions
I am keeping my mind open to anything that I can snag reasonably cheap
 
I know they occasionally pop up in Australia, so who knows. But yeah, I believe the 505a has a bit more power than the 505.
 
Last edited:
The Dynaco A25 is another to look for. Doesn't need much power and likes tube/tube-like amps. And tube-era speakers are good ones because of the low-power/tube-like situation. But for the music you mentioned, the warm and cozy models are a good idea rather than something cold and transparent. I would love to get a pair of the NEW Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary model. Music Direct has them for 50% off ($500 a pair instead of $1000... I don't know if they deliver overseas to your neck of the woods). Those I think have a MINIMUM of 20wpc though, so might not necessarily work, but they would definitely be a good choice for the kind of music you and I like. Great reviews. A beautiful speaker too.
 
No love for Athena s2 huh?
Ok a couple of other speakers have come on the market
Mordaunt short pageant 2
And Tannoy e11
Both seem pretty respectable vintage bookshelfs.
I can't try before I try so I need to go on recommendation
 
You MUST hear a speaker before committing to it... otherwise you join the ranks of those who buy new speakers almost every month.. perennially searching.. yet Never finding.
If that limits yer choices.. so be it.
 
The only way I can hear speakers before I buy is buying new. On my budget that means Im limited to new overpriced bottom end Chinese crap.
I pretty much have to buy used ,try them and sell again if they don't work for me.
 
botrytis said:
Don't sell some of the Chinese stuff like that - Swan (aka HiVi) makes really nice drivers and speakers. Many British companies actually produce their lower models in China (B&W for example). You don't know unless you listen.
Click to expand...
And probably most of the old guard British speaker manufacturers are owned by the Chinese now.
 
botrytis said:
Don't sell some of the Chinese stuff like that - Swan (aka HiVi) makes really nice drivers and speakers. Many British companies actually produce their lower models in China (B&W for example). You don't know unless you listen.
Click to expand...

So you're saying don't waste your money on vintage huh.. Spend your hard earned on some lovely new made in China cheapies?
 
shamrock. said:
So you're saying don't waste your money on vintage huh.. Spend your hard earned on some lovely new made in China cheapies?
Click to expand...
The Chinese now own SEAS and ScanSpeak which make some of the best drivers on the planet. I may not like it, but it's getting harder and harder to find non Chinese audio gear.

Focal makes most of its own drivers. Why not take a look at some Focal closeouts on Music Direct's site? It's over your budget, but they're made in Europe and the workers are most likely paid a living wage.

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-41246-focal-chorus-706v-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-41245-focal-chorus-705v-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx
 
The Athena S2 are a worthy consideration, they are balanced and smooth on top.
Are the P2 subwoofer stands available also?
 
You should go listen to the Pioneer S-710's.
The Monitor Audio speakers are nice, the Athena's are ok too but you will most likely need a sub with either of those.

You won't need a sub with the Pioneer S-710's.
 
I bought a pair of refoamed Ar18b for $18
These sound pretty good to me
The bass in particular is really good for such a tiny box
I might invest in changing out the old electrolytic in these
Seem to be a good fit for my small amp and my small living room
These will do me fine until I can find or afford something better
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom