Speakers for a KA 7100?

[gurdyp]

So I'm now looking at getting a KA 7100.

Does anyone have any advice on what speakers might work well with it? (I'm currently looking at a good deal for some Wharfedale Diamond 8.2s — used. Hard to find much information about them, though.)

I would have to say that I'm looking for a warm sound, with good imaging, rather than a neutral sound, necessarily. (And treble is not my friend, as a general rule. I very easily find it fatiguing.)

Thanks to anyone who might have some good ideas!

 

[crazy-in-az]

Here are a few questions-

What is your budget? Are you looking for towers or bookshelf speakers? How big of a room will they go in? Do you listen loud, moderate or at background levels? And what kind of music do you prefer?

 

[xero-D-hero]

I paired my KA/KT-7300 system with some Kenwood LS-408b to "keep it all Kenwood".
I also have a pair of KL-555a if I want to go for the vintage "lattice grill" look.

Here vvvv is a pic of those LS-408b.

And here vvvvv is a pic of those KL-555a.

Both sound more than acceptable to me,and both have that vintage "sound" I want from that sorta system.
And both have that vintage appearance as well,so IMO they're perfect for that kind of rig.

Orignally I thought about pairing the KA/KT-7300 system with some JBL j325 / j325a -or- j350a I have.
But when the chance to score those LS-408b popped up for a righteous price I could'nt pass them up.

The KL-555a I had earlier as a "back-up" set of speakers purely due to "aesthetic" reasons.
But too many other options just seemed a better "fit" for what I was trying to achieve "looks" wise.
But those KL-555a are some decent sounding speakers if that is the look one is going for.

Basically the point here is thus: There are TONS of good candidates out there...
It just depends on what your target goals are for the package as a whole.

Oh yeah btw be forewarned,those LS-408b are BIG speakers.
So dont let their appearance in the pics fool you.
Both the LS-408b & KL-555a use 12" woofers as SOP.

HTH

Bret P.

 

[Dswankey]

What is your budget? Are you looking for towers or bookshelf speakers? How big of a room will they go in? Do you listen loud, moderate or at background levels? And what kind of music do you prefer?

^ Agreed for almost all of this though your mention of the Wharfedales seems you are leaning towards bookshelf speakers?

 

[gurdyp]

Here are a few questions-

What is your budget? Are you looking for towers or bookshelf speakers? How big of a room will they go in? Do you listen loud, moderate or at background levels? And what kind of music do you prefer?

Great questions! (For info I should’ve known to provide... )

So my budget is on a bit of a budget, unfortunately! I would say I could stretch to about $600. And i would be looking more in the bookshelf style, I guess — the space I have is fairly small. I’d be listening to music moderately loudly, and mostly vinyl. I’d be listening to some rock, folk, a bit of electronic. Honestly, the crazy thing is, I remember being a kid and listening to Cat Steven’s Teaser and the Firecat (on vinyl) and being blown away. How I could hear all the instruments separately, like in 3D. But so warm, and powerful. I reckon that’s the feeling I’m chasing.

So is there anything decent I could pick up with my paltry budget, do you think?

 

[xero-D-hero]

As an example:
I only paid $150.00 for those LS-408b and only $50.00 for the KL-555a.
In my book they were within what I considered a paltry budget (ie: MY paltry budget LOL).

Those JBL speakers I mentioned above were all < $100.00 ea. as SOP too.
Those are all 10" woofer 3 way speakers as SOP,so not the smallest speakers mind you.

Also bought a pair of Jensen Model 4 at a thrifth that needed a refoam,all in they were < $100.00 too.
And that even includes buying a nicer pair of grills (on Ebay) than the ones I found them with.
But again those are kinda big & heavy,as they use a 10" woofer in a 3 way configuration.

So you're looking for some smaller speakers ???
I've also acquired plenty of those too,,, some additional examples as more "food for thought" ...
Advent 3002 an 8" woofer 2 way > Traded these for a Yamaha EQ that I paid like $50.00 for.
Celestion Ditton 110 another 8" woofer 2 way > IIRC I paid right @ $100.00 for these.
JBL LX-44 an 8" woofer 3 way > IIRC these ran me around $150.00 or so.

And a whole slew of various 6.5" woofer (and smaller) 2 way speakers too.

Point here is all one can really do is get out there and get shopping and see what deals pop up.
So yeah coming here to educate yourself a bit more is a good idea nodoubtaboutit.
Just dont expect this to substitute for doing a bit of "legwork" in terms of actual speaker shopping duty.

And before someone else suggests it...
Lemme point out you could also become a subscriber and have access to bartertown here @ AK.
Now doing that MAY help simplify the speaker shopping thing just a tiny bit.

FWIW ~ HTH

Bret P.

 

[crazy-in-az]

Great questions! (For info I should’ve known to provide... )

So my budget is on a bit of a budget, unfortunately! I would say I could stretch to about $600. And i would be looking more in the bookshelf style, I guess — the space I have is fairly small. I’d be listening to music moderately loudly, and mostly vinyl. I’d be listening to some rock, folk, a bit of electronic. Honestly, the crazy thing is, I remember being a kid and listening to Cat Steven’s Teaser and the Firecat (on vinyl) and being blown away. How I could hear all the instruments separately, like in 3D. But so warm, and powerful. I reckon that’s the feeling I’m chasing.

So is there anything decent I could pick up with my paltry budget, do you think?

Advent makes several speakers that may meet your criteria. xero-D-hero mentioned Advent 3002's, a smaller two way speaker. The tweeter in that sounds very smooth and non fatiguing.

I'd also keep and eye out for a pair of Design Acoustics PS-10's. They are another compact speaker with smooth highs and a very good soundstage.

 

[gurdyp]

As an example:
I only paid $150.00 for those LS-408b and only $50.00 for the KL-555a.
In my book they were within what I considered a paltry budget (ie: MY paltry budget LOL).

Those JBL speakers I mentioned above were all < $100.00 ea. as SOP too.
Those are all 10" woofer 3 way speakers as SOP,so not the smallest speakers mind you.

Also bought a pair of Jensen Model 4 at a thrifth that needed a refoam,all in they were < $100.00 too.
And that even includes buying a nicer pair of grills (on Ebay) than the ones I found them with.
But again those are kinda big & heavy,as they use a 10" woofer in a 3 way configuration.

So you're looking for some smaller speakers ???
I've also acquired plenty of those too,,, some additional examples as more "food for thought" ...
Advent 3002 an 8" woofer 2 way > Traded these for a Yamaha EQ that I paid like $50.00 for.
Celestion Ditton 110 another 8" woofer 2 way > IIRC I paid right @ $100.00 for these.
JBL LX-44 an 8" woofer 3 way > IIRC these ran me around $150.00 or so.

And a whole slew of various 6.5" woofer (and smaller) 2 way speakers too.

Point here is all one can really do is get out there and get shopping and see what deals pop up.
So yeah coming here to educate yourself a bit more is a good idea nodoubtaboutit.
Just dont expect this to substitute for doing a bit of "legwork" in terms of actual speaker shopping duty.

And before someone else suggests it...
Lemme point out you could also become a subscriber and have access to bartertown here @ AK.
Now doing that MAY help simplify the speaker shopping thing just a tiny bit.

FWIW ~ HTH

Bret P.

You've given me a lot to think about Bret. P! Super awesome, thank you!

 

[gurdyp]

Advent makes several speakers that may meet your criteria. xero-D-hero mentioned Advent 3002's, a smaller two way speaker. The tweeter in that sounds very smooth and non fatiguing.

I'd also keep and eye out for a pair of Design Acoustics PS-10's. They are another compact speaker with smooth highs and a very good soundstage.

This is great — I'll go check those out — thank you!

 

[Dswankey]

Keep your eyes open for some ADS or Polk Monitor 5jR's

 

[gurdyp]

There are some B&W dm4s that are available in my area — they look in good condition and are fairly reasonably priced I think. I’ve read some posts here on AK and they seem like good speakers. Does anyone hear know anything about them? They sound closer to studio monitors though — so maybe not that warm sound I’m after?