speakers for home vinyl setup - need help!

retromantra

retromantra

New Member
hey guys,

i'm new to the world of vinyl and i'm in the process of building a modest vinyl setup for my very small room. i'm fortunate enough to have my dad lending me his technics sl-1200MK2 table as well as his denon PMA737 receiver, which as far as i can tell are great entry points - totally lucked out there.

i'm basically looking to blow my digital pc setup (flac/asus essence st/sennheiser650s) out of the water, so i'm prepared to put in the research and money. but as far as actual speakers go, i have no idea where to start.

i've had my eye on the audioengine A5+ for a while, but those are powered speakers and seem like overkill at $400. So for around that price point, do you guys have any recommendations for really quality bookshelf-style speakers? i don't mind buying used, i just want something that'll really impress me - nice clarity, spacious, nothing with crazy high bass. space is also an issue so the more compact the better.

thanks!
 
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First off, welcome to AK.

Why would you think that vinyl requires different or special speakers? A good speaker is a good speaker. There will be plenty of people posting with their favorite speakers. The recommendations will run from "A to Z". None of those recommendations will tell you how a speaker sounds to you.

I suggest you make the effort to go out and actually audition some speakers so you can get some sort of idea what you like.

Asking people on the internet for their opinion is not research. Just as reading reviews on the internet is not research.

The only way to find out if a given speaker is "for you" is to listen to them.
 
Why would you think that vinyl requires different or special speakers?
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i didn't jump to that conclusion. I was just wondering what people would recommend given my situation - room size, budget, etc. perhaps someone has a similar setup to mine that they really dig, i dunno.

everything you said is true enough though, i suppose. that being said, i'm still open to hearing other people's recommendations regardless of bias or subjectivity or whatever. generally, if enough people like something, chances are i'll like it too. all of my past few audio purchases have been based on internet reviews and recommendations and i'm more than happy with them.

yes, sound is incredibly subjective. sure. but i'm not exactly asking for people's recommendations without that in mind.
 
There is a much greater variation in speakers than any piece of electronics.

I stand by what I wrote regarding speakers. There are speakers that some will recommend that make me want to cut off my ears and run away. Those speakers have their followers and fans. I personally like panels (especially electrostatics) of one type or another. There are people who don't like them at all.

You haven't mentioned actual room size, furnishings, the projected speaker positions or listening distance. In addition you've made no mention of what you'll be using to drive them. All of these factors are important.

You will get recommendations ranging from old EPI's to Advents, to JBL's to Klipsch, to "ABC" and "XYZ". None of these sound the same. You're just as apt to like one as another. It's impossible to tell which is for you without any sort of audition.

As soon as everyone starts logging on you'll be inundated with everyone touting their favorite "whatever".
 
JoeESP9 said:
There is a much greater variation in speakers than any piece of electronics.

I stand by what I wrote regarding speakers. There are speakers that some will recommend that make me want to cut off my ears and run away. Those speakers have their followers and fans. I personally like panels (especially electrostatics) of one type or another. There are people who don't like them at all.

You haven't mentioned actual room size, furnishings, the projected speaker positions or listening distance. In addition you've made no mention of what you'll be using to drive them. All of these factors are important.

You will get recommendations ranging from old EPI's to Advents, to JBL's to Klipsch, to "ABC" and "XYZ". None of these sound the same. You're just as apt to like one as another. It's impossible to tell which is for you without any sort of audition.

As soon as everyone starts logging on you'll be inundated with everyone touting their favorite "whatever".
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I think plenty of people come to AK to ask the same question. After all we are a community of friends. Maybe the OP is looking for a starting point for his search. It seems to me a fair enough question. Opinions are just that and it seems that's all he looking for. Educated opinions. All of us have bought, listened to and sold countless sets of speakers. It's part of the fun. I myself have gotten rid of most of my small speakers keeping just 3 sets. EPI M70's, Paradigm Atoms and Genesis 1's. If you have a chace to hear any of the 3 I think you'll be more than pleased. And if not move on and try some more. Good luck with your new system and enjoybthecsearch.
 
JoeESP9 said:
You haven't mentioned actual room size, furnishings, the projected speaker positions or listening distance. In addition you've made no mention of what you'll be using to drive them. All of these factors are important.
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this is true! thanks for the heads-up. and i appreciate your insight, even if i am still less concerned with subjectivity.

the amp/receiver would be the denon PMA737.

my room is small and rectangle-sized, about the same size as a college single-style dorm room (don't have measurements, sorry). speakers would be up alongside one of the longer walls, possibly wall-mounted. i'd be probably listening via my couch bed thing which is about 4-5 feet away from where the speakers would be placed.

Maybe the OP is looking for a starting point for his search.
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exactly! just looking for some models to check out based i appreciate your recommendations and will check em out!!
 
RM---Where do you live? Are there any audio shops around? Best Buy or other big box electronic stores like Fry's or Gregg (some cheap speakers sold at Best Buy such as Pioneers have a good reputation)?

Are you near any musical instrument or pro sound stores? Some inexpensive monitor speakers for home studios sound pretty damned good and musical instrument and pro sound shops are where you find them.

Listen as much as you can. I hesitate to tell you what I'd buy because I want to encourage you to get out and listen, if possible anyway. Besides, shopping speakers is fun.
 
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A really good starting point is the Pioneer SP-BS22LR bookshelf-sized speaker, with the matching subwoofer. VERY affordable, brand new (warranty), widely available, and (nearly) universally praised for what they are. I don't think you can go wrong with them. Listen for a while, then figure out if you can live with them long-term, or want to upgrade from there.

Good luck, and have fun spinning rekkids!
 
A pair of vintage Infinity Qe's (8 inch paper cone woofers and emit tweeters) if you can find a pair MIGHT work well for you from my experience . There are many possibilities out there and the best thing you can do is listen to as many speakers as you can so you can make an informed decision based on what sounds good to you,as speaker preference is very subjective thing !! JOHN
 
Polk Audio TSi100's are spectacular if you want some amazing bookshelf speakers. I got some for my room system paired with a SMSL SA-98E T-Amp + Hitachi HT-354 turntable. If you want a good inexpesive set of floorstanders, Sony SS-F6000 speakers are cheap and sound incredible for intrumental music once they've broken in. I suspect I'll cop a bit of flack about that comment.
 
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jhoyt said:
A really good starting point is the Pioneer SP-BS22LR bookshelf-sized speaker, with the matching subwoofer. VERY affordable, brand new (warranty), widely available, and (nearly) universally praised for what they are. I don't think you can go wrong with them. Listen for a while, then figure out if you can live with them long-term, or want to upgrade from there.

Good luck, and have fun spinning rekkids!
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I second this motion. I used this set up in place of my Dynaudio Audience 52's for a bit (MSRP around $1,000) for a week or so when i first got and i was not let down. They weren't as good as the Dynaudio's obviously, but for the money blew me away. I currently use them in a second system. Paired with the sub you'd have to spend a lot of money to upgrade.

I'll add i was using a Techinics-SL-1710 and a Denon pre/power set up in a small room. So very similar conditions to the OP. I'd also suggest you get some speaker stands from Sanus. They make great and affordable stands.
 
retromantra said:
my room is small and rectangle-sized, about the same size as a college single-style dorm room (don't have measurements, sorry). speakers would be up alongside one of the longer walls, possibly wall-mounted. i'd be probably listening via my couch bed thing which is about 4-5 feet away from where the speakers would be placed.
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Be careful if you're gonna wall mount or place the speakers very close to the wall. If you plan on doing that i would limit your search to only speakers that are front ported. Most speakers are rear ported so that will limit your options quite a bit...but also might make the task a bit less daunting.

You've got some great gear, with the right speakers you'll have a really banging set up.
 
Welcome to AK.

I agree with Joe but having said that, I think that if you have a pretty keen ear, you'll have to spend a chunk in order to 'blow' your HD650s 'out of the water.'

Having said that, I'd be looking for a pretty neutral speaker with a bit of a midbass hump. Among speakers that are $500-ish that can run well with 50 watts, the Snell Type Es come to mind as long term favorites. I'd also think that Vandersteen 1s and 2s would be in the conversation, assuming you don't like to listen too loud. The 2Ci and 2Ce would be the models to go for, budget permitting. They tend not to work super well when placed very close to the front wall.

Among newer speakers and esp for a smaller room, I'd go for the Focal 705s, 706s or Wharfedale 10.1s. I'd also consider the Epos Epic 2s. They are more neutral and more natural sounding but will trade off a bit of bottom end. No doubt, you'd enjoy the Pioneer SPBS22s as well at a super bargain price.
 
xraelx74 said:
Be careful if you're gonna wall mount or place the speakers very close to the wall. If you plan on doing that i would limit your search to only speakers that are front ported. Most speakers are rear ported so that will limit your options quite a bit...but also might make the task a bit less daunting.
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IME rear ported speakers can work well close to a wall. I wouldn't let that rule out a speaker without having first tried it.
 
I agree w/ most people here and if you have trouble setting up your gear or how to dial in what you have better than that's where advice comes. Speakers being so suggestive and having hundreds of makers out there you only can decide what's best for your ears,house and if applies the wife. Me I like Vandersteen 2ce or vintage Polks but apples and oranges. You must go out to stores and demo and decide whether bookenders would do or floor standers and so on. Gear is to personal to just throw out recomendations would be an endless enderver.
 
Welcome to the show. :)

You have a pretty good platform to start with. The SL1200Mk2 is a great deck that can get better with a bit of work. Check out the link in my signature for a list of mods and carts that I have used on that table.

As to speakers, what do you like about music? Are you looking for a sweet warmth? Sparkling detailed highs? Thumping Bass? All of the above? There are people that love Klipsch for their detailed highs. I find them a bit too sharp, I always turn the treble back a bit when I have Klipsch in my system. I gave them all to a buddy who loves the detail they produce. I had a set of JBL E90's that had killer bass and OK highs. Sold those. I'm currently in love with Martin Logan's Motion series. It's the tweeters. They produce the most natural sounding cymbals and vocals that I've every heard. They seem to reach all the high end without ever sounding harsh to me.

If I were putting a system into a small room. I'd pick up a pair of Motion 4s on ebay for $300 or so used. Then I'd add a Sub because they don't drop that low. That was the system I used to use in my office before I moved into a new building and my office wasn't as remote anymore. Now they reside in my 5.1 system with a set of Motion 12's and a Motion C center.

That's what I like. There are a lot of good bookshelf speakers out there. Heck, I'm using a set of Audioengine A2's on my desk at work. For near-field, low volume listening, they are hitting way beyond their size and price point.
 
Given that size room I suggest a pair of 4" Full range driver equipped speakers.
For your described needs you will be unlikely to find better sounding units.. true.
Start at Madisound.com looking at either Fostex or Mark audio full rangers then follow links as to who provides Enclosures.
No not a buy and use / instant gratification approach.
BUT it will provide some fun and it will produce speakers that will be 'keepers'.
 
JoeESP9 said:
First off, welcome to AK.

Why would you think that vinyl requires different or special speakers? A good speaker is a good speaker. There will be plenty of people posting with their favorite speakers. The recommendations will run from "A to Z". None of those recommendations will tell you how a speaker sounds to you.

I suggest you make the effort to go out and actually audition some speakers so you can get some sort of idea what you like.

Asking people on the internet for their opinion is not research. Just as reading reviews on the internet is not research.

The only way to find out if a given speaker is "for you" is to listen to them.
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While my speakers are certainly friendly to LP's what I REALLY-like about the vinyl format is how flexible it is in sonic terms. In other words, I think one can tailor their sound MORE with their turntable than with speaker-choice (And I think the same goes for RECEIVER/AMP-choice as well... Lots of tone-shaping available there, just like with turntable/cartridges). My main turntable has a unique way of fleshing out the micro-details so they are just as easy to hear as the sounds on top/up front, which is a big reason why certain albums just aren't the same for me in digital form via CD, SACD, etc.

Did you address what kinds of music you'll be listening to with these speakers? Just wondering. Whoops, I see sxty8goats already did.
 
Another plus about the inexpensive Pioneer speakers is that if you don't like them, you can return them (within reason, of course). :thmbsp: Try doing that with a pair of unknown speakers off ebay or CL... :yes:
 
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