Speakers for MacIntosh c28 preamp and 250 amp combo?

[RunOutGroove]

I caught up with an old friend recently who just bought these of Mac components and is looking for new speakers to replace some old JBL floor standers (not sure what model but I kind of doubt that they're great ones). He's got the system in a kind of small room and figures that some good book shelf speakers would be preferable to another set of floor standing speakers. I figure that he's probably right about that and that smaller ear level speakers are going to be better in a tiny space like that. I think that room is pretty small so me might not be wanting to deal even with a sub, so extra points would go to any speakers that have relatively good bass. My friend likes all kinds of music, so it needs to be something that would sound relatively good for acoustic music (John Fahey) as well as rock and roll (the Stones and the like). What would folks recommend? Also, I wonder if the speakers I own, Jamo C 103?, which I really like and sound very good to me paired with my old Marantz receiver, would be a good choice? I ask because it looks like there are some for very cheap on Ebay...

 

[KentTeffeteller]

I caught up with an old friend recently who just bought these of Mac components and is looking for new speakers to replace some old JBL floor standers (not sure what model but I kind of doubt that they're great ones). He's got the system in a kind of small room and figures that some good book shelf speakers would be preferable to another set of floor standing speakers. I figure that he's probably right about that and that smaller ear level speakers are going to be better in a tiny space like that. I think that room is pretty small so me might not be wanting to deal even with a sub, so extra points would go to any speakers that have relatively good bass. My friend likes all kinds of music, so it needs to be something that would sound relatively good for acoustic music (John Fahey) as well as rock and roll (the Stones and the like). What would folks recommend? Also, I wonder if the speakers I own, Jamo C 103?, which I really like and sound very good to me paired with my old Marantz receiver, would be a good choice? I ask because it looks like there are some for very cheap on Ebay...

I used to own a MC 2505 and MX 114. I liked them with my Dynaco A 25 loudspeakers. A nice option. JBL made some nice bookshelf options then, the old JBL Lancer 77 is very nice (and a nice match with the McIntosh equipment and the music he likes).

 

[RunOutGroove]

I used to own a MC 2505 and MX 114. I liked them with my Dynaco A 25 loudspeakers. A nice option. JBL made some nice bookshelf options then, the old JBL Lancer 77 is very nice (and a nice match with the McIntosh equipment and the music he likes).

Thanks for the recommends... though I think that my friend isn't really the most handy person and isn't going to have the patience to deal with the possibility of getting old gear serviced (and yes, I know he has a vintage amp, but apparently that thing is mint) so he'd be wanting something that if not, new at least new enough to be unlikely to need service.

 

[sberger]

What are the JBL's and why does he want to replace them? If they're old, they might very well be good speakers that may just need a refresh at the worst. JBL/Mac is a wonderful, classic combo. There also newer JBL speakers available(the 4312 series comes to mind) but depending on his budget might not be right.

I know nothing of Jamo speakers so I'll let somebody else comment on those and other recommendations. But I wouldn't rule out older speakers if they're working well. Lots of time they need little to no work unless you want to change a cap or do a refoam.

 

[RunOutGroove]

What are the JBL's and why does he want to replace them? If they're old, they might very well be good speakers that may just need a refresh at the worst. JBL/Mac is a wonderful, classic combo. There also newer JBL speakers available(the 4312 series comes to mind) but depending on his budget might not be right.

I know nothing of Jamo speakers so I'll let somebody else comment on those and other recommendations. But I wouldn't rule out older speakers if they're working well. Lots of time they need little to no work unless you want to change a cap or do a refoam.

I don't know the JBL model but they're floor standing speakers and he's looking for bookshelf ones. The room that he has it in is a really small "man cave." I guess that stereo is a low priority for the guy's wife (music is) and this means that he has a large record collection, stereo and desk/computer setup all in one small room. I don't really know what the budget is, but I kind of thought that the really desirable JBL speakers were really expensive (the newer ones anyway).

 

[RunOutGroove]

Problem solved... at least for now. I mentioned the good deal that I saw on Ebay for a set of those Jamo speakers and my buddy jumped on it. Hopefully they'll pair well with that amp, room and listener... but if not, I have no doubt that that he can sell them on the local ads for as much and likely more than what he paid. My guess is though that they're going to sound very good.