What modern speakers to replace ADS'?

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flashback52

New Member
Morning all. Maybe 5 or 6 years ago I was working my way through a series of components as I tuned up the hifi. Speakers became the hard part. I tried Reynaud (forget the model), PSB Gold i's, others. Nothing sounded right until a friend lent me a pair of ADS L710's. Couldn't believe it, sucked me in like nothing else had, and I've been an ADS lover since. I'm now running a Blue Circle BC21 / BC22 combo, Sota Sapphire, Threshold FET 10/e phono preamp, and a Njoe Tjoeb 4000 through, believe it or not, a pair of original (square corners) ADS L700's, all in a roughly 25' x 22' room. Later today I'm due in a neighboring town to check out a pair of ADS 1290/2's.

One of my hifi buddies from the old days (we were salesmen together at a local chain) now has his own home theater business, and is trying to get me to move on. Talks about how technology has moved on while I haven't, blahblahblah. The same guy who just picked up GoldenEar speakers, brought a pair by for me to keep for a couple weeks to break in, and when I passed on them cause I thought they were too dark told me that was OK, cause they were designed for people with 'more serious' tastes (I'm unapologetically rock'n'roll). So now he's recommending Paradigm (which he also reps).

And I live in western South Carolina. Not exactly a hotbed of opportunity for used equipment (cause cost is always an issue).

So here's the question - if I moved on to something more modern, what would you recommend? Thanks for reading this far, and for the responses.
 
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If you like the 710's you will love the 1290's. I haven't had a chance to try the "new speakers" so I'm not a good source for a modern recommendation. I am an ADS fan and have many of their models with the 1290 being my favorite. Give it a try.
 
flashback52 said:
I thought they were too dark told me that was OK, cause they were designed for people with 'more serious' tastes (I'm unapologetically rock'n'roll). So now he's recommending Paradigm (which he also reps).

what would you recommend?
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I'd recommend realizing that he is trying to sell you something.
 
Echoing the comments already made. Many of the vintage ADS speakers compare just fine with modern speakers and if you have one of the larger sets you'd need to spend quite a fair amount to get something equal or better.

In terms of what's most modern looking, I'd say either the aforementioned 1290 or 1090. The 1590 is a fantastic speaker but sadly probably looks a little big or chunky compared to most slim profile towers made today. Other ADS (a/d/s) options are the newer but still very good M20 and M30 (their flagship at the time). Do your research on other newer a/d/s offerings. I previously owned a pair of MV30/t's and they were a disgrace to the brand name.
 
I'm no ads expert but I think of them as having slightly exaggerated highs, but in a much less offensive way compared to some Klipsch and some JBLs.

For modern stuff, I think more along the lines of Focal, Wharfedale or PSB Imagine series. Maybe some B&Ws though I'm not very familiar with their current model lineup.

Since you mention rock primarily, I wouldn't rule out a set of Defentive Technology or NHT if the right set came along as well. 2.9s, 2.5is... posdibly 2.3s though I don't like the loose bottom end on the 2.3s.
 
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As to the Golden Ears, I've heard them twice. First pair was a used set in Florida hooked to nice gear, set up after months or maybe years of tweaking the position. Probably just about ideal. I thought they sounded fantastic. I wasn't quite blown away by them, but I'd say they sounded very good. Open and pretty extended on both ends.

Second time was at a local retailer after they had moved a lot of their gear from one location to another. They were sort of just put in a random-ish place in the room, definitely not fully tweaked. They were using some sort of $1,500-$2,000 receiver or integrated amp. I was not impressed at all. They sounded a bit rounded on the top end and basically not very engaging at all.
 
If you like ADS, I'd recommend staying with them and don't worry about other comments. I have 910's as well as a couple of other speakers and rotate them. Always enjoy the sessions with the ADS.

You might also like some KEF speakers if you find them.

Good luck,
John
 
If you want to try modern and you prefer natural sound instead of colored, I would recommend you to try Focal speakers. My living room is 11ft wide x 14ft long and I am using the 806V bookshelf speaker. I auditioned a pair of 705Vs first, and the only reason I exchanged to the 806Vs was the 705Vs lacked the bass. This is noted in several reviews, which is why they recommend the 706V or the 806V.

Check out the Focals at Music Direct. Good prices can be had. 30 day home trial and if not satisfied, send them back or exchange them for another pair. These are the best speakers I have heard since I first heard the Magnaplanars back in the 70s.

I can only imagine the Focal floor speakers sound would be amazing. :music:
 
llanger said:
Nostalgia rules here...so, try Tekton.
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Yeah, this forum is pretty much the wrong place to look for current speaker designs/models. That said, I've got a couple of Paradigm models, and they are more open/forward sounding, which I prefer. It won't hurt to try them out, but if the OP is simply looking for a speaker to replicate his old ADS speakers, that's the wrong approach. Speakers HAVE changed for the better, but we have to get used to what we are hearing.
 
If you like those 710's you'll love the 1290's. They have more, tighter bass from having two, bigger woofers. Their stereo image is better too, probably due to the larger mid domes or the vertical positioning of the mids/tweets and their position at ear level.

I really like ADS so maybe I'm prejudice.
 
flashback52 said:
And I live in western South Carolina. Not exactly a hotbed of opportunity for used equipment (cause cost is always an issue).
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I hear you on that! I live in eastern Georgia. Not far from Abbeville, SC. USed gear, worth a damn, is rare to find very close around here.

I can not offer an opinion on new speakers other than the Polk LSiM series. Mainly because I have not really heard many more modern speakers. I think you should stick with what you like and not worry about moving on to modern speakers. Or not be worried about what you may be missing out on. Not that there is anything wrong with that....
 
ADS speakers are characterized by a very smooth midrange and sweet highs. Older B&W speakers have a similar sound, where the latest models are too, too with exaggerated highs. The bass of the B&W has better transient response and much lower harmonic distortion. Some of Boston's older speakers had a similar sound, too. If M&K speakers weren't purposely built for home theater systems, using sub woofers they also have a similar sound to the ADS, in fact using some of the same family of drivers from Denmark and Germany. Canton is another choice, so were some of the older B&O which used Celestion drivers. I thought the 1590 ADS was a heck of a speaker, but had just to much coloration in the bass. I wish you luck with your search.
 
Sadly this is a question only you can answer for yourself, but why ask it in the first place if YOU are happy with what you have.

Have you discovered something about your current speakers that you dislike ?

Are they damaged or in need of some kind of repair ?

The age of the speakers in relation to their sound quality should be insignificant.

Many of the most highly respected and sought after speakers are 20-60 years old, Think JBL 100's, Yamaha 1000's, Magnepans, Carver Amazings, OLA's, Dynaco A25's, Bozaks, Altec 19's.......the list goes on and on.

The only one benefiting from you buying new speakers is the person selling them to you.
 
Not that I think you have a snowball's chance in hell at finding a pair in your neck o' the woods, but one of the head designers at ADS went on to Aerial Acoustics and I hear great things about those speakers. I have 1290/2's and was hell bent on selling them and replacing them with some 10T's about a year ago.
 
Some guy who professes to be a friend is trying to tell you to move on from something you like. And, he just happens to be a salesperson who sells speakers. I have visions of an insurance agent telling you your financial plan should be centered around insurance, a stock broker patting you on your back and telling you he will develop a good financial plan for you.

If you are happy and/or comfortable with your speakers, there is no reason to stay switching out. And while people will tell you speaker technology has come a long way, may be so but, I am not finding it being applied. Maybe you could change the caps. I am beginning to think it may be time for it with my 1980 L300s. I have listened to newer and new mini speakers of similar size and find the specs nor sound to be so compelling an improvement to even spend $50 to replace, never mind hundreds.
 
I 2nd the Aerial Acoustics idea. Same bloodline and universally praised by the audio gurus. Rather pricey but I've seen them come up on Audiogon occasionally.
 
wmgwizard said:
Sadly this is a question only you can answer for yourself, but why ask it in the first place if YOU are happy with what you have.

Have you discovered something about your current speakers that you dislike ?

Are they damaged or in need of some kind of repair ?

The age of the speakers in relation to their sound quality should be insignificant.

Many of the most highly respected and sought after speakers are 20-60 years old, Think JBL 100's, Yamaha 1000's, Magnepans, Carver Amazings, OLA's, Dynaco A25's, Bozaks, Altec 19's.......the list goes on and on.

The only one benefiting from you buying new speakers is the person selling them to you.
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Spoken like a true member of audiokarma! Current stuff sucks, they don't make 'em like they used to, your gear has to be older than you are, if you buy new you got ripped off. Oh, and my favourite, I bought it at goodwill and fixed it up!.
 
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