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Where to go from Elac 2.0 with a $700 budget?

SoundStage8

SoundStage8

New Member
I currently have a fairly mismatched system that I use almost strictly for vinyl playback.

- Yamaha A-S500 Amp
- Lounge MKIII Pre-amp (w/ upgraded wiring)
- Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution Turntable w/ Audio Technica VM740ML Cart
- Elac Debut 2.0 bookshelf speakers

I listen to every damn genre under the moon.
I like bass, but I dont need a deep rolling bass, I like it punchy and defined.
I like a bright sound, but not too bright.

The Elac's have been a fine speaker, especially for their price. Looking for something with a bit more punch, definition and color I guess? Just wondering if I can enhance listening experience spending up to $700 for a pair of bookshelfs or is this just not going to get much more in sound quality?

Where to go from here?
 
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If you like the Elac sound, the new debut reference for $500 sounded amazing. Detailed and punchy.

On the LS50 recommendation above, this is a great speaker. However, if you like bass you should listen to it first. It has some bass but it was never enough to sate me without a sub. In a small room it does alright in that department but again try before you buy. This goes for any speaker.
 
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hmmm, those reference just came out, correct? I have not even had the chance to listen to them yet! This could be the ticket, thank you!

have had trouble finding used LS50 at a price in budget, have thought about a set of Q350's but not sure if that will "upgrade" sound?
 
I am taken with the unifi 5b what particularly strikes me is the lack of punch of the bass lol which is exchanged for a very smooth natural bass response! Which I don’t think I’ve heard in a speaker this size. The mids are great and a good sense of sparky to the highs, but I’m also listening near field. They really compare favorably to transmission line speakers I’m accustomed too, just nothing below 40hz.
 
The Unifi's are going for around $375 USD/pair right now....that seems good. I assume there is no release date for the Debut reference yet?
 
SoundStage8 said:
I looked at these too, do they lose anything with that 5.25 inch driver? reviews have been kind!
Click to expand...

I thought they sounded great, including bass response.
Very detailed sound.

One thing that lead me to sell them was my receiver barely had enough power to run them.
I have a Marantz 2265b rated at 65wpc and due to the 4 ohm 84db sensitivity rating, I felt like I had no headroom and was concerned about overtaxing my Marantz.

I notice you have 85wpc, that is going to be borderline to push 4 ohm low sensitivity speakers.
If you order from Amazon, you can always return them if they prove to be too much.
$375 is a steal.
I sold mine for $350 used.
 
Moby Dick said:
I thought they sounded great, including bass response.
Very detailed sound.

One thing that lead me to sell them was my receiver barely had enough power to run them.
I have a Marantz 2265b rated at 65wpc and due to the 4 ohm 84db sensitivity rating, I felt like I had no headroom and was concerned about overtaxing my Marantz.

I notice you have 85wpc, that is going to be borderline to push 4 ohm low sensitivity speakers.
If you order from Amazon, you can always return them if they prove to be too much.
$375 is a steal.
I sold mine for $350 used.
Click to expand...

I am struggling to find an amp in my price range that goes above what I have.....I have considered a Marantz PM7005, but even that appears to have similar power ratings
 
You could go the other route and buy higher sensitivity speakers like the Klipsch reference series.
They get great reviews.

Or,
You could re-assess your options and spend more for the a s701 amp and save money going with the Elac debut 6.2s

I have a pair of 6.2s I got on sale at Best Buy for $150.

That is a real steal.

...and then there’s always craigslist/facebook market place or better yet, spend $20 and get access to audiokarma marketplace.

the options are endless.
Good luck and keep us updated.
 
Moby Dick said:
You could go the other route and buy higher sensitivity speakers like the Klipsch reference series.
They get great reviews.

Or,
You could re-assess your options and spend more for the a s701 amp and save money going with the Elac debut 6.2s

I have a pair of 6.2s I got on sale at Best Buy for $150.

That is a real steal.

...and then there’s always craigslist/facebook market place or better yet, spend $20 and get access to audiokarma marketplace.

the options are endless.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Click to expand...

I currently have the 6.2’s .....trying to step up from there.
 
botrytis said:
@SoundStage8 I would go towards an 8 ohm speaker, such as the Wharfedales. The Q Acoustics are 6 ohm.

Nothing wrong with the amp you have now. Just change one thing at a time. Makes it easier to see what the differences are.
Click to expand...

The 225’s I assume? I have been looking at those and the other models....I know little about them...
 
If you're willing to look at used, $2-300 (or less, if you get a pro amp) will get you plenty of power.

Have to stick with bookshelves? Space won't allow for floorstanders?
 
Silentnet said:
If you're willing to look at used, $2-300 (or less, if you get a pro amp) will get you plenty of power.

Have to stick with bookshelves? Space won't allow for floorstanders?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I just don't quite have the space for floorstanders. Would love to try but no good space to put them.
 
botrytis said:
If you have space for stands and bookshelves - not much difference. I was the mentioning the Diamond 11.2's which are bookshelves.

shopping


Diamond 11.2's
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I don't have space for stands. They sit on top of a kalax type thing that houses the record collection. I have foam/gel discs they sit on to create some sort of separation.

This has been a huge obstacle for me and the room I listen in. If I could I would just get floorstanders or stands as I know that would "help" with sound quality. Space and speaker placement has become an issue to a degree.
 
45E5A68F-0D8E-4946-BCC9-A1AD74F434B5.jpeg This is the room, just imagine that the two racks of records on right and left of the turntable are now 4 cubes wide instead of 3.

Also, the speakers are about 20 inches from the wall in back, they look closer here. I have also pulled them in towards the turntable about 8 inches.
 

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Why not put the stands in front of the record racks? They will be closer to the seating position so you can get them off the side walls more by bringing them closer together. Toe them in a bit to help with reflections off the slider, I hope you have a blind for that widow?

They will be borderline nearfield so something like a Kef concentric will help with integration. If you need bass add a sub; you will have more options around placement.

Not seeing why floorstanders are out once you get over the placement issue. Speakers like room away from walls. It makes a lot of sense to just put them in front of the shelves whatever you end up getting. The shelves will act as diffractors.
 
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