RDM Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 (edited) Budget: $600 (new only, no used as they are a gift for someone) Location: On top of mid height entertainment unit set against wall (would be about 300 mm space behind speakers) Room size: 5 m x 6 m (but seated listening position is about 2.5 m away) Amplification: Harman Kardon AV Amplifier Duties: AV, CD's and digital (MP3's, streaming) Music: Rock (nothing too extreme) and some classical Upgrades: Addition of a subwoofer at some point in the future Would appreciate any recommendations for a short list to audition. I have trawled the web and found the following: - Monitor Audio Bronze 2 - Polk TSX 220 - KEF Q100 (on sale) - Klipsch R-15M - Paradigm Mini Monitor - Tannoy Mercury 7.1 - Dali Zensor 3 (on sale) - Wharfdale Diamond 220, 10.1 & 11.1 - Castle Knight 1 - Elac Debut B5 Is there any I have missed which would be contenders and which ones listed should I concentrate on? Many thanks for any advice offered on this. Edited December 6, 2017 by RDM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batty Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 The Castles may be too polite for Rock, I had the Richmond 3s, Great for acoustic stuff and singer/song writer, but tended to get a bit confused with heavier music (Rock ballads were good though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub Sonic Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 I’ve not listened to them, but I’d add Cambridge Aero 2’s to your list to audition. Regards, SS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrews_melb Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 I think the Klipsch may not be ideal with this set up, id say with your Amp and wanting to do AV and Music listening id go something really easy to listen too. i personally love the Monitor Audio range, but havnt heard them with an AVR. I like the KEFs too. You really need to listen to them, even though they are a gift. Go hear a few of those models and just grab which ever one gets you right into the music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wen Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 i agree with @Andrews_melb , the Monitor Audio range of speakers is a good start, i also have a pair and love their sound, listen to these first, if the others you have mentioned sound better, use the best one as your bench mark, if not on sale haggle hard for a good price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDM Posted December 7, 2017 Author Share Posted December 7, 2017 Thanks everyone. I'll get out and start listening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyev Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 If it’s going to be up against a wall then rear ports are out - you will need a front ported speaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 On 08/12/2017 at 6:19 AM, RDM said: Thanks everyone. I'll get out and start listening. Don't forget to bring your favorite music & movies. And listen to them at low volume (can you hear details?) and loud (do they distort?). Your ears are the best judge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDM Posted December 10, 2017 Author Share Posted December 10, 2017 On 12/8/2017 at 9:19 AM, RDM said: Thanks everyone. I'll get out and start listening. Thanks for the reminder. 300 mm probably isn't enough space for a rear ported speaker. That helps to narrow down the field. Thanks Snoop for the "listening low" advice - something I've never considered. Cheers Rohan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 54 minutes ago, RDM said: Thanks for the reminder. 300 mm probably isn't enough space for a rear ported speaker. That helps to narrow down the field. Thanks Snoop for the "listening low" advice - something I've never considered. Cheers Rohan One more thing - when you compare, try to have them at about the same loudness. Human nature tend to prefer the louder sound; hence you often hear demos played at high volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eggcup The Daft Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 If you can get the KEFs below $600 put them towards the top of the list. They are a class above most of the others here, and are front ported. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDM Posted December 17, 2017 Author Share Posted December 17, 2017 Thanks all. The budget went out the window as usual once we got listening. ”It couldn’t hurt to listen to the next up in the price range could it?” A pair of KEF Q150’s were what was settled on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 42 minutes ago, RDM said: Thanks all. The budget went out the window as usual once we got listening. ”It couldn’t hurt to listen to the next up in the price range could it?” A pair of KEF Q150’s were what was settled on. Congrats! And always that way with HiFi to spend more than budget! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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