Introductions from the Newb

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lusciousdough

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Introductions from the Newb
« on: 31 Jan 2017, 06:01 am »
I'm new to the neighborhood. Coming in search for my next set of speakers. Been looking at Salk, Ohm, Tannoy, Wharfedale, Golden Ear... but have yet to audition many so great to hear some advice. Currently working with an HK 3490 but dreaming of a Rogue Cronus Magnum 2.

JLM

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Re: Introductions from the Newb
« Reply #1 on: 31 Jan 2017, 12:21 pm »
Welcome!

I had an HK receiver that I enjoyed very much.  The Rogue stuff should sound similar (warm), but they generate heat (a consideration if you live in warmer climates or without air conditioning), and weigh a ton (you may need a friend to help fit it into a rack). 

My advice is to pick out the speakers first, then an amp that matches up well to it.  Speaker selection is a individual decision (each present/voice differently) but care should be taken to fit the speaker to the available space.  Most "over buy" speakers for the given space.  If the space is small or awkwardly shaped I'd recommend a 2-way monitor, adding a subwoofer later as needed.  If the space is shared setup is probably compromised, and listening time/habits probably limited, so don't over invest.  When I knew I'd have a dedicated/nicely designed listening room I invested heavily (for me) in commissioned speakers, then shopped for appropriate amplification. 

Personally I'm not a fan of MTM designs as you must sit in the exact middle height of the mid/woofers to avoid phasing errors.  And not a fan of passive crossovers in general, especially multiple/complex ones.  I listen rather near-field (about 6 feet away) so coherent sound is vital, noting that some of the speakers on your list sound much more "disjointed" than others.  So in my opinion it's hard to justify more than 2 drivers per cabinet.  Some emphasize the cabinet finish, but that can get very expensive and can easily make the rest of your furniture look downright shabby.  And many floor-standing speakers are too tall for critical listening from a low seated position. 

But there is no substitute for auditioning speakers (ideally at home in your own room and with your own gear).  Use a wide selection of your favorite well recorded albums and take your time.  Note taking is a great practice to force your concentration and make up for human failings in our aural memory.  Keep in mind that bass reacts differently to mid/high frequencies in-room so generating bass separately has huge advantages. 

Take care and all the best to you.

Blackmore

Re: Introductions from the Newb
« Reply #2 on: 31 Jan 2017, 02:06 pm »
Welcome to Audio Circle.

Phil A

Re: Introductions from the Newb
« Reply #3 on: 31 Jan 2017, 02:23 pm »
Welcome!

ArthurDent

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Re: Introductions from the Newb
« Reply #4 on: 31 Jan 2017, 02:42 pm »
Greetings & Welcome to AC lusciousdough    :thumb:

FullRangeMan

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Re: Introductions from the Newb
« Reply #5 on: 31 Jan 2017, 02:51 pm »
If you want floorstanding w/xover my suggestion is Selah Decennio but its expensive:
http://www.selahaudio.com/decennio/
Pricing (ported floorstanding version): $3,495/pair (includes free shipping to the mainland USA)
If you want a easy to drive fullrange I suggest this offer avaliable in this forum:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=144253.msg1545159#new
It will need a big Bass Reflex box though.
Your room is small or larger?

lusciousdough

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Re: Introductions from the Newb
« Reply #6 on: 31 Jan 2017, 03:27 pm »
Thanks for the warm hello's. Some more bits.
Trying to keep my budget around 2k
Room is small, 10x12. Listening chair will be about 7-8ft back.
Listen to Jazz, Funk, Modern Alternative, 80's Alt, Blues, and whatever else picks up my ears. Both digital and analogue.
Of course looking for great staging and definitely prefer a forgiving sweet spot.
Honestly I am slowly learning about the defining elements of different speaker approaches but am coming to it from a very limited technical knowledge.
Open to bookshelf/standmounts as well.

FullRangeMan

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Re: Introductions from the Newb
« Reply #7 on: 31 Jan 2017, 03:42 pm »
If you have a handy carpenter to built a enclosure for you you can buy a pair of fullrange drivers and run they direct w/no xover just a speaker cable. This is the minimal cost possible.
http://www.hempcone.com/hemptone.com_new/hemptone%20website_003.htm
Also you can add the woofer brother from this FR and run them in parallel for 4 ohms and hi SPL results:
The Hemisphere FR 8 $128 is the FullRange,
the Hemisphere MW 8 $115 is the woofer.
Great sound quality for the price.

lusciousdough

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Re: Introductions from the Newb
« Reply #8 on: 1 Feb 2017, 03:07 pm »
@fullrangeman I'm not sure I'd want to put any eggs in a basket that i built myself at this point. But a speaker project might be great in the future. I'll make sure I remember those links when the courage arises. Thanks. So I'm sensing a theme against MTM's here. I'll say that i was also looking at something like the KEF LS50's since i had read such glowing reviews. I found a shop that sells them and it was my first auditioning of a speaker. The shop had them stuck in a crappy room that they didn't seem interested moving them from so when I gave them a try I really wasn't impressed. Maybe I'll find another shop.

@jlm All your points are well taken. Hope to do some serious listening this weekend.

Question. Many people recommend, and rightly so, to audition in your own home. Is this something that an average retailer is willing to let you do? "Borrow" a set of speakers for a day or two to try out. Or is the process that you'd simply buy them then return within the time allotted?

FullRangeMan

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Re: Introductions from the Newb
« Reply #9 on: 1 Feb 2017, 04:19 pm »
They even made enclosures for you:
Custom Enclosures
We can build speaker enclosures to order or you can choose from a limited edition line of pre-built enclosures.
We can also recone your existing speakers.
Contact the Design Center: thom@tonetubby.com

===
So I'm sensing a theme against MTM's here.
The detail JLM mentioned happen w/all tweeters not only MTM.

Is this something that an average retailer is willing to let you do?
Not at all, unless he is a friendly Santa and you will pay ship value in return case.