Budget speaker selection help

jwha · « **on:** 17 Feb 2005, 06:30 pm »

I am trying to set up a second system with some vintage components... Sansui 9090 receiver and a Pioneer PL-10 turntable. The music will mostly be classical and light jazz records at low to moderate listening levels.

Anyway, with a $200-300 budget for speakers, I would appreciate any opinions on experiences with the following...

Axiom M3Ti
Paradigm Atom
Athena AS-B1/AS-B2
Epos ELS-3

I have read all the reviews out there on these speakers, but would appreciate some first hand feedback.

thanks.

tex-amp · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Feb 2005, 07:20 pm »

Epos ELS-3 would be my choice out of that group.

I'd also suggest checking into Ascend Acoustics 170s.

MBACINELLO · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Feb 2005, 07:21 pm »

why not get vintage speakers as well...mabey some mission 770's, they can be had in that price and really still sound pretty good!

Songforyou · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Feb 2005, 01:44 am »

I've owned the Atoms and have the Athena B2 right now. I got them half price at a Boxing Day sale. They are in my den for background music hooked up to a sonic impact. My opinion is that they are just okay. I had the AS-F2s in the house over Christmas and they were much better. They can usually be found on sale (close to your price range). I'd also look at the Epos or Ascends if you require a small speaker.

Good luck.

tkp · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Feb 2005, 04:19 am »

I have a pair of Thiel SCS shielded speakers in Amberwood that I can let go for $ 325.00 if you are interested. I live in Houston, TX so you can check them out prior to purchasing.

tex-amp · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Feb 2005, 05:52 pm »

I'm in Houston too if you want to hear Ascend 170s or 340s.

JLM · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Feb 2005, 11:04 am »

I love my CBM-170's. Sound quality and content value are both very high. They're biggest downfall is the cabinet appearance (great for dorms, frequent moves, kids in the family room). Nice cabinet upgrades are available but add significantly to the bottom line.

They kick butt compared to any Paradign, Dynaudio, or B&W under $1000. Those provide black and white outlines of music, the CBM-170s do that too, but fills in with color.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Feb 2005, 02:09 pm »

I would not overlook a pair of Dynaco A-25s. This would allow you to keep everything in the "vintage" style and have a great classic speaker.
You may also want to look at the Usher V-Series speakers. They have been quite popular lately in vintage systems for some reason.

tubeytubeamp · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Feb 2005, 02:32 pm »

There is a guy selling a pair of Phase Tech PC1.1II on audiogon for $400!. I own the 1.1II and absolutlely love them.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1113522407

Also: There is a guy on the AVSFORUM raving about the Boston Acoustics Cr67. They retail for $250. His review of them is very extensive and he compares them to many other speakers.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=506421&goto=newpost

Dennis

BillyM · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Feb 2005, 07:00 pm »

I got the chance to listen to the Athena AS-B2's in a comparison setup to the AS-F2's and found them to be absolutly similar above 50hz. I personally found the AS-F2's to be a fantastic value and have enjoyed them more and more with each little front-end upgrade, and would expect the B2's to perform very like-wise if you aren't a HUGE bass fan (I'm a full-range florstanding rocker at heart). In your pricerange, and of your listed speakers the B2's will not be lacking in any aspect.

...that and Athena's LOVE jazz. "Eva Cassidy - Live at Blues Alley" was the only CD I had with me when I went to audition speakers. I left that night with my CD and a new set of Athenas!

I like the idea of buying audio components used, but if you would rather have something you can buy locally, new, etc... The B2's will be a good component for you.

--BillyM

Songforyou · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Feb 2005, 02:10 am »

Agree and disagree with the last comment. Agree that the AS-F2s are fantastic value and great with jazz (and rock and most classical I played when I had them). There is a fullness and richness to the mids that is very natural and appealing.

But in my opinion the AS-B2s do not have the same midrange character at all. It is not just below 50hz that's missing, it's the warmth and fullness in the mids. I've had both speakers hooked up to two different systems in the house and I'm listening to the B2s right now. They are inexpensive (specially if they are discounted) and they aren't bad speakers. But to me, they just don't do anything special. I popped for them thinking that I would get the AS-F2s with less bass (which was fine for the room I was putting them in). What I got, however, was just less period. I think there are other options at the price point you are considering.

Take a listen at any dealer around. The difference is immediately apparent. Oddly enough, I think I actually prefer the cheaper AS-B1s. Marginally less bass than the B2s, but more balanced somehow.

lcrim · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Feb 2005, 06:18 pm »

Just wondering, because I've seen the AS-F2's on special as low as $200 w/o shipping. Are these efficient enough to be driven by the Sonic Impact or better yet Vinnie's Clari-T. Has anybody actually tried this combination? Is the quality good enough to justify such a mating?

BillyM · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Feb 2005, 07:40 pm »

The F2's played very nicely with a stock SI, I can only imagine (and wait for my digikey shipment) what the Clari-T or modified SI will sound like on them. Plenty efficent to pump good volume in a medium-to-small sized room. If you have the room/decor for that size speaker, the F2's are delightful...

Songforyou, I dont know what to tell you... I listened to them back to back on a wide variety of music with same source comonents. I found quite the opposite, the B1's being tonally "off" compared to the F2's and B2's....

I suggest, first and foremost, the buyer listen for himself.

--BillyM

drphoto · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Feb 2005, 07:38 pm »

I just picked up a pair of vintage Merlins (late 80's)....the one's w/ the wood end caps and the foam wraps...ala Vandy's.

They are really nice. They work very well in my system. (Stan Warren Aiwa/MSB digital>Odyessy Tempest>Odyessy Stratos Monos)

I'm sure you can find 'em cheap. I got these for the cost of replacing the tweets.....Morel MDT30. That's a pretty nice driver for a $1K speaker. The mid-woof if a 8" Vifa. The crossover is a simple 1st order design. I think I might upgrade the caps and put in some Blackhole 5. (the cabinets are the weakest link......1/2" MDF)

These things are not maybe the most revealing 'audiophile' speakers around, but they do most things well.....and little wrong. I'm really impressed.

Songforyou · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 Feb 2005, 12:13 am »

When I had the AS-F2s in the house I did drive them with an unmodded Sonic Impact. It did the trick just fine in my 18' x 12' room. I'm using the SI to drive the AS-B2s in my den now (too small for the AS-F2s). The F2s are good value for rock and jazz. String and/or big classical too. Harpsicord was a little disappointing though (not open enough). You can build a very sensible system around a SI and the AS-F2s.