8 ohm speaker recs

twoodruff · « **on:** 9 Dec 2005, 02:21 pm »

I recently switched from an asl aq1001 dt to a sony strda3000es for WAF as my listening room looks to be headed towards another bedroom, so out to the living room comes the equipment. (Wife did not want the thing with the light bulbs on top to come into the living room) so out the new to me dynaudio audience 8s and in to some 8 ohm speakers as the sony doesn't do 4 ohm. recommendations?

<$1000

trey

cbj · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 03:26 pm »

Most folks here are probably going to want a few more details to be able to make a recommendation. A few questions that immediately come to mind.
1. New or used, does it matter?
2. Monitor or floorstander?
3. If a monitor will you be using a subwoofer?
4. How much does appearance (WAF) matter?
5. Room size?

Having said that, I'll make a few psuedo-informed recommendations. I am more familiar with with monitors / bookshelves so I'll stick to those.
1. ACI Emerald http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/emerald/emerald.htm I use these as my surrounds. Very nice midrange.
2. Von Schweikert VR-1 http://www.vonschweikert.com/vr1.html These go deeper than the Emeralds, so they might be a better option if you don't have a sub.
3. Ascend CMB-170 or CMT-340 http://www.ascendacoustics.com/ Not as nice looking, but these have a very good reputation. They are coming out with SE versions shortly.
4. Usher S-520 http://www.usheraudio.com/speaker-s520.html I haven't heard these, but I've seen many folks speak highly of them.
5. Quad 11L / 12L http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/lseriesmodels.htm Another one I haven't heard, but it gets good reviews.

I'm sure there are plenty of others, but those are the ones that come immediately to mind. As far as floorstanders goes you are going to probably have slimmer pickings and will probably have to go used. I leave it to someone that is more familiar with that area to make suggestions. Good luck in the search.

twoodruff · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 03:38 pm »

doesn't matter on new or used
haven't had real good experiences with monitors (VR-1s and Europas)
appearance matters to the extent that they don't stick out and say "look at me"

room size is very open as there is only one full wall in the room I'd say 16x18 but I am no expert

Bill Baker · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 03:51 pm »

If you are happy with your current speakers and are only looking to replace them do to impedance problems, I would recommend looking into Paul Shultz's ZERO-Autoformers. You can connect these to your speakers so your amp sees an 8 ohm or even 16 ohm load.
I have used thee with many speakers to increase impedance even if my amp had the capability to drive them. Worth reading up on.

http://www.zeroimpedance.com/

twoodruff · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 04:21 pm »

Quote from: Response Audio

If you are happy with your current speakers and are only looking to replace them do to impedance problems, I would recommend looking into Paul Shultz's ZERO-Autoformers. You can connect these to your speakers so your amp sees an 8 ohm or even 16 ohm load.
I have used thee with many speakers to increase impedance even if my amp had the capability to drive them. Worth reading up on.

http://www.zeroimpedance.com/

unfortunately these are a bit out of my price range, is there anything else that accomplishes the same thing but less expensive?

Bill Baker · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 06:53 pm »

There are other ways around this but they would introduce their own problems. What is the price point you are looking at for a pair of 8 ohm speakers. The ZEROs are $450 for the pair, are you looking for speakers less expensive than this?

twoodruff · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 07:02 pm »

Quote from: Response Audio

There are other ways around this but they would introduce their own problems. What is the price point you are looking at for a pair of 8 ohm speakers. The ZEROs are $450 for the pair, are you looking for speakers less expensive than this?

well I would unload my 4 ohm speakers to make room (space wise and financially) for the 8 ohm.

Although, I do love my speakers

twoodruff · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 02:49 pm »

ordered the naked zero autoformers, keeping the speakers I currently run

Bill Baker · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 03:00 pm »

If you have any questions when it comes time to hook these up, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. The instructions are quite clear but sometimes it is the simple things that confuse us the most.

I am using three pairs of these now in my showroom and truly believe in them when the circumstances call for it.