Author Topic: I need smal monitor advice  (Read 16761 times)

evan1

  • Guest
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2010, 03:45:53 PM »
The speakers are not for me, in fact I don't think he will need stands, he will probably keep them in (on) a bookshelf, or something.
He is not an audiophile....lucky guy...


You mean you have non-audiophile friends? That's it, I now know you went out and bought a full Bryston setup

Offline tmazz

  • Out Of My Speaker Cabinet
  • ******
  • Posts: 12088
  • Just basking in the glow of my tubes.....
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2010, 04:10:19 PM »
He is not an audiophile....lucky guy...

Then be a good friend and make sure the speakers aren't too good, or he might catch the bug.  8-[
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline chrisa

  • Seeking Help
  • **
  • Posts: 60
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #17 on: November 12, 2010, 04:30:20 PM »
I have a pair of Boston A40 Series II that have been looking for a good home. New woofers about 5 years ago. Sound good, and can be had for cheap.

Chris

Offline topround

  • Audio Neurotic
  • *****
  • Posts: 1498
  • Life without Bach, would be a mistake
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #18 on: November 12, 2010, 05:14:16 PM »
Chris,
Currently I am using Boston Acoustic A 70's, because I blew my tweeters on my Virgo's.
They were given to my son by a fellow audiophile, and they are great!
I am running a SS Carver 5 channel amp, autoformers and a TT and they are great.

How big are the A40's? My friend is looking for something small. And where are you located?

Thanks

Mike
System consists of an amp a preamp, 2 speakers a turntable and a phono preamp, Also some cables and power cords and a really cheap cd player.

Offline tmazz

  • Out Of My Speaker Cabinet
  • ******
  • Posts: 12088
  • Just basking in the glow of my tubes.....
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #19 on: November 12, 2010, 05:23:21 PM »
Chris,
Currently I am using Boston Acoustic A 70's, because I blew my tweeters on my Virgo's.
They were given to my son by a fellow audiophile, and they are great!
I am running a SS Carver 5 channel amp, autoformers and a TT and they are great.

How big are the A40's? My friend is looking for something small. And where are you located?

Thanks

Mike

Mike,

If size is a concern you should definitely check out the Paradigm Atoms. Can be had used on A'gon for somewhere in the area of $200. (Although ebay usually has a better selection of Paradigm speakers)

Great writeup in Stereophile. Check out the reviews here:

http://www.paradigm.com/products/paradigm/bookshelf/monitor-series/atom-monitor
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

lonewolfny42

  • Guest
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #20 on: November 12, 2010, 06:12:58 PM »

Offline chrisa

  • Seeking Help
  • **
  • Posts: 60
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #21 on: November 12, 2010, 06:14:18 PM »
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-4631.html

Here's a little review of the A-40's. They're currently boxed up, but they're about the size of the Spendor S3/5. I'll send you a PM.

I'm in Raleigh, NC.

Offline tmazz

  • Out Of My Speaker Cabinet
  • ******
  • Posts: 12088
  • Just basking in the glow of my tubes.....
Remember, it's all about the music........

• Nola Boxers
• Sunfire True SW Super Jr (2)
• McIntosh MC 275
• ARC SP-9
• VPI HW-19 Mk IV/SDS/SME IV/Soundsmith Carmen Mk II ES
• Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 DAC/Rasp Pi Roon Endpoint
• DigiBuss/TWL PC&USB/MIT Cables

Offline Response Audio

  • Industry Participant
  • *
  • Posts: 1003
  • Build your system for yourself, not the critics
    • Purity Audio Design
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #23 on: November 12, 2010, 08:29:45 PM »
 The Usher 520 is my favorite monitor of all time. I have had and heard countless small speakers but these took my #1 spot from first listen.

 If you run a sub, they come across as seemless. Some complain of them being a bit hot in the upper end when run alone with a sub filling in with some lower frequencies. A few resistor changes in the crossover can bring them down though.

 They also just came out with a passive woofer/stand system but I have not heard it.

 Usher S-520 gets my vote :thumb:

 Here is one of the pair of 520's I owned sitting atop the Usher D2 horn speakers (boy do I miss those D2's)
Design Engineer
Purity Audio Design www.PurityAudioDesign.com
Purity Foundation Streaming Pre, Foundation DAC, Purity Foundation Hybrid GaN 200, Pure Audio Project Trio 15 Classic, Sony SACD Player, Nakamichi tape deck,

Offline allenzachary

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 687
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #24 on: November 13, 2010, 06:24:49 AM »
Tmazz had his tongue in his cheek when he says not to get him something "too good," but he has a point.  Getting him something fantastic like the Usher or Spica may be the wrong way to go.  Really fine speakers will show off all of the flaws in the Onkyo, which will be counter productive (and and may give him the bug inadvertently). I'd keep it simple for him and run with the stuff made for the wider market, like the Bostons, late '90's Polk (not earlier, yecch),or Paradigm.

Keep it simple and he'll have the best results.

Offline richidoo

  • Out Of My Speaker Cabinet
  • ******
  • Posts: 11144
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #25 on: November 13, 2010, 06:42:24 AM »
Synergy with the Onkyo, right Allen?

Offline allenzachary

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 687
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #26 on: November 13, 2010, 12:39:08 PM »
It's all about the synergy.

Offline topround

  • Audio Neurotic
  • *****
  • Posts: 1498
  • Life without Bach, would be a mistake
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #27 on: November 13, 2010, 02:15:19 PM »
thanks guys!!
System consists of an amp a preamp, 2 speakers a turntable and a phono preamp, Also some cables and power cords and a really cheap cd player.

Offline Face

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 323
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #28 on: November 15, 2010, 09:56:01 AM »

Offline hometheaterdoc

  • Obsessively Audiophilic
  • ****
  • Posts: 667
Re: I need smal monitor advice
« Reply #29 on: November 15, 2010, 10:26:21 AM »
I ran a pair of Usher S-520s fed from an Onkyo receiver as my bedroom TV setup for nearly 2 years... it was awesome for the money invested.  In a smaller room, it's a killer little speaker... worth waaaaaay more than the asking price.

One other option if the buyer really does intend to have them sitting on a bookshelf:

http://www.tbisound.com/dsp_products_monitors_d2.asp

I have a demo pair here that I could let go close to the top of the budget... not trying to shill for something I'm selling, but they're actually better than the Usher 520s in a more compromised position like a bookshelf... actually, the most ugly position you put them in, the better they seem to sound and image...  I have no idea why that is, but it's definitely borne itself out in listening tests....  but out in open space, the usher has no peer in the $400 range that I've found....
Shane Sangster
Used to be Night & Day Audio.......