General Speaker Advice and Recommendations

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by shotgunshane, Mar 7, 2017.

  1. Dr J

    Dr J Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    97
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Genelec has (or at least had) a chart that showed the recommended listening distances. For 8030-8050 the maximum recommended distance ranged from 2.0m to 2.1m. (if I recall correctly) I seem to recall that later documentation said this is for studio monitoring purposes.

    Found one version of the their guides by googling, check out pages 20-21: https://www.genelec.fi/sites/default/files/media/Studio monitors/Catalogues/monitorsetupguide_2017-lowres.pdf

    For what it's worth, I am using 8050s in my home theater, but the distance is not over 2.2m, and I am happy with them.

    Genelec customer support is great in my experience, you get detailed professional answers that show that somepne actually thought about your questions and knows their stuff, at least most of the time.

    Edit: Did not notice yunie_'s reply for some reason.
     
  2. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,637
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Chennai, India
    I have come across a pair of JBL 940 4-way speakers locally. If anybody has thoughts/opinions on these speakers, I would appreciate said views as I know nothing about them.

    Thanks
     
  3. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,940
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    I would not bother, they are from JBLs restructuring period under Harman ownership from the late 80s. they have cheap MDF cabinets and low quality drivers, by JBL standards. there are much better vintage speakers out there
     
  4. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,637
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Chennai, India
    Thanks for the prompt response. I was reading up about the restructuring period which was a red flag. The price (even in Indian rupees) seemed very cheap as well. I now find that used pairs go for even cheaper abroad so it's a red flag about the seller as well.:eek:
     
  5. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,940
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    with the compromise of a 4-way speaker (splitting the frequency band three times) you have to make up for it with very high quality drive units, and an elegantly simple passive or active crossover. the best ones I have heard, the fourth driver is a super-tweeter, so basically a glorified 3-way. from JBL I like the 250Ti and blue-faced monitors like the 4315, but these are very rare and expensive these days. for smaller JBLs, the L26, L96, L100 Century and L65 Jubal are just a few worth looking out for.
     
  6. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,084
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    I am looking for something different for my desk speakers. I currently have some Carmody-designed S2000s that I built last year and they are perfectly fine. A step up in many ways from my previous Overnight Sensations, but I am missing any real imaging or sense of space, the one thing speakers are supposed to be better than headphones at. I don't have much room for anything other than a mini-monitor style speaker, and my room is pretty bad. My desk is up against 2 boundaries and my office is tiny. I was thinking that maybe some full range speakers might work better and wanted some suggestions. I had the Blumenstein Orcas briefly before they were offered up for purging by the SBAF deathsquad, and thought that they imaged really well despite having a pretty wonky freq response. That is what I am looking for if I can get it. Better freq response (I have a small sub that can handle lows), and better imaging in the nearfield. Happy to build something. Maybe max $500. I have an Adcom 5200 to power them. Something from the Mark Audio or Fostex families?
     
  7. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,940
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    vanatoo transparent zero's. my best audio buy ever, considering I listen to these more than my headphone system or any amount of two-channel equipment I have downstairs. no amp, DAC, rearranging of your workspace required to make them sound good. I am not sure what your expectations are for space/imaging considering where the speakers are going, but the design makes the best of what it can

    https://cheaptubeaudio.blogspot.com/2020/01/best-ever-audio-buy-vanatoo-transparent.html
     
  8. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,051
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Sub is a must. They cross over higher with a separate sub and open up a lot. It's a much better experience. I know @3X0 is using a Rhythmik L12 which works well. I'm using some DIY specials but, honestly, many subs should work well in this setup
     
  9. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,084
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    These and the Transparent One Encores have been on my radar for a while. Maybe I should give them a shot finally.
    I am not expecting miracles or anything like that - just want to see if I can get a more cohesive sound. I feel like my current speakers do their best when given more space and more volume than where and how I use them.
     
  10. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,940
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    I enjoy them a lot without subs, I think the passive radiator + wall bounce + desk bounce is satisfactory for me, but I believe you that a sub makes a big difference
     
  11. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,084
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    @zerodeefex Did you have the Zeroes before your Ones? If so, would you say that the Ones about twice as good? I have a small sub to use, so low extension isn't really a factor.
     
  12. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,051
    Trophy Points:
    113
    The midwoofer struggles with reaching that low. With a sub covering down low, the mid woofer crosses over higher and the rest of the range covered opens up a little bit.

    I don't own the ones/one encores. I use the zeroes on my desk and they work just fine for my use. I am not looking for the best of the best, just something versatile that sounds pretty good and the zeroes were cheap and sound great for the price.
     
  13. zonto

    zonto Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,975
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    I like the Zeroes a lot, but I wouldn't run them without a sub unless you isolate them from the desk with more than the provided pads. Before adding a sub, they vibrated my crappy built-in desk at the office quite a bit. They're currently stuck in the quarantine zone, but I miss them and the Rhythmik L12. I also like how the Zeroes are angled up toward ear level, whereas the One/Encore would require tall stands. If you listen loud, I do find them a little grating despite having a soft dome tweeter; not sure if that's due to the aluminum cone woofer, Class D amp, and/or something else. At normal volumes, no real complaints.
     
  14. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,764
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Chicago
    Im still looking for some high sensitivity speakers to go with SET 2A3 and 300B amps. I'm considering purchasing a pair of new Klipsch Cornwall IVs from this ad. Seller purchased these from authorized dealer, has receipt, needs to flip because different amp, or something.

    Presuming the seller and speakers are legit, good deal without warranty at $5000 to $5200 for these ? Thoughts about Cornwall IV versus buying much cheaper IIIs or earlier to use with SET amps?
     
  15. bixby

    bixby Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,987
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Insane deal!

    As in, you might be insane to consider it. That's less than 15% off for those. If you shop, I am sure some dealers will have some floor models or back room speakers that would be worthy of consideration at a more reasonable valuation. To each their own, but you asked, so I am giving my opinion.

    Even at $3k I do not think I would buy these. Older Fortes at an even lower price ...... perhaps. Unfortunately, I do not have much personal experience with good alternatives in the high efficiency ranks. All my experience is with regular efficiency speakers.

    Does Devore have anything in that area? Maybe used Voxativ or Avantegarde. An acquaintance just sold $10k pair of Avantegardes for less than $5k recently.

    Then again, if you love them, nothing anyone says may matter. What counts is that you will be happy with your choice and decision.
     
  16. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,940
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    I believe the street price of these from most dealers is around ~$4k with warranty.

    I would personally go for the originals for 1/4th of that cost, forgoing the newer horn design but also forgoing shitty modern Klipsch construction and driver quality, but that's me :)
     
  17. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,764
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Chicago
    Opinions and honesty is what I'm after. I have the Devore 096s, I dont think they're actually 96dB efficient and I dont think Devore has anything more efficient. Would love Avantegardes but I highly doubt I'm going to find anything in the range your friend was offering.

    I got a dealer quote at $5100 which is straight 15% off the list. I might find new for much less than that but it answers the question, the deal is too expensive given the non-transferable warranty. I suspect the guy will try to get what he paid for them, so I can wait for now.
     
  18. bixby

    bixby Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,987
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Colorado

    Just got off the phone with my high efficiency friend. He is building his 3rd new big high eff speaker system. Our acquaintance has not yet sold his Avantegards but the price will be closer to $8k or more (I had bad info), not sure of how much they were new. Second, he did also hear that street is indeed around $4k for the Klipsch, and third he said the scuttlebutt with Klipsch-o-philes is that the new Cornwall IV is really good.

    I am now more informed than a while ago, fwiw. :) Good luck with the journey!
     
  19. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,940
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    $5000 is a lot of money, I would expect a lot of speaker in return. big horns, very high quality drivers (generally vintage). I understand wanting to buy something turn-key, I have lost count of how many projects I have started and not seen through, burning a hole in my pocket and storage space. but 'some assembly required' is where the best performance and value is.

    these images are more in-line with what I would expect $5000 to get you. the wooden horns are handcrafted in germany (https://klughoerner.com/en/). bass bins can range from simple to complex. but this is the type of speaker that can allow a single-ended 2A3 to play full-range. the shortlist of commercially available speakers that will really go with such an amp is very short. this is why most tube amplifiers produced by high-end manufacturers are push-pull.

    I am happy with my barn find La Scala's but I would only replace them with something like the below

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  20. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,512
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Eastern Iowa
    Cornwalls are my favorite Klipsch model. They are the best compromise between the fullest bass and more refined mid/tweeter. Having said that I’d rather have a pair of Cornwall IIs and mod them with some Crites parts than the newer stuff at double or triple the price. If you’re willing to wait sometimes they pop up in good shape for $1400-$1800 depending on finish.
     

Share This Page