Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble

[comabereni]

I am shopping for loudspeakers for the family room for both music and home theater use and don't want large speaker boxes clashing with the interior decorating (a keep the wife happy kind of thing...)

For reference, I own a set of Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble speakers from 1993 that I have had in storage for a couple years. I've always thought they sounded nice for the money and am planning to put them back into use again in the bedroom.

My question: Is there a sub/satellite system out there in the $500 range (+/- $200) that trounces the Cambridge Ensemble system I've enjoyed all these years (especially for music), or are CS satellite speakers still worth consideration? I see they can be picked up rather cheap on Ebay.

[comabereni]

...12-hour bump...

Anyone have a recommendation for a quality satellite/subwoofer speaker system that excels on music in for less than $700 new/used?

[ooheadsoo]

Did you want the whole surround get up for that price? I was going to say that there's not a whole lot you can choose from that combines that size with sound quality until I remembered Rutledge Audio Design. I recommended some stuff from them before and the recipient of the advice was quite happy

http://www.rutledgeaudiodesign.com/

The RAD Micros should fit the bill nicely if it's surround sound you want. Brian's working on a sub to go with it but you could always buy a sub from someplace else since he doesn't have it ready. (Oh wait, Brian does have a sub ready, my bad.) The sub is a whole other story and you may not want to pay any attention to my advice on that since at least one person here has called me a silly boy who wants to thump my brains out on this forum.

[comabereni]

Originally Posted by ooheadsoo

Did you want the whole surround get up for that price? I was going to say that there's not a whole lot you can choose from that combines that size with sound quality until I remembered Rutledge Audio Design. I recommended some stuff from them before and the recipient of the advice was quite happy

http://www.rutledgeaudiodesign.com/

The RAD Micros should fit the bill nicely if it's surround sound you want. Brian's working on a sub to go with it but you could always buy a sub from someplace else since he doesn't have it ready. (Oh wait, Brian does have a sub ready, my bad.) The sub is a whole other story and you may not want to pay any attention to my advice on that since at least one person here has called me a silly boy who wants to thump my brains out on this forum.

Thanks. I should have mentioned that I only expect two satellites and subwoofer/woofers for that price, similar to the Ensemble that includes two satellites and two woofer modules. It looks like Rutledge has a 5.1 system, or you could combine the RAD micros with a comparatively inexpensive and more powerful subwoofer like one of the Titanic kits from Parts Express.

I wouldn't expect an included subwoofer that might come in the package, in my original price range of $500 - $700, to do much more than what a pair of full-range speakers could do in the same price range, but it would be great if it could. Just a full-range satellite/sub system that can do an admirable job on music would be wonderful.

[smokey]

http://www.roundsound.com/micro.html

Supposed to sound really nice, for the money.

I noticed Upscale Audio just added Gallo to their lineup, but I don't know if they carry the Micros.

[ooheadsoo]

The problem I see is "small." It's hard to make a small full range driver speaker an expensive one. If it's expensive, it's because of big markup. RAD is a small operation, you can only buy from them direct. Gallo is the opposite. It is more stylish though. I think the Gallo Micros are roughly $500 a pair and are a pretty well reviewed mainstream option.

You can certainly diy a sub to perform exceptionally well in this price range if you keep the price of the satellites down, and since you want them to be small...that's not a problem unless you go for something like the gallos.

[soundboy]

I think the Paradigm Atom would be a good choice as satellites. While they are certainly bigger than the Cambridge Soundworks satellites, they're NOT that much bigger. Because they will play lower on their own than satellites mentioned previously, I think they will also integrate better with the powered sub. With about $300 left for a powered sub, they are many models out there that will make a good match. I am particularly been impressed by Energy's 8" sub (whatever its model number)....fast and tight for music, but provide enough slam for a small to mid-size HT. List price is about $300.00.

[comabereni]

Originally Posted by soundboy

I think the Paradigm Atom would be a good choice as satellites. While they are certainly bigger than the Cambridge Soundworks satellites, they're NOT that much bigger. Because they will play lower on their own than satellites mentioned previously, I think they will also integrate better with the powered sub. With about $300 left for a powered sub, they are many models out there that will make a good match. I am particularly been impressed by Energy's 8" sub (whatever its model number)....fast and tight for music, but provide enough slam for a small to mid-size HT. List price is about $300.00.

Hey, guess what.

I've done my homework since posting this thread and was already leaning in the direction of Paradigm Atoms and a ~$350 DIY sub. I can make some nice shop-built stands and, if I think the Atoms are ugly, can veneer them with some more exotic wood while I make the stands.

Another consideration is a set of Magnepan MMGs, but I've been reading how critical placement is and the speakers absolutely cannot be more than about 12" to 16" from the wall.

[ooheadsoo]

Wow, from small speakers to speakers the size of a small door! I think your options have just opened up a whole ton With a properly designed $350 diy sub, its performance will FAR outstrip the atoms.

[Wodgy]

You're definitely on the right track with the DIY sub idea.

[comabereni]

Originally Posted by ooheadsoo

Wow, from small speakers to speakers the size of a small door! I think your options have just opened up a whole ton With a properly designed $350 diy sub, its performance will FAR outstrip the atoms.

Well, that's a good point. The key here is the speakers cannot dominate the room visually or my speaker plan gets vetoed. Satellites, small bookshelf speakers, and stylish flat panel speakers meet that low profile criteria. Large floor-standing cabinets out in the middle of the room are a no-go :-).

My wife caught me looking at Paradigm towers earlier and the expression on her face let me know it wasn't going to fly. Looking at speakers has really increased my wife's appreciation for headphones.

[comabereni]

Originally Posted by Wodgy

You're definitely on the right track with the DIY sub idea.

I've about settled on a pair of Atoms and a DIY sub. Should make for a nice sounding two-channel system on the cheap. If I decide I need something better, I'll likely step up to the MMG's.

I don't know what to do for center and rear channels if I go this route. I'm especially baffled about the center channel. Maybe I could find three quality in-wall/ceiling mount speakers for center and surround. Such a setup would probably have the best chance for approval from the "speaker committee".

Any ideas?

P.S. Forgot to mention, and not that it probably matters too much to any of you, but I decided to put the Cambridge Ensemble in the family room (wife's request) and purchased CS's Center Channel Plus and a pair of CS Model 62 directional in-wall/ceiling surrounds to round it out. So the system in question is going into the bedroom after all.

[Wodgy]

If your wife likes the look of the MMGs, they would definitely merit an audition. I like the Atoms too, but if your wife doesn't want speakers on stands sitting out in the room, you may want to consider front ported speakers instead. Rear ported speakers can't be pushed back as close to the wall as she might like.

[tyrion]

Originally Posted by comabereni

Hey, guess what.

I've done my homework since posting this thread and was already leaning in the direction of Paradigm Atoms and a ~$350 DIY sub. I can make some nice shop-built stands and, if I think the Atoms are ugly, can veneer them with some more exotic wood while I make the stands.

Another consideration is a set of Magnepan MMGs, but I've been reading how critical placement is and the speakers absolutely cannot be more than about 12" to 16" from the wall.

Paul, I have the MMG's and I've read that up to 3' from the wall works. Some feel 3' is necessary to get the most bass. My homemade speaker wires only give me about 22" off the wall and I have no complaints. The bass is more than adequate for the music I listen to but I will probably try a sub one of these days. The nice thing about the MMG's is that you get a 60 day money back guarantee from Magnepan and money towards upgrades in the future.

[comabereni]

Originally Posted by tyrion

Paul, I have the MMG's and I've read that up to 3' from the wall works. Some feel 3' is necessary to get the most bass. My homemade speaker wires only give me about 22" off the wall and I have no complaints. The bass is more than adequate for the music I listen to but I will probably try a sub one of these days. The nice thing about the MMG's is that you get a 60 day money back guarantee from Magnepan and money towards upgrades in the future.

Hey Mike. Ideally, the MMGs would be mounted right on the wall, or stand only 6" to 8" off the wall. I am definitely using a sub no matter what I choose.

What do you think-- is that too close?


Wodgy,

Same question about the Atoms--if I'm using a sub, how much back clearance would they need?

In summary, does having limited back clearance just kill the sound quality of these speakers, or is it mostly a bass limited problem I can correct with a subwoofer?

Thanks.