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| Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories (DBT-Free Forum) Discussion of cables, power (the electric kind), tweaks, & accessories. |
11-05-2009, 01:14 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 4,721
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Speakers on a budget?
Any recommendations for a nice sub 500$ pair of bookshelf's?
Ideally very neutral and musical.
In favor of a smoothly rolled off sound, with preference given to tighter more detailed bass vs. more bodied bass.
Any come to mind? These would be for my dad.
__________________
Headphone setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Sennheiser HEV70 > Sennheiser HE60
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > HeadAmp GS-1 > Sennheiser HD800
Home stereo setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Denon AVR-685 > B&W 603 S3
Portable Audio:
Ipod Nano > Head-Direct RE2
FS: Sennheiser HE60 / HEV70
Last edited by Towert7; 11-18-2009 at 11:21 PM.
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11-05-2009, 01:19 AM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Norman, OK
Posts: 1,420
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I love my Klipsch bookshelf speakers. I have RB-75s, which are out of production, but I'm sure there's stuff like them out there.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickyboyo
Mate, you could buy yourself a ute, a sleeping bag, enough beer to drive around Australia and still have enough money left over to tune up at least 2 chicks in every major town in this great country for the price you would pay for this crazily overpriced cable.
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Source:
Denon DVD1900 SACD --> prototype coax --> Audio-GD DAC8
Macbook Pro 13" --> Amarra Mini --> "Metagenome" USB --> Sonicweld Diverter Gen3 --> Neotech/Furutech silver BNC --> Audio-GD DAC8 --> DIY CAST cables
Amplification: Audio-GD Phoenix with ERS paper
Headphones: Sennheiser HD800 balanced with Complement XLR cables, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica ATH-A700, iGrados, Beyer DT770, ER4P, Shure SRH840 with 4-pin miniXLR jack mod
To Buy: Reference One conversion board, Power Plant Premier, JH13, state and local taxes, tuition, VD Master LE 2.0 power cable, Stranded OCC silver when it exists + Bocchino BAXLRs sexytime
Sleepover at Kingwa's!
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11-05-2009, 03:49 AM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Towert7
Ideally very neutral and musical.
In favor of a smoothly rolled off sound, with preference given to tighter more detailed bass vs. more bodied bass.
Any come to mind?
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Not quite sure what you mean by "rolled off"...do you mean smooth?
If you do, then the Energy RC-10. Neutral and musical are words that describe them very well. They are balanced sounding, yet have a sweet, airy, and amazingly smooth high end, with tight, controlled, physical bass that digs remarkably deep for the size of the speakers (and woofer). I was also looking for an all-around, versatile, and extremely musical pair of bookshelves under $500, generally neutral sound being a factor (I compose/arrange orchestral scores), and looking around for a considerable time, the RC-10 was the ideal speaker. (I've found myself listening to more music rather than composing ever since I got them...maybe when I get some Dynaudios/Focals, I'll relegate them to the studio...)
__________________
"Non omnes qui habemt citharam sunt citharoedi"
iPhone 3GS|Samsung YP-P3|YP-Z5 -> Fiio E5 -> SE530 | Senn MX760 (JH13 next)
Denon D2000/AKG K702 in transaction (D7000 next, or HD800)
PC Audio: - Energy Reference Connoisseur RC-10 - Onkyo Integrated Amp
X-Fi Fatal1ty Pro (coming: NuForce Icon/Compass & NAD/Arcam Integrated)
Home Audio: Polk Audio LSi15 Loudspeakers- Onkyo TX-SR805 - Emotiva XPA-3 Amplifier
Feedback | Team High School | Team Musician-Fi | Join Team Bike-Fi
Last edited by DeusEx; 11-05-2009 at 03:58 AM.
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11-05-2009, 04:21 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 4,721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeusEx
Not quite sure what you mean by "rolled off"...do you mean smooth?
If you do, then the Energy RC-10. Neutral and musical are words that describe them very well. They are balanced sounding, yet have a sweet, airy, and amazingly smooth high end, with tight, controlled, physical bass that digs remarkably deep for the size of the speakers (and woofer). I was also looking for an all-around, versatile, and extremely musical pair of bookshelves under $500, generally neutral sound being a factor (I compose/arrange orchestral scores), and looking around for a considerable time, the RC-10 was the ideal speaker. (I've found myself listening to more music rather than composing ever since I got them...maybe when I get some Dynaudios/Focals, I'll relegate them to the studio...)
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Thanks for the info. Funny you should mention focal, since a local shop sells their budget bookshelf speakers for around 500$ a pair.
__________________
Headphone setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Sennheiser HEV70 > Sennheiser HE60
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > HeadAmp GS-1 > Sennheiser HD800
Home stereo setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Denon AVR-685 > B&W 603 S3
Portable Audio:
Ipod Nano > Head-Direct RE2
FS: Sennheiser HE60 / HEV70
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11-05-2009, 06:25 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: The Beach, California
Posts: 14,513
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Consider the PSB Alpha B1. I got a pair for my parents and they sound excellent for the money. I think they're around $279, but I got them from a local shop for just under $200. Check out the Stereophile review on them, as well.
__________________
UNCLE ERIK
"If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it." Lord Kelvin
Orbe SE -> SME IV -> Fi Yph -> Zana Deux/Si2A3
HF-1, HF-2, HP-2, K-1000, K-340, K-240DF, HD-800, HD-414, DT48, MDR-SA5000, MDR-7509HD, ATH-6, Omega II Mk.1, Aperio Alpha 1, e3c
ProAc Response 2.5 (cloned), Verhagen Ribbons, Quad ESL-63, Linkwitz Orion+ (under construction)
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11-05-2009, 06:32 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hawai'i, Oregon
Posts: 4,044
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik
Consider the PSB Alpha B1. I got a pair for my parents and they sound excellent for the money. I think they're around $279, but I got them from a local shop for just under $200. Check out the Stereophile review on them, as well.
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x2
The PSB B1s are one of the best values for the money in terms of a musical, budget speaker. If budget is $500, you also might want to consider moving up to the B25s, everything the B1 is but even better; they are a bit big comparatively though.
__________________
※ | SinglePower MPX3 | ※ | Sennheiser HD650 | ※ | Audio Technica ANC3 | ※
※ |Theta Cobalt 307 | ※ |Denon PMA-2000 IVR | ※ |B&W DM603 S2 | ※ |tSc T250 | ※
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11-06-2009, 12:30 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 4,721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyline889
x2
The PSB B1s are one of the best values for the money in terms of a musical, budget speaker. If budget is $500, you also might want to consider moving up to the B25s, everything the B1 is but even better; they are a bit big comparatively though.
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Thanks for the info.
I checked PSB, and it looks like they revised their product line. No more B25. I think the B6 replaced the B25?
__________________
Headphone setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Sennheiser HEV70 > Sennheiser HE60
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > HeadAmp GS-1 > Sennheiser HD800
Home stereo setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Denon AVR-685 > B&W 603 S3
Portable Audio:
Ipod Nano > Head-Direct RE2
FS: Sennheiser HE60 / HEV70
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11-06-2009, 01:02 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: So Cal
Posts: 2,952
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If you don't mind used, I would buy small Apogees on Agon, anything that starts with Centaurus or Cepheus.
The long ribbons on these are right up there with the very best tweeters ever made, and their bass is on the "tight" rather than warm/bloomy side.. Midrange is simply KILLAR.
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11-06-2009, 01:04 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 4,721
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I don't mind used, by sadly my dad does...... ~_~
__________________
Headphone setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Sennheiser HEV70 > Sennheiser HE60
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > HeadAmp GS-1 > Sennheiser HD800
Home stereo setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Denon AVR-685 > B&W 603 S3
Portable Audio:
Ipod Nano > Head-Direct RE2
FS: Sennheiser HE60 / HEV70
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11-18-2009, 04:56 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LongIsland,NY...USA
Posts: 2,589
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Get something with a soft dome tweeter if he likes smooth and something that doesnt have "in your face" highs.
The Klipsches are horns and annoying for someone sensitive to highs.
The PSBs that were suggested are nice speakers for the money. EPOS is another good one.
Definitive's are warm. If ya have the room and a good amp..... Magnepan MMG's are great for that smooth floating sound.
Im not a Bose fan, but if you can find the 301's on sale, their highs arent in your face.
Infinity "Primus series" are a good buy.
I found Focal speakers annoying. The guy at the shop switched from Musical Fidelity, to some YBA's, and finally Bryston....and they were still annoying.
Also Focal is expensive like Dynaudios and Theils.
Dynaudio's would be the perfect sound for him prolly, but theyre expensive.
Check Audio Advisor for some good deals.
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11-18-2009, 05:21 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 4,721
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Thanks a lot guys. We decided to give him some PSB B25 speakers as a christmas gift. Sadly, I haven't heard them yet, but they come with a 30 day return policy if we are not happy. I think he'll be more than happy with them, and the price was right too.
I'm curious to see how they stack up to my B&W 601 S3's, which were roughly the same price.
__________________
Headphone setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Sennheiser HEV70 > Sennheiser HE60
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > HeadAmp GS-1 > Sennheiser HD800
Home stereo setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Denon AVR-685 > B&W 603 S3
Portable Audio:
Ipod Nano > Head-Direct RE2
FS: Sennheiser HE60 / HEV70
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11-18-2009, 05:52 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bainbridge Pa
Posts: 22
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check out TSC speakers on the internet. They are only sold on the internet but you have 30 days to try them out and if you don't like them they pay shipping back.They advertise that they sell quality speakers at half the price and all reveiws I read said the same (cnet, audiophile was 2 of the reveiws) they are owned by the company that own's marantz,denon,onkeo. I brought 5 speakers and a 250watt sub from them for a little over $600 and love them everyone that hears them can't beleive what I paid!
__________________
 Home:PowerWerkz1620 power conditioner, Ipod nano with blue dragon LOD,Little Dot MKIII, Sennheiser HD265's with Kimber cables,Cardas connectors,Neutrik jack.Portable: Ipod nano, DIY Ratheon jan6418 tube amp,Sennheiser CX-300B's 
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11-18-2009, 11:13 PM
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Junior Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 16
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If the PSB B25 doesn't work out, or if he starts to get bitten by the bug, you should try talking him into building his own. With those gorgeous stands he's making, he should have no problem following one of the many recipes floating around for bookshelf speakers and coming out with an amazing result. Heck, it'd be another offering to add to his website! 
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11-18-2009, 11:20 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 4,721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeremyrp
If the PSB B25 doesn't work out, or if he starts to get bitten by the bug, you should try talking him into building his own. With those gorgeous stands he's making, he should have no problem following one of the many recipes floating around for bookshelf speakers and coming out with an amazing result. Heck, it'd be another offering to add to his website! |
Where would you find high quality drivers?
__________________
Headphone setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Sennheiser HEV70 > Sennheiser HE60
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > HeadAmp GS-1 > Sennheiser HD800
Home stereo setup:
Audigy 2 ZS > MHdt Labs Havana NOS DAC > Denon AVR-685 > B&W 603 S3
Portable Audio:
Ipod Nano > Head-Direct RE2
FS: Sennheiser HE60 / HEV70
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11-19-2009, 02:17 AM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Norman, OK
Posts: 1,420
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With your dad's leet woodworking skills he should be looking into DIY, but the PSBs should be very nice also.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickyboyo
Mate, you could buy yourself a ute, a sleeping bag, enough beer to drive around Australia and still have enough money left over to tune up at least 2 chicks in every major town in this great country for the price you would pay for this crazily overpriced cable.
|
Source:
Denon DVD1900 SACD --> prototype coax --> Audio-GD DAC8
Macbook Pro 13" --> Amarra Mini --> "Metagenome" USB --> Sonicweld Diverter Gen3 --> Neotech/Furutech silver BNC --> Audio-GD DAC8 --> DIY CAST cables
Amplification: Audio-GD Phoenix with ERS paper
Headphones: Sennheiser HD800 balanced with Complement XLR cables, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica ATH-A700, iGrados, Beyer DT770, ER4P, Shure SRH840 with 4-pin miniXLR jack mod
To Buy: Reference One conversion board, Power Plant Premier, JH13, state and local taxes, tuition, VD Master LE 2.0 power cable, Stranded OCC silver when it exists + Bocchino BAXLRs sexytime
Sleepover at Kingwa's!
|
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