Speaker recommendations


Hi guys (and girls),

As some of you may know, I'm assembling an inexpensive system purchasing used gear in order to get the best bang for the buck i can manage.

So far, I have an old Rotel RCD971 (which i will replace with a more current, better sounding unit after i upgrade my speakers), a sugden A48b integrated amp w/ $500 of upgrades by Dan Santoni, and a pair of Rega Aras.

Room is small, heavily damped (Can't change this as it's a rented condo). So, room is not 'alive' sounding.

Amp is warm and robust sounding, HC of at least 50wpc. A bit rolled off in the treble, but good midrange and, as mentioned, robust sounding.

CD player is 'meh'...sterile...but gets the job done for the moment.

Rega Aras - seem to also be warm sounding...

Soo, with the triple warmth of the room, amp and speakers, overall the sound is too dull/ muddled.

I want speakers that are significantly more open, airy, extended and pack more of a punch.

I've made a thread about Epos m12.2 and Monitor Audio GR10, asking which would be the better match.

But, after receiving an email from a fellow 'goner, who provided a short list of alternatives, I'm wondering what opinions others may have in terms of what might work for me.

NOTE: I've tried out the arros, but i feel that they are not for me... too light in the loafers and not capable of high enough output w/out overtaxing their cones.

Can ANYONE recommend anything that I could pick up here in Toronto, Canada for 1000 bucks canadian or less that have the characteristics i'm searching for?

I'd really like to purchase locally, if at all possible, and i want to buy used gear to once again get the best bang for the buck.

Thanks again, as always.
loose
Check *Bay for some Dynaudio 52SE. An excellent speaker for the $$ - will require stands though. I bought a pair for my analogue setup and the Dynaudio Stand4. I got them both (speakers & stand) for $1100 shipped. The 52SE area discontinued item but are still a great line of affordable bookshelfs.
thanks Loomis,

I agree about not paying full retail - makes no sense, really. Fact of the matter is, since i'm buying used, i can't audition first, really.

I was hoping to glean some insight into specific speaker's sound character, but i guess that's quite difficult to do accurately using words in a forum post.

Frankly, i think i'm just going to have to take a leap of faith and go on a hunch. And my hunch is that the MA GR10s would work... I also think the Tyler Taylos would be nice, but they seem to be scarce 'round these here parts.

Thanks to all!
loose:
in context, it makes little sense to pay full retail; agon is full of quality speakers at or below your 1k target--if you're not enamored with the mas or epos, look at meadowlark, von schweikert or lower-end totem--all good values.
Hey Loomis,

Yes, i've actually been toying w/ the idea of Monitor Audio speakers... However, i'd be looking into the GR or GS lines (GR10/ GS10).

I really liked what they did in the store where i heard them, but they are too costly for me if paying full retail.

When i made a thread about them in comparison to Epos m12.2, i was offered all kinds of alternatives instead of the MA's or the Epos.

That's partially why i started this thread - to see what other ppl have in mind in terms of what speakers they think fit the bill in terms of what sound i'm after.

All responses appreciated! thanks a lot thus far, guys. Keep em coming!
you're right, the martin logans do require breathing room and are fussy about placement, so they may not work in your room. i reiterate my monitor audio recommendation--very punchy, small footprint, good value. i actually much preferred them to some much pricier gear (vienna acoustics, definitive)
yes, i'm a member of CAM

I rarely find anything of much interest there - certainly nothing at the moment.

As for the decappos, i heard them at a local dealership and did not particularly like them... I thought they lacked quite a bit in that particular setup, although i don't recall what the source/ amp combo was. Lacked punch is what i most remember...

i will look into martin logans and focals, although the former require breathing room, don't they?
Sound Dynamics 300Ti. There are a pair of these on the Gon right now. Great sounding speaker with plenty of heft.
Good luck!
you can find used martin logan aerius or focal cobalts at that 1k price point; both are open and airy up the yin yang, though not the last work in low-end grunt. the monitor rs8 or rs6 are alos quite exceptional for the price and will produce more bass.
Have you listened to the Reference 3A de Capo i's, or any of the Reference 3A products?
Are you a member of CAM?Have you checked out the used classifieds there. CAM stands for Canuck Audio Mart which is the Canadian equivalent of AudiogoN. Most of the used gear there is owned by people in the G.T.A. If you are not a member then just Google and join it's free. By the way posting a classified ad there is completely free.