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Just confused about where to start

Hello all,

I'm looking to add speakers to my audiophile setup which currently consists of (very high end) headphones. I want speakers for everything the headphones cannot do - simple enough. Problem is, I'm having difficulty deciding which gear I want to buy. I demoed a pair of B&W 705 S2's today and was very impressed. Unfortunately, my budget isn't that high. It's $1500 total, for the speakers and amp combined. Source is a computer. I listened to a cheaper pair of B&W bookshelf speakers (can't remember which, but were around $1200) and was not impressed. I am leaning toward bookshelf speakers but don't know if getting floorstanding at this price point would be a large increase in quality. The room they will be placed in is only 100 square feet. I am willing to buy used.

So, my questions, summed up are:

Is bookshelf a better option than floorstanding?

Is it worth looking at cheaper B&W models, or should I look at other companies altogether?

At least with headphones, I like a pretty neutral sound, if not a tad warm. Are there any companies that predominantly have this sound signature?

How should the room size inform my choice of speakers?



muffinhead123
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
@muffinhead,
Yes, synergy is very important. Specs need to checked, but the amp and speakers need to compliment each other. ie, you may not want a detailed amp with highly resolving speakers.

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
Lack of synergy may be the most common reason components are put up for sale. Auditions and a return policy are vital.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
I have two questions:
1 Do you already have a headphone amplifier?
2 Would you mind using e.g. a Chromecast Audio streamer instead of a computer? I ask because computers usually have usb output, but amplifiers with usb input tend to be less common/more expensive.

In a situation like yours you want the cheapest decent amplifier you can find (e.g. a Yamaha AS 501), to have as much budget as possible for the speakers. In a small room like yours I would avoid floorstanders.

Small active speakers would be a good alternative, but the choice is more limited.
muffinhead123 OP
34 posts
 
@timlub ok, sounds like I'll give the ELAC setup a go. I'm going to listen to some speakers today at some more HIFI stores, so maybe I'll find something else in the $1000 range. Otherwise, it sounds like that's the best option.

One more question:
Should I be averse to buying used speakers? Besides the obvious problems of dented drivers and tweeters, are there any issues I should look out for?


timlub
1,649 posts
 
Overall, no it isn't a problem to buy used speakers... You might want to ask questions first.  If the speakers have been driven very hard for years, their suspensions could be weak.  I'd personally want them to be under 7 or 8 years old without abusive treatment. 2 or 3 year old speakers should be safe and really,  if a friend had 10 plus year old speakers and I knew that they were driven with quality components and never abused with clipping & such, even then, I would buy them.... Alot to absorb and this is just my opinion from my experience.
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