Olivertmc
10-04-2005, 07:40 AM
Hi all:
I'm hoping for some good suggestions with respect to speaker brands I should check out for a potential upgrade. Currently, I have Kef Q15.2's as my main speakers and a Kef Q9c as my center. As for surrounds, I have Boston Acoustic in-wall speakers (came with the house I purchased a about a year ago) that I don't really want to change out right now, so I'll live with any tonal imbalance. In terms of power, I have a Marantz SR5000 and a Parasound 2-channel power amp for the mains with a power rating of approximately 125w/ch. In my other system I am running Monitor Audio B1's as my mains, with a little Energy S8.2 sub. They are paired with an old Teac reciever I had kicking around the house.
My dilemma: There are parts of the KEF's that I love - warmth, midrange, imaging. However, I definitely prefer the dynamics of the MA's - cymbals, strings, higher range voicers have much more presence than the KEF's. So, basically I am looking for a speaker that will provide both of these - something that excels in the midrange but does not sacrifice dynamics.
My plan: Sell the KEFs, the Monitor Audios (including the additional pair of B1's and Bronze Center that are sitting in a closet gathering dust) and the Energy sub and upgrade to mains and a center that will give me what I'm looking for.
Help Needed: Can any of you recommend 2 bookshelves and a center for approximately $1800 that will give me what I'm looking for? I have a subwoofer that I'm very happy with, so bass extension issues related to speaker are not that important. I feel lost in a sea of brands! I've heard good things about the Paradigm Studio 20's - will those fit the bill? What about Totem Rainmakers? PSB?
My listening preferences are about 80% music, 20% movies.
Thanks!
- Olivertmc
I'm hoping for some good suggestions with respect to speaker brands I should check out for a potential upgrade. Currently, I have Kef Q15.2's as my main speakers and a Kef Q9c as my center. As for surrounds, I have Boston Acoustic in-wall speakers (came with the house I purchased a about a year ago) that I don't really want to change out right now, so I'll live with any tonal imbalance. In terms of power, I have a Marantz SR5000 and a Parasound 2-channel power amp for the mains with a power rating of approximately 125w/ch. In my other system I am running Monitor Audio B1's as my mains, with a little Energy S8.2 sub. They are paired with an old Teac reciever I had kicking around the house.
My dilemma: There are parts of the KEF's that I love - warmth, midrange, imaging. However, I definitely prefer the dynamics of the MA's - cymbals, strings, higher range voicers have much more presence than the KEF's. So, basically I am looking for a speaker that will provide both of these - something that excels in the midrange but does not sacrifice dynamics.
My plan: Sell the KEFs, the Monitor Audios (including the additional pair of B1's and Bronze Center that are sitting in a closet gathering dust) and the Energy sub and upgrade to mains and a center that will give me what I'm looking for.
Help Needed: Can any of you recommend 2 bookshelves and a center for approximately $1800 that will give me what I'm looking for? I have a subwoofer that I'm very happy with, so bass extension issues related to speaker are not that important. I feel lost in a sea of brands! I've heard good things about the Paradigm Studio 20's - will those fit the bill? What about Totem Rainmakers? PSB?
My listening preferences are about 80% music, 20% movies.
Thanks!
- Olivertmc