Student speaker recommendation

[tidyworks]

Hello all,
First post, first day ;)

I'm Jake, I come from England and I'm 20, currently studying Web Design/animation/programming at university.

I've decided to spend the rest of my student loan (£350) on a new audio setup for my house next year at university.

My current system is still going strong, but is dated and the speakers are starting to show their age (in sound and looks)

Setup at the moment is a NAD 3130 from 1985 powering two Monitor Audio R252 and a Sansui 40 from 1980 powering two Airtec floor speakers.

I've been thinking about keeping the NAD 3130 as it gives such a good clean sound, and upgrade to some nice new speakers. While ditching everything else.

So far I've looked at some beautiful Alesis Monitor 1 MK2 speakers http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR98786

Being a student they will need to produce loud playback, but also give me some good quality sound when I'm studying.

Will my 3130 be able to power those speakers? or is a new amplifier in need?
Or can you think of some speakers which will fit the bill for me? I would like a good amount of bass.

Specs of the NAD 3130;
Continuous output power into 8ohm * 30W (15dBW)
IHF Dynamic headroom at 8ohm +3dB
IHF dynamic power (maximum short term power per channel) 8ohm 60W

Cheers
Jake

[blackraven]

Those speakers are 4ohm, can your NAD handle 4ohm speaks? The sensitivity on those alesis is 88dB. Not too bad. You may not be able to play them at ear bleeding levels but they should be fine.

Have you looked at monitor audio RS1's or their BR line? PSB B-25's are worth a look too.
Also consider a used pair of BW 685's or 686's.

[tidyworks]

Thanks for the reply, I like the look of the PSB B-25, quite stylist, hard to find on the English market though (excluding ebay) The only Monitor Audio (less than £300) I could find were the BR2's which look good. And they would run nicely on my 3130.

If you could choose between this selection for a student wishing for bassy music at a good level, which would you go for?

1: Alesis Monitor 1 MK2 http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR98786

2: Monitor Audio BR2 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monitor-Audio-BR2-Black-finish/dp/B0017HHGLG/ref=pd_cp_ce_1

4: Wharfdale Diamond 10.1 http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR319885

3: Cerwin Vega CLS 6 http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR225730


I'm quite drawn towards the Wharfdale for their style/volume and power.
And I find the CLS 6 quite ugly.
Cheers

[luvtolisten]

Hello Jake, and Welcome!
Since you are from England, it may be more cost effective for you to look into good quality speakers made in England, such as B&W or Wharfedale. I have a NAD 754 AV receiver and it sounds great with a pair of Wharfedale EVO 2 10's. The Wharfedale Diamond series are less costly, and have had very favorable reviews by experts, but more importantly,by actual owners.

[poppachubby]

Nothing will touch the Vegas in terms of loud and bassy. They won't be as refined as your other choices, but can play super loud without worry of damaging the tweeters, or the woofers for that matter.

[luvtolisten]

Thanks for the reply, I like the look of the PSB B-25, quite stylist, hard to find on the English market though (excluding ebay) The only Monitor Audio (less than £300) I could find were the BR2's which look good. And they would run nicely on my 3130.

If you could choose between this selection for a student wishing for bassy music at a good level, which would you go for?

1: Alesis Monitor 1 MK2 http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR98786

2: Monitor Audio BR2 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Monitor-Audio-BR2-Black-finish/dp/B0017HHGLG/ref=pd_cp_ce_1

4: Wharfdale Diamond 10.1 http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR319885

3: Cerwin Vega CLS 6 http://www.htfr.com/more-info/MR225730


I'm quite drawn towards the Wharfdale for their style/volume and power.
And I find the CLS 6 quite ugly.
Cheers

If you like bass, then you would have to omit the Wharfedales, since it has a 5" driver and the others have a 6.5" driver. I'm a Wharfedale fan, but if you like the 10.1 and more bass,, you would want to get a subwoofer to go with it.Or move up to the 10.2 with a 6.5 driver. Another thought is used, maybe a pair of Wharfedale 9.2's?

[tidyworks]

Thanks for being so helpful. Rep+ to all

I've taken a look at the 10.2, and they do appeal to me, but a few people have told me Cerwin Vega go very loud with a meaty bass.
The only grip I've got is the quality of sound and the ugly build of the CLS 6.

Looks like it's going to be one of those times were I flip a coin. I'll probably have to get a more powerful amplifier won't I?

[blackraven]

I agree, the Wharfedale's have a 5" woofer and won't give you very good bass. The CV's will play loud and take a beating. The MA BR's will be more refined.

You might look at the Wharfedale 9.2's or 9.3's. They have a 6.5"/8" woofer and probably will sound better than the MA's and CV's. They won't play as loud though because of their lower sensitivity ratings.

[basite]

I like the Montior Audio BR2, my cousin has them, powered by a vintage technics amp, and especially for their money, you can't go wrong with them...

I'd stay away from the CW's, unless all you want loud and muddy sound.

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[LeRoy]

You may want to also consider the Mordaunt Short Avant 902i bookshelf or even possibly the Mordaunt Short Aviano 1. The MS have quality bass for such small speakers and I have found the 902i to be quite balanced overall.

I know MS discontinued the Avant series and I've seen the MS Avant series quite heavily discounted in many British Hi Fi websites so you may be able to get quite a deal. Depending on price and your $$ you may want to check out a small MS floor stander in the Avant 906i.

Another option that might work for you is the Usher S-520.

Good luck shopping and with your final selection.

LeRoy

[tidyworks]

Hey all,

I decided to go into my big local City and look around some music shops.

The speakers I saw where;

Sinn7 Zenit 8" - Wow, aren't they fantastic?

Monitor Audio BR2 - They're a little to 'woody' for me

Alesis Monitor 1 Mk2 - These were amazing for the price/size

Wharfdale Diamond 10.1 - Very nice, but shiny and the front was a tiny bit plasticky

Some other ones which people listed.

After I saw and heard the Sinn7 Zenit's I was amazed and now I want them. But they're expensive :( lol

I'm stuck on what to do, But considering my money.

I'm thinking about getting those Alesis Mk2 for £110 and a Sub for my bass? I've seen this cheap sub online which looks cheap and cheerful. http://www.decks.co.uk/products/samson/Resolv_120a

Thanks again for all your input, much appreciated.

[blackraven]

Just a word of advice on buying a sub for 2ch use. Don't go too cheap or you will end up with muddy or boomy bass. Listen to them carefully with small monitor speakers. Also keep in mind that any speaker you buy will sound different when you get it home. Make sure any speaker you buy has a return policy.