Looking for new speakers

[Billiam62]

Some background information to help you get me pointed in the right direction.

Will be using two different integrated amps. A Qinpu A3 which is an 8 ohm hybrid tube/solid state at 8.5 wpc. And I just bought a Topping TP 21 which is rated at 25 wpc at 4 ohms or 12 watts at 8 ohms.

Currently I have a pair of Mirage OM 10's that work great with the Qinpu but I had to box them up because I have a cat that likes to jump on them. Probably the black sock around it that it wants to climb. Until I can get into a house again and build a listening room that is cat free, I can't use these.

Also have a pair of Castle Conway 3's. The design of this speaker does not mesh with the Qinpu. Midrange is completely gone as the bass overwhelms everything. According to two friends with an engineering background in electronics, the problem is the damping factor of the speaker. I am going to see if the Topping will work with this pair. Arrives today and will try it out this weekend.

In the meantime I need to find a pair of speakers to use with the Qinpu amp. I want to avoid a forward sounding speaker or one that has a bright sound. I can still hear well above 20,000 khz on the high end and a speaker like the Klipsch will hurt my ears. Gave up my Heresy's for that very reason. I want something that is essentially neutral or that has a touch of warmth like Jamo speakers or the older Mirage lines. I won't get listening fatigue from these.

I just tried a pair of Jamo C603 bookshelf speakers and liked them very much. But... Bought them through Amazon and had to return them because one speaker obviously was damaged. Found pink specks of paint on the baffle and a blotch of glossy black paint on the cabinet when the speaker is all flat black. And it sounded like they had already been broken in. No manual either. Billed as new but they seemed to be used.

So, I am back to looking at some other speakers. I could try to order another pair of C603's since there are still some new and used pairs around. Another option is the C803 which appears to be an outstanding speaker for the money. Hard to find but still a pair shows up used or even new at times.

I auditioned the Phase Technology V-4 a few weeks ago and liked that speaker very much as well. While a tad less warm than the Jamo's it had the same wide sound stage and balanced instrumentation where no sonic characteristic over powered any other in the sound field. Very clean sound just like the Jamo's. It sounds like the new V-52 is the replacement for the V-4 but has a bit better bass section according to the manufacturer.

I've heard that the Martian Logan's Moshun 10 and 12 are out of this world for the close out prices. I've ruled out the 12 because the full front grill is likely to attract the cat and also the downward firing port is likely to be a problem for the Qinpu amp. The Castle Conway 3 has this same design and I think it leads to the damping factor that overwhelms the mid range. Not sure if the Motion 10 h as this same design but the front grill only covers the top half of the speaker and since the cat does not jump on the Conway 3 speakers which has a driver cover on the top half of the speaker, I think the design at least in terms of the outward appearance will be fine.

I could find a pair of Jamo E660's or E650's (both towers) used for next to nothing. Also could buy a pair of Jamo C605 towers used. Heard good things about all of these speakers. Not sure how heavy the bass is but I figure as long as they don't have the downward firing port (C603 is a rear port) then it should work OK.

Can I get some insight into any of these speakers from people that have owned them or at least have heard them and compared them to other speakers? Especially if matched with a tube amp. Or if anyone can recommend something else that I may have missed but should look into? Budget is around $400 to $500 a pair either for new or used. Got the C603's for less than $350 shipped and can find similar offers out there again. But I want to explore my options since I have to wonder if QC was the problem with that speaker or the Distributor that sent them to the Seller with Amazon.

Thanks. BTW. Will be using a traditional two speaker system for music, not home theater.

[Mr Peabody]

The Martin Logan are definitely out, they typically need high current or a powerful tube amp. I am also skeptical of Jamo these days they seem to be all over the place with their product from dirt cheap to whatever, you'd really need to know the line or a good rep to guide you to the models still of quality, and then, I'd wonder if the small tube amps could drive them to potential.

You have low power and pretty much need to stick with a high efficient speaker. Zu Audio will allow you a return policy, I found with my Conrad Johnson the Zu had extended high end but different than the Klipsch. You could look for a vintage Klipsch like the Forte that has a more refined sound compared to the Heresy. There are other high efficient speakers around but I'm not familiar with them all. I've yet to hear a high efficient speaker I'd call warm but it could exist. Audio Note also comes to mind in HE speakers but I can't speak to the sound of them.

Another option would be to look at something like the Golden Ear that has built in amplification for the bass and make for a light load for your tube amp. I've been told Sandy Gross the designer uses a 30 watt tube amp with his GE. This option would be my personal choice as I like a full bottom end and volume when I want it.

[Feanor]

...
Another option would be to look at something like the Golden Ear that has built in amplification for the bass and make for a light load for your tube amp. I've been told Sandy Gross the designer uses a 30 watt tube amp with his GE. This option would be my personal choice as I like a full bottom end and volume when I want it.

Are you talking about the Golden Ear Tritons? Surely their coverings make them prime cat bait .

[Billiam62]

Yes, those Tritons won't work. My budget is in the range of $400 to $500 a pair. I already spent a grand for the OM 10's and 2 grand for the Conway 3's. I just need something decent to tide me over for a year or two until I can build a listening room with a door to keep the cat out.

The OM 10 is a 6 ohm speaker with a 90 db sensitivity and it works fine with the Qinpu. In fact the sound is superior to that of the older Cambridge Audio Amp I had been using for a decade. And the C603's sounded excellent as well and they too were 6 ohm but with an 88 db sensitivity. Don't need to turn up the volume more than a quarter of the way with either speaker before it starts to get very loud.

[blackraven]

Consider a high efficiency design such as these tektons- model 65t and 81t. the 81t has a sensitivity of 95dB.

tekton-designcontent2011

Klipsch Heresy II''s in Oak mint condition with oak risers - and other extra's !!!!! | Full range | Camillus, New York 13031 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

These martin logans have a metal grill and are rated at 92dB-

MartinLogan - Motion 15 - Bookshelf Speaker-Audio Advisor

MartinLogan - Motion 15 - Bookshelf Speaker-Audio Advisor

[Mr Peabody]

Aw, Feanor, I forgot about that.

Blackraven, despite the ML sensitivity they are a difficult load and the OP mentioned he disposed of a set of Heresy based on the sound.

I'd have to check the specs but you might look at the JBL Studio 530. The horn sounds nothing like Klipsch and there's a raving thread here on AR called "Oops I did it again".

[Billiam62]

Consider a high efficiency design such as these tektons- model 65t and 81t. the 81t has a sensitivity of 95dB.

tekton-designcontent2011

Klipsch Heresy II''s in Oak mint condition with oak risers - and other extra's !!!!! | Full range | Camillus, New York 13031 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

These martin logans have a metal grill and are rated at 92dB-

MartinLogan - Motion 15 - Bookshelf Speaker-Audio Advisor

MartinLogan - Motion 15 - Bookshelf Speaker-Audio Advisor

These suggestions are worth a look. Tomorrow I will hook up the little Topping T21 amp to the Castle speakers. If they sound good with this amp then I will only need one pair of speakers and can wait a few months or so to save some additional money to budget towards a better speaker.

Can't consider the Klipsch brand though since I owned Heresy's at one time and they were too bright for my ears. I never became accustomed to that sound and I always ended up with listening fatigue.

[LeRoy]

Or if anyone can recommend something else that I may have missed but should look into? Budget is around $400 to $500 a pair either for new or used. Got the C603's for less than $350 shipped and can find similar offers out there again. But I want to explore my options since I have to wonder if QC was the problem with that speaker or the Distributor that sent them to the Seller with Amazon.

Thanks. BTW. Will be using a traditional two speaker system for music, not home theater.

Hi Billaim62, I happen to own 2 Qinpu A-6000 integrated amps. The A-6000 easily drives my Dali Ikon 2 MK2's @86.5 db efficiency. The other A-6000 does not so easily drive a pair of System-Audio Aura 1's at 84 db efficiency.

I was looking at the Dali Zenzor 1 given the great reviews but they are too inefficient for the A3. Have a look at the Cambridge Audio S-30. I have purchased 3 pairs of these wonderful speakers and gave them as gifts to relatives as christmas gifts.

The C.A. speakers are great for the money and will surprise you with the quantity and quality of the bass while presenting a very good midrange and tweeter integration. I don't know if any speaker is really cat attack proof and have no idea why a cat would prefer one speaker over another but hey...the price is right down the path you are seeking to stay in. Read the reviews.

S30 Bookshelf Hi Fi Speakers

Good luck with your research and final decision.

[Billiam62]

Leroy. How bright is the S30? I've read some other reviews of this speaker and at least a couple of owners have mentioned the high end is a bit bright. Overall the reviews of this speaker are quite good though.

[LeRoy]

Leroy. How bright is the S30? I've read some other reviews of this speaker and at least a couple of owners have mentioned the high end is a bit bright. Overall the reviews of this speaker are quite good though.

I never found the speakers to be bright at all. The equipment I had them paired with were Belles Soloist Amp and Pre and also the Rega Brio 3. With regard to the source what was being utilized at the time, it was either the Musical Fidelity XRAY or the Stello Signature DAC and Stello Transport. If you are familiar with the Usher S-520 then it's in the ballpark, tonally, as the S-520.

One thing that the CA S-30 did catch my attention on when doing an a/b comparison to another speaker ( I forgot which brand/model I was comparing to) the C.A. is a little grainy but not terribly so. I did not hear the grain unless I was doing the a/b so it depends on the focus of the listener at the time?

By the way, for H.T. i utilize Mirage Omnisat 5.0 with a Rel R-528 sub and an antique Arcam AVR 200 receiver.

What kind of speaker wire and interconnects are you using?

[Billiam62]

I never found the speakers to be bright at all. The equipment I had them paired with were Belles Soloist Amp and Pre and also the Rega Brio 3. With regard to the source what was being utilized at the time, it was either the Musical Fidelity XRAY or the Stello Signature DAC and Stello Transport. If you are familiar with the Usher S-520 then it's in the ballpark, tonally, as the S-520.

One thing that the CA S-30 did catch my attention on when doing an a/b comparison to another speaker ( I forgot which brand/model I was comparing to) the C.A. is a little grainy but not terribly so. I did not hear the grain unless I was doing the a/b so it depends on the focus of the listener at the time?

By the way, for H.T. i utilize Mirage Omnisat 5.0 with a Rel R-528 sub and an antique Arcam AVR 200 receiver.

What kind of speaker wire and interconnects are you using?

AudioQuest Type 4 speaker cable. Golden Gate Interconnects.

Just spent a few hours listening to the Conway 3's with the little Topping T21 amp. Thankfully the speakers sound good again. But... I noted this amp will more easily drive a 4 or 6 ohm speaker than 8 ohms which is what the Conway's are. Thus, I had to turn up the volume knob to about halfway just to get a fairly decent level of audio to listen to. At least my midrange is back with this amp and I can get by with this pairing for a while until I can buy a 4 or 6 ohm speaker to match up with this amp. Since the Qinpu is 8 Ohm, either another 6 ohm or an 8 ohm speaker will work fine.

[Billiam62]

Leroy. What is your opinion of the S70 tower? It is 8 ohm and should work fine with the Qinpu. Reviews seem quite good and the only concerns expressed by a couple of people seems to be making certain you use a good amp.

[LeRoy]

AudioQuest Type 4 speaker cable. Golden Gate Interconnects.

I am not familiar with G.G. I.C.s but am familiar with A.Q. You happy with the cables?