Matching Speakers with Components

[blackraven]

I have the Monitor Audio S1's and they are not bright but rather neutral and sound great with the Dayton amp. I can't speak for the newer MA's though.

Also consider a pair of Boston Acoustic's A26. I recently suggested to a friend that he try a pair of CS26's which is the older model but very similar and it sounds great. The sound leans very slightly on the warmer side. He runs them with a Marantz 5004 CDP and matching integrated amp. The A26 is supposed to have better detail and a smoother more refined sound. They are a great buy for a budget speaker. I had heard the CS26 a few years ago at Best Buy and was impressed but I was astounded at how well they sounded in my friends system.


Boston Acoustics A26 review | Hi-fi speakers | What Hi-Fi?

[Billiam62]

BR. Excellent suggestion. The A 26 also gets good reviews. The only negative I have seen is that the bass, according to some people can slightly color the lower midrange at times. Have you heard about this? Aside from that I would say that this speaker will also be fine.

[blackraven]

BR. Excellent suggestion. The A 26 also gets good reviews. The only negative I have seen is that the bass, according to some people can slightly color the lower midrange at times. Have you heard about this? Aside from that I would say that this speaker will also be fine.

It's all about system matching and preferences. While I appreciate a more even sounding speaker, sometimes I find them dull or flat. I like a little more midrange bloom, I guess that is why I like tubes as well as my PSB B6 speakers. The BA CS26 speakers have an intoxicating midrange and good bass which many speakers in this price range lack. I suspect the A26 is similar. If you decide to buy them or any speaker, get them from a place that has a good return policy in case you do not like them. Remember any speaker you buy will need 25-50hr's of break in time to sound their best. My MA's sounded like horse hockey for the first 50hrs, then they opened up and sounded great. Same for my Maggies, but they took about 75 hours.

Also, any speaker you buy, especially in the sub $1K range will have its strengths and weaknesses.

[Billiam62]

BR. Sounds like we have similar tastes. Yes, I prefer a balanced sound in a system as well. Precisely why I really like the Jamo speakers. The reviews of the BA speakers say the same thing about the A 25 and A 26. Looks like the CS 26 II is still available in some places.

No question the speakers will need time to break in. I have found that is the case with cables as well and the tubes for the Qinpu A3 hybrid solid state/tube amp that I own.

[Billiam62]

Tax time turned out about the way I expected. Didn't owe anything but not getting anything back. Have decided to buy something that will tide me over for a while until I can save up enough money to get a really good pair of speakers. Just ordered a pair of Jamo 68's off Ebay. Interesting speaker. Should have the signature neutral to slightly warm sound and a high end that won't be bright. It's a 3 way bookshelf with a low end rated to 47 hz. Large size and weight. I am guessing it was the forerunner to the popular C 803 Bookshelf Jamo released a few years ago.

The Jamo 68 is front ported and will be easy to place. And thanks to the size of them I don't think I will have any trouble filling the room with sound. Thanks to the heavy duty stands I own I bet they will sound like towers. Will be trying them out next weekend after they arrive in the house to see how they sound in that room with the high ceiling, hardwood floor and plaster walls.

[Mr Peabody]

Let us know how they sound. I'm not familiar with them but it could work out to be just right.

[Billiam62]

Let us know how they sound. I'm not familiar with them but it could work out to be just right.

Absolutely. BTW. I may be taking a transfer to St. Louis with my existing employer. Should know in a month or two. If so, I'd like to know which area stores have the best selection of good speaker brands.