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  1. #1
    rockin' the mid-fi audio_dude's Avatar
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    speaker upgrading time!!!

    ok guys, lets do this!

    Budget: $400-$600 CDN aka monopoly money (approx. $325-$525 for you lazy americans)
    style: bookshelf (save $50 for stand building materials), or floorstanding (no need for stands :P)
    Music tastes: classic rock, hard rock, heavy rock (my madeup term for bands like pearl jam and such), rock, Jazz, Funk, Classical (piano, orchestral)
    oh yes...a HUGE range there :P (they're listed in order of quantity listened to of each genre)

    Right now I have my eyes on the new Paradigm Mini-Monitor V.5 ($400CDN from my local hifi shop that really loves me :P)

    I will have $200 coming from the sale/trade in of my old Atoms, $200-$300 from my dad, and as much as I can afford to put in (we'll say about $100)

    Any and all suggestions welcome, if you can, list possible audition places for the speakers in or near the Ottawa, ontario area if possible...

    Cheers!
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  2. #2
    _ Luvin Da Blues's Avatar
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    Check out the Infinity Beta 20's...I have a pair and they sound pretty good IMO. Of course I spend a considerable amount of time placing them just right.

    They are a bit lacking in the bass department but I run mine with 2 subs

    heres an American link but even with shipping and customs they're still a good deal


    http://www.theaudiovideosource.com/
    Back in my day, we had nine planets.

  3. #3
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    Concentrate on Canadian manufacturers

    Quote Originally Posted by audio_dude
    ok guys, lets do this!

    Budget: $400-$600 CDN aka monopoly money (approx. $325-$525 for you lazy americans)
    style: bookshelf (save $50 for stand building materials), or floorstanding (no need for stands :P)
    Music tastes: classic rock, hard rock, heavy rock (my madeup term for bands like pearl jam and such), rock, Jazz, Funk, Classical (piano, orchestral)
    oh yes...a HUGE range there :P (they're listed in order of quantity listened to of each genre)

    Right now I have my eyes on the new Paradigm Mini-Monitor V.5 ($400CDN from my local hifi shop that really loves me :P)

    I will have $200 coming from the sale/trade in of my old Atoms, $200-$300 from my dad, and as much as I can afford to put in (we'll say about $100)

    Any and all suggestions welcome, if you can, list possible audition places for the speakers in or near the Ottawa, ontario area if possible...

    Cheers!
    In your price range, I would tend to emphasize Canadian manufacturers as offering the best values, though of course, you many come across some British or US speakers, etc., that please you, too. Paradigm, as you mention, PSB, and API (Energy and Mirage), and Axiom (internet sales) are the best known. There is a list of Canadian audio manufacturers in an old thread compiled by Feanor: look at the second post.

    Canadian speaker makers - the list

    Some of them, like Ethera, make fine speakers but are way out of your price range.

    I would suggest you look at the Paradigm Monitor 3 or 5 as well as the Mini-Minitor. The Energy C-3 is quite a fine little speaker. I haven't heard the PSB Image Series but the B25 looks like a good bet for an audition.

    Audio dealers in Ottawa. Well, I haven't visited Ottawa for a long time, but you can find some good dealers: here are a couple I've visited in the past.

    http://www.audiocentre.ca/manufacturer.html

    http://www.audioshop.on.ca/

    Manufacturers usually have a dealer locator on their web sites.
    "Opposition brings concord. Out of discord comes the fairest harmony."
    ------Heraclitus of Ephesis (fl. 504-500 BC), trans. Wheelwright.

  4. #4
    guitar mongoose icarus's Avatar
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    Well to sound like an old stereo type, there is the B&W 601 and 602's, which are carried by the audioshop, 685 bank street. According to the B&W suggested cdn reatil price guide the 601's are $325, and the 602's are $450. some others would be:

    Acoustic Energy- Aelite one (approx 550)
    Kef-iQ3 (approx 550)
    Monitor Audio- Silver RS1 (approx 650)
    Usher- S 520 ( approx 550)
    that makes as much sense as a drunken mongoose playing the piano

  5. #5
    rockin' the mid-fi audio_dude's Avatar
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    i've visited audioshop, and listened to the energy C-3, i HATE them... VERY bright a piercing... oh well...

    anyone heard of mordant-short? i found another hifi shop on bank street that has the "Mordaunt-Short Carnival 6" floor stander for $495.00/pr...

    or the Epos ELS for 499.00/pr
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  6. #6
    Audiophile Wireworm5's Avatar
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    I haven't shopped for speakers in awhile, so maybe there's some new kids on the block. But for your stated budget I think the B&W DM 601 or 602 is the best speaker value. IMO the DM 601 is comparible to the Paradigm Studio 20's but has a narrower beam. However the 601 is bass shy so you may want the 602's for a more complete sound if you don't have a sub.
    You still should audition these speakers though as I consider them a neutral speaker with sharp treble which you may not care for. They're easy to drive speakers so you won't have any problems powering them and still get very good sound.

  7. #7
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    B&W's, NHT's, Infinity Beta 20's in that price range. I'm not sure why more people don't recommend the Beta 20's. They have a very nice sound with decent bass and play very loud and clear. A local store sells them along with KEF's, Definitive's and Klipsch and there is no comparison. In every way the Beta's sound better. With that said, I prefer the B&W 601's, 602's and NHT's but they cost more.

    I'd audition as many speaks as possibilbe and just buy what sounds good to you without worrying about the brand!
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  8. #8
    Demoted to Low-Fi Carl Reid's Avatar
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    My top four speaker manufacturers in your price range:

    1) Monitor Audio - Bronze Series and Maybe the Silver Series Bookshelf should be in your price range

    2) PSB - The Alpha Line

    3) Mission - M3 series (not sure if you can find them though)

    4) Wharfedale - Diamond Series

    None of these manufacturers produce "bright" speakers IMO.... and all are excellent value for the money....

    Happy Hunting!

  9. #9
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
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    I normally try to go against the flow, but...PSB Alpha should be on your short list.

    If you can find one, the Blueroom Minipod would be worth auditioning.

    done to the tune of
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  10. #10
    I took a headstart... basite's Avatar
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    don't know anything about psb, so I can't comment on that, but

    wharfedale diamond 9.4, maybe a 9.5 should fit right in your budget,
    then, monitor audio.
    my cousin just bought a pair of bronze br2's, which play very nice, but maybe you can get a br5 in you budget, or a Silver RS1.
    a focal chorus 706 would fit nicely too...
    an then B&W's, a pair of 602's might just fit, if not, the 601 is a good speaker too...

    Good luck & have fun,
    Bert.
    Life is music!

    Mcintosh MA6400 Integrated
    Double Advent speakers
    Thiel CS2.3's
    *DIY Lenco L75 TT
    * SME 3012 S2
    * Rega RB-301
    *Denon DL-103 in midas body
    *Denon DL-304
    *Graham slee elevator EXP & revelation
    *Lehmann audio black cube SE
    Marantz CD5001 OSE
    MIT AVt 2 IC's
    Sonic link Black earth IC's
    Siltech MXT New york IC's
    Kimber 4VS speakercable
    Furutech powercord and plugs.

    I'm a happy 20 year old...

  11. #11
    Suspended PeruvianSkies's Avatar
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    I think you could probably get the PSB image line rather than their entry line, Alpha. Even with that budget you could swing getting the Image series and that would certainly be a better investment.

  12. #12
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
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    Oh, one more: Totem. I think the Mite is just within your range new.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
    Quote Originally Posted by stevef22
    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  13. #13
    Forum Regular KaiWinters's Avatar
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    Unfortunately Paradigm has done away with the Monitor 3 and 5 in their new v.5 lineup.
    Maybe you can find a v.4 in stock...I have the 3's and love them.
    The Mini v.5 retails for $379 per pair without a "favorite" customer discount. The v.5 Titan is the next speaker above the Mini and retails for $499...US prices.

    http://www.audioemporium.com/2007catalog.pdf
    TV: LG 50PC3D plasma tv
    Receiver: Yamaha RX-V659
    DVD: Philips DVP5960
    Speakers: front/Paradigm Monitor 3 v.4, surround/Paradigm Atoms v.4, center/Paradigm CC290 v.5, sub/Paradigm PDR-12
    Remote: Harmony 659

  14. #14
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    On a whim I tried a speaker from an internet speaker company after becoming frustrated at the local dealers. The Ascend CBM 170 SE is an incredible speaker for $348 US. It is very neutral and not bloated in the bass. It looks like a speaker and not fine furniture. I was shopping in higher price ranges and this speaker compares with some more expensive speakers I was auditioning. They image well and have very good centerfill.
    JohnMichael
    Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. Grado Sonata, Moon 110 LP phono.
    Digital
    Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD/cd SID mat, Marantz SA 8001
    Int. Amp Krell S-300i
    Speaker
    Monitor Audio RS6
    Cables
    AQ SPKR and AQ XLR and IC

  15. #15
    test the blind blindly emorphien's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dusty Chalk
    Oh, one more: Totem. I think the Mite is just within your range new.
    Dreamcatcher might be as well.


    Also Axiom M3Ti, maybe some flavor of PSB (the image B25 is fairly nice), Focal Chorus 705V or 706V.

  16. #16
    rockin' the mid-fi audio_dude's Avatar
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    Yes, i know the minis are $379 US...
    but $400 canadian is $345 US... i'm not an idiot.

    I'm probably going to take a trip downtown to visit some of the hifi shops i've found online over the past week and look at what I can find.

    i'm going to Planet of Sound http://www.planetofsoundonline.com/
    then walking to the AudioShop http://audioshop.on.ca
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  17. #17
    Forum Regular Florian's Avatar
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    I had a Vision.....it showed a true ribbon driver with a added subwoofer....used around 500$ to 600$...........
    Lots of music but not enough time for it all

  18. #18
    I took a headstart... basite's Avatar
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    yeah, actually, why not,

    planars:
    a new magnepan mmg, and then save on for a sub (unless you already have one)
    or try used, i'm sure you can find alot of nice planar stuff out there...


    Keep them spinning,
    Bert.
    Life is music!

    Mcintosh MA6400 Integrated
    Double Advent speakers
    Thiel CS2.3's
    *DIY Lenco L75 TT
    * SME 3012 S2
    * Rega RB-301
    *Denon DL-103 in midas body
    *Denon DL-304
    *Graham slee elevator EXP & revelation
    *Lehmann audio black cube SE
    Marantz CD5001 OSE
    MIT AVt 2 IC's
    Sonic link Black earth IC's
    Siltech MXT New york IC's
    Kimber 4VS speakercable
    Furutech powercord and plugs.

    I'm a happy 20 year old...

  19. #19
    Demoted to Low-Fi Carl Reid's Avatar
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    The MMG is a nice idea but probably not possible. The MMG is near impossible to get easily in Canada... importing it new kills the price... and as soon as it gets on the used market up here, someone gobbles it up.... I tried getting one used last week and it totally fell through....

  20. #20
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    If you want a pair of MMG's you can find them used on audiogon or you could drive down to St. Paul Minnesota and pick them up direct from the factory.

    You should listen to the NHT's classic two's or three's. They have very nice soud. The three's have nice deep mid bass with freq resp in the 40's
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  21. #21
    rockin' the mid-fi audio_dude's Avatar
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    I was thinking about planars for a bit, but right now, i think my budget and time says i'm going to have to get box speakers. (i'm going to try to find a pair of apogee Centaurs maybe next year)

    My trip to the hifi stores will be ether tommorow or monday (got the day off)
    I'll keep you guys posted.

    Cheers,
    _________________________________________________
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  22. #22
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    There are several pair of Apogee's for sale on Audigon FYI
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  23. #23
    rockin' the mid-fi audio_dude's Avatar
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    i've looked at audiogon, but for now they are all out of my budget :P

    now, back on topic!!!
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  24. #24
    Tyler Acoustics Fan drseid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by audio_dude
    ok guys, lets do this!

    Budget: $400-$600 CDN aka monopoly money (approx. $325-$525 for you lazy americans)
    style: bookshelf (save $50 for stand building materials), or floorstanding (no need for stands :P)
    Music tastes: classic rock, hard rock, heavy rock (my madeup term for bands like pearl jam and such), rock, Jazz, Funk, Classical (piano, orchestral)
    oh yes...a HUGE range there :P (they're listed in order of quantity listened to of each genre)

    Right now I have my eyes on the new Paradigm Mini-Monitor V.5 ($400CDN from my local hifi shop that really loves me :P)

    I will have $200 coming from the sale/trade in of my old Atoms, $200-$300 from my dad, and as much as I can afford to put in (we'll say about $100)

    Any and all suggestions welcome, if you can, list possible audition places for the speakers in or near the Ottawa, ontario area if possible...

    Cheers!
    Used Opera Audio Consonance Eric-1 mini-monitors would be my first choice in your range (approx $450 US)... difficult to find though...

    Used Von Schweikert VR-1s should be able to be had, and more available ($400-450 US used)...

    Also a good choice would be a pair of used Spendor 3/5s (about $500 US used).

    New, I would look at the Rega R1 mini-monitors at the top of your range (around $500 US)...

    Good luck,

    ---Dave
    Integra DHC-40.2 Pre/Pro
    Coda 2 X 200 Watt Amp
    Rotel RB-985 5 X 100 Watt Amp
    2 Tyler Acoustics 2 Piece Linbrook Signature System
    1 Tyler Linbrook Signature Center Channel
    3 Tyler Taylo Reference Monitors
    1 ACI Titan II Sub
    Toshiba HD-A1 HD DVD
    Panasonic BDT-210 + 350 Blu-ray
    Consonance Droplet CDP-5.0
    Sony 55NX-810 1080p 3D-LED HDTV

    Office:
    Opera Audio Consonance CD-120
    Jolida 1301A 2 X 30 Watt Int. Amp (Sovtek Tubes)
    Opera Audio Consonance Eric-1 Speakers

  25. #25
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    Dear Dude,

    Sounds like an exciting time for you. New toys are always fun. I'm not afraid to take a chance on gears(including speakers) I havent auditioned. But if you have to live with your new pair for more than 5 years, then I would go audition them first. I guess that's another reason why I love bookshelfs. It's too easy to Agon a pair.

    Maybe you can look for a pair like I'm currently doing. Look for a great pair of speakers with scratches, preferably on the sides. You can get a pair for about 70% off. OR, save another $200 bucks and wait. Get a Summer job, son!!!

    My advice is to do what your parents did. GET A JOB, SIR!!!

    If you save enough, you can easily get a $1500 pair of speakers. Wait and hear incredible difference. But you want them now...... I understand. Trust me, I understand.

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