Where do I start? speakers!!!

[william13]

I guess it is not macho to admit being overwhelmed but I just entered the speaker market and the choices are endless and "up to personal preference". Seems almost like picking a suit. I will be needing speakers for McIntosh MT10, McIntosh c2300, and Mcintosh mc275 VI. My budget is 10-20K. I know I have to get out and audition things but there is not a lot of options in my area. Is there a big 5 list out there somewhere. A list that everyone would agree its "good". Within this list I will not be asking which one is better. My vendor mentioned: wilson, B &W, PMC Dynaudio, and McIntosh xr100. I would be interested in hearing what others think?

[Still-One]

There are a lot of good speakers out there in that price range so you have some listening to do. I think you have put together a nice list of manufacturers where you can find one that meets your listening preferences. That is what it will come down to, which one sounds right to you.

Make a compilation CD to take with you with several different types of music, from very simple to complex. Have one or two favorites that you are very familiar with and that will help.

Jim

[william13]

I forgot to add: That I am choosing between two rooms to put my setup in: One measures 18 x 23: The other room measures 11 x 14: I also have another question. In both sceneriod it would be helpful for me to place speakers as close to wall as possible. How close can one place without creating new issues?

[djwhog]

How about some nice 2 or 3 way Dynaudios up front and JL Powered sub?

1 Foot will work, more is most times better, also what type of music, etc

I kike a decent 2 or 3 way and add a sub, seems if you try to get the bass a sub will provide you can do it in one box, but it is going to cost more in the end.

Also 2 subs even small are better then 1 mid to large.

[william13]

Bear with me because I am new at this. Are you saying that if I purchase separate subs as oppossed to getting in "all one box" it is as good and possibly a less costly way to go? Is there any downside to doing this aside from using up "more foot space" ? I like soft rock, classical music, instrumentals, but occassionally I will get crazy and pull out my Led Zeplins, the Who, Queen. I never blast the music: On a 1 to 10 scale of loudness I usally listen at a 5.

[Kingsrule]

If you are willing to go used, you could get a pair of Sasha's in your budget range....

[william13]

I am willing to go used. But I do not know how to examine a used item beyond obvious cosmetics.

[o0OBillO0o]

I never get tired of these threads!

I for one have a irrational interest in speakers.

The general consensus for low powered amps is high efficiency speakers, 95dB/watt/meter. However, if you don't require the music to play loud than anything will work.

I have 105dB/w/m speakers.

Find a forum member that lives close to you, find a dealer that is close to you and read a bunch on this forum and you'll get a sense of what each person likes. Then you should be able to be well informed to make a $20,000 dollar decision.

[GaryProtein]

If you have a $10-20K budget, it would be worth your while to travel to a reasonably close larger city (fly if needed) for a day to listen to several speakers. You don't have to buy, and you could listen to new speakers you might consider buying used.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by william13

I forgot to add: That I am choosing between two rooms to put my setup in: One measures 18 x 23: The other room measures 11 x 14: I also have another question. In both sceneriod it would be helpful for me to place speakers as close to wall as possible. How close can one place without creating new issues?

Distance from the wall is high speaker dependent. If you can I would put the speakers in the larger of the two rooms.

Jim