The Defense For Multiple Pairs of Speakers

[Jayrosc]

Hello everyone!

Some of you may know that I recently became the owner of some McIntosh XRT 20 Line Arrays, in pretty good shape, and successfully refoamed all drivers, and replaced 2 faulty tweeters.

I'm no tech, so for me, that was Olympic.

I have reached what many would consider the end of the line, or at least for a man of humble means such as myself. These speakers are, by any litmus, the best I own, or have owned.

So why did I start this thread? Last night, I pulled out my tiny little NHT Super Zeros, which are the size of a Game of Thrones Season 1-6 box set, or in other words, a TRUE bookshelf. Tiny little things.

Hooked them to my Marantz PM84D, a nice 80 wpc amp (first 30 are in Class A) and played Rumours on cd.

What I heard was a soundstage and depth of field unlike much of anything I've experienced.

What they do is nothing short of astounding, and this was without the sub (which I have, but was too lazy to connect).

What I'm getting at, is this - past a certain level of quality, I'm pretty much okay with what I hear. I enjoy the different presentations. I love how my Epicure Model 20's create a WALL of nice, easy on the ears sound.

I find the SDA effect on my Polk SDA 1-B's to be pure magic.

My Yamaha NS690III's reveal details that are impossible with other speakers.

My Vandersteen 2C's were my first real "audiophile" quality speaker, and those will never leave, as well.

Hell, can't get a much more FUN sound than the Bose 601 Series 2 I restored and sold (may buy back, that was the caveat when I sold, that I'd get dibs).

Even my 2 way Marantz Imperial 6's create music that is simply pleasant.

It's like Baskin Robbins, or women, or cars. There IS NO BEST, only various flavors. Me? I love most all of them. Even considering taking some Christmas boxes and playing around with Open Baffle, thanks to Poultrygeist's unending love affair (thank you, sir). And I lament missing out on some W90 Warfedales I once had a chance to buy, with respect to Gangtwanger, wherever he is.

I'd love to hear what others have to say. Do you have a single pair of speakers that make you forgo all others? This is of course leaving out necessity (small house, WAF, etc). Or do you, as I, love the different tonal colors we get by mixing it around?

Opinions welcome, want to see what others think on this.

Our Kentucky Brother has NAILED it with this post. Above a certain quality level, there are so many speakers that sound great it is impossible to pick just one. And who would want to? I use different speakers at different times of the year to listen to different types of music. I just finished up with some Holiday fun using Allisons and Bostons. Tonight I'm blasting the Four Seasons through some L100's. In between I was using some little Polk Bookshelves at a different house for general use.
There ARE differences in the sound of speakers. It is really really fun to listen to those differences.
If I'm ever in Kentucky I'm stopping by. You have been warned.

 

[E-Stat]

I think the only thing that needs defending is why you didn’t place a post about speakers in the speaker forum.

 

[ZombehArmeh]

I love all my speakers really. I currently own 3 pairs:

Modified Insignia NS-B2111 - These are my main speakers and are good in both the sound and style departments. Very versatile speakers once you change out the crossover network.

Realistic Solo 2 - These little radioshack speakers from the early 70s are the quirkiest speakers I've ever listened to. They are by no means perfect audiophile level speakers, but the way they paint sound with the all range driver is awesome to listen to, especially folk stuff like Simon and Garfunkel. Plus I got them for 6 bucks in mint condition so that's pretty sweet too

Polk Audio Monitor 7 - These things are completely beast. I got them at goodwill for 20 dollars and it remains as one of the best purchases I got there. They're amazing for rock, especially Led Zeppelin. I just need to upgrade the tweeters on this thing because it's pretty harsh.

 

[musichal]

For some, it seems they want to listen to a variety of speakers. I get that. Had my time listening to many different brands and models when I was selling them. My needs (okay, wants) are simple - find one pair for each system (in different rooms) that I really enjoy, and listen to music, not speakers. I'm not painting all with that brush, but there is some of that in there for some of you. Not a criticism, anyway. There are many different paths for the enthusiast, and we didn't all get here by the same one. That would be boring, at any rate. Whatever yanks yer boat or floats yer chain is exactly how you should proceed - I certainly can't claim any more enjoyment than you. (All of that was the vague, generic you. No specific individual in mind.) My way is best, of course - I think we all can agree on that!

 

[Archguy]

Sounds like a full time job .

Sounds like my idea of fun

I think the only thing that needs defending is why you didn’t place a post about speakers in the speaker forum.

More drama in this forum

 

[jrtrent]

. . . I figured many of us were like this. We enjoy finding the magic of well-matched components. . .

I figure most hifi aficionados are like this, but maybe some go about it a different way. I've had the luxury of always living in an area well served by specialist audio retail stores, and the pleasure of working, even if just part-time, at one such store for several years in the 80's and 90's. My goal, and that of our customers, was finding the magic of well-matched components, but the search took place in the form or pre-sales auditions over multiple listening sessions, often at a few different hifi shops and including in-home demonstrations. Each customer had unique needs in terms of the sonic parameters most important to him, plus the space and budget he was working with, and experienced dealers and their variety of available products made the process of finding the right combination both pleasurable and sure. Once those well-matched components were assembled, purchased, and set up, the end user was set up for years, even decades, of fully satisfying music in his home.

 

[biscuithead]

For some, it seems they want to listen to a variety of speakers. I get that. Had my time listening to many different brands and models when I was selling them. My needs (okay, wants) are simple - find one pair for each system (in different rooms) that I really enjoy, and listen to music, not speakers. I'm not painting all with that brush, but there is some of that in there for some of you. Not a criticism, anyway. There are many different paths for the enthusiast, and we didn't all get here by the same one. That would be boring, at any rate. Whatever yanks yer boat or floats yer chain is exactly how you should proceed - I certainly can't claim any more enjoyment than you. (All of that was the vague, generic you. No specific individual in mind.) My way is best, of course - I think we all can agree on that!

I agree, MY way is the best !

I admit that I often fall into the category of listening to the equipment. I get excited when I get a new piece to critique, that's part of my journey. Although my acquisitions are getting further apart, and I am becoming more choosy... I dove into this hobby because of my love of the music, I just get side-tracked by the shiny things with flashing lights .

...so I defend multiple speakers, and multiple everything. After all, we live in an excessive society, a material world... I have to keep my brain firing that dopamine somehow.

.

 

[biscuithead]

I think the only thing that needs defending is why you didn’t place a post about speakers in the speaker forum.

Gosh, I didn't realize that this thread wasn't in the correct forum... should I even reply? Should I ask the mods about it? Should I go back and edit my replies with, with, with something else...
AAAAWWWW I don't know what to do !!!



.

 

[onwardjames]

Our Kentucky Brother has NAILED it with this post. Above a certain quality level, there are so many speakers that sound great it is impossible to pick just one. And who would want to? I use different speakers at different times of the year to listen to different types of music. I just finished up with some Holiday fun using Allisons and Bostons. Tonight I'm blasting the Four Seasons through some L100's. In between I was using some little Polk Bookshelves at a different house for general use.
There ARE differences in the sound of speakers. It is really really fun to listen to those differences.
If I'm ever in Kentucky I'm stopping by. You have been warned.

Jayrosc, this idea has been stewing in my mind for some time, why I cannot let go of the Vandersteens, or even those tiny NHT's now that I got big dawgs in the house.
More of an explanation to myself.

And yeah, if you're near the Bowling Green area, look me up. DonkeyKarma was near awhile back, and I'm still kicking myself because I was tied up with something, and couldn't break free. Hang time is good time!

I think the only thing that needs defending is why you didn’t place a post about speakers in the speaker forum.

e-stat, do you know I never even considered that? After 15k of posts, I still have my noobish moments. Mods, please move this for me if you need to.

I love all my speakers really. I currently own 3 pairs:

Modified Insignia NS-B2111 - These are my main speakers and are good in both the sound and style departments. Very versatile speakers once you change out the crossover network.

Realistic Solo 2 - These little radioshack speakers from the early 70s are the quirkiest speakers I've ever listened to. They are by no means perfect audiophile level speakers, but the way they paint sound with the all range driver is awesome to listen to, especially folk stuff like Simon and Garfunkel. Plus I got them for 6 bucks in mint condition so that's pretty sweet too

Polk Audio Monitor 7 - These things are completely beast. I got them at goodwill for 20 dollars and it remains as one of the best purchases I got there. They're amazing for rock, especially Led Zeppelin. I just need to upgrade the tweeters on this thing because it's pretty harsh.

I have those Insignia, and did the Murphy crossover mod. For the money, pretty damned good sound, I still have mine. Had to literally cut the internal clips off the tweeter leads, as the metal was so full of slag or lead or SOMETHING, that it wouldn't conduct. Directly wired it, soldered, and voila!

Polk Monitor 7's are very special too. I had the 10's, and understand the 7's are a bit better.

 

[Bodyblue]

I love the sound of my all Marantz system with Imperial 6s and I love my two bedroom systems that I rotate Small Advents, nova 6,7s and now Sansui SSO70s ( who knew Sansui even made a 2 way??). They all sound different and I like them all.6

 

[Ken Boyd]

Mcintosh XR20's sweet! I almost purchased a pair when used prices were cheap for two channel.v

 

[RScott]

I can relate to your way of listening to music. I have my room set-up with Frazier Model 7’s on one side and Infinity WTLC’s on the other side. It sounds awesome to me and I guess that is what counts.

I have Frazier Mark V, Mark Vi and Sevens in theatre room with Norman Labs model 8 & 10 too. Once in awhile I will bring in another pair of Frazier Sevens and remove the Mark V. Frazier's rock my house but the Normans come in 2nd. 6 different HK amps/receivers power everything. Another Frazier set up in great room with Concerto's x 2 and Monte Carlo's. Garage is Frazier theatre surrounds x 2 and F12-4h too.

 

[MJB1959]

I was thinking somewhat in similar terms a while back. There was a time I was looking at most every available online store, and a few local audio stores as I was getting back into the stereo game. Not wanting to break the bank as I was nearing the end of my working career, I decided that to get the best speaker for the money, I would need a quality vintage speaker, so I lucked upon the Vandersteen 2c, and later, a few pair of ADS's speakers, the most recent upgrade I made was to get a DAC/Integrated, which I did, the other evening I was listening to the ADS-980 with the Cambridge CXA-80, and was simply amazed at the synergy, I have other gear, yet I can be very content with this system, at nearly 60, I believe my hearing is good, selective hearing not so much.

But when music gets presented in such a perfect way, why should I want to chase something else?
I know that is part of the sickness of the hobby, and overcome, I have given away some very cherished equipment so someone else could enjoy it, as I was not. It is kind of cathartic, and I plan to part with more.

 

[Nightwisher]

Much like onwardjames, I too have many speakers. I plan on selling many of them at some point, but I'll always keep a few. Speakers vary the most in sound out of any part of a system and it's interesting seeing how different they can sound.

For now, my Polk SDA-2s and my Marantz Imperial I's aren't going anywhere. The Polks are the best all-around speaker I have. The Marantz are the most musical speaker I own. The other speakers that aren't going anywhere anytime soon are the Boston Acoustics in my surround set.

Everything else will likely come and go. If nothing else, they fill out my other systems and offer nice comparisons. Especially for me as a youngster, I can say that I have owned speakers from all these different brands and I understand how they differ in sound.

 

[superdog]

I've had probably fifty sets of speakers and have come down to about eight that I cannot seem or want to get rid of.I run two off each amp.Its how I roll for now anyway.

 

[Wildcat]

I'd love to have more speakers, more amps, more of everything. The nagging question arises however. Would one not be better served by spending their audio funds on the best SINGLE system he can afford?

That's what I have done--all of the money goes into my one high-end system, and I haven't bought anything "just because" in maybe 15 years or so. Yet my problem is that I find that I usually can't get rid of the gear that the better stuff replaced. (Isn't that a sign of our affliction--Audiophilia Nervosa? )

I have always treated the cast-offs as candidates for a second system. But that has to wait until I have a house with a clear basement where I could set everything up again. And, I do need to start getting rid of some of the stuff I don't use. I don't have much, but feel I'm cluttering up some of the basement with it, especially since most of it hasn't been used in over a decade now. I could probably raise enough to cover the speaker upgrade I'm looking at.

 

[Archguy]

Multiple Chromecast Audio Zones mean never having to say you're sorry to any of your amps or speakers

 

[E-Stat]

e-stat, do you know I never even considered that? After 15k of posts, I still have my noobish moments. Mods, please move this for me if you need to.

I was just giving you the business as Eddie Haskell would say.

 

[onwardjames]

I love the sound of my all Marantz system with Imperial 6s

My pair of Imperial 6's are special as well. Such a well designed 2 way.

Mcintosh XR20's sweet! I almost purchased a pair when used prices were cheap for two channel.v

I'm so glad I made the plunge. Boldest move ever for me, because I wasn't certain I had what it took to bring them back to 100%, but somehow I did.

I decided that to get the best speaker for the money, I would need a quality vintage speaker, so I lucked upon the Vandersteen 2c,

My pair sit idle, but the Vandersteen 2C was the speaker that showed me what I was missing. Great sounding speakers.

Much like onwardjames, I too have many speakers. I plan on selling many of them at some point, but I'll always keep a few. Speakers vary the most in sound out of any part of a system and it's interesting seeing how different they can sound.

For now, my Polk SDA-2s and my Marantz Imperial I's aren't going anywhere. The Polks are the best all-around speaker I have. The Marantz are the most musical speaker I own. The other speakers that aren't going anywhere anytime soon are the Boston Acoustics in my surround set.

Heh heh, seems like I'm just pulling everyone's leg at this point, but my SDA 1-B Polks also sit idle, yet I cannot sell them. The SDA effect is intoxicating.

I also have a completely and perfectly restored pair of A150's that are so very good, and I cannot part with those. I went all out, full crossover rebuild, refoam. They do most everything well.

 

[mjw21a]

Yeah, I've 5 sets of speakers in the house presently with 4 hooked up to systems. They all do something quite different to each other and all are special. I'm supposed to be selling the Pioneer CS-88A speakers though I don't really want to. They're sensitive enough to work with low wattage amps and after reforming sound fantastic..... If there's a pair that should go it's the B&W DM16 speakers though I suspect I just need a more powerful amp to get the best from them. I'm curious.

The 3x definite keepers are my Aurum Cantus F620's, Dayton PS220-8's in 60's cabinets and Polk TSI100 bookshelves on the computer system. Heck, if I didn't have to keep the B&W's for nostalgic reasons they'd be the speakers to go