Bon Scott
New Member
I just bought an A-S501 that will probably be delivered some time next week. I own a pair of old Snell Jii speakers that seem to be in good shape, and I may well continue to use them with my old Sherwood receiver, so I'm looking for new speakers to match the new Yamaha amp and not really sure how to narrow it down.
I think I'd like stand-mount bookshelf speakers but would consider smaller-footprint floor standers, too. Budget is $350-600 for the pair (not including stands). I mostly listen to rock and blues, but also a lot of jazz and some classical. The system is in a smallish room (12x15 with 8' ceilings) that has some acoustic treatment (bass traps in three corners and at first reflection points on the sides and overhead). I'll be playing CDs and some vinyl, perhaps some old cassette tapes.
Some speakers that have caught my eye are the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 and 80th Anniversary Denton, the Focal 706v, and the KEF Q300. Not sure if any of those are a good match or how to tell what sonic qualities would pair well with the sonic characteristics of the amp. Obviously not personally sure what those characteristics are, but probably similar to its predecessor, the A-S500, so recommendations based on that amp might be relevant? I can probably listen to the 10.1 and 706v locally but probably not with my amp.
As for the CDP, the budget is up to $500 or so. I'd like it to have some sort of USB capability. Again, it seems that CDPs have different sonic qualities (like smoother top end, more open, more trebly, etc.), and I would like to get my head around understanding how that would match up with the amp and any speakers.
Any input greatly appreciated! I'm pretty green in the home audio department and new to AK, so if I'm missing some real basic points, please do not hestiate to let me know about it!
I think I'd like stand-mount bookshelf speakers but would consider smaller-footprint floor standers, too. Budget is $350-600 for the pair (not including stands). I mostly listen to rock and blues, but also a lot of jazz and some classical. The system is in a smallish room (12x15 with 8' ceilings) that has some acoustic treatment (bass traps in three corners and at first reflection points on the sides and overhead). I'll be playing CDs and some vinyl, perhaps some old cassette tapes.
Some speakers that have caught my eye are the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 and 80th Anniversary Denton, the Focal 706v, and the KEF Q300. Not sure if any of those are a good match or how to tell what sonic qualities would pair well with the sonic characteristics of the amp. Obviously not personally sure what those characteristics are, but probably similar to its predecessor, the A-S500, so recommendations based on that amp might be relevant? I can probably listen to the 10.1 and 706v locally but probably not with my amp.
As for the CDP, the budget is up to $500 or so. I'd like it to have some sort of USB capability. Again, it seems that CDPs have different sonic qualities (like smoother top end, more open, more trebly, etc.), and I would like to get my head around understanding how that would match up with the amp and any speakers.
Any input greatly appreciated! I'm pretty green in the home audio department and new to AK, so if I'm missing some real basic points, please do not hestiate to let me know about it!