Are "new"(or existing) loudspeakers the hardest to quantify?

Excluding models way out of my price range,and given that the home user is unlikely to be loaned multiple sets to evaluate with their own equipment as opposed to the system in the demo lounge(if one exists that will let you hear "affordable" units) any tips on how best to proceed with regard to making a choice? Magazine reviews,word of mouth,stick in the mud allegiance to a trusted brand?
I am very much in the budget camp,having a choice between some Morduant Short floorstanders,a pair of venerable B&W bookshelf speakers,and a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 220 bookshelf speakers. After "swapping out" all three, the Wharfedale's are clear winners: perhaps because they offer the benefits of recent technology,coupled with their suitability for placement in "difficult" room environs.
Problem is, if I only had one of the three choices mentioned,I would probably be more than happy with whatever set that happened to be,giving rise to the thread premise..

 

Unless it's some exotic design or you've got something really strange in your space, I am of the belief that the one that sounds better in one room will sound better in another. Certainly not the case always, I brought home a pair of Spendors recently that sounded amazing at the store, but incredibly dead, dull, and thin in my den.

One of the reasons I like to maintain a relationship with a local dealer. Sure it limits my choices, but I can always take home a set of anything he has for a couple days to try before buying.

 

Okay: any UK/US based guys/girls brave enough to draw up a short list of speakers circa £1,000 that deserve serious consideration?

 

Tannoy Revolution XT6F

 

Just researched reviews on those Tannoy's..they get acclaim seemingly everywhere! Thanks!

 

Can o' worms!...

No initial preference for stand-mount or floor-standing then? Room for the latter? And would you go used or ex-demo?

Would highly recommend hearing Neat, Kudos, PMC, and ProAc options if you can - ones I've always tended to like and focus on an open kind of sound, but still full and detailed.

 

I knew it would open up a wide wide range.....I think my concern is would a "highly recommended" loudspeaker" in my price range produce a sonic benefit that would be instantly appreciated? I knew when I purchased a Goldring G1042: I knew when I purchased a Graham Slee Amp2 SE:I worry that spending a £1,000 rather than £250 might not reap benefits when one considers the price of loudspeakers at the "specialist" end of the market.

 

Yep. Speakers make the single biggest difference IME. £1,000 can get you so much, especially used or ex-demo. That said I've heard some dogs at that price too. You can't be that far away from a dealers to go and hook a few options up?

 

AVI DM5 active. £699.

Actually, a few other actives by the likes of Yamaha, Mackie, KRK, and Genelec could go on here as well. Audiophiles should be all over actives in addition, the amazing thing being that so few are.

 

I have the usual supects Richer Sounds nearby,and also the horrifically expensive PJ audio in Guildford (you pay for what you get I guess)....middle ground seems a rarity these days in my neck of the woods....pre - loved may be a better option.

 

I chose these as something you'd probably be able to easily demo but you can then save £300 on the Richer Sounds price at a few other online sites.

 

Check out their clearance section - some interesting options there including ProAc tablette and Neats and others within budget. Why not get yourself down there... PJ HiFi Guildford Clearance Ex Demo Pre Owned For Sale »

 

I drool every time I pass their window

 

The Unilet Blue Murder sale will be coming up soon I think. Might be worth a look?

 

Joined their mailing list....thanks B.R for the heads up

 

You need to ascertain what kind of sound you like otherwise you could be in for an expensive disappointment. I like a natural, musical sound hence have ended up with a vintage pair of Kef References which I love. You might find them boring. Unfortunately the only way to tell is to try things out for yourself.

If I would you I would join a hifi enthusiast's forum and have a listen to other people's systems. No, not as good as hearing it in your own home but better than buying blind.

 

I t is the suitability to perform close to a rear wall and close to side walls that will be the critical factor....I fear that a good many wonderful speakers will be compromised due to those confines.

 

I recently bought a pair of Tannoy XT6f's, quite satisfied with them.

 

At a £1000 I was thought Monitor Audio offer a lot for the money. About 14 years ago I bought a pair of Silver 6s for £600 . I still use them as my TV system. They look & sound great.

 

I would recommend the Wharfedale Jade series for working tight to the wall. The Jade3 should be ideal but I cannot see UK stockist online.

 

I was looking to upgrade my surround speakers which were some old very inexpensive Cambridge Soundworks.

I auditioned in stores, Polk, Klipsch and many others until I came upon some Bowers and Wilkins surround/small bookshelf speakers. Models 686 and 865. They were at least 35% more expensive than the others, but they sounded so darn good. I think the pair was someplace under $1,000, perhaps $800

Well, I got them home and set them up and I was just blown away. Surround sound started off being used in movies to sprinkle in some environmental sounds like bird chirping and natural echo.

That's where I started, but I started to buy surround music concerts and DVDA and SACD of music recordings. When I got these B&W surrounds, I realized how much I was missing with the old cheapies.

Just for an experiment, I put the B&w's up front in place of my main towers and let them rip with the sub woofer. These small bookshelf speakers, combined with the sub, sounded great.

I can't say I've heard many of the brands mentioned on this thread, but I would look at B&W if you are looking for a cross over of price and value.