Ducati Monster Forum

Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: brix821 on April 17, 2010, 07:19:10 PM

Title: audio buffs
Post by: brix821 on April 17, 2010, 07:19:10 PM
I am looking for some new speakers for my business. We are moving, and in keeping with the theme,  upgrading our super 70's cerwin vega floor speakers.  I want affordable, compact, light, and durable....what you got?
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: sleeperbold on April 19, 2010, 07:22:05 PM
I love the KEF audio floor speakers I have for my surround sound  ;D
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: NoisyDante on April 19, 2010, 08:49:06 PM
We went with PSB speakers for our setup, very happy with how they sound.  Didn't have to break the bank with them.
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: smilingbear on April 19, 2010, 09:17:01 PM
There are soooo many options, and a lot of it depends on your ears.

For very good, affordable speakers, PSB is fantastic.  Paradigm is great too.  Both Canadian companies, who knew? :)

If they're too expensive, maybe some Polk Audio?
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: Stinky Wizzleteats on April 20, 2010, 05:24:16 AM
I've always loved my Tannoys', they have not missed a beat.  ;D
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: Jaman on April 20, 2010, 05:41:37 AM
+1 for Paradigm
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: JEFF_H on April 20, 2010, 06:57:41 AM
I got a deal on a refurb Onkyo system for my shop.
shoponkyo.com
sounds good and has enough oomph to fill a warehouse space with a tall ceiling

if you are looking for stylish, I love my Orb Audio system i have at home
http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp (http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp)
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: ZyMe on April 20, 2010, 07:23:11 AM
Would you consider an aperionaudio.com (http://aperionaudio.com) speaker system?

People seem to like them, and they have top notch customer service!  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: SacDuc on April 20, 2010, 07:32:41 AM

I will say the same thing I say in every audio thread ever:

The speakers won't make much of a difference if your space is not up to the level of speakers acoustically. You could put the best speakers in the world (Genelec?) in room that has bad flutter echo and they will sound like shit. Nine times out of ten you better off spending your money making your space a better acoustic environment (usually most simply done with diffusers to deaden echo) than spending your money on speakers.

But all of this is like trying to convince people to buy better suspension for their bikes instead of doing power up grades. No one wants to hear it.

So that being the case, if you are going to spend money on speakers spend it on the best subwoofer you can afford. You can judge this almost soley on how low the Hz are. Bass should be felt and not heard. Ideally your sub should pump out sound below the threshold of human hearing. The lower the better. If you actually hear too much bass what you are really hearing is distortion. You can observe this at your local movie theater. You will feel the low end sounds (as in explosions and such) and not hear them directly.

What kind of space are you moving to? Size, ceiling height, function of the space and function of the speakers? Are you keeping your employees rockin' or providing ambient music for clients?

Happy hunting.


sac
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: NoisyDante on April 20, 2010, 08:00:59 AM
Quote from: SacDuc on April 20, 2010, 07:32:41 AM
You could put the best speakers in the world (Genelec?) in room that has bad flutter echo and they will sound like shit.

I agree on acoustical quality of the room being massively important, it could make a cheaper system sound great if done correctly and a pricey system sound worthless if done poorly.  Room treatment trumps speaker choice in the line of importance.

From the experience I have with Genelec for studio work, I am not a fan.  They are midrangey and fatiguing.  Have not heard anything in their consumer line.  For studio work I use ADAM nearfields, and have always wanted to check out their home entertainment line.  Very pricey though.
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: mookieo2 on April 20, 2010, 08:13:06 AM
Quote from: SacDuc on April 20, 2010, 07:32:41 AM
I will say the same thing I say in every audio thread ever:

The speakers won't make much of a difference if your space is not up to the level of speakers acoustically. You could put the best speakers in the world (Genelec?) in room that has bad flutter echo and they will sound like shit. Nine times out of ten you better off spending your money making your space a better acoustic environment (usually most simply done with diffusers to deaden echo) than spending your money on speakers.

But all of this is like trying to convince people to buy better suspension for their bikes instead of doing power up grades. No one wants to hear it.

+11tby
So that being the case, if you are going to spend money on speakers spend it on the best subwoofer you can afford. You can judge this almost soley on how low the Hz are. Bass should be felt and not heard. Ideally your sub should pump out sound below the threshold of human hearing. The lower the better. If you actually hear too much bass what you are really hearing is distortion. You can observe this at your local movie theater. You will feel the low end sounds (as in explosions and such) and not hear them directly.

What kind of space are you moving to? Size, ceiling height, function of the space and function of the speakers? Are you keeping your employees rockin' or providing ambient music for clients?

Happy hunting.


sac

Triad makes some really good stuff. I also like Snell Acoustics. Sonance has great in ceiling/ wall speakers. If its just back ground music in an office building a JBL 70v system will be pretty nice.
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: numbskull on April 20, 2010, 08:42:35 AM
Another recommendation for PSB. I've had my system for about 6 years and it sounds fantastic.
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: brix821 on April 20, 2010, 07:24:30 PM
thanks guys
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: Johnny OrganDonor on April 20, 2010, 07:27:33 PM
Quote from: brix821 on April 17, 2010, 07:19:10 PM
...............I want affordable, compact, light, and durable.........

For the performance, size, and price point, check out Klipsch Heresys.  
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: brix821 on April 21, 2010, 08:24:27 AM
These speakers will installed in a 900 sq feet dining room with exposed brick walls, glass block, and plate glass windows.  We keep it pretty rocking
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: SacDuc on April 21, 2010, 10:18:50 AM
Quote from: brix821 on April 21, 2010, 08:24:27 AM
These speakers will installed in a 900 sq feet dining room with exposed brick walls, glass block, and plate glass windows.  We keep it pretty rocking


AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

Spend your money on heavy drapes for the windows, some diffuser panels for those brick walls, wall to wall carpeting and some acoustical paneling for the ceiling. Especially the ceiling. How high is it and what is it made of? You could put a zillion dollars worth of speakers in that room and its going to sound terrible.

Seriously, go make some noise in that room and listen closely to the echo. Bring a boom box (remember those?) or bang some pots and pans together or just scream and listen for the half second after you stop making noise. And bear in mind that when music is playing continuously that half second of garbage becomes continuous too. Being able to turn up the volume won't make it better any more than adding more hp will make you a better rider. It won't drown out the garbage it will make it worse.

Spend your budget on cheap speakers and acoustical treatment.


sac




/you're not buying any of this are you?
//you're gonna buy some sexy speakers

Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: ODrides on April 21, 2010, 10:44:54 AM
Cerwin Vegas aren't exactly great sounding speakers, right?
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: Bick on April 21, 2010, 02:37:22 PM
I bought my first pair of Paradigms @ 20 years ago and still love them.

Also check out MK - http://www.mksoundsystem.com/default_2.htm (http://www.mksoundsystem.com/default_2.htm)
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: DoubleEagle on April 21, 2010, 11:01:06 PM
I have a pair of B+W Nautilus 801s and they are awesome .

Room treatment is most important to the quality of the sound that your Speakers will deliver.

Also a nice low wattage ( 75 watts RMS ) Tube amp and pre-amp will give you a very warm sound.

I have a McIntosh 500 watt solid state power Amp that doesn't sound as good as my $1300 Jolida 75 watt Tube integrated pre-amp /Amp.

$2000-$2500 should get you a good Subwoofer.Check out Klipsch.

Klipsch also makes a pair of floor standing Speakers ( RP 3s )  w, a Horn Tweeter, Mid-Range Speaker and a separate built in Powered Subwoofer for less than $2000.

Want a good vintage Speaker ? Check out Ebay for a pair of Klipsch Fortes.3 way floor speakers about 40 inches tall w, a horn tweeter a horn mid-range and a 12 inch wooofer.

These Speakers come in what appears to be oak or walnut cabinets and weigh 65 lbs. each. You should be able to buy a decent pair for around $500-$700.

Definitive Technology makes some very good Speakers for reasonable prices.

Dolph     :)
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: mookieo2 on April 22, 2010, 02:57:02 AM
Love the 801's. Velodyne has the best subs IMO but I'm a dealer so I might be biased. (Pm me if anyone wants a deal on one) ;)
Title: Re: audio buffs
Post by: Johnny OrganDonor on April 22, 2010, 03:23:16 AM
Tubes and horns are a beautiful combination.  I have two pair of Klipsch Forte IIs and a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls.  Both of these models are very efficient and would fill your room with ease.  The Cornwall is a classic but the Fortes are just amazing for the sound they deliver per pound.  IIRC, the frequency response on the bass end digs down to something like 32Hz - no need for a sub for music.  The sound is detailed and waay bigger than the speaker with a strong bass slam.  If you really want to rock the house, combine some big ol' horn loaded Klipsch speakers with a Crown K1 or K2 amp. The pricing for Fortes mentioned by DoubleEagle is right on.  One thing about buying older speakers is that the crossovers or at least the caps may need to be replaced - it's a relatively cheap and easy upgrade and well worth it.

As mentioned, room treatment is very important but you should still start with good speaks and then "tune" your room.