DS Forums

 
 

Second hand speaker recommendation


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 26-09-2007, 17:07
tapinacom
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: near Cambridge
Posts: 36

Looking to get some speakers to use with an old NAD 3020e amp, mainly for TV (stereo only). They will also be used for music (maybe 10% of the time).

Ideally I would like to get speakers with enough low-down range and power to avoid a subwoofer, so probably floorstanders, but reasonably slim and with enough crispness to bring out dialogue from background sounds even though near a wall (and with what is by all accounts a very 'relaxed' amp).

I read that it is better to buy speakers second hand if possible as they do not generally deteriorate with age (and may even improve) and obviously you will get more for your money. So... any recommendations?

Last edited by tapinacom : 26-09-2007 at 17:08. Reason: Tidied
tapinacom is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 29-09-2007, 14:54
Etaoin
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 33
Tannoys please most people.

Ninety per cent of the world's rock catalogue is mixed in studios using Tannoys as near-field monitors and most classical and TV studios have a pair kicking around to check the balance because they are the de facto standard.

At least you'll know what the engineer intended!
Etaoin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-09-2007, 16:55
fat controller
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Slightly round the bend
Posts: 12,685
Bowers & Wilkins are always my favourites - again like Tannoys previously mentioned, B&W are widely usd in professional situations. I personally always found Tannoy speakers took a bit more driving than the likes of B&W, or Mission - and NAD amps tend to be very clean and pure sounding and moderately powered - something that is easier for your amp to drive might just be a better option.

THESE could work out a bit of a bargain if you get them for the right money - don't let the dinked tweeter put you off, B&W will happily post you new ones for about £20 and they will even include fitting instructions (very simple job). There are loads of others on ebay too.

Also, you might find that good stand-mount speakers (DM602 for example) have as much or more grunt and depth than some floorstanders have - so don't discount them purely on their shape.
fat controller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30-09-2007, 01:23
Etaoin
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 33
Bowers & Wilkins are always my favourites - again like Tannoys previously mentioned, B&W are widely usd in professional situations. I personally always found Tannoy speakers took a bit more driving than the likes of B&W, or Mission - and NAD amps tend to be very clean and pure sounding and moderately powered - something that is easier for your amp to drive might just be a better option.

THESE could work out a bit of a bargain if you get them for the right money - don't let the dinked tweeter put you off, B&W will happily post you new ones for about £20 and they will even include fitting instructions (very simple job). There are loads of others on ebay too.

Also, you might find that good stand-mount speakers (DM602 for example) have as much or more grunt and depth than some floorstanders have - so don't discount them purely on their shape.
Agree entirely with that. NAD amps, by the way, punch way above their weight if you simply compare the output wattage; they can usually show allegedly more impressive electronics a thing or two when it comes to driving real world (active) loads as opposed to resistors across the terminals.

The 3020 and its derivitives (such as the 3020e) were known to be capable of driving most speakers quite happily to reasonable levels (as long as you don't live in a stately home and want to lift the roof with Bat Out Of Hell!!)

Seriously; the Tannoys, the B&Ws, Missions (check that you can live with them - some of their speakers are so efficient (ie sensitive) that the merest click in a soundtrack comes over like a pistol shot!

You were right about older 'speakers maturing with time, by the way. As the suspension slackens slightly with use the resonance of the bass driver tends to drop. This trick only really works well with bass reflex types (so-called "Infinite Baffle" 'speakers may actually sound worse).

Now, if only you could find a pair of 1950s Tannoy Guy R Fountain Autographs; Ten watts would be enough for realistic levels in the Albert Hall. Your NAD 3020e would flatten listeners against the back wall of your living room!!!
Etaoin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2007, 06:23
tapinacom
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: near Cambridge
Posts: 36
Thank you all for the very helpful replies so far. I think I have a good idea of the makes to look for - B&W, Tannoy and Mission!
tapinacom is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 16:39.