I'm stumped. Not because I can't figure out options, but rather, I just don't know enough about the options to make any progress. I have a very specific set of criteria and could use some help with ideas.
I have this little tube amp, a Leben CS-300x. And I want it to live in my bedroom setup. Currently that setup is a pair of Elac UNI-Fi UB5s on big 4-post, filled, Target stands, driven by a Proton amp, with a Berkeley Alpha DAC as preamp. The system is fine but it's too much for the room. The Target stands are in the way, the Elacs are kind of plane-jane and not in a good way. On the stands they're just homely. The Proton is great but I'd rather use the Leben.
My budget is around $1000, so I'm thinking used is the way to go here. Would love to spend less but could swing a bit more if I found something really special.
So, the criteria:
Decent efficiency. I'm thinking 90db at least. It's a small room and the Leben is gutsy for its size but only 18wpc.
Can't be homely. I would love some sort of real wood veneer or piano black. Or shiny white. Anything but ugly vinyl wrap.
I prefer a sound that errs on the warm side.
Needs to be smallish. Can be small floor standers or something that works well on lighter stands. No more huge stands! Ability to play near a wall is a plus.
Ideas I've had:
Dynaudio Contour S/R. These are actually designed to be wall mounted. They might not work with the Leben but wall mounted? I'm intrigued.
Rega Ela (early ones). These are a small floorstander, they're fantastic. I just can't find a pair.
Meadowlark Swifts: Another small floorstander. I may go this route I've just never heard a pair.
Royd Envoy: Smallish stand mount. Another speaker I haven't heard but have heard good things about.
Dynaudio (something or other): I just like Dynaudio speakers. I don't know much about their hierarchy however.
Small Spendors: They'd stretch my budget but I like them.
Martin Logan Motion(?)- The newish stand mounts with the air motion tweeter. I'm intrigued.
Harbeth P3esr- Ok, WAY out of my price range but I'd love them. Perfect look, too.
Things I've tried:
Elac UniFi UB5s: They sound great but don't open up with the Leben, and they're ugly.
Allison CD7s: They look great but don't sound great. Perfect size. They're just too "vintage' sounding. Rolled off, indistinct, just bland sounding. No, i"m not suggesting all vintage speakers sound like that.
Yamaha HS7 powered monitors. Ok, they didn't use the Leben but they were too, well, pro-monitor sounding. Everything revealed in a non flattering light. They're back in use in my home recording setup.
And...that's it! Sorry for the lengthy treatise. I just need speakers
I have this little tube amp, a Leben CS-300x. And I want it to live in my bedroom setup. Currently that setup is a pair of Elac UNI-Fi UB5s on big 4-post, filled, Target stands, driven by a Proton amp, with a Berkeley Alpha DAC as preamp. The system is fine but it's too much for the room. The Target stands are in the way, the Elacs are kind of plane-jane and not in a good way. On the stands they're just homely. The Proton is great but I'd rather use the Leben.
My budget is around $1000, so I'm thinking used is the way to go here. Would love to spend less but could swing a bit more if I found something really special.
So, the criteria:
Decent efficiency. I'm thinking 90db at least. It's a small room and the Leben is gutsy for its size but only 18wpc.
Can't be homely. I would love some sort of real wood veneer or piano black. Or shiny white. Anything but ugly vinyl wrap.
I prefer a sound that errs on the warm side.
Needs to be smallish. Can be small floor standers or something that works well on lighter stands. No more huge stands! Ability to play near a wall is a plus.
Ideas I've had:
Dynaudio Contour S/R. These are actually designed to be wall mounted. They might not work with the Leben but wall mounted? I'm intrigued.
Rega Ela (early ones). These are a small floorstander, they're fantastic. I just can't find a pair.
Meadowlark Swifts: Another small floorstander. I may go this route I've just never heard a pair.
Royd Envoy: Smallish stand mount. Another speaker I haven't heard but have heard good things about.
Dynaudio (something or other): I just like Dynaudio speakers. I don't know much about their hierarchy however.
Small Spendors: They'd stretch my budget but I like them.
Martin Logan Motion(?)- The newish stand mounts with the air motion tweeter. I'm intrigued.
Harbeth P3esr- Ok, WAY out of my price range but I'd love them. Perfect look, too.
Things I've tried:
Elac UniFi UB5s: They sound great but don't open up with the Leben, and they're ugly.
Allison CD7s: They look great but don't sound great. Perfect size. They're just too "vintage' sounding. Rolled off, indistinct, just bland sounding. No, i"m not suggesting all vintage speakers sound like that.
Yamaha HS7 powered monitors. Ok, they didn't use the Leben but they were too, well, pro-monitor sounding. Everything revealed in a non flattering light. They're back in use in my home recording setup.
And...that's it! Sorry for the lengthy treatise. I just need speakers