Thinking of taking the plunge.

Autor

Beitrag

zhopudey
Stammgast

#1 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 10:58

Hi, I'm back again, and this time with some cash in my pocket

Need suggestions as usual.

Here is my room layout -

http://www.imgx.org/pfiles/418/roomlayout3gx.jpg

I use my computer as source, playing mainly FLACs, or at least high bitrate mp3s, through my EMU 0404 soundcard.

I mainly listen to rock. Springsteen, RHCP, metallica, Floyd (ohh lots of floyd), Dave Matthews, Massive Attack, Led Zep, Bryan Adams, Dido, Corrs.....some Sade, some Ray Charles, a little Steely Dan, and even Prodigy and Sepultura if I'm feeling too sleepy. Along with plenty of bollywood (usually older songs - kishore kumar / rafi etc); as well as the new pakistani bands like strings, Jal, etc.

You all know I don't understand most of the audiophile terms. I'm just looking for something that'll get my feet tapping, but should be good enough to let me understand these audiophile things as well.

Budget is 30-40K for speakers, amp, cables, and stands. The speakers will be placed on either side of the PC table, and can have upto 6' between them. I spend almost all my time in front of the PC, so all my listening will be in the nearfield.

I guess the usual suspects for speakers in this price range include wharfedale, monitor audio, PSB etc. I searched a lot on the net, but didn't find anything particular mentioned about their nearfield performance. The dedicated monitors like Dynaudio are nowhere near my budget.

So, help me out. Let the adventure begin!

deaf
Stammgast

#2 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 11:12

Tapco by Mackie is a shot u can take. Price is 28k for an active pair of the model S-5.
Deaf.

zhopudey
Stammgast

#3 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 11:24

Thanks. I'll read up about them. I guess its an oft-repeated question, but how would these studio monitors compare to normal hifi speakers?

zhopudey
Stammgast

#4 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 14:00

Deaf, the Tapco S5 have ports in the rear. I can spare only 6"-8" from the rear wall. Would that be enough?

Jeeves
Stammgast

#5 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 15:18

Deaf are these available in India?

deaf
Stammgast

#6 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 15:47

Narain pro audio and lighting are the India disti for Mackie. They have them in stock. Yes enough space behind, just close the ports if there is too much bass, or use the EQ on the sound cards to get the sound you want.Definately better on your type of music than the home audio brands.
Deaf.

stevieboy
Stammgast

#7 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 16:17

if its nearfield listening try single driver speakers. no minimum distance required for integration of different drivers. also you can play them at lower volumes with good clarity since the cone is lighter and more responsive. most traditional speakers have to be pumped up to sound their optimum. check if viren makes bookshelves. mordaunt short ms 902i was pretty good. wharfedale 9.1 too. guess you've checked those out

regards

zhopudey
Stammgast

#8 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 17:28

Any other active monitors in my budget?

Edit: Just saw the Tapco S5 is $350 @ zzsounds. And it costs 28K here!

s double!

[Beitrag von zhopudey am 05. Jun 2007, 17:50 bearbeitet]

deaf
Stammgast

#9 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 18:14

zhopudey schrieb:

Any other active monitors in my budget?

Edit: Just saw the Tapco S5 is $350 @ zzsounds. And it costs 28K here!

s double! :(

Dude swipe the credit card and get it. What a deal.
Deaf.

zhopudey
Stammgast

#10 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 18:43

Ahhh well....I was day dreaming

The shipping would cost more than the speaker itself

Back to our motherland. Any other options in my budget? M-Audio, yamaha, behringer, genelec, etc...

deaf
Stammgast

#11 erstellt: 05. Jun 2007, 18:52

zhopudey schrieb:

Ahhh well....I was day dreaming

The shipping would cost more than the speaker itself

Back to our motherland. Any other options in my budget? M-Audio, yamaha, behringer, genelec, etc...

Zops see my post in the OTHER HIFI section please.
Deaf

soulforged
Stammgast

#12 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 06:10

Try Paradigm Atoms...there was a pair of Tannoys up for sale as well...check out the buy & sell section...

zhopudey
Stammgast

#13 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 07:10

Is Paradigm available here?

As for the Tannoys, I won't be able to afford even one, forget about the pair

Manek
Inventar

#14 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 10:08

tannoy entry level stuff is very very affordable.

soulforged
Stammgast

#15 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 10:16

I think there's a Paradigm distributor in Mumbai or Kolkata...I'm sure someone in this forum would know the details...

As for Tannoys, the person selling them was looking for 9 or 10K guess thats well within your budget...

zhopudey
Stammgast

#16 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 10:37

Ahh the Mercury M2

But would they work in nearfield?

Shahrukh
Inventar

#17 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 10:59

soulforged schrieb:

I think there's a Paradigm distributor in Mumbai or Kolkata...I'm sure someone in this forum would know the details...

Japonica - Lansdowne Road - Calcutta!!

zhopudey
Stammgast

#18 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 12:25

Ohh cool. They're mentioned on the Paradigm Site

Contact :
Mr. P. Biswas

Distributor :
Japonica International PVT. LTD.

Country :
India

Phone :
+ 91-33-2474-3968/2474-4049

Fax :
+ 91-33-2474-3969

Email :
japonica@vsnl.net

Shahrukh
Inventar

#19 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 12:43

Even the Sony Mony in Ville Parle stocks Paradigm - or so I've been told!

zhopudey
Stammgast

#20 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 13:10

Coming back to my original question, how would the regular hifi speakers perform in nearfield?

There is an active nearfield version of the Diamond 8.1 Is this just an amp attached to the 8.1? Does this mean the diamonds work in nearfield?

abhi.pani
Inventar

#21 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 13:28

Zhopudey buddy,
If I may propose...with the kind of budget you have and your listening tastes taken into consideration, would you be willing to try out an Indian brand ?
I was proposing Laya Acoustics Bookshelf speakers.
It costs 18k per pair, by and large one of the best bookshelf speaker I have heard within 30k. Very high build quality, superb components, great sound quality. Its not marketed well else its a gem IMO. They have a website but its in a pretty infant stage:

http://layaacoustics.com/Contact.aspx

you can contact Mr.Arasu at 9845131413.
He should be able to co-ordinate with you with your requirements.
Savyasaachi would be able to provide some more info on this speaker because he has spent a considerable amount of time with them.

zhopudey
Stammgast

#22 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 13:44

I have no problems whether the speakers are Indian, American, or even Mongolian, as long as they give me the best sound for my money.

Which brings me to my usual question - how will these work in nearfield?

I hope either Mr Arasu or savyasaachi can shed some light here.

abhi.pani
Inventar

#23 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 13:48

Hmmm...you can definitely contact both of them. Mr.Arasu will be able to give you a clearer picture of it. I have heard them and loved them. Even the amps they build are very good. Nothing beats them at that price (18k for pre-power). The speakers have all Vifa drivers in MTM (mid-tweeter-mid) configuration. They sounded like a nicely built floorstander.

zhopudey
Stammgast

#24 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 13:57

BTW, will viren's single driver speakers work for me? Why have they disappeared from his website?

Edit: Oops...found them

[Beitrag von zhopudey am 06. Jun 2007, 13:59 bearbeitet]

square_wave
Inventar

#25 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 14:11

Single driver full range design is a totally different ball-game from multidriver designs. You will need to listen and see if you are ready for it. Nobody can answer such questions for you.

stevieboy
Stammgast

#26 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 15:09

zhopudey schrieb:

BTW, will viren's single driver speakers work for me?

i have already given you a few reasons why a single driver makes sense especially for nearfield listening. one more reason is a more 'cohesive, together' sound. the minuses are the ends will suffer a bit, at lower bass and higher treble levels. i dont find it much of an issue, compared to the pluses i get, but it's there nevertheless. main benefit is that you'll do away with multiple driver integrations issues since you're sitting so close. also you can listen at lower volumes without losing much. the drivers are more responsive. plus you can get a lower powered amp (saving money, i suppose there are lower powered cheaper amps out there), because the sensitivity is 92-92db. you're in bombay i think otherwise i'd have invited you over.

regards

[Beitrag von stevieboy am 06. Jun 2007, 15:17 bearbeitet]

soulforged
Stammgast

#27 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 16:08

from my experience (IMHO), most monitors perform very well in near field...check out a few (esp. tannoy) and see for urself...

you cud also check out some smaller sub-sat setups...

zhopudey
Stammgast

#28 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 16:18

By monitors, do you mean Studio monitors, or bookshelves in general? I will check out various monitors at the PALM show.

soulforged
Stammgast

#29 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 17:14

I meant studio monitors...both active and otherwise...

also check out Lithos...I've never heard them but a lot of folx in the forum like them a lot...

abhi.pani
Inventar

#30 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 18:11

Yes, I have heard the Lithos and I think they are a strong contender in this case. Do audition them for sure.

zhopudey
Stammgast

#31 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 18:32

How much do the lithos speakers cost? Ohh and btw, if I go for passive speakers, then how should I divide my budget among speakers, amps, stands and cables?

And though I'm begining to sound like a broken record....has anyone tried the lithos in nearfield?

[Beitrag von zhopudey am 06. Jun 2007, 18:32 bearbeitet]

abhi.pani
Inventar

#32 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 19:04

They are mainly in sub-satt combo...sub-satts aimed for stereo and can double up as HT (not the other way round). They start off from 15k (for a passive sub and two satts) and are very clean and musical sounding stuffs. I have heard them from pretty close distance and they sound very good. They dont have issues in integrating because the bass module is separate and tucked somewhere below and its just the matter of two satts integrating which is easy.
Dont worry, the bass module doesnt produce one-note bass notes like a cheap sub...it is very well made sounds really tight.

abhi.pani
Inventar

#33 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 19:11

look at this:

http://www.lithosindia.com/Home.htm

zhopudey
Stammgast

#34 erstellt: 06. Jun 2007, 20:06

Very nice site. The other indian brands should take a hint from this. (Though posting actuals photos rather than 3D renderings would be better :P)

You think sub-sats would also work in nearfield? Then I should also consider the other brands - sonodyne, deftech, KEF, anthony gallo, mirage, etc...

purnendu
Stammgast

#35 erstellt: 08. Jun 2007, 09:12

Zhopudey,
Are you serious about the Mongolian seakers. I can source them for you. Horse hide subwoofers and yak tweeter.
But seriously, in your budget it will hard to beat the wharfedale diamonds. You could add a sub later. Their main constraint is sensitivity, you will need to match these with a range of 60 watt plus amps.
Purnendu

zhopudey
Stammgast

#36 erstellt: 09. Jun 2007, 17:04

Had gone to the PALM show today. Heard a nice talk by Deaf. Then went to check the active monitors. This was not very productive. First, I couldn't listen to any monitor properly, due to the extremely loud noise all around

Second, didn't find all the brands I was expecting. No tannoy, tascam, or fostek. PACE Comm were showcasing mixers and consoles, and didn't have anyone whho knew about the Dyne monitors.

The guy at the wharfedale pro/quad industrial stall was very funny. When I asked him what drivers the Quad speaker has, he said it has a woofer and a tweeter

The KRK guy was the most useful, as he just handed me a list of prices

But I glanced over the prices, ans saw they are not helping me at all

38K for the RP5 Rockit, which is currently selling for $150 at zzounds. I understand about shipping / duty / octroi / dealer margins etc, but a 6x price difference is too much to digest

The sonodyne stall was the only place where I got a decent demo. Their 5.5", 40-40W is for 25K, and the 6.5" 40-80W is 35K. I'll put these on my short list

abhi.pani
Inventar

#37 erstellt: 09. Jun 2007, 18:42

The sonodyne stall was the only place where I got a decent demo. Their 5.5", 40-40W is for 25K, and the 6.5" 40-80W is 35K. I'll put these on my short list

I have heard them...they are nice.

zhopudey
Stammgast

#38 erstellt: 09. Jun 2007, 22:02

Ohh I forgot....JBL and Genelec start from about 70K

abhi.pani
Inventar

#39 erstellt: 10. Jun 2007, 05:40

I still think....Arasu's speakers will do an awesome job for you. The monitors you are considering could sound awfully dry and revealing/bright. My dear friend, speak to Arasu once and just find out, what he has to offer you...

abhi.pani
Inventar

#40 erstellt: 10. Jun 2007, 05:45

In sub-satt combo....I loved the Genie-2 sattelites. But for the sub, you may have to look at Lithos, Wharfdale, Deftech, Monitor Audio...But do give a listen to the Genie-2 satts..I feel you would be pleasantly surprised.

abhi.pani
Inventar

#41 erstellt: 10. Jun 2007, 10:12

look at your PM.

Savyasaachi
Inventar

#42 erstellt: 10. Jun 2007, 14:11

zhopudey schrieb:

I hope either Mr Arasu or savyasaachi can shed some light here.

I will answer your question on tuesday...got an exam to study for now...
But talk to Arasu directly first...he would definitely be the best person to tell you how his speakers would perform in near field....And i completely agree with Abhi's observation that his bookshelves are among the best i have heard. Exceptional sound staging and channel separation...the speakers truly disappear

[Beitrag von Savyasaachi am 10. Jun 2007, 14:14 bearbeitet]

Savyasaachi
Inventar

#43 erstellt: 10. Jun 2007, 14:28

abhi.pani schrieb:

Correction...the tweeter is a VIfa D27 but the woofers are built by Arasu in good ole Bangalore...Zhopudey, you will not find Arasu on the forum, contact him through phone or email..

abhi.pani schrieb:

They have a website but its in a pretty infant stage:

http://layaacoustics.com/Contact.aspx

This will soon change