I just sold my ATC Active 10s with the intention of taking a few months (/years/decades) to do a little dance in the secondhand market - i.e. swap 'round a succession of secondhand speakers until either I find the perfect pair for me, or I get fed up. If nothing else it should broaden my hifi horizons and give me a good thorough audiophile education.
So, my first port of call is a pair of JM Lab Electra 905s. So very different from the ATCs, but definitely good speakers. I'm awaiting a Classé CA-100 power amp to drive them, though, so won't know for sure how I like them till that arrives (prolly tomorrow). In the meantime I'm using an Arcam Alpha 10P borrowed from the dealer I got the speakers from.
As I say, I can't tell from first impressions (only had 'em two days now), but it's likely I'll end up flogging the JM Labs and trying something else, so I'm looking for suggestions for other speakers I might try.
I don't know how to describe my tastes, but I lived with the ATC Active 10s for 2+ years and loved their sound, but in the end I was put off by the sort of upper-midband "sheen" that I didn't like. I also wanted something with a bit more weight and authority (something the JM Labs have in spades).
I listen to all sorts of music, from Dylan to Metallica, Massive Attack to Lambchop, Bjork to Tori Amos, Radiohead to B.B. King.... I'm also a classical fiend, though a relatively novice one - my favourite composers (that I've discovered so far) are probably Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, and maybe Bach. I do love the sorts of grand orchestral pieces that really stir the soul, though I also enjoy solo instrumental pieces, smaller chamber music, and everything in between.
There are certain qualities I REQUIRE a good set of speakers to have: dynamics, decent bass (meaning clean, tuneful, tight, but powerful, though I have an ATC Concept 4 sub to fill in the low end if need be, so small standmounts are definitely a consideration), lack of brightness, and good imaging. I've also been spoiled by the ATCs, and thus appreciate good timing, cohesiveness, driver integration, and a good, neutral balance. I'd prefer generally neutral speakers, but this is an educational exercise, so I'd be happy to try speakers with "colourful" balances if they have other redeeming qualities (I don't think I'd call the JM Labs neutral, and I'm certainly enjoying them!)
Oh, and they also MUST be able to go LOUD - I like to listen to music that way, and they'll serve as main L & R speakers in an AV system as well as their primary hifi duties, so they NEED to be able to take some abuse (and ideally thrive on it).
Anyway, from my own personal experience, I think the next speaker for me to try will be the Dynaudio Contour 1.3 Mk. II, which I've seen floating around for £650. I had a demo of them two and a bit years ago, before deciding to buy the Active 10s, and I remember REALLY liking them.
But I'm open to other possibilities. It's a big wide world out there, and I know you guys here at ZG have seen a lot more of it than I have!
My system as it stands (I don't intend to change any of these any time soon):
Meridian 507 CD player
ATC CA-2 preamp
Target R6 (I believe) stands
My room is medium sized (around 3.5m x 4.8m with 2.8m ceiling and a big bay window in one of the small walls), fairly well damped acoustically (though I'm hoping to get some proper acoustic treatment). It has a bit of a bass problem in its current configuration, with a nasty hump around 80Hz and another around 45-50Hz, but again I'm hoping to treat that acoustically with some tuned bass traps in the nearish future...
I'm probably looking mainly at standmounters here, but I'd consider some not-too-OTT floorstanders, as I know there are good ones out there.
Cheers,
Dunc
P.S. - I'm also open for suggestions regarding power amps. I was kinda hoping to stick with the Classé (just because choosing speakers is tough enough; I don't need the hassle of different amps as well!), but if there is definitely better out there, I'd be willing to give it a go. Mustn't cost more than about £700 secondhand, though, as I don't want to lose any money ideally.
So, my first port of call is a pair of JM Lab Electra 905s. So very different from the ATCs, but definitely good speakers. I'm awaiting a Classé CA-100 power amp to drive them, though, so won't know for sure how I like them till that arrives (prolly tomorrow). In the meantime I'm using an Arcam Alpha 10P borrowed from the dealer I got the speakers from.
As I say, I can't tell from first impressions (only had 'em two days now), but it's likely I'll end up flogging the JM Labs and trying something else, so I'm looking for suggestions for other speakers I might try.
I don't know how to describe my tastes, but I lived with the ATC Active 10s for 2+ years and loved their sound, but in the end I was put off by the sort of upper-midband "sheen" that I didn't like. I also wanted something with a bit more weight and authority (something the JM Labs have in spades).
I listen to all sorts of music, from Dylan to Metallica, Massive Attack to Lambchop, Bjork to Tori Amos, Radiohead to B.B. King.... I'm also a classical fiend, though a relatively novice one - my favourite composers (that I've discovered so far) are probably Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, and maybe Bach. I do love the sorts of grand orchestral pieces that really stir the soul, though I also enjoy solo instrumental pieces, smaller chamber music, and everything in between.
There are certain qualities I REQUIRE a good set of speakers to have: dynamics, decent bass (meaning clean, tuneful, tight, but powerful, though I have an ATC Concept 4 sub to fill in the low end if need be, so small standmounts are definitely a consideration), lack of brightness, and good imaging. I've also been spoiled by the ATCs, and thus appreciate good timing, cohesiveness, driver integration, and a good, neutral balance. I'd prefer generally neutral speakers, but this is an educational exercise, so I'd be happy to try speakers with "colourful" balances if they have other redeeming qualities (I don't think I'd call the JM Labs neutral, and I'm certainly enjoying them!)
Oh, and they also MUST be able to go LOUD - I like to listen to music that way, and they'll serve as main L & R speakers in an AV system as well as their primary hifi duties, so they NEED to be able to take some abuse (and ideally thrive on it).
Anyway, from my own personal experience, I think the next speaker for me to try will be the Dynaudio Contour 1.3 Mk. II, which I've seen floating around for £650. I had a demo of them two and a bit years ago, before deciding to buy the Active 10s, and I remember REALLY liking them.
But I'm open to other possibilities. It's a big wide world out there, and I know you guys here at ZG have seen a lot more of it than I have!
My system as it stands (I don't intend to change any of these any time soon):
Meridian 507 CD player
ATC CA-2 preamp
Target R6 (I believe) stands
My room is medium sized (around 3.5m x 4.8m with 2.8m ceiling and a big bay window in one of the small walls), fairly well damped acoustically (though I'm hoping to get some proper acoustic treatment). It has a bit of a bass problem in its current configuration, with a nasty hump around 80Hz and another around 45-50Hz, but again I'm hoping to treat that acoustically with some tuned bass traps in the nearish future...
I'm probably looking mainly at standmounters here, but I'd consider some not-too-OTT floorstanders, as I know there are good ones out there.
Cheers,
Dunc
P.S. - I'm also open for suggestions regarding power amps. I was kinda hoping to stick with the Classé (just because choosing speakers is tough enough; I don't need the hassle of different amps as well!), but if there is definitely better out there, I'd be willing to give it a go. Mustn't cost more than about £700 secondhand, though, as I don't want to lose any money ideally.
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