I really want a new stereo...

alexthecheese · 30 Aug 2007 at 12:15

I've got a pair of Mission 701 bookshelf speakers at the moment, rated at about 100watts (at a push) which is powered by a half decent Sony 35wpc amp and half decent Philips CD player.

Nothing is pretty special, though the CD player - despite only being a Philips - is actually pretty good. The speakers got 5/5 in a What Hi-Fi many years ago and the amp was just something I spotted in Richer Sounds. All in all, it was about £400 for the lot about 5/6 years ago.

I want to get a new amp and speakers. I'm not fussed about getting a new CD player as to be honest I rarely use it as I use itunes more than anything.

I've seen some nice NAD amps about, ranging from 50wpc right to 150wpc (powah!), and I'll probably go for one about the 70wpc range but I can't hunt down a decent pair of floorstanding speakers that will do the job properly.

I listen to a lot of rock and electronic music, so they will have to be quite clear sounding but able to pack a punch for bass - particularly when it comes to having people round.

I've spotted there are Mission M35i speakers, which can get for £180ish for a pair - but they seem to cheap, and are quite muddy according to some. They use the same cone for the woofer and mid-range speakers, what's that about?

I've seen some Eltaxs, which I dont really like, and some Kef's - but the ones I've read about seem hard to get any bass out of... I'm a bit confused actually where to go. I think about £300 is my budget for the speakers...

semi-pro waster · 30 Aug 2007 at 12:22

I think you might find better responses in the Home Cinema and Hifi sub forum but I'll RTM and hopefully some kind mod will move this thread.

Big Kev · 30 Aug 2007 at 12:36

semi-pro waster said:
I think you might find better responses in the Home Cinema and Hifi sub forum but I'll RTM and hopefully some kind mod will move this thread.

Done sir.

As you helped me out, I'll give you 30 minutes to change your siggy.

semi-pro waster · 30 Aug 2007 at 12:38

Big Kev said:
As you helped me out, I'll give you 30 minutes to change your siggy.

Thanks for moving it but you've lost me, is there actually something wrong with my sig or are you just taking the mickey?

Big Kev · 30 Aug 2007 at 12:40

semi-pro waster said:
Thanks for moving it but you've lost me, is there actually something wrong with my sig or are you just taking the mickey?

My siggy is the maximum size and you'll notice that your text is longer than the allowed 400.

semi-pro waster · 30 Aug 2007 at 12:45

Big Kev said:
My siggy is the maximum size and you'll notice that your text is longer than the allowed 400.

Ah, thank you, I'm sure it used to auto-return onto the next line but I've sorted it now.

Big Kev · 30 Aug 2007 at 12:47

semi-pro waster said:
Ah, thank you, I'm sure it used to auto-return onto the next line but I've sorted it now.

No problem chief.

Corasik · 30 Aug 2007 at 15:12

Using the same size cones for bass, and mid isnt really a problem. The internal cabinet design is more important. My speakers use 4 identical drivers 2 for bass, and 2 for mid + a silk dome tweeter, and the sound great. Tannoy DC3000's use a pair of 8 inch drivers one for bass, one for mid. Its not a problem.

However Mission were bought up by IAG, and since then their build quality isnt really what it used to be. Designed in europe but built in the cheapest locations possible generally. Its the same story with Audiolab, and most other IAG brands.

IAG cut the price of the Audiolab designs in half by having them built abroad. But I dont think they are even close to a match for the original UK built products... Hence why the second hand market on 8000 series amps often exceeds the current retail price for new ones.

1pudding1 · 30 Aug 2007 at 17:08

Speaking of which, I have a Audiolab 8000A of the superior original variety

in black if you're interested? Very good amps.

alexthecheese · 30 Aug 2007 at 17:13

It's a bit old school isn't it? Not that it should matter of course!

I was looking at some Monitor Audio BR5's for £360. If I got my act together I would've ordered them today to get them tomorrow, as I'm having a party, but it's too late now and I'll have to settle for the bass of my little Mission's.

Hellsmk2 · 30 Aug 2007 at 18:32

Have you considered a set of B&W's? They have some awesome sounding speakers you can pick up for between £300 - 400.

~>Dg<~ · 30 Aug 2007 at 20:48

if you gunna spend more than a ton on speakers go have a listen,bargin for me would be some b+w 602s of egay fetch around 60-70 quid which is a lot of speaker for the money. basically i would go listen to some options as everybody is different.