Need a set of speakers

True_Scotsman

True_Scotsman

True_Scotsman

Associate
Joined
29 Jul 2004
Posts
1,822
Location
Glasgow/The Netherlands
So I was given an Harman Kardon AVR 200 amplifier, yes I know its an old one but it works and will do me until I have the funds for something a bit more modern.

I was looking to buy a set or stereo speakers to go with it (floor standers if possible) but was wondering what brands I should be looking at, budget up 400.

I will be connecting my Panasonic G30 to it via optical.

So OcUK whats my options :D
 
Last edited:
£400 is probably the absolute minimum for new floor standing speakers. Second hand would be better, as realbabelfish said. You will get far more for your £400, second hand.

Have a look on AVForums. They have a very good classified section.
 
What models should I be looking at as there is so much choice (not only on AV Forums).

Dont mind going second hand if it gets me something a little better for the same money :D
 
Speakers are very subjective, there is no 'what's best' just 'what's best for you'.

Now that will entail you going and demoing different speakers, with the same model amp you have as speakers will sound diff with diff amps etc.

Now that's a lot of faff for non-audiophiles, so you end up basically paying yer money and taking yer chance!

tbh, whatever you get will sound a million times better than just the tv anyway :p

I can give you feedback about B&W speakers. I've had a pair of floorstanders for ~10yrs paired with a rotel amp and I've always found the combo a bit 'bright' (detailed) - ie: the instruments are all very clear and distinct, but it loses overall harmony ie: the sound doesn't all gel into one so much. Still sounds great tho!

Now recently I've got a denon A/V amp, and expanded to 5.1 with B&W, and that has warmed the speakers up a little, but still with the B&W 'brightness', clarity - and tbh, for tv and movie watching,it is awesome, that distinctiveness of the B&W speaker works fantastically (for me) for movie soundtracks.

Though, if someone came along and put their kefs on my amp,I might love that even more, who knows :p
 
I have always recommended B&W 685's, they work brilliantly as a stereo pair but also have the option to extend to home cinema surround sound if needed. I have a pair of these connected via yamaha amp to a panny G30 and they sound great for music and for TV.
The 685's have so much potential, you would definitely need to upgrade the amp before there is any need to upgrade these speakers.
Best thing to do is to go and have a listen to pairs of speakers and see which ones you like the sound of the most.

I am also aware that there is a nice pair of 685 + centre speaker listed on the AV forums classifieds for a decent price.
 
I'd agree with previous comments about speaker preference being very subjective, and also getting much better value for money second-hand.

The problem with second-hand is that you don't get the same chance to demo what's available, but if you're not happy you can always sell stuff on without losing much/any money and try something different.

It depends on how much effort you want to put into this, but I'd suggest you try to have a demo of some new B&Ws and Kefs and the like with your amp to see what your preferences are - if you then decide to buy second hand you'll then have a better idea of the manufacturers' 'house sound' and a better chance of finding something you'd like. One thing to be aware of is that 'up front' or bright sounding systems can sound impressively detailed in demos, but can be tiring to listen to in the longer run.

With a £400 budget you could get some second hand speakers that would be in a different class to your current AV amp, e.g. not that long ago I managed to pick up some Kef 104/2s for less than that.

As well as avforums, other places to look for used speakers (some are for more esoteric stuff): the bay (of course), gumtree, preloved, vivastreet, www.hifi-forsale.co.uk, www.adverts.hififorsale.com, www.choice-hifi.com, www.audiojumble.co.uk

Happy hunting :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom