Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

displayname said:
Ok, you have a valid point. But based on several things Mike H pointed out, I still think the sound bar discussion is a good discussion for them to have. YOU sound quite different from the couple in question. Your system is undoubtedly the first thing you notice in your living room, despite the fact that it does look nice and would obviously blow away a sound bar. But based on the restrictions the couple that @MikeH has presented from the host couple... I think they might not have the same outcome as you.
For one, they are talking first stereo. You have a probably close to a $9K system before vinyl is factored in. You also have several components that take up space and visual factors. You also spend a ton of time in audio forums, tweaking and upgrading your system. Really focusing how to get the most out of the sound based on your wants.

This couple doesn't sound like they are anywhere near that.








  • No stands.
  • No towers.
  • Model 5 is too big.
  • Lintons are too big.
Sounds to me like they are going to need a compromise because right now they are going to be limited to smaller bookies that I would assume are pressed all the way up against the wall, possibly inside of a bookshelf. Seems like simple placement such as getting tweeters angled correctly or at ear height might be off the table. @MikeH's original suggestion for Heresy's might actually be one of the only options left to consider aside from bookies with a 5" or smaller woofer, likely being put in very poor placement.

If that's the case, I really stand by my soundbar suggestion. Mostly because a good sound bar can sound surprising, and it sounds like they have a budget that will really let them explore some options. And at least sound bars are generally designed for low placement with tweeters angled appropriately to compensate. And for this couple, seems like it would address their aesthetic concerns, which seem much more demanding than @Joe Mac's.

Now if they really want to keep things out of sight and spend some cash, built-ins is another route. It's not a route that I would take, but it's a route that exist.
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Joe Mac said:
This is true but I suppose I’ve had various systems over the last 20 years that have been dedicated hifi’s, the one that was there the longest cost £750 in total in 2004 (not sure how that would relate to 2023 money). I’ve also always kept the tele separate with bars and bases and came to the same conclusion and with the same attitude. But you are also dead right in the sense that it’s a big part of what I do with my spare time. I’m just guessing with this being Mike’s brother and with him knowing Mike’s set up that this might actually be more of a middle ground that you think it is lol.
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@Joe Mac is right. Essentially my brother and his wife like the setup that my wife and I have except they have more disposable income than I do haha. He asked me for some recommendations based on the look they like so far that look nice but also sound good.

We have a room in our house thats downstairs and has no TV in it. Just record player + speakers + armchairs and a fireplace. My bro and his wife spent the holidays with us and really enjoyed just having a room to relax and listen to music in and read a book at night.

I’m never going to add bass traps, or have panels on the wall in my house or try to make the perfect listening room. I personally hate the clinical look of listening rooms like that. And in my case (and my bro’s) these rooms are the first ones you see when you enter the house. Form AND function are important.

Of course they will have to make some concessions, which is why they are going to the shop near them to see some options in person. Maybe they will decide that the shorter floor stands will be fine. Or that they are okay with skinny towers. I sent them some skinny tower options you recommended too so we will see what they say. They might like them more in person.

As @Joe Mac said, it is more of a middle ground than you think it is. It’s not their first stereo or their first record player setup. They have had NAD amps, KEF speakers, think my brother had Maggies at one point… It’s just that in their old house, my brother had his “gadget” room tucked away upstairs. But now the looks of the speakers are more important since it’s the first thing you see. And I get that. It’s a very old house that has a certain look to it so they want to strike the balance of looks and sound quality. There are plenty of speakers and turntables that surely sound better than my setup but would stick out like a sore thumb in my house.

I think seeing stuff in person will help them both out a lot and help change some of the things in the pros and cons columns.
 
MikeH said:
@Joe Mac is right. Essentially my brother and his wife like the setup that my wife and I have except they have more disposable income than I do haha. He asked me for some recommendations based on the look they like so far that look nice but also sound good.

We have a room in our house thats downstairs and has no TV in it. Just record player + speakers + armchairs and a fireplace. My bro and his wife spent the holidays with us and really enjoyed just having a room to relax and listen to music in and read a book at night.

I’m never going to add bass traps, or have panels on the wall in my house or try to make the perfect listening room. I personally hate the clinical look of listening rooms like that. And in my case (and my bro’s) these rooms are the first ones you see when you enter the house. Form AND function are important.

Of course they will have to make some concessions, which is why they are going to the shop near them to see some options in person. Maybe they will decide that the shorter floor stands will be fine. Or that they are okay with skinny towers. I sent them some skinny tower options you recommended too so we will see what they say. They might like them more in person.

As @Joe Mac said, it is more of a middle ground than you think it is. It’s not their first stereo or their first record player setup. They have had NAD amps, KEF speakers, think my brother had Maggies at one point… It’s just that in their old house, my brother had his “gadget” room tucked away upstairs. But now the looks of the speakers are more important since it’s the first thing you see. And I get that. It’s a very old house that has a certain look to it so they want to strike the balance of looks and sound quality. There are plenty of speakers and turntables that surely sound better than my setup but would stick out like a sore thumb in my house.

I think seeing stuff in person will help them both out a lot and help change some of the things in the pros and cons columns.
Click to expand...

Yeah older house and wanting them to be as much a piece of furniture that fits definitely plays in the the Klipsch speakers or the Tannoy Heritage and Legacy lines. Also the new new Fyne Classic range too. Set in Scotland by ex Tannoy engineers and really highly regarded.

One thing all those have in common though is

$$$$$$$$$$$$
 
Joe Mac said:
Yeah older house and wanting them to be as much a piece of furniture that fits definitely plays in the the Klipsch speakers or the Tannoy Heritage and Legacy lines. Also the new new Fyne Classic range too. Set in Scotland by ex Tannoy engineers and really highly regarded.

One thing all those have in common though is

$$$$$$$$$$$$
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My guess is they may go with the Heresys, but they did like the look of the Tannoys as well (who wouldn't...) My bro just made partner at a law firm last year (and his wife is also a lawyer) so my guess is they can make the $$$ work within reason. I'll just be jealous when his system is better than mine but my wife is happy for me to live vicariously through helping them shop for a set up hah.
 
MikeH said:
My guess is they may go with the Heresys, but they did like the look of the Tannoys as well (who wouldn't...) My bro just made partner at a law firm last year (and his wife is also a lawyer) so my guess is they can make the $$$ work within reason. I'll just be jealous when his system is better than mine but my wife is happy for me to live vicariously through helping them shop for a set up hah.
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Haha! Part of me would kinda enjoy shopping for that kinda a system for my bros or a close friend more than for myself. I don’t have to live with the price tag guilt, I get to help pick it and set it up and I’ll get to listen to it.
 
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Baby thee Diaper said:
I'm not sure I understand your answer. I'm not sure if they come stock on any of the previous DW builds. I do know in the latest iteration of their production run the connection type is not stock but does come on the Superfly/Supreme builds. It comes stock on the higher models of their new revamped production line (e.g. Union 6).

Your answer makes me think you believe I meant a discrete speaker type? Rather, it is a connection type, as opposed to standard binding posts.
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I think I mixed you up with someone else who owns Zus around here.

The cables you refer to are over $1k unless a person needs very short cable runs. Given the general price point for Zu, the cable pricing feels a bit high. I have no idea how much better they sound, though.

If a person has $3k Zu speakers, it might be better to spend that $1k+ on higher end speakers instead. If you have the $10k Druids, then $1k on speaker cables seemed more commensurate.
 
Splunders said:
I think I mixed you up with someone else who owns Zus around here.

The cables you refer to are over $1k unless a person needs very short cable runs. Given the general price point for Zu, the cable pricing feels a bit high. I have no idea how much better they sound, though.

If a person has $3k Zu speakers, it might be better to spend that $1k+ on higher end speakers instead. If you have the $10k Druids, then $1k on speaker cables seemed more commensurate.
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Yes, as said above, I don't have Zu's, but just curious about that type of connection termination.

Although your quoted prices are a bit off. The Mission-LCs they sell (Mission-LC) are $519 at the most expensive (20' run). A reasonable run of, say, 8' would be $369. They do have the Event-LCs (Event-LC) that a comp 20' run gets crazy at ~$2400 and an 8' for $1300 (so maybe that's what you're thinking?).
 
MikeH said:
@Joe Mac is right. Essentially my brother and his wife like the setup that my wife and I have except they have more disposable income than I do haha. He asked me for some recommendations based on the look they like so far that look nice but also sound good.

We have a room in our house thats downstairs and has no TV in it. Just record player + speakers + armchairs and a fireplace. My bro and his wife spent the holidays with us and really enjoyed just having a room to relax and listen to music in and read a book at night.

I’m never going to add bass traps, or have panels on the wall in my house or try to make the perfect listening room. I personally hate the clinical look of listening rooms like that. And in my case (and my bro’s) these rooms are the first ones you see when you enter the house. Form AND function are important.

Of course they will have to make some concessions, which is why they are going to the shop near them to see some options in person. Maybe they will decide that the shorter floor stands will be fine. Or that they are okay with skinny towers. I sent them some skinny tower options you recommended too so we will see what they say. They might like them more in person.

As @Joe Mac said, it is more of a middle ground than you think it is. It’s not their first stereo or their first record player setup. They have had NAD amps, KEF speakers, think my brother had Maggies at one point… It’s just that in their old house, my brother had his “gadget” room tucked away upstairs. But now the looks of the speakers are more important since it’s the first thing you see. And I get that. It’s a very old house that has a certain look to it so they want to strike the balance of looks and sound quality. There are plenty of speakers and turntables that surely sound better than my setup but would stick out like a sore thumb in my house.

I think seeing stuff in person will help them both out a lot and help change some of the things in the pros and cons columns.
Click to expand...
This info changes a my opinion significantly.
I'm going to toss in what I think is a highly under rated wild card here, but it's expensive. It's also pretty room dependent. But if the room works...

1662589974453.png
1662590008743.png


Here me out. Obviously the Klipsch Horns are huge. But I think with the way they sit lower, and more importantly deep in the corners of the room, they strike a visual appeal that is much less obtrusive than most speakers. The front solid wood baffle looks significantly less like a standard speaker. They can easily be used to display other items on top without being overly weird or unstable. They will sound best with them as far out of the way as possible, and they allow the room's eyeline to remain very low. They also can nest nicely around a fireplace, artwork, a TV, or any other significant focal point.

I have no idea if their room's layout would be prohibitive. Or if the budget might be prohibitive. But based on the additional information you've added, these might be real contender.
 
Baby thee Diaper said:
Yes, as said above, I don't have Zu's, but just curious about that type of connection termination.

Although your quoted prices are a bit off. The Mission-LCs they sell (Mission-LC) are $519 at the most expensive (20' run). A reasonable run of, say, 8' would be $369. They do have the Event-LCs (Event-LC) that a comp 20' run gets crazy at ~$2400 and an 8' for $1300 (so maybe that's what you're thinking?).
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Yeah, I think I'm just out of touch with Zu stuff. I swear they used to have that special connector only on their most expensive speaker cables, which were in that $1,300 range. My Zu Souls had that connection option, but at $3k for the speakers, $1,300 was more than I'd ever throw at them for cables. They've really revamped their product line. The new Souls are getting incredible reviews
 
displayname said:
This info changes a my opinion significantly.
I'm going to toss in what I think is a highly under rated wild card here, but it's expensive. It's also pretty room dependent. But if the room works...

View attachment 150789
View attachment 150791


Here me out. Obviously the Klipsch Horns are huge. But I think with the way they sit lower, and more importantly deep in the corners of the room, they strike a visual appeal that is much less obtrusive than most speakers. The front solid wood baffle looks significantly less like a standard speaker. They can easily be used to display other items on top without being overly weird or unstable. They will sound best with them as far out of the way as possible, and they allow the room's eyeline to remain very low. They also can nest nicely around a fireplace, artwork, a TV, or any other significant focal point.

I have no idea if their room's layout would be prohibitive. Or if the budget might be prohibitive. But based on the additional information you've added, these might be real contender.
Click to expand...
Funny enough those are among my dream speakers. I did recommend them as a wild card. Haven’t seen the room in person that they are putting it in so like you said the layout could be really problematic but worth a shot. I’d be insanely jealous though
 
displayname said:
This info changes a my opinion significantly.
I'm going to toss in what I think is a highly under rated wild card here, but it's expensive. It's also pretty room dependent. But if the room works...

View attachment 150789
View attachment 150791


Here me out. Obviously the Klipsch Horns are huge. But I think with the way they sit lower, and more importantly deep in the corners of the room, they strike a visual appeal that is much less obtrusive than most speakers. The front solid wood baffle looks significantly less like a standard speaker. They can easily be used to display other items on top without being overly weird or unstable. They will sound best with them as far out of the way as possible, and they allow the room's eyeline to remain very low. They also can nest nicely around a fireplace, artwork, a TV, or any other significant focal point.

I have no idea if their room's layout would be prohibitive. Or if the budget might be prohibitive. But based on the additional information you've added, these might be real contender.
Click to expand...
Now, that's how you spend other people's money!
 
MikeH said:
Funny enough those are among my dream speakers. I did recommend them as a wild card. Haven’t seen the room in person that they are putting it in so like you said the layout could be really problematic but worth a shot. I’d be insanely jealous though
Click to expand...
I love the K-Horns. Nothing else like em.
 
displayname said:
This info changes a my opinion significantly.
I'm going to toss in what I think is a highly under rated wild card here, but it's expensive. It's also pretty room dependent. But if the room works...

View attachment 150789
View attachment 150791


Here me out. Obviously the Klipsch Horns are huge. But I think with the way they sit lower, and more importantly deep in the corners of the room, they strike a visual appeal that is much less obtrusive than most speakers. The front solid wood baffle looks significantly less like a standard speaker. They can easily be used to display other items on top without being overly weird or unstable. They will sound best with them as far out of the way as possible, and they allow the room's eyeline to remain very low. They also can nest nicely around a fireplace, artwork, a TV, or any other significant focal point.

I have no idea if their room's layout would be prohibitive. Or if the budget might be prohibitive. But based on the additional information you've added, these might be real contender.
Click to expand...
There’s a new pair of K Horns out now that are sealed at the rear. They don’t require corner placement like the ones pictured.
 
displayname said:
This info changes a my opinion significantly.
I'm going to toss in what I think is a highly under rated wild card here, but it's expensive. It's also pretty room dependent. But if the room works...

View attachment 150789
View attachment 150791


Here me out. Obviously the Klipsch Horns are huge. But I think with the way they sit lower, and more importantly deep in the corners of the room, they strike a visual appeal that is much less obtrusive than most speakers. The front solid wood baffle looks significantly less like a standard speaker. They can easily be used to display other items on top without being overly weird or unstable. They will sound best with them as far out of the way as possible, and they allow the room's eyeline to remain very low. They also can nest nicely around a fireplace, artwork, a TV, or any other significant focal point.

I have no idea if their room's layout would be prohibitive. Or if the budget might be prohibitive. But based on the additional information you've added, these might be real contender.
Click to expand...
I’ve had many thoughts in the past year of acquiring a restored vintage pair of Klipsch La Scalas, but I keep talking myself out of it.

ED4B02D3-5303-4929-AF75-83E48DC7CAFA.jpeg
A3634016-237B-43F2-B60B-8F3A7A77A288.jpeg
 
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