Decent Active Midfield (10ft) speakers, ~$1400 low-budget | For turntable setup, casual listening

[NathanR]

I have a friend who came to me for a decent record playing setup.
Edit: for his study/mancave (separate room from HTS)

He wanted to spend ~$1500 on speakers and ~$300-500 on turntable.

I explained that WAV/FLAC digital will be better long-term sonically, but the experience of record playing can offset that statement if weighted-value was appropriately considered.

He has about ~150 albums he wants to listen to and will listen at a distance of about 9-12ft (3-4M).
Jazz & R&B genre's.
I said the USB feature on the Audio Technica Turntable I'm recommending allows recording to computer if he wanted that.

He has not decided on a route (digital vs record).
For reference: he thinks his home theater orb system with Velodyne DLS 5000r subwoofer and Yamaha RX-V767 sounds great.

So-far my short list of recommendations (after some research on ASR) are:
Genelec 8030c
AT-LP120XUSB

I think the 8030c won't be enough. So I am recommending the 8040b if the budget can be stretched.
See: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/better-speakers-than-8030c.50497/

Thoughts?
Did I include enough info?
Are there threads that I haven't read that I need to read?

 

[Chrispy]

I take it this will be for a different room than the Yamaha avr sits in? It even has a phono stage....

 

[NathanR]

I take it this will be for a different room than the Yamaha avr sits in? It even has a phono stage....

Yes... mancave/study, etc.
Thank you for clarification, OP updated.

 

[Ellebob]

How is he going to control the volume?
Will it be a passive volume control like Genelec 9000 or Mackie Big Knob or does he plan to use some type of pre-amp with possibly a remote control? You wouldn't want to use the turntable directly into the speakers unless the speakers have a volume control.


For Speakers here are some recommendation although Genelec would be top of my list but would still want to add a sub.

Kali IN 5 or 8 and their WS-6.2 sub. Still needs a volume control
KEF LSX II wireless with Kali Sub. This gives you volume with a remote or by app as well as other streaming options. (Kef sub too expensive but can use other subs). Won't go as loud as the other but for more casual listening it will be great.
JBL LSR 308 with 310 sub
Focal Alpha 65 with sub
IK Multimedia Iloud MTM with sub
Mackie 824 with sub

 

[dfuller]

I think Kali IN-8s might be the best bet here. They don't need a sub to be effectively (but not completely) full range, and they have decent spl capabilities. Plus, given their coaxial design, they're pretty placement friendly (within reason).

 

[Chrispy]

Yes... mancave/study, etc.
Thank you for clarification, OP updated.

Personally if he really wants the content on the 150 LPs I'd consider simply replacing them with digital versions unless the actual goal is to somehow determine the effect of any audible differences compared to digital? While I still have my tt, and all my vinyl from the last 50 years plus (but none newer than 25 years), I just don't find any differences to be particularly noteworthy on any of the recordings I like.

 

[NathanR]

How is he going to control the volume?
Will it be a passive volume control like Genelec 9000 or Mackie Big Knob or does he plan to use some type of pre-amp with possibly a remote control? You wouldn't want to use the turntable directly into the speakers unless the speakers have a volume control.

Originally, cheapest analog available that's reviewed by ASR.

Personally if he really wants the content on the 150 LPs I'd consider simply replacing them with digital versions unless the actual goal is to somehow determine the effect of any audible differences compared to digital? While I still have my tt, and all my vinyl from the last 50 years plus (but none newer than 25 years), I just don't find any differences to be particularly noteworthy on any of the recordings I like.

I agree.

I had a nice conversation with my friend yesterday about his project and I might have convinced him to forgo the LP route.

I relied heavily on the discussion here: vinyl renaissance ASR thread and spoke about the experience of vinyl vs the quality and/or ease of digital.

I showed him the Wiim Pro Plus streamer and he was very intrigued and would mull things over some.

WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Pro Plus streamer, DAC and preamplifier with Bluetooth support. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $219. While the case is plastic, it still "looks the part" as the Brits would say relative to other more famous brands of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Given the change in priorities that opens up some more options/changes the landscape.

Kali IN 5 or 8 and their WS-6.2 sub. Still needs a volume control
KEF LSX II wireless with Kali Sub. This gives you volume with a remote or by app as well as other streaming options. (Kef sub too expensive but can use other subs). Won't go as loud as the other but for more casual listening it will be great.
JBL LSR 308 with 310 sub
Focal Alpha 65 with sub
IK Multimedia Iloud MTM with sub
Mackie 824 with sub

Thank you for this list. Definitely had not considered any of those.

I think Kali IN-8s might be the best bet here. They don't need a sub to be effectively (but not completely) full range, and they have decent spl capabilities. Plus, given their coaxial design, they're pretty placement friendly (within reason).

Excellent point about coaxial.

---

KEF LSX II w/ sub- Looks promising if my friend decides against LP route.

 

[NathanR]

Updating this in-line with expected internet etiquette.

For the HT - My friend received some SVS speakers to for free along with his SVS subwoofer. He is very happy and wants to buy the SVS center soon.
For the Study - he ended up keeping what he has for speakers, but upgraded the receiver IIRC. And is using the WiiM Pro Plus Streamer with Amazon music heavily, did not order a LP player yet since Amazon Music has everything, but might reconsider in the future.

 

[Ziltoe]

I have a friend who came to me for a decent record playing setup.
Edit: for his study/mancave (separate room from HTS)

He wanted to spend ~$1500 on speakers and ~$300-500 on turntable.

I explained that WAV/FLAC digital will be better long-term sonically, but the experience of record playing can offset that statement if weighted-value was appropriately considered.

He has about ~150 albums he wants to listen to and will listen at a distance of about 9-12ft (3-4M).
Jazz & R&B genre's.
I said the USB feature on the Audio Technica Turntable I'm recommending allows recording to computer if he wanted that.

He has not decided on a route (digital vs record).
For reference: he thinks his home theater orb system with Velodyne DLS 5000r subwoofer and Yamaha RX-V767 sounds great.

So-far my short list of recommendations (after some research on ASR) are:
Genelec 8030c
AT-LP120XUSB

I think the 8030c won't be enough. So I am recommending the 8040b if the budget can be stretched.
See: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/better-speakers-than-8030c.50497/

Thoughts?
Did I include enough info?
Are there threads that I haven't read that I need to read?

I'm by far too late here, however, I would suggest "Klipsch the Nines" [Mclaren Edition].
They fit budget, they are activ, they can DO Midfield [many speakers recommended above can't] with a lot of LF,
they have a phono-pre, they can be controlled via an APP, they have DSP, they have been measured
pretty well, to me, that's a solution your friend might desire.