Need advice on floor speakers, budget around 1,500 $

[kaffe]

Hello

I’m considering buying a pair of speakers to go along with a new amplifier and streamer.

I haven’t bought anything yet, but I’m pretty sure about the amplifier, Yamaha A-S501, and streamer, WiiM Pro.

I hope to find a pair that can play nicely without the need of a subwoofer due to space limitations. Also, the speakers will be placed in a square sized room which is 4 x 4 m (or approximately 13 x 13 feet).

So far I have come across these speakers within my budget:

Wharfedale Linton 85 (1,240 $)
KEF Q550 (1,180 $)
DYNAUDIO EMIT 30 (1,270 $)

Planning on buying an UMIK-1 mic and using free REW software for room correction so I am not really worried about acoustics.

Can you recommend any of these speakers or perhaps other pairs within my 1,500 $ budget?

Inputs are much appreciated.

 

[mglobe]

Hello

I’m considering buying a pair of speakers to go along with a new amplifier and streamer.

I haven’t bought anything yet, but I’m pretty sure about the amplifier, Yamaha A-S501, and streamer, WiiM Pro.

I hope to find a pair that can play nicely without the need of a subwoofer due to space limitations. Also, the speakers will be placed in a square sized room which is 4 x 4 m (or approximately 13 x 13 feet).

So far I have come across these speakers within my budget:

Wharfedale Linton 85 (1,240 $)
KEF Q550 (1,180 $)
DYNAUDIO EMIT 30 (1,270 $)

Planning on buying an UMIK-1 mic and using free REW software for room correction so I am not really worried about acoustics.

Can you recommend any of these speakers or perhaps other pairs within my 1,500 $ budget?

Inputs are much appreciated.

Of that list, and based on measurements only, the Warfedales would be my top pick. You might consider the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX, and KEF R3 (non-meta) if you can find them. I personally would want a sub with any of the listed speakers however.

 

[Deleted member 48726]

The Lintons would by far be the best choice. The others are suffering too much from design restrictions.

 

[Count Arthur]

Of that list, and based on measurements only, the Warfedales would be my top pick. You might consider the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX, and KEF R3 (non-meta) if you can find them. I personally would want a sub with any of the listed speakers however.

Erin liked them: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...iew-measurements-by-erins-audio-corner.35455/

 

[kaffe]

I have been spending the last 8 hours or so reading positive reviews on those.

Looks like they will do well on their own too.

Now it’s a question of which amp to pick

Wondering how the Yamaha A-S501 would manage them.

 

[Deleted member 48726]

I have been spending the last 8 hours or so reading positive reviews on those.

Looks like they will do well on their own too.

Now it’s a question of which amp to pick

Wondering how the Yamaha A-S501 would manage them.

You can't go wrong with a Yamaha amp. They have roughly made the same amplifier for 35 years with different skin. They always deliver what the spec sheey says. The 501 would be a nice pairing with the Lintons.

Also take a look at the following thread-->

Inside Yamaha amps

Anyone interested in looking inside Yamaha amps? I have a bunch in my collection, most of them need repair, all of them have to be opened eventually for dusting. I'll start with some pictures i made inside a A-S1000 that i bought for 500€ in mint condition. This one weighs 25kg, it's a serious...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[MKR]

Revel F206 or
JBL Studio 580 or 590

And for all in one preamp/amp/streamer, tough to beat the value of the SVS …

Prime Wireless Pro SoundBase

Bring speakers into the future of immersive sound with 300 watts of power, Apple Airplay 2, Chromecast, WiFi, HDMI, and more.

www.svsound.com

 

[kaffe]

Revel F206 or
JBL Studio 580 or 590

And for all in one preamp/amp/streamer, tough to beat the value of the SVS …

Prime Wireless Pro SoundBase

Bring speakers into the future of immersive sound with 300 watts of power, Apple Airplay 2, Chromecast, WiFi, HDMI, and more.

www.svsound.com

Those speakers are out of my price range, sadly. But I think I will get a long way by buying those Wharfedale.

Been considering that one from SVS, also Bluenote, Sonos and what have you. But at this point I’m more incline to get a better sounding one by trading off the HDMI Arc connectivity.

 

[Chromatischism]

So far I have come across these speakers within my budget:

Wharfedale Linton 85 (1,240 $)
KEF Q550 (1,180 $)
DYNAUDIO EMIT 30 (1,270 $)

Look at the ELAC UFR52. Spend the rest on a sub.

 

[MKR]

Those speakers are out of my price range, sadly. But I think I will get a long way by buying those Wharfedale.

Been considering that one from SVS, also Bluenote, Sonos and what have you. But at this point I’m more incline to get a better sounding one by trading off the HDMI Arc connectivity.

Your budget is $1500 total? Or $1500 only for speakers?

And note never pay full retail for the JBLs, they have major discounts on these, but you have to be patient. I got my 590s for $760!

As to the SVS, it is a superb piece of kit for the price. My son actually has the SVS driving pair of F206 and the results are excellent.

As to WiiM, it is also excellent (I have the Pro driving a JDS Labs DAC) and it is excellent. But then you need separate amp (WiiM can be run as preamp to great effect). There is also the new WiiM amp.

 

[steve59]

I really like Dali speakers, especially what they can do on a budget. Kef is nice, but often the bass doesn't quite match the level of the upper mids until the biggest boxes. other quality brands that pay attention to realistic audio fans from Canada
Paradigm
PSB
Is Mission still around? Have fun with it.

 

[DanielT]

I'm putting these in as a suggestion. Always fun to have a few different speakers to choose from:

Elac FS 247.4, a big slap in the face!

Hi amigos, After listening, I had the opportunity to purchase a pair of Elac FS 247.4. I might as well tell you that at €1000 per pair (new), I got a golden deal) And what a big slap in the face! These speakers are exceptional from the first listen. For instance : nn the complex title Grare...

audiosciencereview.com

 

[Matias]

I have been spending the last 8 hours or so reading positive reviews on those.

Looks like they will do well on their own too.

Now it’s a question of which amp to pick

Wondering how the Yamaha A-S501 would manage them.

Maybe the new integrated by Buckeye? Should be out soon as integrated only, using the WiiM Pro Plus as DAC.

 

[kaffe]

Your budget is $1500 total? Or $1500 only for speakers?

And note never pay full retail for the JBLs, they have major discounts on these, but you have to be patient. I got my 590s for $760!

As to the SVS, it is a superb piece of kit for the price. My son actually has the SVS driving pair of F206 and the results are excellent.

As to WiiM, it is also excellent (I have the Pro driving a JDS Labs DAC) and it is excellent. But then you need separate amp (WiiM can be run as preamp to great effect). There is also the new WiiM amp.

I have around 2,200 dollars to play with in total.

I just returned a WiiM Amp due to coil whine and high power consumption while in standby mode. Wouldn’t mind going for another WiiM, though. However, my short experience with the Amp taught me that I need more control over volume than what I get from that sort of streamer.

 

[steve59]

Dali oberon series come up for half price and are worth a demo. I have an Anthem 225i I bought brand new and used less than a year that's sitting on the shelf complete with original packing. look it up and make me an offer.

 

[Count Arthur]

Do you have multiple sources, CD player, tuner, turntable, etc., or just the streamer?

If you only have a single source, and don't need the multiple inputs provided by a traditional integrated amplifier, like the Yamaha you mentioned, you might consider one of the inexpensive TPA3255 based amps, some of which offer very good performance for the price:

Aiyima A07 Max Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Aiyima A07 Max stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and sells for (I think) $85 with the included power supply: I like the little design touches and the much heavier enclosure (made out of steel?). I really appreciate the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Fosi Audio V3 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio V3 stereo amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $89.99 with stock 32 volt supply. Price goes up to $109.99 with the 48 volt supply. There is a $10 discount coupon right now. Despite its budget price, the V3...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Pretty much state of the art, if you DIY or spend a bit more:

3e audio TPA3255 260-2-29A Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e audio 260-2-29A TPA3255 chip based stereo amplifier. It was sent to me by the company as a complete unit even though they only sell the amplifier modules. As you see, it is a generic box which is something you can easily build yourself. I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S2503E Power Amplifier 3E AUDIO 260-2-29A PFFB

The Audiophonics AP300-S2503E is a stereo power amplifier featuring a 3e Audio PFFB amplifier module. This enables it to develop 2x250W of power under 4Ω while delivering exceptional sound quality, combining precision and dynamics.

www.audiophonics.fr

Although, the Yamaha and the Lintons, do have a nice, retro 70s style, that would look good together.

 

[MKR]

I have around 2,200 dollars to play with in total.

I just returned a WiiM Amp due to coil whine and high power consumption while in standby mode. Wouldn’t mind going for another WiiM, though. However, my short experience with the Amp taught me that I need more control over volume than what I get from that sort of streamer.

Bummer on the WiiM amp. What do you mean by “more control over volume”? Finer volume steps?

 

[kaffe]

Bummer on the WiiM amp. What do you mean by “more control over volume”? Finer volume steps?

Yep. I couldn’t really adjust the volume properly

 

[kaffe]

Do you have multiple sources, CD player, tuner, turntable, etc., or just the streamer?

If you only have a single source, and don't need the multiple inputs provided by a traditional integrated amplifier, like the Yamaha you mentioned, you might consider one of the inexpensive TPA3255 based amps, some of which offer very good performance for the price:

Aiyima A07 Max Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Aiyima A07 Max stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and sells for (I think) $85 with the included power supply: I like the little design touches and the much heavier enclosure (made out of steel?). I really appreciate the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Fosi Audio V3 Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio V3 stereo amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $89.99 with stock 32 volt supply. Price goes up to $109.99 with the 48 volt supply. There is a $10 discount coupon right now. Despite its budget price, the V3...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Pretty much state of the art, if you DIY or spend a bit more:

3e audio TPA3255 260-2-29A Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e audio 260-2-29A TPA3255 chip based stereo amplifier. It was sent to me by the company as a complete unit even though they only sell the amplifier modules. As you see, it is a generic box which is something you can easily build yourself. I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

AUDIOPHONICS AP300-S2503E Power Amplifier 3E AUDIO 260-2-29A PFFB

The Audiophonics AP300-S2503E is a stereo power amplifier featuring a 3e Audio PFFB amplifier module. This enables it to develop 2x250W of power under 4Ω while delivering exceptional sound quality, combining precision and dynamics.

www.audiophonics.fr

Although, the Yamaha and the Lintons, do have a nice, retro 70s style, that would look good together.

Indeed! The look of the Yamaha has grown on me and it would match very well with the Lintons.

I suppose it will provide enough juice as well for my purposes? I’m living in a small apartment.

Alternatively there is this Hypex amp: https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/inte...2x250w-4-ohm-32bit-768khz-dsd256-p-16952.html

I could hook that up to a WiiM Mini. Would cost more than the Yamaha option, though.
But not sure if it would be an improvement over the Yamaha. Maybe a different more clean sound?

 

[Timcognito]

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