Need help choosing my first stereo system - €600/ $600 Budget

[darkfirebg]

I can get the JBL LSR305P MKII locally for around 145eur per speaker and get the wiim pro plus / SMSL DAC. Just to clarify, these aren't overly harsh at the high end? I have bad experience with old harsh monitor speakers and have avoided monitors like the plague a while now. That's one of the primary reasons i've picked the Q M20 and I've listed only active speakers/consumer grade in the list of available speakers locally.

 

[TylerR]

Do the original 305p speakers even figure into this? 305p MkII is quite a bit different.

I haven't listened to the Kalis, but I have listened to my $260/pair 305ps in the same 22' X 24' room where I have my $2.2k passive Dynaudios and they put a smile on my face--and that was before I got the JBL sub for $250 as an open box special from Proaudiostar (not relevant to the OP, who is in Europe, but still ...) I could be happy for the rest of my life with that combo. The Dynaudios are a step up, sure, but it's not as large of a step as I would like it to be for the price! ($2.2k + $1k sub + $400 stands = $3.6k vs. maybe $600 for the JBLs with decent stands ... and that is without an amp for the passives).

They're pretty similar. If anything, the 305p actually measures worse than the original LSR305. To me, below 200hz, the Kalis sound a lot more natural. Less resonance from the enclosure and closer to what upper bass should sound like. And they're still pretty cheap. Probably the most accurate and high output active speakers you can get for under $1000, without a subwoofer. The LP-8s are also great but they're aren't quite as flat.

 

[TylerR]

I can get the JBL LSR305P MKII locally for around 145eur per speaker and get the wiim pro plus / SMSL DAC. Just to clarify, these aren't overly harsh at the high end? I have bad experience with old harsh monitor speakers and have avoided monitors like the plague a while now. That's one of the primary reasons i've picked the Q M20 and I've listed only active speakers/consumer grade in the list of available speakers locally.

That is the one aspect about 305p that could be concerning based on your criteria (other than the things I mentioned about the upper bass/lower mids). The 305p have somewhat of an upward sloping response on-axis which makes them have closer to a flat response when placed in room, and listening at the distance you're intending to listen at. The Kalis would have a downward sloping response at farther distances, which is preferred, and closer to what you're looking for most likely.

 

[DTTOM37]

The problem with ordering abroad is that if I don't like the sound (I have bad memories from harsh and fatiguing monitors) it's really painful to return them. That being said I really loved the sound of Focal Solo6, but pair of these are way out of my budget and space constraints. Also.. see below.


I understand that, but there are additional.. circumstances. My gf wants to be able to play bt via the speakers, and that's it. And the other problem is the looks of monitor speakers, as these will be in the living room, she may decide to simply throw them in my home office room and shut the door. That's why I went with active vs powered speakers initially as she was generally ok with the looks of the q acoustics.

I may understand, that you are asking a question at ASR - while the final decider will be your girlfriend's taste or what's accepatble and practicable to her, right?

Allow me to get back on the information we have on her taste, Q Acoustics ... If she's ok with their design mode, let her see the 3020i or 3030i, you could pair them with a WIIM Amp (TI TPA3255).
Sabaj A20A (2022) amplifier and if needed with a WIIM mini, and upgrade the tec behind front end on the go, when you've got budget available.
(see below why )
The WIIM app experience seems to be fluid (didnt use it for the last 4 month, though).
Just as an alternative - I liked the 3030i a lot for around 350 Euros, they worked very well with TI TPA3255 amps - you'll almost certainly find them at that price point before the year ends ...

edit; Looks like the AMAZON.de information "Der SABAJ A20a 2022 Versio-Leistungsverstärker verwendet den High-End-Digital-Analog-Chip ES9038PRO der ESS-Technologie, der neueste Bluetooth-Chip von Qualcomm unterstützt LDAC 24bit/96kHz, APTX/HD, SBC, AAC; " is just plain wrong. sorry ... I verified a little too late ...

 

[Multicore]

I agree with the JBL or Kali monitors already mentioned. Either should sort out the "thin" sound.

Not sure what to propose for switching and volume control: TV/Bluetooth/Laptop. WiiM Pro?

 

[Wolf11Man]

It is sometimes not easy to find the right response when such statements like "Monitor speaker sound harsh and boring and one has to avoid them like..." are written. Is ist polite to let such nonsense stand without comment or does it contradict the forums "no BS" idea?
Such monitors are simply the low cost way to objectively good audio quality. Most have the option to match sound to room or user, by the way.

How good or bad a monitor or non monitor speaker look's is quite subjective. I prefer a neutral, technical design to some wanna be design of many home audio products that turn my gut. Really bad speaker performance is found in the overpriced consumer class, while the pro sector is usually reviewed and commented by quite educated ears. Something you will not find at Amazon reviews.
I don't know of any Home Audio active speaker, in the price range asked, that would even have a touch of sound quality. Just overpriced plastic wrapped in wood immitation.
Anyway, if integrated Bluetooth is more important than anything else and not even a dongle on the back is acceptable, the thread starter will get what he deserves. Rest in peace. Only one question is unanswered: Why did he ask if the GF picks the speakers anyway?

PS if that 305 JBL something is a good design, what is so bad about a Swissonic V8? Same price but better sound with AMT and grown up bass.

In the end most speaker cabinets are some kind of box with round things at the front.

 

[dagfinn]

The problem with ordering abroad is that if I don't like the sound (I have bad memories from harsh and fatiguing monitors) it's really painful to return them. That being said I really loved the sound of Focal Solo6, but pair of these are way out of my budget and space constraints. Also.. see below.


I understand that, but there are additional.. circumstances. My gf wants to be able to play bt via the speakers, and that's it. And the other problem is the looks of monitor speakers, as these will be in the living room, she may decide to simply throw them in my home office room and shut the door. That's why I went with active vs powered speakers initially as she was generally ok with the looks of the q acoustics.

I suggest involving your GF before ordering. JBL 305p mkii can be had in white, for instance.

 

[darkfirebg]

Thank you everyone!

I just visited a DJ friend of mine and listened to Focal Alpha 65, Focal Shape 50, Focal Solo6, EVE AUDIO SC307 and Adam A77H consecutively. Solo6 were perfect and Shape 50 were very good, but unfortunately way out of budget. I didn't like the highs on the Focal Alpha 65 even on -3db (the only one within budget). Next stop - local hifi store to listen to the Kali and potentially the JBL.

 

[Multicore]

Thank you everyone!

I just visited a DJ friend of mine and listened to Focal Alpha 65, Focal Shape 50, Focal Solo6, EVE AUDIO SC307 and Adam A77H consecutively. Solo6 were perfect and Shape 50 were very good, but unfortunately way out of budget. I didn't like the highs on the Focal Alpha 65 even on -3db (the only one within budget). Next stop - local hifi store to listen to the Kali and potentially the JBL.

Good plan.

Remember that with the right technology, e.g. a WiiM, you have control over the tonality. If, for example, you want to roll off the highs, just do it.

Floyd Toole's advice is that we buy well-engineered speakers (which he defines at some length) and then use what tone controls we have liberally to get the pleasing sound. If the speakers have an adequately uniform frequency response on and off axis then using eq and tone controls should work well. This means you don't need to search for the speakers that sound right in your room (thank goodness, not an easy task). It should be possible to make any well-engineered speakers sound good in your room.

 

[darkfirebg]

You were all right.
Heard the Kali's today and they are awesome. the Q acoustics are going back and i'm ordering a pair of Kali's.
Will also order the SMSL d6 to pair it with the Kali's.
Just 2 problems:
1. What kind of small subwoofer to pair them with?
2. Now that I've heard the Solo6, i will not rest until a get a pair of these speakers at my place

 

[Wolf11Man]

Did you hear any monitor with an AMT tweeter?

 

[darkfirebg]

Yes. The Adam A77H. It was good, way out of budget too.

 

[Multicore]

1. What kind of small subwoofer to pair them with?

I can't help with that. I am among the many who failed to get subs to work successfully. As or esteemed host has put it, it's like adding another "way" to a speaker system, e.g. turning 2-way speakers into 3-way. So you're responsible to designing the crossover, unless you buy one of the integrated systems like the Genelec Smart Active with GLM software. My sub is in its original carton in a closet. A disappointing waste.

I suggest to take your time. Get the Kali working well in your listening space. Perhaps learn to use a measurement mic and EQ. Play with positioning. Then see what you think.

2. Now that I've heard the Solo6, i will not rest until a get a pair of these speakers at my place

You mean the Kali are temporary until you have more budget?

 

[darkfirebg]

I can't help with that. I am among the many who failed to get subs to work successfully. As or esteemed host has put it, it's like adding another "way" to a speaker system, e.g. turning 2-way speakers into 3-way. So you're responsible to designing the crossover, unless you buy one of the integrated systems like the Genelec Smart Active with GLM software. My sub is in its original carton in a closet. A disappointing waste.

I suggest to take your time. Get the Kali working well in your listening space. Perhaps learn to use a measurement mic and EQ. Play with positioning. Then see what you think.


You mean the Kali are temporary until you have more budget?

Exactly. At some point, when i have sufficient budget for Solo6, I will retire my Edifier 360DB and use the Kali for the PC. The Solos will go in the living room

 

[Karmacoma]

Exactly. At some point, when i have sufficient budget for Solo6, I will retire my Edifier 360DB and use the Kali for the PC. The Solos will go in the living room

For that kind of budget, you definitely should look into the Neumann's kh 150

 

[darkfirebg]

Got a pair of black LP6 and a friend gave me temporary one of his DACs SMSL SU6. Sound is great and I wanted to just come back to this threat and say thank you for your advice I plan to pair the LP6 with Kali WS 6.2 subwoofer in a month. Meanwhile I must decide whether to go for SMSL D6 for 150 eur or with the Wiim ultra for 400 euro. I kind of wanted an EQ, a sub out and hdmi ARC, but the kali's sound great to my ears out of the box, so it's a tough decision... Anyway, thanks! These are the best speakers i've ever owned.

 

[Mal]

Thank you very much, i will check out the WIIM Pro Plus as the ultra is way over budget. The Kef LSX 2 LT right now are 600 euro here, but they are really small speakers and I'm not sure if they will suffice for the room. Swissonic are unfortunately not available locally, will double check.

How big is your room? KEF LSX II LT at 600 euros looks like an unmissable bargain to me! My KEF lsx have been superb in an average living room. I've used them for the past two years for TV, CD, spotify connect, computer bluetooth, etc... Best system I ever owned (after decades experimenting/putting up with budget hifi separates - wharfedale, NAD, and the like...)

 

[FrantzM]

HI

I would add to the JBL chorus.
If you can get the 305 and their LSR310 sub on some special deals around or below your budget and add a WiiM to this combo....
. After a few tweaks and measurements (Not that expensive with REW being free and a decent measurement mike being around 100 euros) you will end up with a great sounding system that belies its price and size...

Peace.

 

[darkfirebg]

Hello everyone,

I already got a pair of Kali Lp6 wave 2 with SMSL DO100 pro and i'm really satisfied with my decision Planning to get the Kali WS-6.2 subwoofer in few months too.