New speakers $3000

[easyrider]

Currently running Adam A5X with an Adam Sub 7 but looking to upgrade.. budget of around £1500 -£2000 UK pounds

Room is 16 square metres. It’s treated with Gik 244 Bass Traps FlexRange.

Any suggestions in this price range…?

I reached out to Adam Audio about swapping out the A5X and getting the A7V and keeping my sub.

Adam responded and said A7H would be fine for use with my sub just alter settings to accommodate

I’m also looking at 3 way monitors like the Dynaudio LYD 48 and thoughts on those ?

Thanks

 

[levimax]

How about Ascilabs C6B? https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/ascilab_c6b/

 

[Mort]

Currently running Adam A5X with an Adam Sub 7 but looking to upgrade.. budget of around £1500 -£2000 UK pounds

Room is 16 square metres. It’s treated with Gik 244 Bass Traps FlexRange.

Any suggestions in this price range…?

I reached out to Adam Audio about swapping out the A5X and getting the A7V and keeping my sub.

Adam responded and said A7H would be fine for use with my sub just alter settings to accommodate

I’m also looking at 3 way monitors like the Dynaudio LYD 48 and thoughts on those ?

Thanks

Are you open to passive? Palmer orbit might be a fit if not. A7V is an obvious choice.

 

[LTig]

Palmer Orbit 11 (probably a no brainer in this price range)

 

[Paul7777x]

Palmer Orbit 11 (probably a no brainer in this price range)

I’d have a close look at Amir’s test before spending any money on the Palmer.

 

[Paul7777x]

You might consider the new Buchardt Audio actives.

A200

Buchardt A200 Active Wireless Speakers

buchardtaudio.com

Perhaps a tad over budget, but I’d expect them to be the speaker to beat at their price. And Cardioid too.

Four weeks till delivery (I think).

 

[Paul7777x]

Currently running Adam A5X with an Adam Sub 7 but looking to upgrade.. budget of around £1500 -£2000 UK pounds

Room is 16 square metres. It’s treated with Gik 244 Bass Traps FlexRange.

Any suggestions in this price range…?

I reached out to Adam Audio about swapping out the A5X and getting the A7V and keeping my sub.

Adam responded and said A7H would be fine for use with my sub just alter settings to accommodate

I’m also looking at 3 way monitors like the Dynaudio LYD 48 and thoughts on those ?

Thanks

The A5X is a great speaker. I enjoyed mine.

The A7V will likely be a ‘bigger’ sound, but not better. It’s in a division below the X series.

The new 7H, perhaps. It certainly should be an improvement, though I’ve yet to see any measurements.

 

[Paul7777x]

How about Ascilabs C6B? https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/ascilab_c6b/

I think actives are required?

 

[Ultrasonic]

Anything particular you want to improve on?

Your current sub could be improved on to give you a true full-range system for example. Also, do you have any way of applying EQ to help smooth out the bass response? Something worth considering if not.

 

[terryforsythe]

Any suggestions in this price range…?

This one is worth a look:

Neumann KH120 II Monitor Review

This is a review, detailed measurements and listening tests/EQ of Neumann KH120 MKII DSP active monitor (speaker). It is on kind loan from the company and costs US $999 each. I love the form factor for desktop use. It is not too deep or unwieldly as some larger configurations can be: Back...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Paul7777x]

Anything particular you want to improve on?

Your current sub could be improved on to give you a true full-range system for example. Also, do you have any what of applying EQ to help smooth out the bass response? Something worth considering if not.

Good point and I should not have forgotten.

However good or otherwise your current and future hifi may be, it can and will be mightily improved with even modest DSP room correction.

 

[Paul7777x]

… and not forgetting the ever adored Genelec.

Genelec 8040 BMM

2-Way Active Studio Monitor Equipment: 165 mm (6.5") woofer with high efficiency and 19 mm (3/4") metal dome tweeter with DCW, Lower cut-off frequency: 45 Hz (-3dB), Maximum sound pressure: 115 dB SPL (peak) per pair with music material at 1 m,...

www.thomann.co.uk

 

[easyrider]

Thanks for the suggestions…I’ll take a look at all of them

Thoughts on the Adam A8H?

 

[illusonic]

I’m also looking at 3 way monitors like the Dynaudio LYD 48 and thoughts on those ?

With 3 ways you gain cleaner midrange at high volume levels. For Dynaudio monitors there is measurement data for Core 47, which is about double the price of LYD 48 and has a similar speaker arrangement. Palmer Orbit 11 cost even less than LYD 48 and are much better value than both of them. I would prefer the Orbits over Core 47 for their sub 30Hz extension, better dispersion control (coax, cardioid), dual impulse compensating woofers and aluminum housing. Orbit cabinets are completely free of tactile vibration. They will play lower than your Adam sub and unless you want really serious bass levels, you don't need a sub in your small room. The Orbits should be the standard recommendation up to at least double their price. Most forum members that actually heard the Orbits, like them. Chances are that you will come to the same conclusion. If you don't like them, prepare to spend signficantly more to get what you want.

 

[Matias]

Stretch a little?

Neumann KH 150 Monitor Review

This is a review, listening tests and measurements of the Neumann KH150 DSP 2-way studio monitor (active speaker). It is on loan from the company and costs US $1,750 (each). The design language is not changed of course. The main woofer is 6.5 inches now powered by 120 watt dedicated...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Neumann KH 150 Set

Bundle offer comprising 2x Neumann KH 150 Active 2-Way Studio Nearfield Monitor 6.5" Woofer, 1" Tweeter, DSP-controlled electronics, Room-adaptive calibration via Neumann's Automatic Monitor Alignment MA 1 (optional, not included in the...

www.thomann.co.uk

Or passives:

Ascilab A6B Speaker Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Ascilab A6B Stand-mount speaker with Purifi woofer and passive radiators. I purchased this from the company. The US cost is $1,955 each. Price varies in different countries due to tariff, local taxes, etc. Please excuse the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[illusonic]

Stretch a little?

Neumann KH 150 Monitor Review

This is a review, listening tests and measurements of the Neumann KH150 DSP 2-way studio monitor (active speaker). It is on loan from the company and costs US $1,750 (each). The design language is not changed of course. The main woofer is 6.5 inches now powered by 120 watt dedicated...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Neumann KH 150 Set

Bundle offer comprising 2x Neumann KH 150 Active 2-Way Studio Nearfield Monitor 6.5" Woofer, 1" Tweeter, DSP-controlled electronics, Room-adaptive calibration via Neumann's Automatic Monitor Alignment MA 1 (optional, not included in the...

www.thomann.co.uk

Or passives:

Ascilab A6B Speaker Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Ascilab A6B Stand-mount speaker with Purifi woofer and passive radiators. I purchased this from the company. The US cost is $1,955 each. Price varies in different countries due to tariff, local taxes, etc. Please excuse the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Listened to KH 120 and KH 310 in a nearby music store about a week ago in a nearfield setup with direct A/B switching. I found the 310 sounding cleaner in the midrange than the 120. Expectation bias due to the midrange dome may be involved but I would certainly not buy the 120. I also heard the first version of the 120 and the O 300 more than 20 years ago. While I liked the 300, the 120 did not get me excited back then either. KH 150 has great measurements. Maybe it's as good as 310 despite not having a dedicated midrange. But I would listen first before I buy. It definitely needs a sub to extend as low as the Orbits.

In the music store the Neumanns were running with a KH 750 on the floor. Turned it off quickly, because it did not integrate seemless with the sound of the satellites and produced boomy bass. Surely that's a matter of sub/sat alignment and room EQ. The Orbits only require the latter with optimum integration of stereo bass already included. A6B requires amps and a sub while already priced higher than the Orbits. After 15 mins drive home, I listened to my Orbits. Direct A/B comparison to the 310 in my room would be required to establish a clear preference.

Also check out the latest owner feedback on the Orbits. There are many reports like that, spread over the forum. Also a direct comparison to KH 120 at a member's home clearly preferring the Orbits can be found somewhere.

Palmer Orbit 11 Monitor Review

In case anyone wondered how Palmer could release such an advanced product seemingly out of nowhere, look at this speaker from LD Systems (belongs to Palmer). Cardioid midrange and optionally also bass (requires second sub). Check the videos. The way the bass module automatically goes into slave...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[easyrider]

With 3 ways you gain cleaner midrange at high volume levels. For Dynaudio monitors there is measurement data for Core 47, which is about double the price of LYD 48 and has a similar speaker arrangement. Palmer Orbit 11 cost even less than LYD 48 and are much better value than both of them. I would prefer the Orbits over Core 47 for their sub 30Hz extension, better dispersion control (coax, cardioid), dual impulse compensating woofers and aluminum housing. Orbit cabinets are completely free of tactile vibration. They will play lower than your Adam sub and unless you want really serious bass levels, you don't need a sub in your small room. The Orbits should be the standard recommendation up to at least double their price. Most forum members that actually heard the Orbits, like them. Chances are that you will come to the same conclusion. If you don't like them, prepare to spend signficantly more to get what you want.

I’ve seen some mint lyd48 for £1300 locally…Thoights at that price?

 

[easyrider]

Listened to KH 120 and KH 310 in a nearby music store about a week ago in a nearfield setup with direct A/B switching. I found the 310 sounding cleaner in the midrange than the 120. Expectation bias due to the midrange dome may be involved but I would certainly not buy the 120. I also heard the first version of the 120 and the O 300 more than 20 years ago. While I liked the 300, the 120 did not get me excited back then either. KH 150 has great measurements. Maybe it's as good as 310 despite not having a dedicated midrange. But I would listen first before I buy. It definitely needs a sub to extend as low as the Orbits.

In the music store the Neumanns were running with a KH 750 on the floor. Turned it off quickly, because it did not integrate seemless with the sound of the satellites and produced boomy bass. Surely that's a matter of sub/sat alignment and room EQ. The Orbits only require the latter with optimum integration of stereo bass already included. A6B requires amps and a sub while already priced higher than the Orbits. After 15 mins drive home, I listened to my Orbits. Direct A/B comparison to the 310 in my room would be required to establish a clear preference.

Also check out the latest owner feedback on the Orbits. There are many reports like that, spread over the forum. Also a direct comparison to KH 120 at a member's home clearly preferring the Orbits can be found somewhere.

Palmer Orbit 11 Monitor Review

In case anyone wondered how Palmer could release such an advanced product seemingly out of nowhere, look at this speaker from LD Systems (belongs to Palmer). Cardioid midrange and optionally also bass (requires second sub). Check the videos. The way the bass module automatically goes into slave...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The KH 310 divide opinion….and there is no way I listen to them to them before hand….i can up my budget if worth it….they are a long term bit of gear so I want to get it right.

 

[illusonic]

I’ve seen some mint lyd48 for £1300 locally…Thoights at that price?

In my view lyd48 is a cheap MDF box without specific care for directivity but with high markup for the brand name. Maybe worth considering for half of that price. As it only plays down to 50Hz you must keep your sub while a single Orbit can replace it. The Orbits are fullrange speakers including a dual 8" sub for the same price as a comparable sub alone. And that sub will not have an aluminium enclosure. The Orbits are simply unmatched in value for money.

 

[Ultrasonic]

Looking at the measured performance for the Orbits I'm struggling to see what's so amazing about them to be honest?

I’ve seen some mint lyd48 for £1300 locally…Thoights at that price?

Local enough you can go have a listen? Price is in line with recent sold second hand ones on eBay so should be able to move on OK without losing money if you gave them a punt.

You didn't reply to my question about what you were looking to improve, which could help others help you.