Needs sensitive
speakers
November 30, 2004
I'm looking to replace my aging Mordaunt Short Pageant II
monitor speakers because I acquired a 13Wp SET integrated amp (EAR 859). My room is 13' x
15'. I listen to a broad range of music -- chamber, orchestra, female vocal, acoustic,
rock and reggae. Its very hard to audition any speaker lines in my area, so I was
wondering if you can help me slim down my choices. I love the detailed sound of the EAR
electronics, but I could do with warming up the midrange a shade. If possible, I prefer to
locate my speakers against the wall, as I don't have a dedicated listening room, just the
family room shared by all.
My shortlist is: Coincident Partial Eclipse II, Silverline
Sonatina III, Von Schweikert VR2, Soliloquy 6.2, Spendor 6.3, PMC FB1+. I've located all
of these names online from various reviews and only managed to hear the Spendor 5.3 (not
6.3) so far. Very frustrating! I'm trying to stay below $3500 budget.
Raymond
Although I personally have no experience with SET
amplifiers, I do have a bit of advice for you As another tool for your research I'd point
you to www.speakermeasurements.com.
Here you'll find speaker measurements conducted by professional engineers using an
anechoic chamber -- the truest way to get repeatable, accurate testing results. Some of
the brands you're considering are represented within our list. Of specific interest to you
would be the true sensitivity measurements for the many loudspeakers we've tested. Looking
at the manufacturers' specifications (on their websites, in product brochures) and then
comparing them with our measurements yields some interesting anomalies. Some of the
claimed specs are about right, while others are off by a country mile. With a 13Wpc
amplifier you stand to be disappointed by buying a set of speakers that are actually far
below their stated sensitivity. Beyond the measurements, I'd strongly suggest at least
hearing the speakers you're considering with a low-powered amplifier. The best case would
be hearing them with your amplifier in your room, but I know this is not always possible.
Polk XM tuner?
November 24, 2004
Will GoodSound! be reviewing the new Polk XRt12 XM
tuner? The price seems to be right, and it would provide a great source of music for many
listeners who don't have access to good FM radio. Where I live there are maybe two decent
stations -- and neither of them play any jazz. I would be particularly interested to know
how the sound quality compares with CD.
Frankie
We do have the Polk XRt12 XM tuner in for review
presently. I'll pass your comments along to the reviewer handling the product. I agree
completely with wanting to know how the XRt12 compares with CD. I think we're all curious!
Return privileges at Best Buy
November 22, 2004
I've purchased a receiver from Best Buy that I'm truly not
happy with. I should have paid another hundred dollars and gotten something that I really
would be satisfied with instead of cheaping out and buying the first thing I was shown by
the salesman. It has been three weeks since I bought it. Do you think they will exchange
the receiver for a better one if I pay the difference?
Ron
This is a direct quote from www.bestbuy.com: "Best
Buy stores within the United States will fully refund most items within 30 days of
receipt." I think you'll be fine because you're within that 30-day window. I'd not
wait any longer, though. Just make sure you take the original packing, accessories, and
your receipt. Researching Best Buy's available products online may give you a better idea
of what to look for in the store, as well. Going in a large store like that with a game
plan is always a good idea. Let me know how it works out.
Maggies and subwoofer
November 18, 2004
I thoroughly enjoyed your review of the Rocket UFW-10
subwoofer, especially since you were using Magnepan
MMG W speakers. I am seriously considering moving to these speakers and actually have
spousal approval (she likes the wall-mount, out-of-the-way aspect of them). My question is
kind of a two-parter.
Both the Rocket and Hsu subwoofers were mentioned as good
matches for the MMG Ws. However, given my room size (12' x 20'), I worry about using a VTF
and instead would prefer (size and financially) to consider a STF-2. Unfortunately, its
crossover limit is 90Hz and the lower-frequency limit of the Maggies is 100Hz. Should I be
worried about this, since I thought that, ideally, one should overlap slightly the
frequencies of the speaker/sub combo? Conversely, if I were to expand my budget, I could
get the MGMC1 ($750 vs. $300) which have a lower-frequency limit of 80Hz (but are bigger
and would be "slightly" more obtrusive), which would presumably match better
with the STF-2. Would the money be better spent at the sub or speaker level?
On a related note, the VTF series, the top STF model, and
the Rocket all have left and right line-level inputs, whereas I would need to run my
speaker wires to the STF-2 and then on to the Maggies. Would there be much difference
sonically between the two options? Would the speakers still be sufficiently driven by my
amp (Adcom GFA-555) if I had to connect through the sub?
Any insight from you would be greatly appreciated. I really
want to take advantage of the "audio goodwill" I'm getting from "the
boss."
Greg
I would be somewhat concerned about a gap in the
frequency response with a 90Hz cutoff on the sub and 100Hz lower limit of the speakers.
It’s not a large frequency gap, but you’ll almost certainly have a dip in
frequency response. With the steep crossover slope on the subwoofer, a similarly steep
drop off in response from the Maggies, and the possibility of room interactions, this may
cause difficulties with integration between the two.
On completion of the MMG W review, the review speakers were
returned in favor of a MGMC1 system. While the MMG W is a great speaker for $300, the
MGMC1 is simply a great speaker. The primary distinction between the two is the inclusion
of the quasi-ribbon tweeter in the MGMC1, which provides improved high-frequency detail
and extension. The difference is significant and immediately noticeable (I had the
advantage of taking one set down and putting the other up, with only a 20-minute gap
between listening to the two systems). While the price difference between the two is not
insignificant, I don’t think you would be looking to upgrade for quite some time if
you went with the MGMC1. As far as the size issue goes, they are close enough that I
scarcely noticed the change.
As far as the subwoofer selection goes, I don’t
personally have experience with the STF-2, but I am completely confident in the quality of
Hsu products, so I am sure it would work fine. That said, the VTF-2 (which is essentially
the same size and only $100 more) adds the ability to better tune the output of the
subwoofer. This may help with integration, which can be an issue with Maggies. Of course,
the Rocket UFW-10 worked very well with the Maggies and is much, much smaller and more
physically attractive. I could sell this upgrade in my house on looks alone. However, it
can’t compete with the VTF-2 in terms of sheer output and it’s an additional
$100 added to the budget.
Oh, and while you can get away with running your speakers
through the subwoofer crossover, I don’t recommend it unless you absolutely have to.
If I remember right the Adcom GFA-555 pushes over 300W into the 4-ohm load of the
Magnepans, which should be more than enough power no matter how you hook them up.
Only you know how far your budget will stretch, and how
much leeway you have with spousal approval. Hopefully I’ve given you enough
additional insight to make an informed decision, and maybe a little help in selling any
increased costs.
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