Looking for decent floorstanders

[BigNic]

I'm slowly swinging into setting up my first system and have settled on a NAD 326BEE and NAD T585 (this is not cast in stone, so if anyone is selling and/or has better suggestions... I'd love to hear 'em).
Now I've set about looking for a good pair of floorstanders. I'm hoping not to exceed R3K for them, so of course I'm not looking for the newest and best... but would still like something half-way decent and with a good kick to them.

Nico

[naughty]

it would help if you tell us where you are located - not the exact address mind you ..... the city will do - but its useless for example in the case of floorstanding speakers if someone in Durban offers you a set of speakers for R3k and you live in Joburg so it costs you R1000 to transport this to you cos a floorstander weighs a decent amount and generally they are sizeable

so its easier in people in your area to respond to you with offers of decent second hand items going at bargain prices - unless you want brand new and only want suggestions as to what shops to visit

[alternativeroute]

I stand to be corrected but I think BigNic hails from Nieu Bethesda...

http://www.nieu-bethesda.com/getting-to-nieu-bethesda.html

Not too many HiFi shops out there... I have seen that there is a bloke in Middelburg selling some gear.... Check http://www.avsa.co.za/classifieds/available

Ad is a bit old but you never know... Maybe he has decided to sell separately now...

NAD, B&W

Nad C372 amp, NAD C542 CD Player and 1 pair B&W 602 S3 speakers, worth R16 000. All in exceptional condition. All originally boxed. Will not know the difference between these and new units when removed from the box! Must be sold together NOT separate!
Placed by ... | On: Aug 2nd | 076 151-5336 | Price R11 000 | Location Middelburg; East Cape |


BTW: The local brew in NB is excellent!!!!! http://www.nieu-bethesda.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=63

[BigNic]

Thanks guys,

Yeah, I'm in the middle of Nieu-Bethesda-nowhere... I'm taking shipping costs into account here, which is why I don't want to exceed three-thou by much. That's another reason why I'd like to make enquiries through this forum, as auditioning is going to be impossible and there are some pretty nifty experts here!

And yes, the beer is great!

[BigNic]

Thanks for the heads up on the Middelburg posting - that's within cleft-stick-carrying distance. I'll give them a shout tomorrow.

Nico

P.S. nice site: http://www.alternativeroute.net

[Dennis]

Eishh.

Nieu Bethesda has no petrol, bank or credit card facilities. Fill up your tank and your wallet before you arrive!

[Viagara]

Now I've set about looking for a good pair of floorstanders.

This may sound like a silly question, but why floorstanders? Even second hand I don't think you will get good quality floorstanders for R3K, but I stand corrected.

If I had to start from scratch with stereo, I would most likely rather look at standmount speakers with decent stands, but thats me

[PAPPA3]

I agree with 'alphabet'.  Being patient, you may get reasonable quality floorstanders for R3k.  There was a pair of Monitor Audios BR5s going for about 4k on Cape Town gumtree.  Alternatively get good standmounts (bookshelves) now so that you get your sound up.  Then buy/build stands later.  When the cost of the stands are factored in, they will push your budget a bit, but you'll have decent sound in the meantime.

I'm not sure if HI-Fi Corp are still selling the Wharfedale Diamond 10.6.  They were going for R2995 - good price for these floorstanders.  Snap them up at that price.  Very good speakers, all things considered.

PM sent regarding standmounts and stands I have up for sale.

[BigNic]

The lack of petrol stations and ATM's takes some getting used to, but also has advantages - only pay my bar bill once a month!

Re "This may sound like a silly question..." - I'm sure it's me asking the silly questions, but notwithstanding, I am under the impression that floorstanders will give me a little more power and I have one of those old Karoo houses (4 meter ceilings). Of course, it's pretty obvious that I'm a   newbie  , so all advice is welcome.

[Viagara]

I have already heard some standmount speakers that put many floorstanders to shame, even in big listening rooms.

Make no mistake, I also have floorstanding speakers, albeit relatively small ones, but as I mentioned, if I had to start over I will rather look at good standmount speakers.

[alternativeroute]

@alphabet: If I had to start from scratch with stereo, I would most likely rather look at standmount speakers with decent stands, but thats me  

I would have to agree. My first set of speakers were a set of Wharfedale 9.1's on some homebrew stands driven by a NAD all-in-one unit. Then I got a more powerful amp and I thought that floorstanders would be better. I got some Tannoy M5's second hand and was sorely disappointed. They had more SPL and more 'slam' (you could 'feel' the toms and bass) but clarity took a massive dive and they never sounded as clear and concise as the 9.1's.

Nad C372 amp, NAD C542 CD Player and 1 pair B&W 602 S3 speakers

this combo on paper should actually sound really good... I would just add a sub for some bottom end filling in...

From what I have read and my rather limited experience you would need spend a whole lot more on floorstanders that what you would on a good pair of bookshelf/standmounters to get to the same level of fidelity...

@BigNic: P.S. nice site: http://www.alternativeroute.net

Thanks. I get to Nieu Bethesda about three times a year. Great place to live. So quiet       not for long      

[BigNic]

Thanks. I get to Nieu Bethesda about three times a year. Great place to live. So quiet       not for long      

I'm loving the quiet life here (though the rest of the village might get a bit irked once I've got this sound system in place!). Next time you're here be sure to pop in (or we can have some of that famous beer).

Nico

[PAPPA3]

The bigger enclosure of a floorstander doesn't always equal bigger sound.  More control is needed in a larger enclosure.  The Quad 12L2s or Quad 11L2s standmounts being a case in point as compared to the Quad 21Ls.  Almost the same speaker, but in different enclosures.  The standmounts sound large and full, and their size is deceptive.  Standmounts seem to allow for easier positioning, since they're lighter, and with the correct stands appear to take less space.  Also easier to move around. One minor plus for the floorstanders are that the cables are easily concealed, but of course you could tidy cables with standmounts.

This is all at the lower (3k +) budget.  When going higher end, the floorstander may win out, allowing for extra woofers, etc. the scale is better.  Just my experience so far

[Rodney_gold]

Old karoo houses = old wood floors with crawlspaces under = giant sounding boxes.
Standmounts with some isolation under em (a tile with a layer or neoprene or medium desnity rubber foam) under em to decouple em from the floor would , imo , work better - add a sub with rubber feet  and you good to go...
You generally will get better value for money from standmount as you are not paying the money for the much bigger enclosures - having said that , good floorstanding speakers will generally have a large scale sound that is difficult to match with stand mounts - your mileage may vary here. Large rooms , unless you are listening nearfield , require a larger scale sound.Look for speakers with fairly high sensitivity if you want realistic levels
I really think you need to up your budget to at least double what you are considering right now - it will allow a far larger range of options , especially in the 2nd hand market.

[BigNic]

Thanks Rodney,

Advice well-taken. I might well be over-reaching with what I want or under-reaching with what I'm willing to pay. Learning curves, baby steps, journeys of a thousand miles...
 
I could also look at a different amp - was reading the review of the Xindak A06, which does sound interesting and is a lot cheaper... just a thought.

Nico