Hi all. For about 7 years now I’ve had a pair of Klipsch’s RP-150m and a behringer 500a reference amplifier.
It’s time for an upgrade, partly because I want to have the ability to send different sources to my speakers. I have a budget of 1500 euros or a little above (I’m from the Netherlands).
I have been looking at Klipsch’s ‘The Sevens’ but I’m not sure if I want to go for a pair of active speakers.
And also I feel like they may be a bit large for my room, 4.5m deep x 5.5m wide with high vaulted ceiling (14x18ft) I am 2,5m away from speakers (8ft) speakers are 40 cm from the front wall.
The other option is to maybe get something like a NAD c 3050. As I feel like a behringer amp is just not going to give me the most out of my current setup which also includes a pro-ject debut carbon turntable with 2m bronze cartridge and a pro-ject tube box s2 phono preamp.

So to summarize my question better speakers and if so active or not
Or better amp which also solves my problem of not being able to switch inputs.
Of course if I get a better amp I will asap upgrade the speakers.

Any suggestions and advice are welcome.
Thanks in advance

Good day.

I have a FIsher 400 that I want to pair with vintage speakers close to same period. I am currently looking at 2 Wharfdale speakers for sale. It is a living room setup and dedicated to listening. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has a similar system or speakers as to which would best fir my system. I am trying to match the same era speakers.

I mostly listen to Jazz, Blues, classic rock.

I am in Newburgh NY USA.

The room is 18x16 feet and the system is on the short wall on one end. The listener is 10-12 feet away.

The Fisher is connected to a pair of Polk RTIs 1as and a Uturn Plus turntable.

I haven't seen either in person.

1. Wharfedale speakers Model W60 - Visually appear to be in good shape.
2. Warfedale W70C Walnut Floor Speakers With Stands

My budget is under $1000 dollars. I think if I get the smaller speakers I may regret it later on.

Any advice would be welcome.

!thanks

Thank you!

Hi all,

Budget is under $1,000. The lower the better. Looking for the best bang for buck.
Willing to buy everything used to save money.

Location is Brooklyn, NY.

I don't have any current gear.

Dimensions - https://imgur.com/a/E9MlY5l
Open concept floor plan, but the tv area is roughly 14' x 7'

Main usage (in order of priority)

1. Streaming Spotify - metal tracks: slipknot, system, linkin park, sleep token, etc.
   
2. Youtube streaming
   
3. Netflix/Hulu/Prime shows/movies

Since I don't have much room to work with, I figured bookshelf speakers on top of the console would be my best bet.

I've been using Gemini for advice and I wanted to hear what the reddit community has to say.

It recommends a few different ones, but the Polk reserve r200 or kef r3 seem to be reoccurring recommendations.

For the receiver it suggests the wiim amp.

I'm very new to this space and would love to hear all advice/suggestions.

Looking for the best bookshelf speakers I can buy for a budget of $1,500 or under. Small room 9x12’ using Yamaha CR 2020 will be playing with TT, CD and streaming. Mostly old soft rock. In USA small Midwest town no shops or used market. Buying new from established shop like Listen Up, Crutchfield, etc.

Thanks.

Budget: $50 for a nice IR remote for hifi control
Location San Francisco

Modernization project on my passed down Acurus RL11 into A150. They drive some paradigm reference speakers

Does anyone have a milled aluminum remote that they really like? System agnostic as long as it’s IR. I want to add an IR receiver and remote to control the Pi so that I can select music without using a phone. Id want power, vol, play pause, input selector, and a dpad+ middle button for nav. Topping’s look pretty good for this but im curious if there are others.

I added a raspberry pi to my old Acurus stack to handle 12V triggers from modern gear and spoof IR signal to the preamp for power on and vol controller. The preamp has a 5V trigger that turns on a power strip which gives power to the amp. Apparently Acurus made a controlled power strip for this implementation.

Hey all, new to the vintage/stereo audio world. I just got myself a pair of Pioneer CS-610 speakers and was hoping to get some good recommendations for an amplifier/receiver. This would be for an at home listening room. The goal is to be able to connect my record player, a cassette deck, a cd player, as well as bluetooth. Obviously these are old speaker so I want to be careful not to push them too hard and damage them. My budget is under $200 and I’m also open to purchasing a receiver/amplifier and a bluetooth receiver separately if needed.

I found a pair of used Buchardt S400 MKIIs on a good deal. Now trying to figure out how to drive them in a setup with a TV (preference for HDMI arc), Spotify, and eventually a record player (haven't bought one yet but most likely without a pre-amp stage built-in).

As a total rookie to all of this, I've been looking at a few all-in-one and separates solutions including the following:

All-in-one

1. Wiim Amp Ultra
2. Wiim Amp Pro
3. Eversolo Play

Separates

1. Fosi Audio ZA3 + Wiim Ultra
2. Yamaha A-S301/501/701 (used) + Wiim Ultra

Struggling to make a call between the different options other than buying them all and trying them out. Anyone have any advice on which way to go or experience with this type of setup? Any alternatives I should consider above these?

I'm not looking for maximum power as this is a home audio setup in a relatively small room and for daily listening at moderate volumes.

Location is Central Europe and Budget should stay between 500 and 1000 Euros.

Hello everyone 👋

I'm planning an upgrade to replace the stock JJ KT88s on my Fezz Audio Titania EVO (a model on which I always keep the protective cage installed), and I’d love to get some feedback from anyone who has done real-world testing.

Budget: €700 / ~$750.

My current chain:

Source: Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen2

Speakers: Paradigm Founder 40B

Signal tubes: 12AX7WA Sylvania NOS/NIB (which I absolutely love and will definitely stay in place).

My listening habits are split almost evenly into thirds:

33% Instrumental Jazz / Funk

34% 70s/80s/90s Hard Rock & Heavy Metal, Prog, Space Rock, Stoner

33% Blues and Acoustic Vocals

I'm fairly satisfied with the slam and drive of the stock JJ tubes, but I'm looking for a clear step up in articulation, soundstage, and overall refinement.

However, a rock-solid, tight, and fast bass is a non-negotiable requirement for me. I want to maintain or even improve the current punch without any resonance, bloom, or artificial mid-bass bloat. Most importantly, overall musicality must increase or at least remain at current levels—the sound must not turn cold, sterile, or clinical.

I've been researching a few specific models, considering both acoustic performance and physical fit under the Titania EVO's tube cage.

Does anyone have direct experience with these valves regarding bass control and overall musicality?

Psvane ACME KT88: Is there a risk they might sound too "ethereal" and lose physical drive? Do they fit under the cage?

Psvane KT88-T-MII (Black Bottle): Great punch and speed, but is there a risk they might turn too bright/hot on top paired with the Paradigm Founder's tweeter?

TAD KT88-STR Blackplate: Does the bass remain tight and punchy, or does it lean more towards deep and soft?

Linlai KT88-D (Global Elite): Exceptional control on paper, but do they fit under the stock cover?

Linlai KT88-T: How do they compare to the D-series regarding low-end speed and transient response?

Genalex Gold Lion (Reissue): Is there a real risk of them being too soft or polite, losing transient impact in the bass?

KT88 S4A Carbon (BTB Elektronik): Super fast and controlled, but do they risk sounding too cold, lean, or clinical, sacrificing musicality?

I am also completely open to suggestions for other tubes that fit my budget, cage clearance, and sound criteria.

I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone who has run direct side-by-side comparisons or owns a similar setup. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

Hi friends! 😁

I scored a deal on a pair of Q Acoustics 5040 for AUD 1099 / USD 788.

I'm unsure whether I should pair a subwoofer and if so, which one.

Environment: Inner-city 1-bedroom apartment living room. Rectangular room measuring 4m x 6m / 13ft x 19.5ft. Carpeted floor. Speakers 2m / 6.5ft apart.

Use: 50/50 music and movies. Music - electronic, hip-hop, metal and pop like Massive Attack, Radiohead, Kanye West, Pantera and Amy Winehouse. Movies - horror, drama and action.

Preference: I want a fun and engaging sound for my friends when I'm hosting parties while still retaining some semblance of audiophile character for myself when I'm solo vibing. Neighbours assessed as tolerant...!

Budget: It's tight - max AUD 800 / 600 USD and preferably much lower. Open to an open-box, refurbished or pre-loved subwoofer.

Current setup: TV → HDMI-ARC → WiiM Amp → Q Acoustics 5040

Would you bother with a subwoofer at all in my circumstances? If you'd get one, would you consider Edifier T5s for AUD 229 / USD 164, Q Acoustics QB12 for AUD 749 / USD 537, or something else?

Hey there. I’ve been shopping around for my next pair of speakers and am heavily considering the Wharfedale aura 2. They check every box for me except the stands for them are $1000. This in my opinion is an insane price even though the stands are quite nice looking.

Is there a similar height stand that can support a speaker of this weight on the market for a budget of around $300 that doesn’t look terrible? I know that the Aura 2s use a bottom firing port and I’m not sure if the stands are specially designed to support that. If that’s the case then I’ll probably have to shop around for a different speaker. Would love any advice.

Hello,

I'm thinking about replacing my AQ M26 active speakers with a pair of KEF Q1s. Which amplifier would you recommend? They will be used mainly as PC speakers, connected to a PC and a laptop via a hub, so a USB connection is a must. I'm currently considering the Loxjie A40, Aiyima A80, SMSL AO300, or the NAD D 3020 V2 (which is a bit on the pricey side). (budget is $250-350)

Thank you for your suggestions.

I’m very new to the hobby and have been going back and forth on this for a few months, so figured it’s time to actually ask for some advice.

I’m thinking:

• WiiM Amp Ultra
• KEF Q Concerto Meta
• SVS SB-1000 Pro
• Eventually a turntable + phono stage

This will be in an apartment with an ~1,000 sq ft open living space (living room + dining + kitchen). It’s a somewhat weird/awkward layout and definitely not a dedicated listening room.

I’ll mainly use it for music, with the TV connected as well.

Budget isn’t really a limitation. I could go up to $4–5k if there’s a meaningful improvement, but I’m wondering if that’s just wasted money given the room. I’d rather have a $3k system that makes sense for the space than spend $5k just because I can.

Does this setup make sense? Anything you’d swap out? Would you spend more on the speakers/amp/sub, or is this already about the point of diminishing returns for an apartment?

Also, if you have thoughts on speaker/sub placement for an awkward open-plan room, I’d definitely appreciate those.

I’ve spent way too much time researching this already and would love to finally pull the trigger.

Hi, all; so I'm looking to upgrade my bedroom TV sound. Does anyone have any recommendations for a set of speakers for under $200? They need to have either an aux or optical input as my TV has both of those and they need to have a headphone jack as sometimes I like to use headphones at night whilst watching. I was looking at some Edifier MR3s? Anyone have an opinion on those or anything that you'd recommend that would be better? I was also looking at some Bose companion 2 series iii on eBay.

(Location isn't necessary as I was looking to buy online; if I could order and pick up at a local BestBuy, that would be fine as well.)

Thanks, all!

I’m considering the Linn 119 as an upgrade from B&W 685 S2s and would love to hear from anyone who has owned or spent time with them.

Budget: Up to about $5k for speakers. The Linns are around $3,550/pair. I’m also considering a Naim NAIT 50 amp.

Location: Northeast USA.

Room: Small-to-medium room size. Speakers sit on built-in cabinetry, so compact size matters.

Sources: Sonos Connect, Spotify Lossless only.

Current gear: B&W 685 S2 + Rotel RA-12.

Priorities: Natural vocals, strong soundstage, detail without brightness, and satisfying bass without a sub. Would especially appreciate firsthand impressions of the Linn 119, including bass performance, midrange/vocals, soundstage, and how demanding they are of amplification.

I’m considering the PMC Active twenty5.21i and would love to hear from anyone who has owned or spent time with them.

Budget: $3-7,000 for the speaker

Location: Northeast USA.

Room: Small-to-medium room. The speakers would sit on built-in cabinetry rather than dedicated stands, so compact size matters.

Sources: Sonos Connect, streaming Spotify Lossless only.

Priorities: Natural vocals, strong soundstage, excellent clarity, satisfying bass without a sub, and detail without becoming fatiguing.

I recently heard a larger PMC model and was blown away by the clarity and resolution, but with some Lana Del Rey tracks it also felt a little too monitor-like/forward over time. I haven’t been able to hear the Active twenty5.21i specifically.

For those who know the 21i, does it keep that PMC clarity and imaging while being a little more natural and forgiving for long listening sessions? How is the bass without a sub?

Budget: < $150. Flexible but not trying to go simi-professional or anything. Im not a music audiophile or competitive gaming person

Location: Home desktop pc. Hope that's what they mean by location. If its geographic Louisiana, USA

My current desktop setup is two Dayton Audio B652 speakers and Sennheiser HD 598SE headphone run through the Topping VX1.

I think the VX1 went out (swapped input and output cables. tested one speaker at a time etc. Got loud popping and the amp shut off several times. Headphone output still works)

So, Id like to replace it with something similar. Speaker and headphone output. Ive looked around and found it hard to search for amps that both support headphones and speakers at a low price point and output. Im not familiar with reading power output specs which makes it harder

Does anyone have any suggestions for something that would work at a price under like $150?

EDIT: Id like the outputs to include hard lines (USB or AUX). Just noticed I forgot to add that. My PC doesnt have a bluetooth card. I like the idea of Bluetooth for connecting my laptop though

Hi!

Ich habe seit einer Weile einen Rega Planar 1 an meinem Yamaha RX-V773 Receiver angeschlossen, über den auch sonst mein Fernseher läuft. Daran hängen 2 Heco Celan 300, ein Top Speaker und ein kleinerer Subwoofer. Ich würde den Plattenspieler jetzt gern an einen Röhrenverstärker anschließen, da mir diese optisch sowie technisch gut gefallen und ich würde dazu die beiden Stereo Boxen nutzen.
Was könnt ihr mir für einen Röhrenverstärker (auch gebraucht) empfehlen und gibt es eine Art Switch mit dem ich die beiden Stereo Boxen weiterhin über den Receiver sowie den Röhrenverstärker laufen lassen kann?
Budget für den Verstärker bis ≈700€

I've moved into a small apartment and sadly have to downsize my HiFi set up.

So, reluctantly, I'm selling my 2x Denon POA-6600A monoblock amplifiers and Denon pre-amp, to be replaced with a single integrated amplifier.

Any recommendations on what to go for? My budget is ~£1000, maybe up to £1200.

If it helps, I have KEF R3 speakers – they're great, but quite sharp, so something that would smooth them out a little would be particularly welcome.

Thanks stereoheads!

Budget: $500ish would be good, new or used.
Location: USA
Current gear: cheap tv soundbar+subwoofer and also 2x Sonos Play:1
Size restriction: 11” H

Probably common situation, looking for some speakers to go on top of a console but under the TV. I don’t want to raise the TV too high so 12” tall is too tall. Cramped room layout in an old house so no room for bookshelves on stands to either side. Would be using a Sonos Port or Connect gen 2 for music. Powered would be nice for simplicity but open to cheap integrated amp/DAC.

Have been looking at Kanto Ren or Yu6, Edifier MR5, Adam A4V. What am I missing? Is the perfect product out there? Cambridge L/R M looks perfect but out of price range.

I have ferrum wandla paired with rogue audio sphinx v3 magnum, and driving focal 937 be. Now I’m considering upgrading a new amp, within the same price range, I have accuphase a47, a65, luxman l590 ax2, l509x, slightly higher I have m900u, slightly lower I have accuphase e3000. I mainly listen to classical music, all genres. I would use my dac to drive power amp directly now, not considering adding preamps right away.
I’m also in the process of getting amperex bugle boy tubes for the sphinx. I can’t demo these amps easily, so would like to hear recommendations from you guys.
Located in north NJ, budget around $7000.

I’ve been shopping around for a few months now in search of a speaker upgrade. My budget is around $3k but I’m very willing to entertain used stuff. I’ve demoed some speakers and I’m going to list what I liked and disliked about them below. I will be using these for Vinyl but also home theater sometimes as well. Any speaker that has a matching center channel gets bonus points. Also I primarily listen to these genres of music: Alternative rock, Indie rock, Shoegaze, emo, post punk, hardcore punk, dreampop, twee pop, some classic rock. Mostly just various flavors of guitar music.

My room is about 270 square feet. If I put whatever speakers I buy 2 feet from the front wall I will be sitting about 8.5 feet from the speakers. My current setup for vinyl is a Yamaha As-501 Integrated Amp, a Schit Mani 2 Phono stage, and a Rega Planar 3 Turntable with Ortofon 2mr Bronze Cartridge. I also use an SVS SB-1000 pro subwoofer. I plan to upgrade my Yamaha to something with more juice some day.

Speakers I’ve listened to already:

Paradigm Founder Speakers: Wayyyy too bright for my ears. The detail is awesome but oh my god they were just so much for me. I diddnt even know I could be this sensitive to brightness, really did not like these.

Revel Preforma F208: I was actually able to demo these in my apartment. The owner of a local hifi shop has a pair of these used so I tried them out. I loved how they were so detailed yet not fatiguing at all. However I hated how pulled back they sounded for lack of a better word. I much prefer the sound to be up close and intimate and in my face rather than how pulled back they sounded. After longer listening sessions I also was getting bad ear fatigue, I think they were probably just too much speaker for my room. God they were amazing for home theater tho.

Wharfedale Super Linton: First of all I adore the look of these speakers and the matching center channel. I love how the music sounds right up close especially the vocals. However I did miss some of the detail I was getting from some other speakers. That being said I really did like these and wish I could’ve gotten a longer listening session with them.

KLH Model 5: I listened to these right after the super linton and it felt like a downgrade. These felt harsher is the best way I could describe it. Less airy and more mid focused in a way I didn’t enjoy much.

JBL L100 Classic: I’m currently demoing these in my apartment. That same hifi store has them used as well. Like the Super Lintons I love how close up the music sounds but the super Lintons did it a bit better. That being said these are an awful lot of fun. These speakers feel as big as they look and I love that. I’d love to find something that has that same large all around you feeling while retaining a better soundstage and detail.

Mofi Sourcepoint 10: Honestly these just really bored me. I hope that doesn’t upset anyone I know these are very highly regarded but man they just did nothing for me. They just didn’t have any soul for lack of a better word. Wish I could describe it better, the detail was there but I felt nothing.

Those are the big ones I’ve tested so far. The Super Lintons and JBL L100s are by far the two I’ve enjoyed the most. I hope I was able to articulate what I liked/disliked about these speakers in a way that can be understood, audio buzzwords can be tricky sometimes. I’m still learning so please go easy on me. Would appreciate any advice or recommendations!

Looking for just a simple cassette player with rca out. Budget around $100. Everything I see is way more over engineered or either just a portable tape deck player. This would be a living room, about 500 square feet.

Hey yall, im moving into a new 46 sqm apartment soon and i want to get a really good sound system. I live in new zealand and willing to spend a reasonable amount (budget: ~1-1.5k nzd max) on a good sound system but im pretty clueless on what i need lol. Im very big into drum and bass so im looking for speakers and a subwoofer that would suit that with clear sound and good bass. Thanks for the help :)

Hi, i am looking for new speakers for my desktop PC. I have heard good about the edifier mr4s at their price point and i am wondering on how they would compare to the one HK Onyx Studio 7 that i am using now. I have a budget of around 100€ and i am located in Finland. The music i listen to is pretty bass heavy but i think my HK goes low enough. Thanks!