overwhelmed

[AutoAudio]

I've decided I'm not happy with the sound of my B&W 601 s3's and never really was. I just tried to tell myself i was because i spent 400 bucks on them. After doing a diy sub, I've decided I'm willing to try some diy book shelves and make myself happy with my audio. At least temporarily, because lets be honest we always want to change things up and try and improve the sound. Its an addiction. I've been into audio for 10 years so its nothing new. Mostlly car audio though, and my diy attempts have only been a sub. Anyways too much rambling. I've been researching for a while now and there are soo many links and post and info on the subject that I don't know which ones to listen too. I decided I would try and get some fresh input to my specific desires. I think I'll only be able to get away with $200 to $300 (actually I don't think my wife will let me do it at all but here's to trying) I have a 12" Dayton HF for the sub so they don't have to have great bass output. I lean towards 2 way due to simplicity, but if you have a good 3 way suggestion I'm not against it. The amp is a NAD C 320BEE putting out about 50 watts moderately rated. And the cd player is an old school playstation. I listen to a variety of music. I really want a nice wide, deep accurate soundstage. And the music to have a in your face kind of feel. Theres a start, I look forward to feed back, and thanks, you guys are great.

Bruce

[sqlkev]

I'd go for a smaller MT for that amount of money.

Best value would probably something like the rs125 or rs150 (from partsexpress) + seas tweeters (madisound) would fit the bill
i'm sure there are lots of designs out there for those drivers.

Personally, I really like the rs125 + vifa xt19. Excellent resolution.

[AutoAudio]

Thanks, I was lookin at daytons or seas for mids, and then dayton, seas, or vifa for the tweet. what about the xt25 in comparison to the xt19?

[sreten]

[

Hi,

with your current system description its seems a pity you can't
get the B&W's to work properly, have you considered possible
modifications to them or will you be selling them ?

The system as its stands is not what I'd call highest resolution.

The playstation CD player sounds pleasantly inoffensive but
my old model doesn't hold a candle to my Cambridge CD4SE.

The same is probably true of your NAD compared to my Audiolab.

So I'm not really sure what your after.
A pleasant speaker or a high resolution speaker.

A deep soundstage with an in your face feel is possibly only
within the realms of the very best hifi equipment - certainly
for budget equipment they are tuning opposites.

Given your system I'd say something like this would suit :

http://murphyblaster.com/content.php...ifa_Tower.html

But if your going to use a Sub then perhaps :

http://www.zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker19.html

Another option is (no Sub) floorstanding reflex version of :

http://www.zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker17.html

Or a sealed stand mount version of the above with a Sub.

/sreten.

[AutoAudio]

Why do you think those? I like his write up on his L15 design...
I don't really want to tear up the b&w's in case i do decide to sell them. Which if the diy project goes well I will.

[sreten]

Hi,

they are good designs, well thought through and measured.

Zaph's budget designs are exceptional in the above terms,
compared to most half baked attempts at budget designs.

The "best" sound might not be in your system the "best" speaker.

The L15 could also work well, sealed if using the Sub.

/sreten.

[richie00boy]

I always thought those B&Ws to have the attributes you desire already. Maybe you are looking in the wrong place to try and tweak your system?

Your budget would be more than enough for a decent source for a start, which I'm sure will improve the soundstage.

[sreten]

Originally posted by richie00boy

I always thought those B&Ws to have the attributes you desire already.
Maybe you are looking in the wrong place to try and tweak your system?

Your budget would be more than enough for a decent source for a start,
which I'm sure will improve the soundstage.

I thought I had alluded to the fact the B&W's should/could work well.

Certainly for a start if used with a sub the ports should be tightly stuffed
and possibly some extra wadding in the airspace could also be added.

If the sub is driven from the preouts of the NAD then a further
option is reducing the power amps input coupling capacitor
to further reduce low bass induced distortion.

There are quite a few things you could do regarding the
B&W's if your prepared to get your hands dirty so to speak.

Perhaps a description of what you thinks wrong with the B&W's ?

/sreten.

[AutoAudio]

I think the sound stage is pretty good with the B&W's. Guitar and male vocals are good, female vocals aren't too bad. Multiple vocals don't really sound that great (like a choir). I'd say the upper range is what i'm disatisfied with the most. I don't know if its just the tweeter, or the upper part of the mids too. You guys always say its better to go diy and you can get so much more for your money so I always figured 300 DIY would stomp all over 400 commercial. I don't mind getting dirty, but I'm not willing to be too risky. I don't want to try anything that if i made a mistake would tear them up. I demod a pair on a $800 rotel and it still didn't sound how i wanted so I'm not so sure changing the cd player would fix much. Thanks.

Bruce

[lndm]

What about your amp? My experience with NAD is that they are good with the right speaker. AFAIK the 601's are quite balanced and revealing, and the NAD may have an emphasis on the top end (what some would call a 'detailed' sound).