falkon Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 I think I'm growing out of my Quad 12L Actives. Lately, as my tastes moves further into jazz, I find that they are fatiguing in the highs and are lacking in bass and bass extension. I'm looking for speakers <$800 that will be easily upgradable in the future. I'm thinking either floorstanders or monitors+sub combo and I'm willing to go used. Unfortunately, I'm a grad student so I won't be in a room with larger than 12'x12' anytime soon so factor that in. I'm leaning toward passives since I will have more choices in the future to upgrade. The price does not include an amp. What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 What do you mean by upgradeable speakers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 turn that < around and get harbeths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falkon Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 What do you mean by upgradeable speakers? Just disregard that. I think I covered it when I mentioned that I wanna go passive. turn that < around and get harbeths. I would love do that. If only the stands for the harbeths alone didn't max out my price range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Yeah, if you're using them for full-range monitors, you're going to be sorely disappointed. I still plan on getting a sub for mine one of these days... Go 2.1 -- as to which ones, I have no idea. In that 12x12 (yeezh) room -- you going to be listening nearfield or whut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falkon Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 I'm 6-7 feet away. It's the bedroom of a 1 br apartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falkon Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Also, I'm running them(the quads) in a balanced system so it's a pain to figure out how to work a sub in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceClass Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 12L2 passives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphsci Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Also, I'm running them(the quads) in a balanced system so it's a pain to figure out how to work a sub in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 The 12L actives have an XLR input on the back so my guess is that he's running them with a balanced preamp. Most subs want a single-ended signal so the cabling of such an arrangement could get complicated. At least, that's the only logical thing I can come up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Maybe you should go back to just posting about TV shows falkon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Oh quit bitching Al. It was a reasonable question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 It was meant to be mean but a joke. Nice of you to protect him, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morphsci Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 The 12L actives have an XLR input on the back so my guess is that he's running them with a balanced preamp. Most subs want a single-ended signal so the cabling of such an arrangement could get complicated. At least, that's the only logical thing I can come up with. Ok, makes sense. I would agree that it's not plug-and-play, but it is certainly doable. But yeah, passive would probably make things easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falkon Posted March 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 The 12L actives have an XLR input on the back so my guess is that he's running them with a balanced preamp. Most subs want a single-ended signal so the cabling of such an arrangement could get complicated. At least, that's the only logical thing I can come up with. Yep, that's exactly what I'm doing. Thanks for the clarification. Looks like there's not too many recommendations. Realistically, could I get away with large floorstanders if I'm listening from 6ft away? Something like Monitor Audio RS6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Alright, I will stop being a jerk and suggest that your budget is restrictive and we don't know your associated gear. It might help to know the amp/pre and the source but really the amp would be most helpful I think. I also don't know those Monitor Audio speakers but they don't look bad. As for off the top suggestions, there are some great deals from System Audio available and tyrion really likes his Rangers. Agon has a pair of 1730s for $775 right now. There is also a very cool pair of Omega Grand 8 with ports for $750. Those would be nice in your arrangement. Another pair are Epos M22s and those would be very nice. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepak Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 If you do have a power amp I would suggest a trial with the Magnepan MMG. $600 with money back guarantee through Magnepan direct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted March 6, 2009 Report Share Posted March 6, 2009 Realistically, could I get away with large floorstanders if I'm listening from 6ft away? Sure. 6 feet is pushing it, but well within what I think it would be realistic to expect decent performance. And definitely get full-range floorstanders, I agree with that, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted March 7, 2009 Report Share Posted March 7, 2009 In your price range about the only thing I have to suggest is something along the lines of the Paradigm Monitor 7's that I use in my Home Theater. I originally bought them for a 2-channel audio setup and liked them for straight music very much. They are full range enough that they do not require a sub. I can in no way vouch for them sounding better than the quads since I haven't heard any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fierce_freak Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Those maggies look interesting (also the Omegas). Any idea how they compare to Quad 12L's? I'm considering an upgrade, also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postjack Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 I asked a guy over at SH who owns both the 22L (not 12L, same family though) and MMG to compare the two, and he said the biggest difference was the MMG's huge soundstage. He opted to keep the MMG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepak Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 I asked a guy over at SH who owns both the 22L (not 12L, same family though) and MMG to compare the two, and he said the biggest difference was the MMG's huge soundstage. He opted to keep the MMG. Yeah, but Barry Diament has brain washed a good few over there Shit son I can often times be found sleep talking about buying Outlaw Audio amps and Hip Joints Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvdunhill Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Sorry, the MMG simply doesn't have a huge sound stage. If you're looking for a huge sound stage, try the Vandersteen 2ce signatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Those maggies look interesting (also the Omegas). Any idea how they compare to Quad 12L's? I'm considering an upgrade, also.From my admittedly brief audition of the Maggies (in store, sub-optimal environment, but very well set up) -- they both have an exquisite midrange (the Maggies may have this by a hair), but the 12L's have better dynamics -- I.E. even with as tiny as they are, they handle going louder better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postjack Posted March 9, 2009 Report Share Posted March 9, 2009 Yeah, but Barry Diament has brain washed a good few over there Shit son I can often times be found sleep talking about buying Outlaw Audio amps and Hip Joints Sorry, the MMG simply doesn't have a huge sound stage. If you're looking for a huge sound stage, try the Vandersteen 2ce signatures. Right on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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