Cheap standmounters - suggestions please

Anthony

Wammer
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Jan 9, 2006
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I don’t have a clue about older speakers so I’m hoping to pick your brains please.

I’m giving my old Rotel RCD965-BX cdp and Technics SU-A700 amp to my brother-in-law to use. It’s a shame to just leave them in boxes as spares when they could be enjoyed by someone. The amp is pretty low powered (45W/channel), smooth sounding. Cdp reasonably neutral, but erring towads being a touch bright.

I’m wanting to find him some cheap standmount speakers. I’ve had a look on eBay but to be honest I can’t tell the wheat from the chaff
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.

Must not be bright or annoying, nor too hard to drive. Second hand bargains of speakers from yesteryear preferable
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, but more recent goodies also fine. Cosmetic condition is not that important because having seen his bedroom and other electronic bits and bobs they will probably end up dirty and scuffed anyway
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. Most of the listening will probably be rock and pop, and they need to be decent with vocals. It’s possible that they won’t end up on stands but on other bits of furniture and possibly close to walls, so the less fussy they are the better.

Budget £80 max incl. postage.

all suggestions welcome. thanks wammy folk
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griffo104

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I got some Wharfedale diamond 8.1 from eBay - new and all boxed up for £60, use them in my budget system with a cheapo new £140 Sony integrated. Surprisingly good and they quite like the 70 watts from the Sony.

However I originally used them with the Sonic Impact T-amp and it drove them ok in a smallish bedroom.

Once setup I'm surprised at how good this budget setup can sound sometimes.

 
A

Alex A

Guest
I think some older Missions would be a great bet at this kind of price.

The 750LE (RRP originally £250 in '98ish):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LTD-EDITION-PAIR-OF-MISSION-750-SPEAKERS-CHERRYWOOD_W0QQitemZ150053855327QQihZ005QQcategoryZ14991QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Or the more recent 780 (RRP originally £300(?) in 2000+):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mission-780-speakers-Pair-Beech_W0QQitemZ220043320535QQihZ012QQcategoryZ112516QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I doubt the 780s will stay under £80, but who knows, but the 750s should do. Also worth looking for from mission are the 771e (make sure it has the 'e'), which were originally £199 and another great speaker. The problem with that one is that they made a later run after it was discontinued for Richer Sounds, and this run was poorly built and sounded dull in comparison (it was only £99 to be fair). The way to differentiate between the two is that the Richer version had a Matt black front baffle, whereas the original version has a rather good fake leather effect imprinted on the front baffle.

Anyway, otherwise maybe a B&W DM303 if you can find some, or a pair of 602 S1 or S2 (I doubt you'd get S2 for £80, but they are worth it over the S1 if it isn't a big difference).

 

meninblack

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Jul 20, 2005
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The old (pre-Richers) Mordaunt Short Music series are good - MS10, MS10i, MS20, MS20i and the like.

Usually a few on eBay at low prices. I hadthe choice of an old pair of MS10's or a nearly new pair of Quad 11L's in my second system - I sold the Quads.
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Anthony

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Jan 9, 2006
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Edinburgh, UK
HiFi Trade?
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Alex_A wrote:

I think some older Missions would be a great bet at this kind of price.The 750LE (RRP originally £250 in '98ish):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LTD-EDITION-PAIR-OF-MISSION-750-SPEAKERS-CHERRYWOOD_W0QQitemZ150053855327QQihZ005QQcategoryZ14991QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Or the more recent 780 (RRP originally £300(?) in 2000+):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mission-780-speakers-Pair-Beech_W0QQitemZ220043320535QQihZ012QQcategoryZ112516QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I doubt the 780s will stay under £80, but who knows, but the 750s should do. Also worth looking for from mission are the 771e (make sure it has the 'e'), which were originally £199 and another great speaker. The problem with that one is that they made a later run after it was discontinued for Richer Sounds, and this run was poorly built and sounded dull in comparison (it was only £99 to be fair). The way to differentiate between the two is that the Richer version had a Matt black front baffle, whereas the original version has a rather good fake leather effect imprinted on the front baffle.

Anyway, otherwise maybe a B&W DM303 if you can find some, or a pair of 602 S1 or S2 (I doubt you'd get S2 for £80, but they are worth it over the S1 if it isn't a big difference).
good stuff alex. thanks. i had seen lots of missions on eBay but didn't know which ones are any good.

do you think this is worth a punt if it goes cheap? damage doesn't seem too bad.mission 760i

 

Anthony

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Jan 9, 2006
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Papa Lazarou wrote:

Try to track down some Revolver R16s
oooh. i really liked the sound of the revolvers i heard at the recent Scottish hifi show. if these have a similar house sound they would be perfect.

will keep my eyes open. thanks.

 

harv

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Jan 5, 2006
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I've got a soft spot for Eltax monitor III, little bookshelves with metal feet and ported on the bottom. Good for being on tables etc.

Had them for a couple of years before selling them to a mate... good full bass reasonable dynamics and treble. Best speakers that eltax have ever made IMHO.

 

cjr

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Aug 8, 2005
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Keep an eye out for Castle Clifton 2s on Epay, and if your very lucky you may land a pair of Castle Isis for £75-100 seen both these speakers selling at this price.

 

notaclue

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I used a Technics su-A700 with Tannoy M2 speakers for a good few years and itsounded very nice. They are not bright speakers.

For a smaller room, the Tannoy M1would probably be better.

Both should be cheap and common on eBay.

 

Borats Baby

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May 2, 2006
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A

Alex A

Guest
Anthony, never heard the 760i. They're an older model a bit before my time. But for that price they're prolly worth a go.

 
S

soulman

Guest
Anthony.... I had the 760i SE many moons back (early 90's I think) and maybe a spot of rose tinted specs but I thought they were great little speakers.

 

nsherin

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Neil
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I use a pair of Mission m70s from 2002. Great, small, neat little speaker with incredible levels of detail and bass - I was amazed at the sound that these can punch out - previously, I stupidly believed the bigger the speaker the better. They are rear ported and certainly aren't fussy about positioning either.

Sound-wise. they are definately not bright when partnered with the right electronics - with my Yamaha and Sony amps, they could sound a bit fatiguing at times, but they seem to gel wonderfully with the NAD.

Have seen them on special for £50 from Richer Sounds - I paid £90 and to me they were worth it.

 

Beobloke

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Have a look for some Goodmans Maxim 2's or 3's.

You should be able to buy about 3 pairs of the former for £80 and i still think they're rather good.........
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syep2001

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Simon
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Beobloke wrote:

Have a look for some Goodmans Maxim 2's or 3's.You should be able to buy about 3 pairs of the former for £80 and i still think they're rather good.........
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Ive just got a pair for £30
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JPW AP2's? Save yourself £75 and buy something that'll sound much better than most others on offer! I had them on my old Rotel, not bright, seemed to match up well

 

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