My First Separates Sound-System - Any Thoughts?

lersince1991 · 20-11-2009, 5:35 PM

Hi, I'm looking at investing in a proper sound system which I can add to and improve over the years and it will last a long time.

I listen to like 5 hours of music a day and will also use it for movies.

I mainly listen to electronic (House, Trance, Progressive, Drum n Bass etc...).

A local hi-fi shop has the Q Acoustic 1050i for around £160 so they have me interested.

I will be using my dads old amp (Kenwood TOA VM-1120B Mixer power amp) as I cant afford an amp yet and I will also be using a small sub from my old pc speakers set just to slightly boost the bass of the floor standing speakers. Although they do have decent bass anyway. Then next year ill upgrade the amp and sub but I dont need to think about that yet cos the money just isnt there.

As for the input, i'll be running it off my 13" unibody Macbook.

Anyone have any thoughts about any better alternatives or about this set up?

Thanks
Luke

Jamie · 20-11-2009, 8:29 PM

I'd avoid the sub for the time being. You can get good subs that are very musical however a crappy sub is likely to make the bass sound worse TBH.

When you do eventually add a sub (if you think its necessary) make sure you do your research and listen to a few, ideally borrow your top few choices and try them in your room with your sytem (This is where buying from a good dealer can be worthwhile) Remember most subs are designed primarily with HT use in mind so a lot aren't ideal for music (even thumping bass) Theres a seperate forum on here specifically for subs so might be good to post in there when you are ready to buy.

As good as the QA 1050s look on paper theres still no guarantee that they will appeal to you. When I bought my first modest stereo system I went with a list of exactly what I wanted, spent about 4 hours in the listening room and came away with a completly different system to the one I intended on buying. HiFi is very much a personal thing so what might be my favourite combination of components might not end up being yours after a proper audition.

lersince1991 · 20-11-2009, 9:50 PM

Ok thanks for the info, I'll take in a cd and have a listen to them tomorrow.

The dealer asked me what music I like and I said electronic and he came to the conclusion these were the best for the price for that music, had a quick listen which they sounded good but it wasnt my music.

Im thinking that maybe floor speakers aren't for me though...
I think a pair of bookshelf speakers 1020i and a sub 1000si would be better suited as I want them on my desk... hmm that would come to £230 though... As good as the floor speakers look I've just realised im not sure theyre for me....

I have no experience with separates and I'm confused of what I want lol...

mrbenn · 21-11-2009, 11:18 AM

superfi have those floorstanders for £150

BlueWizard · 21-11-2009, 9:59 PM

I agree, start with the floorstanding speakers, and see how they sound, add a Sub later as needed.

The 1050i at the price are an outstanding bargain. Are they the best speaker in the world, well probably not, but they only cost £150 per pair, at the price, I can't imagine that you won't be please, and I really can't think of anything in that price range that will match them.

I do know of one bigger speaker in this price range, but I can't say with any certainty that it is a better speaker than the 1050i. However, it is a full range DJ speaker, so may be suited to your style of music, though I'm sure the neighbors will hate you if you buy these speakers.

In the end, it will be up to you to decide. But in a normal sized room, the 1050i will certainly kick some tail.

Wharfedale XARUS5000-BLACK from Hughes Direct

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bluewizard

lersince1991 · 22-11-2009, 5:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueWizard

I agree, start with the floorstanding speakers, and see how they sound, add a Sub later as needed.

The 1050i at the price are an outstanding bargain. Are they the best speaker in the world, well probably not, but they only cost £150 per pair, at the price, I can't imagine that you won't be please, and I really can't think of anything in that price range that will match them.

I do know of one bigger speaker in this price range, but I can't say with any certainty that it is a better speaker than the 1050i. However, it is a full range DJ speaker, so may be suited to your style of music, though I'm sure the neighbors will hate you if you buy these speakers.

In the end, it will be up to you to decide. But in a normal sized room, the 1050i will certainly kick some tail.

Wharfedale XARUS5000-BLACK from Hughes Direct

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/bluewizard

Thanks for the comments!
Those Wharfedale speakers look wicked! I guess its between them and the 1050i's then... I well want to get them tomorrow!
Didnt have time to get a proper cd together to test so will be doing that this sunday (tomorrow) and will let you know what I think...
The Wharedale look wicked though... doesnt look like you'd need a sub with the 4 woofers in that set! hmm

p.s. dont worry about the neighbours!
I live in student accommodation (very nice ones) and the next flat has massive floor speakers and can ALWAYS hear his bass, haha. also a flat 5 floors up from me have a big setup and can hear that easier than I can the next flats! No one worries about volume :P

BlueWizard · 22-11-2009, 7:45 AM

Ah...to be a young student again.

In the photo below, the speakers on the left, we the speakers I had in my college dorm room, along with a full sized Amp, Tuner, and Turntable, and about 300 vinyl records.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/attac...diamond-sm.jpg

I've made some small modifications to them since that time, but they are essentially the same size. The woofers are 12".

I think in a small room, the 1050i will make a very nice party. The Xarus will certainly make a party in any room, but are meant for larger spaces.

You will likely be able to listen to the Q Acoustic, but since there are only two places in the entire UK that sell the Xarus 5000, it is not likely that you will be able to hear a pair in advance.

Among many other places, you can read Xarus 5000 reviews here -

Wharfedale XARUS XR-5000 rated 5 stars from 11 reviews:...

Keep in mind that these people were looking for a specific type of speaker that they found in the Xarus 5000, and they all bought them, so they sort of have to like them.

Still, either way, I don't think you will be disappointed. I think the 1050i is probably a little more refined, but the Xarus are rugged and will take plenty of power.

Also, keep in mind that the speakers don't sound perfect out of the box, they take 2 or 3 weeks of constant play to get broke in.

Steve/bluewizard

lersince1991 · 27-11-2009, 2:41 AM

Ok thanks for all the comments again everyone.

I went and had a listen to the 1050i's, I wasnt impressed... I dont know whether the equipment they were testing it off wasnt good or the room wasnt right or they didnt dare turn them up but I wasnt impressed really, I was prepared to buy them there and then as well!

So I went to the bigger hifi store here and booked an appointment to listen to their cheapest floor standers which were the Monitor Audio BR5's and they were absolutely amazing! Seriously never heard anything so good - not even near! But obviously out of budget by far. But the dealer was very helpful and definitely knew his stuff... Also he had some of the best equipment in that store, used a 'budget' onkyo hi fi amp and in a proper sound testing room...

So I'm going to go and test the 1050i's out tomorrow again, hopefully get the manager to hook them up to the proper hifi stuff. If I like them I will get them. If i'm again not impressed then i think I will take the risk and go for those Wharedale speakers from Hughes Direct. They are obviously way more powerful and rugged so I dont have to worry about blowing them up. Of course It's not like I'm going to be turning the amp up above 3/4's max or the distortion will affect the speakers (says the very helpful man I spoke to in the store... well, he said half but I would want to go a bit higher...).

Just wondering what peoples opinions are to all this?

P.S. You know most of the speakers have 'bi-wire' connections, does this mean I can use 2 cables for each speaker from the amp so I can get double the power but I wouldnt need to turn the amp up over than half to get good volume? i.e. would it give me more power with less distortion?

Also the amp my dad sent me is the wrong one so ignore the model in the first post :P I'll post what I'm getting tomorrow when i go home to collect it. It's either a good but old Pioneer or kenwood though.

lersince1991 · 27-11-2009, 11:23 PM

The Amplifier is a Kenwood Stereo integrated amplifier A-82
On the back it says its 150W I think. I can't find any specs for it online but its pretty decent! :D

Also I went to order the Wharfedale speakers but cant find them anywhere, sold out everywhere, I contacted hughes and they said they had no dates of deliveries from the manufacturers

Any other suggestions?!

lersince1991 · 28-11-2009, 3:42 PM

Ok so I've found a few speakers that are in my budget and I've heard 2 of them.

2 will be second hand but well looked after and the 1050i's are an ex-display model.

First was the Q-acoustic 1050i's which I wasn't that impressed with when I heard them but maybe that the equipment it was tested on.

Second are the Monitor Audio BR5's which are the most expensive, I've found them just over budget. I heard these and was well impressed. But these would be the hardest to get my hands on and most expensive second hand.

Thirdly, I've found a pair of B&W DM604 S2's in my city i'm in so I can get them the easiest, these will be in budget (and the cheapest) but unfortunately I can't hear them first as I'm away atm.

What would you go for and why?!
Need replies asap please
THANKS!
Luke