First place to upgrade
- Thread starter jasbirnandra
- Start date
Rob: the speakers were reviewed in 6Moons, they look like they are pretty serious, and probably not a weak link. I remember seeing the adjustable tweeter array in one of the European mags. Here's the 6Moons review:http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/ascendo2/ascendo.htmlHello Myles
Well I don't know about you but I got bit by the bug when I was in my teens. I purchased my first pair of speakers with paper route money back in the early 70's. If I knew then what I know now I might have purchased a different set of speakers but aside from that I purchased what I felt was the best I could afford in my budget at that time.
My point is there are many issues when first entering a hobby and for that matter after 10 years in. Examples being knowledge, listening habits and of course economics that are going to effect your choices. To make a blanket statement that you didn't do your homework is a very narrow view. The speakers I own now could not have been manufactured 40 years ago or 10 years ago for that matter. Technology does change over time and the manufacturing know how to make rolled beryllium foils is a recent break through.
As far as the OP is concerned there is absolutely no useful information on the speaker manufacturers site to determine what you are getting before you purchase the speakers. To me that's red flag to make sure you can return them for a full refund if you are not happy.
The source being the media of choice then yes I agree. I am not saying the the quality of the source components does not matter. Just that there is much less variability with them compared to speakers.
Well in that case maybe we should be more open minded and actually listen to something before we write it off. You don't need a master tape to determine if you have a good speaker or not. It's obvious with well recorded media the average guy can get their hands on.
Rob
Dude, I think Gary wants you to 'spy' on them, not talk to them. So, you have to wear a fedora hat, trenchcoat and sunglasses. A newspaper with cut-outs for the eyes is always good for discreet espionage. Worst case, you can hide behind a large potted plant.
in jest,
Bill hart
garylkoh
WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Dude, I think Gary wants you to 'spy' on them, not talk to them. So, you have to wear a fedora hat, trenchcoat and sunglasses. A newspaper with cut-outs for the eyes is always good for discreet espionage. Worst case, you can hide behind a large potted plant.
in jest,
Bill hart
Haha!! Yes, spy on them, but talk to them. First thing I assess with dealers is their level of customer service. If you visit the room in shorts and flip-flops, I want them to give you the same service as if you walked in wearing a Canali suit and a Rolex.
Thanks for the help, Thf99.
Hello whart
Thanks for the link, I saw the 6 Moons review when I went searching for the speakers. I don't really take any reviews seriously unless they are balanced like Stereophiles. As I see it you need both sides of the coin to make a review credible. A review with no measurements is about as credible and a celebrity BOSE endorsement.
Have you ever seen what the BOSE measure like?? Awful.
They could be really good speakers but I have seen to many speakers get great reviews only to see them completely fall apart on the technical end in the measurements. That's why I am very wary of manufacturers with no published measurements for what they are selling.
Rob
I wasn't endorsing the speaker on the basis of a review- just suggesting they looked like serious gear. As to the need for measurements in a review, i'm not sure i agree, but it is not worth arguing about here.Hello whart
Thanks for the link, I saw the 6 Moons review when I went searching for the speakers. I don't really take any reviews seriously unless they are balanced like Stereophiles. As I see it you need both sides of the coin to make a review credible. A review with no measurements is about as credible and a celebrity BOSE endorsement.
Have you ever seen what the BOSE measure like?? Awful.
They could be really good speakers but I have seen to many speakers get great reviews only to see them completely fall apart on the technical end in the measurements. That's why I am very wary of manufacturers with no published measurements for what they are selling.
Rob
Since the OP allready has a nice system. I would upgrade the weakest link. I have heard Ascendo speakers at a show once and liked what I heard. It looks like his speakers go down to 31hz from the specs I saw. In that case a high quality sub or two may be a worth while improvement. As long as the Dart integrated can drive the speakers well it's most likely fine. I have not heard his source but IME the source can always be improved. There are so many things that can be improved in a system. It's hard to know what's most important without listening to it. Could be the room, power supply, equipment supports, cables etc. It could be benificial to invite some experienced listeners over to see what they think.
As for what is the most important component to upgrade first if your just starting out? Well my preference is find speakers that you love then hopefully at the same time amps that can drive them well. With this approach you may suffer for awhile untill your front end is up to snuff but at least you will know what each link in the chain you try is capable of. It can certainly be done source first as well there is no agreed upon standard. Room first does not make sense to me because you need to design the room acoustics around an existing system. Sure you can build a good room without knowing the system but the room will need to be fine tuned to the particular system and tastes of the owner.
Sean
As for what is the most important component to upgrade first if your just starting out? Well my preference is find speakers that you love then hopefully at the same time amps that can drive them well. With this approach you may suffer for awhile untill your front end is up to snuff but at least you will know what each link in the chain you try is capable of. It can certainly be done source first as well there is no agreed upon standard. Room first does not make sense to me because you need to design the room acoustics around an existing system. Sure you can build a good room without knowing the system but the room will need to be fine tuned to the particular system and tastes of the owner.
Sean
Thinking about room first some more. Of course you need to buy speakers that work for the room size that you have. If that is what people mean by room first I'm in agreement. Wrong speaker for the room is a common mistake. In some cases no amount of room treatments will cure this problem.
I think after all the respected suggestions I should try the speakers and I have thought to go ascendo top of the line the MS SE EW with the external crossover i dont know if external crossover helps improve sound but the speaker what I understand has got both time and distance alignment has anybody head them.
After a few sessions with your psychiatrist to determine what is real and what is not,start with the source material. Pick an upgrade that handles your music best.
A digital based system is going to look different than one based on analog.
My expereince is a speaker is only as good as the amp drivivng it. Before trashing your speaker try some more powerful amps.
A digital based system is going to look different than one based on analog.
My expereince is a speaker is only as good as the amp drivivng it. Before trashing your speaker try some more powerful amps.
Is this a passive crossover outside of the speaker box? What is the theory behind this design?
Tim
i'd say you have a pretty highly resolving system there and would be reluctant to recommend a change, as none are obvious. i don't see anything that needs fixing. yes, there are higher performing things you could upgrade to, but it would simply be incremental, and maybe not cost effective for the additional degree of performance gain. i've spent time with your integrated amp and your digital source and they are very good. i've also owned your cables, good.
maybe tell us what you think you might be lacking, or what you have heard that sounds better. are you wanting an analog source?
also; are you happy with your room, your power grid, your racks and acillary gear?
what goals do you have for your system?
Playback Designs. See earlier posts or you can go to:
http://www.playbackdesigns.com/products/mps-3/
mike lavigne
Though the system is quite resolving i feel as if there is a veil in front of the sound and the lows could be more in quantity, with more resolution in the highs,and a little more depth and authority to the sound,as for the room I have a 17.5ftLx11ftWx8ftH and for power i have everything running through a balanced transformer,racks I have none but placed the amp and the source on a 19mm ply on the floor.I am thinking the Ascendo MS SE EW which is quite expensive.
Could you also kindly tell me if the setup is put on switch on mode without playing any cd is it normal for the speaker to hiss a little bit.
Though the system is quite resolving i feel as if there is a veil in front of the sound and the lows could be more in quantity, with more resolution in the highs,and a little more depth and authority to the sound,as for the room I have a 17.5ftLx11ftWx8ftH and for power i have everything running through a balanced transformer,racks I have none but placed the amp and the source on a 19mm ply on the floor.I am thinking the Ascendo MS SE EW which is quite expensive.
Could you also kindly tell me if the setup is put on switch on mode without playing any cd is it normal for the speaker to hiss a little bit.
garylkoh
WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
I think that you've just found the reason for the veil and lack of resolution in the highs.......
Could you explain a bit about the hiss?? Are you talking clearly audible hiss from your listening position or up close to the speakers? Is the hiss level independent of the volume control setting?
Your speakers are not that sensitive so I would not expect you to hear anything except up close with your ear in front of the tweeter.
Rob
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