Hey,
I've noticed that some people don't like talking about the weather and some don't like talking about toys sooooo, maybe this topic will be of interest:

A few of us here at work got into a friendly discussion about what type of stereo speakers we like to listen to. I thought it was interesting. So, I'm curious - what brand/type of speakers do other c-jazz fans have or would have IF you could get them to listen to our favorite genre of music, c-jazz.

Our work convo was not a " money"or"one-upping" topic but a " sound quality" we preferred. I thought it was interesting that " rockers" seemed to like a speaker system that delivered a heavy bass , vibrate the room sound....

any thoughts????

[This message has been edited by Briggs, Cheryl (edited February 06, 2002).]

I own a pair of JBL floor speakers which I've had for about 5-6 years now. I'm very happy with them. They were a good investment, without breaking the bank. At the time, I was working for "a major electronics retailer", so I got them at a very good price. From time to time, I look through audio magazines, and they have speakers that cost a couple of thousand bucks each. I once saw a pair for $20,000! Now, I don't know about you, but my ear really is not that sophisticated that I need $20,000 speakers! My JBL's have a strong bass, (which I like), but they don't drown out the tweeters. I can listen for each instrument playing and hear each one without being drowned out by another. I have 2 way speakers, but would eventually like to get some 3 way.

Everyone seems to love the sound quality in Bose speakers. They are masters at putting big sound in little tiny units! When it is time for me to go speaker shopping again, I will consider Bose as an option, but since I've been so happy with my 2 way JBL's, I'll see what they offer in 3-ways!

[This message has been edited by LibraLady (edited February 06, 2002).]

Hi Cheryl...
I don't really have a preference because I haven't shopped for any in a long time. My house speakers are 25 year old Heils(sp?)but they still sound okay. I wanted to buy a new car in the fall but couldn't justify it. So instead I upgraded my car stereo. I may have overdone it, though. I now have 6 speakers a subwoofer and 2 amplifiers in my little Saturn. So not only is the stereo worth more than the car now, but I fear rattling the bolts out of the vehicle as I'm driving down the road. But boy does it sound good!!

I can't believe how expensive car stereo equipment gets compared to home stereo equipment??

I tend to agree with Libralady for the most part - especially where she says her ears are not that sophisticated. My hearing is quite good, but I can't imagine any $1,000 speaker improving the sound so much that the difference between it and a $50 Pioneer is worth the expense.
In my living room are a pair of seldom-used Pioneer speakers — very basic — and a pair of Fisher surround speakers, also very basic. For the location and the amount of use, these are more than adequate.
(My car system is all-Pioneer.)
When I do replace my home speakers, a lot will depend on whether they remain in that room or if I'll have a media room where I can put all my electronics (and not have to keep everything turned down because it's where the family congregates and people want to hear one another talk).

I'm not one who needs extra bass. Sure, I love to increase the depth on some music or enhance certain aspects of the sound. That's what equalizers and three-way systems are for. But to pump up the bass, to me, is nothing but a gimmick to keep up with the joneses. One does it because bass is all everyone else talks about. Few things make me cringe more than to hear some car stereo's thumping bass long before I even see the car, and when I do see it, the bass (along with the drums) is so loud it's distorted and I cannot even comprehend the other instruments or voices. And, of course, the windows rattle and the metal bumpers (these are old cars, usually) are about to fall off. But hey, the radio works. No offense, Steve.

Me? I want to hear everything, and I think amplifying the bass takes away from the rest of the music.
Therefore, any basic three-way system works for me. For the most part, my speakers will match the brand of audio component I purchase.
My Fisher surround speakers came with a Fisher surround amplifier. My next audio system purchase would most likely be Pioneer, Sony or Panasonic because I'm getting what I need at a reasonable cost, and I would get speakers by those brands. If I purchase speakers as a separate item, they would probably be Pioneer. I might consider Bose, Jensen, JBL or Polk Audio (since my computer came with a pair of Polk speakers that sound great). However, I wouldn't dream of buying Harman Kardon or any of the other upscale brands.

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Woody
jazzwriter23@yahoo.com

[This message has been edited by jazzwriter (edited February 06, 2002).]

I'm with Steve on this one, I've not been stereo shopping in ages and the stereo we have now ( I sold my bedroom one in a move a few years back) is the one my hubby had when we got married. It's a total system Panasonic. Would like to find some smaller speakers, though...these puppies are the huge kind that take up lots of room. But, when I do listen to other people's systems, I don't like tons of bass, because to me, too much bass muddies the mid-range and high end sounds. Bose, Yamaha, Klipsch, and Miller and Kreisel ( sp?) all made good speakers back in the day that I used to do major stereo shopping back in the 80's and I know some people who still own some of these brands. I have no idea if their newer stuff makes the same grade, but since they did so well back then, I think I'd still want to hear what their stuff would sound like before asking a stereo salesman what's up with the newer stuff, know what I mean? And Cheryl...for those who don't like weather topics and what not...that's what the scroll bar is for. No one forces these people to read the stuff...if they don't like it,then don't click on the topic to begin with. O.K. off my soapbox now! LOL!

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Anita Bonita

B & W .....and buy American.

Interesting reading you guys!

Anita, you are so right - freedom of choice in the BBS - We all have interesting thoughts here - respond to what interests you.

I have heard the new BOSE 321 system- it's a DVD/CD - surround sound system all from 2 small speakers , an acoustic wave box. and one small receiver IMO : awesome.

Love to hear your thoughts.

I have an Aiwa sound system that's hooked up to my TV but living in a condo I don't have the speakers hook up, I listen through sets of RCA & Recotron wireless headphones for most of the time. For the computer I have MLi speakers w/ subwoofer but I also have a set of headphones hooked up to it as well, and sometimes I'll hook up the wireless headphones to it as well.

I also hook up the wireless to my Fender Princeton Chorus and play into the night in silence to the world.

Cheryl-
I have always admired Bose products....I had the opportunity to do some work for them several years back through one of my manufacturing customers (they put together the enclosure for the "wave" radio for Bose) and I was most impressed with the company in general and the engineers in particular; they are a dedicated bunch of sound geeks.
Plus, my older brother used to manage a high end stereo store in Raleigh, and they had a special room for the Bose 901's and the amp system. Un-be-leive-able sound filled that room, like sitting on stage with the symphony, except better, because you could hear each instrument so well. Pink Floyd's "Dark side of the Moon" never sounded the same to me after that.
Anyway, that's why when we built this house, I decided to use the Bose surround sound setup, with 4 clusters of 2 speakers each, and a bass unit, and the system with CD. Not the most expensive unit, but the next one down at the time. It sounded great in the store (Bose has factory outlet shops where you can buy re-conditioned systems for several hundered off original cost) and sounds even better in my home. It was a lot of work wiring everything in before the sheet rockers came through, but it was worth it.....and compared to buying a new system of the same quality as individual components, I think I actually spent less.
For all you decorating-sensitive types out there (like my wife) they are very unobtrusive and far less noticeable than my old EPI's, so she's happy too. Except that I play it too loud, she says...."what? I can't hear you- I'm listening to the Ripps the way they were meant to be!"
My 2c worth- basically, go listen to as many speaker types as you can, using the SAME CD every time if possible. That way you have a better idea of what brand sounds better to you. A good friend of mine got the floor model JBL monitor series, and they sound awesome, but it takes a macho amp to pump them, around 250 or more per channel, way too much for my house.....but then again, he's single....
Later
TonyY

I have 4 Mirage OM10 omnipolar towers, a Mirage AVS100 center channel, 2 Mirage AVS200s for the rear center channel and a450 watt Mirage subwoofer.

I power the whole thing with a 750 watt Yamaha surround sound receiver. An omnipolar tower has speakers mounted on both sides, so that the effect fills the room naturally, rather than creating a soundfield which exists directly in front of the speaker.

Yeah, I'm a Mirage fan. I can't afford Sonus Faber or Vienna Acoustics!

Distortion is a bad thing. I cringe when I walk through stores and hear all the boom boxes and systems turned up full blast.

I have a lot of power in my system so that my speakers sound clean and I'm not pumping distortion from overdriving the amplifier/receiver. I rarely crank the volume anywhere near what it's capable of delivering.

The important thing to understand about speakers is to evenly match them, especially when used for home theatre or music. A la carte from different manufacturers is OK, but at the very least, the 3 front speakers should have the same tonal quality to reproduce the soundmix panning. Ideally, all speakers would "match" so that you have a seamless effect as you pan between the speakers. That's why prepackaged home theatre systems are so attractive and affordable.

You don't have to spend a fortune to get this, buy the best that your budget can afford. Strive for an even matched tonal quality & low distortion at higher volumes

A more expensive speaker is capable of deeper, louder bass, with less distortion at high volumes, a spacious treble and a more precise reproduction of the recording. You will pay more money for a wider frequency range.

Only you can make the call if its worth it to you, the bottom line is that you want to enjoy your music, not go into debt for it.

bassix,

i totally agree with you on the performance and quality of bose. i've been a bose loyalist for years

in the 80s, i had the 501s and in the 90s, graduated to the acoustimass system, for which i have never been sorry! in fact, when i went on longterm travel for work, i knew i couldn't be without my music, which had to have great sound (long term travel can be a drag without it), i brought along my wave/cd.

recently, i upgraded my computer and since i spend so much time working on it, of course there has to be entertainment, right?!? you got it... bose was wise enough to bring back the multimedia speakers!

i am one happy chick

peace to the planet and lots of cool grooves!

I see many Bose loyalists here, and yet I can't help but notice that in many of the audiophile groups that I've lurked on, Bose is constantly ridiculed, though I've never found an explanation as to why this is. I don't have much experience with Bose myself.

Hey gwenn,
I have Bose 501's too. Like you, bought my system 10 years ago - still sounds great - gosh time does fly.

Kat - I hear Mirage ads on the radio - wondered about them - sounds like you have a great system. On another note, you live in New Haven correct ?

Tony - way to go with the whole house !
Great sound in every room . My parents bought their Bose system at a factory outlet store - they stock new as well as the returned " try it for 30 days" at a discount . Good advice for shoppers!

Nathan - I'm kinda hooked on the sound Bose gives- I too have heard " negative" comments NOT that those comments would change my mind - what sounds great to one may not to another. I don't have many co -workers who listen to c- jazz - I'm workin on em though - they pop into my classroom and say who's that ? Oh NO...... let me tell em!!

Thanks everyone for your views- very cool.

Tony...no offense taken and I was exaggerating. Actually some of the smaller cars are limited in the size of a speaker you can place in the door panels. Before I put the subwoofer in it sounded good and loud but not great. The subwoofer added a fullness to the whole sound that can't be achieved any other way. It's a modest, single 10" box..not too overbearing. I don't care for heavy, pulsating bass common in Rap music either so I keep it toned town enough to add that fullness but not to the point of overkill.

cheryl-

yeah, it runs pretty deep! i totally forgot the bose sound system i had to have when i ordered the new car. so way

love driving with the tunes

NathanA.....maybe they were comparing models in different categories, e.g. Home theater systems are not like Stereo systems....each speaker has its own special features and they can only be evaluated by an expert according to its capabilties and merits (price included as well)..those critics just love to pick on a great brand then turn the issue into a never ending discussion.

[This message has been edited by Joel (edited February 07, 2002).]

I am a 2 channel/stereo type. Not big on movies or the SACD/DVD-Audio surround sound.
In my primary system I have Magnapan 1.6/QR w/Vandersteen 2w sub. In another system, I have Vandersteen 2ce's. Electronics are Bryston, Threshold, Forte 44, B&K 442 Sonata, and Rega-Planet 2000x2.

Several people have hit on what makes a good system - it is what sounds good to you over a long period of time. If you listen to your system and tend to get listening fatique or want to lower the volume, then the system isn't right for the room or for you. One post I ould like to modify is that if you do go to audition speakers, take a couple of different cds with you (a familiar one with female voice, one with good bass player plucks or drum kit and one with brass in quite passages to see if you can hear the air blowing through the instrument).

I'm not a Bose fan. Owned 901's 22 years ago but feel my listen has matured into better sounding stuff for the money. Bose is a great marketing company though. And, if they sound right to you in the setting you put them in, then they are the right speaker.

This is a great post. There is some great audio equipment out there and it doesn't have to be megabuck stuff. Look at what Henry Kloss (who just passed away) did to enlighten the mass population. Yes, I owned the large Advents while in college. His recent venture is Cambridge Audio, selling directly to the consumer, has some nice products. I think Best Buy carries some of their product line. For those who will go on a listening/buying spree, good luck and enjoy.

I have a Bose system in my car. The sub-woofer is decent (no thumping or vibraryons for me!) , and the speakers are mounted in the 4 doors and there are 2 "filler" speakers in the space just to the left & right of the dashboard.

I think when we go into the audio store, many people probably haven't been there in a while. It's easy to be amazed by the new technology, I know that I am still impressed, and I frequent my local audio stores. I am really enjoying the DVD recorder that I bought a few weeks ago! the downside is that I have about 20 wedding videos that my friends would like me to convert to DVD - and there never seems to be enough time to do it!

With respect to the Bose systems, I do think it's incredible that such a tiny system packs such a wallop. But for music, I prefer a wider frequency range - which is why the Bose system wasn't right for me.

Mirage speakers are great for my ears, but there are other mid level priced manufacturers. In addiiton to Cambridge Soundworks, Mission, Boston Acoustics & PSB make a nice product, too. I say mid level, because if you look into THX certified systems, you can easily spend $5,000- $8,000 on a PAIR of speakers. I consider mid level to be $1200 - $2500 a pair. The newer Mirage & Boston Acoustic towers package the powered subwoofer into the tower.

As for the advice about listening with your favorite CD - that's good advice as well as to bring music with a female voice (to test the higher range and to make sure the speaker is free of sssss sounds) and funky bass (to hear whether the bass gets all fuzzy) and the brass (air blowing indicates that the imaging is precise). You can use high piano notes or violins to sub for the female voice. Beware if the salesperson keeps resetting the eq on you for each music type. For example, the classic "smile" on the graphic equalizer will mush out the midrange on some speakers.

Another way to gauge frequency response is to look at the specs on the speaker itself, that way you know what you're paying for in that really pricy speaker!

For example 20 Hz to 20 kHZ at +-0.5 dB means that there is a half a decibel audible deviation from perfect across that range. The +- dB deviation is important, it will tell you how consistent the speaker is across the whole range. Try to stay away from manufacturers who don't give you the deviation, because the speaker might have ugly sounding dips and spikes.

For a speaker which is rated at 68 Hz to 21 kHz at + - 3dB, this means that the speaker cannot really reproduce deep bass & could use a subwoofer to get down to the low frequencies that enhance a home theatre setup. It will be accurate in the upper bass (up to 500 Hz), the midrange (700 Hz to 4 kHZ) and the entire treble ( 4 to 20kHz)

OK, enough techno-rambling, Good luck and happy hunting on your audio shopping adventures!!!

And Cheryl, yes, I live in CT, grew up in the New Haven area and now live just east of Hartford. For a little while, I lived in Montreal, a city that is just fantastic. That's why I return for the jazz festival.