Which vintage speakers?
May 31, 2007
Over the last few years I have accumulated three pair of
vintage speakers at thrift stores and rummage sales. I am now trying to clean out and
limit my collection to one good pair. Since all three pair have various known problems and
are in need of repair, I haven't personally tested the speakers. What I would like to do
is determine which of the three is the best pair to keep and which to discard.
The three choices are: Ohm model L (bad foam surround), KLH
Model Twenty Three (looks intact but cabinet needs a clean up), and Infinity SM 105 (cheap
vinyl veneer; my first exposure to high-end audio was through a pair of Infinity speakers
with a zillion drivers and the size of refrigerators).
Help!
Dan S.
I’ll take a stab at it! I’d say the Ohms
based on a few things. First, the company is still very much in business and selling new
models (though the other two are as well). That bodes well for Ohm supporting its products
in the future with parts and service. Second, if you really love the Ohms, having the
manufacturer around is great in case you ever decide to upgrade to another model from the
same company. I do know that Infinity is still in business as well, but they are likely
not the same company that you remember fondly from way back when. It doesn’t mean
that they don’t make terrific products today -- I believe they do -- but I also
don’t think their current offerings are all that related to the ones that you have.
KLH appears to be making primarily lifestyle-type products (just glancing at the website).
The point is that what Ohm makes today is still very much related to what you have at home
now. So if you like that type of sound, you can find it again in new products. Of course,
I could be wrong: you may just like one of the others the best in the long term! Good luck
with your decision, whatever it turns out to be.
“…first real stereo equipment”
May 28, 2007
I’m looking to buy my first real stereo equipment.
I’m still in school and moving into my first apartment. I primarily use my MacBook to
listen to music and have been using a decent Bose system that plugs directly into my
computer, but I am looking for something more. At this point, I’m looking at either
Axiom's M2 or M3 v2 for speakers. Not much of a difference in price here ($30). Any
difference in sound? Think I will be going with the Trends Micro TA 10.1 amp. Can you
recommend a subwoofer? Any other recommendations?
Drew Cosbie
I’d say you are right on the money with what you
are looking at. I’d go with the M3 v2 if you can. Its larger 6.5” woofer (versus
the 5.25” in the M2) and slightly larger cabinet will provide you with improved bass
response. As for a sub, take a look at what Axiom has to offer. That way you can match the
finishes, as well as be confident that the sub will blend well with the main speakers.
Perhaps pair these components with an Oppo Digital source player and you’ll be in
business.
High-end computer speakers?
May 24, 2007
I’m shopping for high-end computer speakers to play my
CDs. What do you recommend?
Trevor Reynolds
Most of the computer speakers on the market are cheap,
plastic boxes that do make sound, but aren’t very good. Unfortunately, that’s
what a lot of people are listening to music with these days.
But there are many options available. There are a few
good companies making small active speakers (i.e., speakers with amps built in)
that can be used with a computer. And it’s also possible to use a more conventional
set of speakers and a small amplifier. For example, one setup we have on a computer here
is a Flying Mole CA-S3 integrated amplifier driving a pair of Paradigm Atom speakers. This
is s quite a bit more expensive than those cheap speakers that often come with computers
these days, but it also sounds a whole lot better.
|
