Need help buying new speakers

saurabh_talks

New Member
Recruit
Hey Guys. I recently found this website and was amazed to see the kind of in depth knowledge you guys have over various domains.
Ok coming to the point.
I need to buy new speakers strictly for music. I previously had Altec Lansing ATP3 and they served me well for so many years. I'm looking for a replacement.
I'm open to buying bookshelf speakers or a good 2.1 speaker provided the sound is excellent.
I have had a look at some of the speakers from Edifier and particularly liked 2750DB. I don't want to install an amp or a sub woofer. But in some reviews i found that those speakers don't function optimal without amps and subs. I have limited budget of approx. 20-25K.
If you guys can suggest a good pair of speakers. I want to play them through my phone via blue tooth or 3.5 mm jack.
If someone owns 2750DB or Klipsch or any other good speakers which can be simply plugged and played. Or if there is some option of a hi-fi 2.1 speaker.
Pls suggest. All suggestions would be appreciated.
Regards,
Saurabh
 

AINDRASIS_GUPTA

Well-Known Member
Disciple
If your primary use case scenario is playing music through your mobile phone, then why not look at the Harman Kardon Soundsticks 4?

Buy Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4 2.1 Channel 140 Watts Multi-Channel Speaker (Iconic Design, HKSOUNDSTICK4WHTAS, White) Online - Croma

Buy Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4 2.1 Channel 140 Watts Multi-Channel Speaker (Iconic Design, HKSOUNDSTICK4WHTAS, White) online at best prices from Croma. Check product details, reviews & more. Shop now!
www.croma.com www.croma.com

Seems like the best option for you right now instead of the Edifiers.
 

Ramadhir Singh

Wasseypur
Adept
saurabh_talks said:
I have limited budget of approx. 20-25K.
If you guys can suggest a good pair of speakers. I want to play them through my phone via blue tooth or 3.5 mm jack.
If someone owns 2750DB or Klipsch or any other good speakers which can be simply plugged and played. Or if there is some option of a hi-fi 2.1 speaker.
Pls suggest. All suggestions would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Hello Saurabh. Welcome to TE hope you find this forum informative.

Since we are not exactly aware of you listening habits and actual requirement, so here is my personal suggestion, which is based on few assumptions i am making based in your post, and guessing you will be primarily hooking this up with a PC/desktop.
You specifically need active speaker ( self powered, built-in amp).
If you need passive its all together different story and in that case edifier don't stand any chance in prices vs performance..

if you want to go for Edifier - check this out Edifier R1280DB , its will cost below 10K and has the best bang for the buck in entire Edifier line-up. Another option could be s350 if you can source it below 20k.

Another strong contender is Swans, Now if i were you and just to hook it up with pc and didn't require Bluetooth, i might go with Swans M200MKII, will cost around 20k (bargain if you can), but definitely worth every penny.
M200MKII Wifi version (https://swanspeakers.com/product/m200mkii-powered-wi-fi-bookshelf-speakers/) is don't seems to be available in India as of yet. you call hifinage or any Indian dealer you might know. Swans has much better sound definition and distinct soundstage.

Klipsch, this is totally different league. cheap Klipsch and JBLs are not even worth discussing.
The sound signature of klipsch are very distinctive, one will love if they are in rock and metal. (no other brands can satisfy my metalhead instinct).
Klipsch tend to be little forward sound signature due to the horn tweeter. In layman's terms this is in opposite spectrum of JBLs' consumer series.
Also the price brackets of klipsch are above 30k, and their primary active speaker are not that great. the cheapest is promedia model - https://www.klipsch.com/products/promedia-2-1-bluetooth , which would cost around 22-25 in India ( I don't have any experience listening them - but i guess it will be only par with your ATP3's. replacement yes, upgrade i think not).
Another two modes are 41Pm and 51PM - i auditioned them back in time and didn't like either them as per my liking, they cry for a subwoofer to balance them. but once we hook a sub ( that would cost minimum 35K) - 51pm was beast. But if i have to hook external sub, i personally would not look for active speaker.

On other hand Klipsch had learnt form their shortfall in active speaker and came up with new model The Fives ( price tag around 75-80K INR) - these are gooodddd damnn the best active speaker one can find at present, but it's next to impossible to source this in India ( im behind them for almost 3-4 months ).

In active speaker review the fives holds number-2 position, number-1 being ELAC Navis ( cost around 290K INR),

tldr:
0a. This a serious hobby and rabbit hole - never go for absolutely best ( only ambanis can afford), see whats fulfilling your needs.
0b. what i like - 90% chances are you wont like ( unless we listen to same genera of music) . So make your own observation and not based on 3rd persons "perspectives".
1. For a 2.0 setup, have a look at Edifier R1280DB, i think it will fulfil your need and comes in great budget range. audition before you buy, if possible.​
2. Sound source such as Bluetooth and audio form PC sound card are not that great that those deserve huge money investment in speakers.​
3. If opting for expensive speaker ensure you have dedicated sound card like Xonar or any external DAC/amp and if using windows PC, definitely bypass the windows kernel interfacing the sound quality.​

Also, check a youtube channel called Digital Stereophony - link https://www.youtube.com/user/skubny
Use headphone, the best headphone you have. Don't use "bassy" headphone like the JBLs in order to actually make out the difference.

Cheers !!
 

saurabh_talks

New Member
Recruit
Ramadhir Singh said:
Hello Saurabh. Welcome to TE hope you find this forum informative.

Since we are not exactly aware of you listening habits and actual requirement, so here is my personal suggestion, which is based on few assumptions i am making based in your post, and guessing you will be primarily hooking this up with a PC/desktop.
You specifically need active speaker ( self powered, built-in amp).
If you need passive its all together different story and in that case edifier don't stand any chance in prices vs performance..

if you want to go for Edifier - check this out Edifier R1280DB , its will cost below 10K and has the best bang for the buck in entire Edifier line-up. Another option could be s350 if you can source it below 20k.

Another strong contender is Swans, Now if i were you and just to hook it up with pc and didn't require Bluetooth, i might go with Swans M200MKII, will cost around 20k (bargain if you can), but definitely worth every penny.
M200MKII Wifi version (https://swanspeakers.com/product/m200mkii-powered-wi-fi-bookshelf-speakers/) is don't seems to be available in India as of yet. you call hifinage or any Indian dealer you might know. Swans has much better sound definition and distinct soundstage.

Klipsch, this is totally different league. cheap Klipsch and JBLs are not even worth discussing.
The sound signature of klipsch are very distinctive, one will love if they are in rock and metal. (no other brands can satisfy my metalhead instinct).
Klipsch tend to be little forward sound signature due to the horn tweeter. In layman's terms this is in opposite spectrum of JBLs' consumer series.
Also the price brackets of klipsch are above 30k, and their primary active speaker are not that great. the cheapest is promedia model - https://www.klipsch.com/products/promedia-2-1-bluetooth , which would cost around 22-25 in India ( I don't have any experience listening them - but i guess it will be only par with your ATP3's. replacement yes, upgrade i think not).
Another two modes are 41Pm and 51PM - i auditioned them back in time and didn't like either them as per my liking, they cry for a subwoofer to balance them. but once we hook a sub ( that would cost minimum 35K) - 51pm was beast. But if i have to hook external sub, i personally would not look for active speaker.

On other hand Klipsch had learnt form their shortfall in active speaker and came up with new model The Fives ( price tag around 75-80K INR) - these are gooodddd damnn the best active speaker one can find at present, but it's next to impossible to source this in India ( im behind them for almost 3-4 months ).

In active speaker review the fives holds number-2 position, number-1 being ELAC Navis ( cost around 290K INR),

tldr:
0a. This a serious hobby and rabbit hole - never go for absolutely best ( only ambanis can afford), see whats fulfilling your needs.
0b. what i like - 90% chances are you wont like ( unless we listen to same genera of music) . So make your own observation and not based on 3rd persons "perspectives".
1. For a 2.0 setup, have a look at Edifier R1280DB, i think it will fulfil your need and comes in great budget range. audition before you buy, if possible.​
2. Sound source such as Bluetooth and audio form PC sound card are not that great that those deserve huge money investment in speakers.​
3. If opting for expensive speaker ensure you have dedicated sound card like Xonar or any external DAC/amp and if using windows PC, definitely bypass the windows kernel interfacing the sound quality.​

Also, check a youtube channel called Digital Stereophony - link https://www.youtube.com/user/skubny
Use headphone, the best headphone you have. Don't use "bassy" headphone like the JBLs in order to actually make out the difference.

Cheers !!
Click to expand...
Thank for such a detailed response. It certainly helps in filtering out certain notions in my head. You are absolutely right.
I don't want to go for Klipsch The fives or Navis since they are out of my budget and also I'm not wanting to install a huge setup like DAC, amp, etc.
I would love to have a pair of speaker which has a nice thump to it. The bass is not boomy and the highs are not too harsh. Preferably something that can be simply paired with my phone via 3.5 mm jack or Bluetooth. Primary reason for liking Edifier was the Bluetooth functionality.
I doubt I would be able to listen to any of these speakers in person due to very limited availability and lockdown.
Have you heard the Marshall Woburn 2?? Its costing approx. 45K. again out of budget. I would have loved to have old woodstock speakers but those a'int available anymore.
Primary usage for these speakers would be for my home gym which is approx. 150 sq feet and for small get togethers if that's a possibility in near future, thanks to covid.
IF you can suggest a good 2.1 speaker. A friend of mine suggested Panasonic HT 21 2.1 but the vocals are not very clear and the bass felt boomy instead of thumpy. I read somewhere that Presonus is a good a good option as well.
I do appreciate the time you took out for sending a reply.
Thank you
Cheers
 

saurabh_talks

New Member
Recruit
AINDRASIS_GUPTA said:
If your primary use case scenario is playing music through your mobile phone, then why not look at the Harman Kardon Soundsticks 4?

Buy Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4 2.1 Channel 140 Watts Multi-Channel Speaker (Iconic Design, HKSOUNDSTICK4WHTAS, White) Online - Croma

Buy Harman Kardon SoundSticks 4 2.1 Channel 140 Watts Multi-Channel Speaker (Iconic Design, HKSOUNDSTICK4WHTAS, White) online at best prices from Croma. Check product details, reviews & more. Shop now!
www.croma.com www.croma.com

Seems like the best option for you right now instead of the Edifiers.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the response bro.
I have heard these speakers and they are good. Maybe im being greedy and thought of getting something even better by paying a few extra bucks. Just exploring my options and taking advice from learned people like yourself.
Do let me know if you have any other suggestions as well. Would appreciate your response
Cheers and stay safe
 

Ramadhir Singh

Wasseypur
Adept
saurabh_talks said:
Primary usage for these speakers would be for my home gym which is approx. 150 sq feet and for small get togethers if that's a possibility in near future, thanks to covid.
Click to expand...
saurabh_talks said:
I would love to have a pair of speaker which has a nice thump to it. The bass is not boomy and the highs are not too harsh. Preferably something that can be simply paired with my phone via 3.5 mm jack or Bluetooth.
Click to expand...
thanks for adding more details.
Do you like JBL's sound signature? if so definitely look at JBL Party box. seems like they are made to fulfil both your above requirement :)

if you can stretch the budget for another 2-3K, check Partybox X300 - when i auditioned them they were priced 27,999/- ( Diwali time, 2020) in JBL showroom with some offers, this is the best link i can find online - https://www.imastudent.com/jbl-partybox-300-bluetooth-speaker. and http://jblhyd.in/index.php?route=product/product&path=93&product_id=96
Very tight high and lows - they cried out of the box to be a Gym and party speaker :) , techno/DnBs will shine on these. Vocals are average, but more than enough if one listen to Indian film music (anything India except classics, but again who will play classic in gym and party).

I was surprised to see how this speaker performed in the Tu Hai Ki Nahi (Roy) and the title track of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil... way beyond my expectation. I can confidently say they outperformed Klispsch 41's in both of these track. ( uncompressed music over Bluetooth).
Although it failed to impress me in Tu Hai Ki Nahi (Unglugged) version, everything was fine except vocals, Tulsi Kumars' voice was not even 20% justified. But that's me, its not easy task for any JBL lineup to match my expectation, who grown up with Rotel and Stormberg.

avoid x310 - its just x300 with a mic (and few buttons) - which one can purchase and hook in any partybox models. and with additional 7K price. Not justified at all.

for the room size you mentioned, you can even check X100 model ( https://www.imastudent.com/jbl-partybox-100-portable-160w-wireless-speaker-with-built-in-light-show)
Although when i have auditioned them i found them a little less powerful and shallow. Could be multiple reasons for that - my listening environment was a big hall over 500sft, battery could be low in that unit.

If its not lockdown, and you are looking for permanent and long term solution - you could have lots of options, as 20-30k range is very competitive. eg. a used NAD amp + M-Audio bookshelf.
If in mumbai could have visited Norge and get an amazing system.
Worst case you could have walked to reliance/chroma and check out new Samsung active speaker lineup (they are basically budget, harman/JBL). but we might need a full year to supply chain get restored..
Purchasing power of people in India has gone to horse shit, and these greedy Indian dealer inflated the prices of everything plus the global chip shortage, ... this is not right time, so get something which just fulfilling your needs in absolute minimum budget and plan for a long terms solution in future.
 
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