Speaker Advice again Please

[parasthacker]

Ok in a few days im moving from my room in Halls of residence to a 1300 Sq Ft apartment.

So I will have a good sized room.

This is what I currently have

Sony Str-Db1070
B&W 601s2


I want to add another set of speakers.
My plan was to add another set of B&W but have decided agent this as I think I would like something better quality at the front, And I Plan to sell the B&W at some point in time.

I have been offered a Second hand Mission 780 with some beautiful mission stands, SANCE. All for £200 (10 months old)

I have also been offered the Acustic Energy AE109 (Possibly SE) For £120 (Second hand 3 Years old)

Kef Concerto 2 for £300 (New)

Also looking at mission 773e £200 from Rs

Finally LINN KEOSA SPEAKERS For £300 from SuperFi

I would like to spend £200 but I will go to £300

What do you think?

Oh and I listen to R&B, HipHop and that sort, this system will Very rarely be used in 5.1. I normally just use 2 Channels as I don’t have a TV (But do have a PC)

[MikeK]

Well, it depends on what you think is wrong with the 601s - there's not much about in the sub £200 class which are significantly better (even if there's plenty about which is just as good for less).

I suspect it may be a lack of low-end extension, or else a poor match with the tending-to-the-bright side Sony amp - the 600 series is known for being a bit cold and analytical.

If it's low end extension, then size certainly plays a part in this.
For it's size, the 601 is probably as good as anything of similar proportions out there, but it can't compete with a bigger speaker such as many floorstanders (and even it's own standmount sibling the 602). However, quantity of bass is seldom as rewarding as quality of bass, so just because a speaker can dig deeper, doesn't automatically make it better (at least in my book).

If it's a matching thing, then you may need to choose a pair with a warmer presentation than the B&W.


That said, I'd forget both sets of Mission speakers - the Mission sound tends to be lively and energetic, and while on dull equipment often stands head and shoulders above the competition, IMO, they won't partner bright tending kit all that well. Still, you never know - it might be just what you like.
No idea about the LINN speakers or the Kef Concerto but the AE109s are definitely possibilities IMO, but obviously have a listen first.

If you want a new pair of cheap floostanding speakers, you could have a listen to Eltax Liberty 5+ for £99 from RS - they have a warmish, fairly laid back character, but if it were me, and the AE109s were in good nick, then for £120 I'd probably have a listen to those first.