Reputation : Do speakers live upto their VFM v/s which don't

good vfm

Monitor Audio Silver and Gold series

real poor VFM

B&W 6xx and 70x series


Why I pointed these two are because throught the range they are consistent. which means something in audio world !!

Wharfedale Diamond 8.1: Amazing... AMAZING sound for eight-and-a-half thousand bucks.

Jamo: The budget - mid level range SUX... big time (IMO ofcourse). And the BOSE Acoustimass speakers. Mind you, they're not that bad for movies - but for those U N E A R T H L Y prices??? Telome rocks

Hi,

Here are my pearls of wisdom :-), on the basis of speakers I have listened to. The prices are approximate.

First the quality list for bookshelves:
1. AE Aelite2 (40K): Clean neutral sound with Cadence valve amp
2. AE Aesprit AE300 (27K): Good overall sound with Yamaha AVR, no idea why AE has discontinued this.
3. B&W DM303 (16K): Great detail and tight bass, with Onkyo/ Denon AVR
4. B&W DM600 S3 (19K): Similar sound as B&W DM300, little more smooth, hoever, with lesser bass.
5. Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 (15K): Smooth sound, and good bass, however lacks detail a bit on closer listening.
6. Kef Q compact (18K): Good detail, lacks in the bass compartment though (with Denon AVR).
7. AE Aegis Evo 1 (17K): Nothing special, had sibilience issues with Yamaha AVR.

So here is my VFM list for bookshelves:
1. B&W DM303
2. Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
3. B&W DM600 S3
4. Kef Q compact

IMO, auditioning these four is a MUST, if you are interested in VFM bookshelves.

Cheers,
- Debu

Good speakers which are VFM in my opinion are cadence, maggies 1.6 and mmg, quad 12L, kef UNIQ, wharfedale diamond 8.2, quad sealed box sub, manger(wish the pricing was lower), monitor audio series.

B&W I feel today just doesnt cut it anywhere below the 800 series range nowadays. A lot is made out for the mirage omnisats but its also a no go for me.

Manek.

how is the Sonodyne Sonus 2605 as a VFM, compared to the above mentioned speakers? where does it stand?

What about the ProAcs? I see no one talking about the tablette bookshelves or the Studio 110s ? Do ProAcs offer good VFM?

What about the ProAcs? I see no one talking about the tablette bookshelves or the Studio 110s ? Do ProAcs offer good VFM?

They are Great speakers, but Expensive, no ?

Sharukh,

I dont know how valid my theory is but in general an integrated speaker system manufacturer, ie one who makes his own drivers and crossovers offer better VFM compared to specialists like Proac. The specialists my make excellent cost no bar speakers but most of their low cost versions will be designed by the marketing departments so that the Brand can be extended to those who cannot afford the top models.

Anil

I am surprised that no one has mentioned it .....

Pre Owned Hi Fi often Provides EXCEPTIONAL Value For Money.

Speakers and Amps tend to hold their performance very well over time and do make Excellent buys.

I would be reluctant to buy pre owned CD players.

here is a sample of Pre owned stuff that I have either auditioned, sold (my own, I dont dealer in equipment) or owned :

Separate Pre + 400 Watts / channel @ 4 Ohms Power Amp = Rs 15,000 for the Pair.

B&W 802 ( Pre Matrix) speakers for Rs 25,000.

B&W DM-2 Floor Standers sold many years ago for Rs 12,000

Akai 3 Head Cassette Deck - Ref series = Rs 2,000

C.E.C. TL 1 CD Belt Drive Transport Rs 30,000 negotiable ( was US $4650 in 1993 )

Sonus faber Extrema Speakers - Were US $ 12,000
now Rs 1,00,000

Sony 555ES weighs over 20 Kgs, and was Top of the line ( US $1000 ? 10 years ago ) now Rs 5,000.

Mark Levinson 38S Pre amp... Rs 40 K ? Maybe ?

Theta DS Pro DAC Rs 40 K Maybe ? ( Was US $ 4500 new, 10 years ago )

All these are Not prices at Audiogon, but here in Mumbai.

Each of these were availabe to me for home audition, before purchase, NOT stuff from 'Chor Bazaar'

CARDAS Mains Cables ( US $ 600 new ) maybe Rs 10,000

Debu schrieb:

Hi, 4. B&W DM600 S3 (19K): Similar sound as B&W DM300, little more smooth, hoever, with lesser bass. 3. B&W DM600 S3 - Debu

I guess one of these speakers even won an budget component of the year award from Stereophile

this is far too subjective and person dependent as each person has a different concept of the value of money.
but my personaltop speakers on VFM and what i have heard and read are

Harbeth 7/monitor 40
JMR twin/trente
Infinity Primus (amazing for a sub 200 USD speaker)
Green mountain speakers
Epos bookshelves

VFM :-
Maggie 20.1
Maggia 3.6
B & W Signature 800
Rockport Antares
Avalon Eidelon Diamond
Wilson Sophia
Cadence - Electrostats
Marten Design Miles III
Mayer Audio - HD1 [studio monitor]
Manger 103/3
Aerial Acoustics 20-T
Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE

NO VFM :-
Dynaudio Temptation
Kharma Equisite Reference
Isophone
Wilson Watt / Puppy 7
Vivid Audio
Merten Design - Coltrane & Coltrane Supreme
Wilson Benesch
Avant Garde - Trio
Proac D-100
Magico - Mini
Peak Consult - All models - too expensive
Krell LAT series - all are too expensive for what they do

Just tried to name a few - what ever I have auditioned. Can't remember all, but will add to the list as I remember.

Bhagwan69