New speakers or put existing ones on stands?

[J4CKO]

Having a revamp of my man cave front room.

Currently have a 75 inch TV, a Sony Surround amp that was driving some old Tannoy 609s, a sub, some Wharfedale surrounds and centre speaker.

These are the same Tannoys,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEC_85HP5-A

Have done away with the rears as didnt really found they brought much to proceedings, the sub got sold as it took up space and I just got moaned at when it was on as it was too bassy, plus it always required fiddling about to get it to work.

Basically I am simplifying my system from a home cinema one to something more akin to a traditional 2 speaker setup.

My amp is a Sony, like this

https://www.richersounds.com/sony-strdn1080-blk.ht...

and I like the fact the HDMI goes through it so reluctant to go to a normal amp, but cant be bothered with loads of speakers, wires everywhere and whatever.

The Tannoys were sat on a unit, somewhat sacrilegious I know but thats down to space in there, but he cabinet is going which means I can have them on stands, or the other options is maybe get some decent floorstanders ?

Maybe these,

https://www.richersounds.com/kef-q750-black.html

Any thoughts, will be for some music, but mainly TV, films and X box

Do I spend £100 on some stands, or a grand on some new floorstanders, would the new ones be hugely better than some 30 odd year old Tannoys, which still sound pretty good, even when hampered by sitting on an Ikea cabinet ? Is my amp up to the job ?

[conkerman]

Stands first if you like your tannoys.


FInd a set of stands on ebay. If you still have the itch. Ask a local dealer if they do a home demo as speaker/room interaction is a really, really important factor.

[mac96]

It's all very room and ears dependant, but I would try improvising stands (chairs etc) for free experimentation.

Won't be a good as actual stands, but may help you decide if stands are the way to go.

[Lucid_AV]

I wouldn't put those £1,000 KEFs with the Sony AV receiver as a 2.0 system. If you had an ARCAM or Anthem receiver it would be a different proposition. They're better as stereo amps, closer to pure stereo amp.

If you like the sound of your Tannoys (and there is a lot to like about them given the right amplification), I think a set of stands is the way to go. Give then a solid, stable platform. The twin rear firing bass ports means the speakers might do well with some space between each and the backwall.

[dickymint]

J4CKO said:

Having a revamp of my man cave front room.

Currently have a 75 inch TV, a Sony Surround amp that was driving some old Tannoy 609s, a sub, some Wharfedale surrounds and centre speaker.

These are the same Tannoys,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEC_85HP5-A

Have done away with the rears as didnt really found they brought much to proceedings, the sub got sold as it took up space and I just got moaned at when it was on as it was too bassy, plus it always required fiddling about to get it to work.

Basically I am simplifying my system from a home cinema one to something more akin to a traditional 2 speaker setup.

My amp is a Sony, like this

https://www.richersounds.com/sony-strdn1080-blk.ht...

and I like the fact the HDMI goes through it so reluctant to go to a normal amp, but cant be bothered with loads of speakers, wires everywhere and whatever.

The Tannoys were sat on a unit, somewhat sacrilegious I know but thats down to space in there, but he cabinet is going which means I can have them on stands, or the other options is maybe get some decent floorstanders ?

Maybe these,

https://www.richersounds.com/kef-q750-black.html

Any thoughts, will be for some music, but mainly TV, films and X box

Do I spend £100 on some stands, or a grand on some new floorstanders, would the new ones be hugely better than some 30 odd year old Tannoys, which still sound pretty good, even when hampered by sitting on an Ikea cabinet ? Is my amp up to the job ?

If you're quick (listing ending in 3 hours) snap these up....................

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335400201881?itmmeta=01...

I think they may well fit your 609's but pretty sure they could be modified.

[J4CKO]

Cheers, those are a size down

https://www.hilberink.nl/tannoy2/tannoy_sixes_seri...

Would be cheaper I expect to just find a set of 609s with stands and buy those if I can’t find the stands on their own.

Part of me wants some monstrous floor standers though.

[TEKNOPUG]

If bass is an issue, huge floorstanders are unlikely to help your cause. Consider an SVS sub like the 3000 micro. Your amp has a LFE out and you can easily control the volume with a phone amp - including custom presets.

If you want to upgrade your speakers, Revel M16s are currently available for £500, which is an absolute steal.

[J4CKO]

I think it’s just wanting to try some Floorstanders, the Tannoys are fairly bass heavy, have offered them to my middle lad, so think I will get the KEFs.

Just about to start the renovations, someone’s on how much cash I have left though.

Wife can’t understand needing better sound than the tiny speakers in a modern telly.

[rottenegg]

Stands made a huge difference to my old B&W DM602s, but in the end I switched to TDL RTL3 floor standers. Floor standers doesn't necessarily mean overwhelming bass, just better quality bass if they're designed properly.

I just drown my missus out with ANC headphones, and enjoy the cave when she's out.

[J4CKO]

Found some of these,

https://www.richersounds.com/triangle-borea-br08-w...

On eBay, boxed and brand new for £389.99 delivered so worth a punt I reckon, normally £899.

[rottenegg]

They look decent. Did you get them? Any good?

[J4CKO]

No cancelled it, I say it as it was only one speaker but kind of made to look like a pair.

Didn’t want to spent a grand really so got some hardly used, boxed Tannoy DC6T floorstanders for £200, will see how I get on and maybe upgrade later on or go back to my Tannoy 609s.

Tried to get the original stands for the 609s but always seem to come with some speakers.

[J4CKO]

Hmm, tried the new Tannoys, kind of prefer the old ones which is a bit annoying.

Any ideas why, preference, not set them up right or something ?

The have good clarity but just lack a bit of oomph in comparison, might flog them on and stick with the 609s for now !

[Tenacious]

J4CKO said:

Hmm, tried the new Tannoys, kind of prefer the old ones which is a bit annoying.

Any ideas why, preference, not set them up right or something ?

The have good clarity but just lack a bit of oomph in comparison, might flog them on and stick with the 609s for now !

They haven't been run in properly yet?

[J4CKO]

Tenacious said:

J4CKO said:

Hmm, tried the new Tannoys, kind of prefer the old ones which is a bit annoying.

Any ideas why, preference, not set them up right or something ?

The have good clarity but just lack a bit of oomph in comparison, might flog them on and stick with the 609s for now !

They haven't been run in properly yet?

They were second hand so assume they have had some use, they are immaculate and came boxed for £200, so no complaints, just a bit lacking in drama.

They are fine, dont get me wrong, will stick with them for a while but not getting rid of the 609s.

Also, being an AV amp I find it all over complex with all the modes and whatever, anyone just use a normal stereo amp for their TV ? suppose then would lose the HDMI connectivity, maybe I need to read the manual a bit better.

[TEKNOPUG]

J4CKO said:

They were second hand so assume they have had some use, they are immaculate and came boxed for £200, so no complaints, just a bit lacking in drama.

They are fine, dont get me wrong, will stick with them for a while but not getting rid of the 609s.

Also, being an AV amp I find it all over complex with all the modes and whatever, anyone just use a normal stereo amp for their TV ? suppose then would lose the HDMI connectivity, maybe I need to read the manual a bit better.

Just leave the sound mode in AUTO for the TV. For other sources, there will be a PURE DIRECT option that should play the signal without any processing. Or again, just leave it in AUTO and it will play 2-Channel Stereo.

You could get a Wiim Amp or a Bluesound or similar that have eARC inputs. Or connect via optical or similar from the TV to a stereo amp.