Speaker/Amplifier Recommendations

[goldern]

Hello, I'm planning to buy a speaker to listen to music and use it nearfield in a computer setup.
My budget is 1000 EUR, so planning to buy a 500eur speaker and 500eur amplifier.

Currently considering Yamaha A-S501(509,98 EUR) in pair with a KEF Q350(499 EUR), but also considering Wharfedale Diamond 12.2(422 EUR) or Elac Debut B6.2 (340 EUR)

Is there any amplifier that you'd like to suggest to pair well with the KEF Q350?

Which setup would be the best bang for the buck for someone who loves Indie, EDM, Bass & Classic Rock?


Many thanks for all feedbacks! Cheers!

 

[bansalp]

Hello, I'm planning to buy a speaker to listen to music and use it nearfield in a computer setup.
My budget is 1000 EUR, so planning to buy a 500eur speaker and 500eur amplifier.

Currently considering Yamaha A-S501(509,98 EUR) in pair with a KEF Q350(499 EUR), but also considering Wharfedale Diamond 12.2(422 EUR) or Elac Debut B6.2 (340 EUR)

Is there any amplifier that you'd like to suggest to pair well with the KEF Q350?

Which setup would be the best bang for the buck for someone who loves Indie, EDM, Bass & Classic Rock?


Many thanks for all feedbacks! Cheers!

I have been using the Marantz PM6007 with Q Acoustics 3020i and Kef Q350.
It's a great sounding amplifier and works well with both speakers.

I'd suggest you also check the prices of PM6007 to see if it's within your budget.

The KEF Q350 are great sounding speakers. I don't have any experience with the other 2 speakers.

Do you have the option to demo before buying?

 

[chander]

I would suggest for near field - none of these should be considered - unless the near field use is temporary.

If you are going for near field, check out studio monitors (as they are intended for near field use), in around EUR 1K, you should be able to get some good deals on used Studio Monitors or even new. I would personally look for used Genelecs.

If studio monitors is not your thing - you can check out some speakers made for desktop use - Maybe KEF LSX II when they go on Christmas sale, QAcoustics M20 HD, acoustic energy AE1 (brilliant speakers) or something like that.

If you want to go with separates, maybe consider the following - as they might be better suited for desktop use -
PSB Alpha P3, Qacoustics Concept 20 or something on those lines, preferably something with a smaller mid/bass driver & do consider a subwoofer with these. I would whole heartedly recommend Quad S1s. A subwoofer is a great addition to any "desktop" system, as you can crossover the low frequencies out of the speaker.

****I am no specialist, these are my opinions based on my experience of past 15+ years, as most of my stereo listening happens near field.

 

[DB1989]

I would suggest for near field - none of these should be considered - unless the near field use is temporary.

If you are going for near field, check out studio monitors (as they are intended for near field use), in around EUR 1K, you should be able to get some good deals on used Studio Monitors or even new. I would personally look for used Genelecs.

If studio monitors is not your thing - you can check out some speakers made for desktop use - Maybe KEF LSX II when they go on Christmas sale, QAcoustics M20 HD, acoustic energy AE1 (brilliant speakers) or something like that.

If you want to go with separates, maybe consider the following - as they might be better suited for desktop use -
PSB Alpha P3, Qacoustics Concept 20 or something on those lines, preferably something with a smaller mid/bass driver & do consider a subwoofer with these. I would whole heartedly recommend Quad S1s. A subwoofer is a great addition to any "desktop" system, as you can crossover the low frequencies out of the speaker.

****I am no specialist, these are my opinions based on my experience of past 15+ years, as most of my stereo listening happens near field.

Chander, since you've been around the block, you should check out the Deftech D series (D7/D9/D11) sometime. It's something else (presentation wise). Full write up coming soon once I organise my thoughts and Whittle it down to a select few adjectives and superlatives.

 

[chander]

Chander, since you've been around the block, you should check out the Deftech D series (D7/D9/D11) sometime. It's something else (presentation wise). Full write up coming soon once I organise my thoughts and Whittle it down to a select few adjectives and superlatives.

wonderful!

 

[goldern]

I would suggest for near field - none of these should be considered - unless the near field use is temporary.

If you are going for near field, check out studio monitors (as they are intended for near field use), in around EUR 1K, you should be able to get some good deals on used Studio Monitors or even new. I would personally look for used Genelecs.

If studio monitors is not your thing - you can check out some speakers made for desktop use - Maybe KEF LSX II when they go on Christmas sale, QAcoustics M20 HD, acoustic energy AE1 (brilliant speakers) or something like that.

If you want to go with separates, maybe consider the following - as they might be better suited for desktop use -
PSB Alpha P3, Qacoustics Concept 20 or something on those lines, preferably something with a smaller mid/bass driver & do consider a subwoofer with these. I would whole heartedly recommend Quad S1s. A subwoofer is a great addition to any "desktop" system, as you can crossover the low frequencies out of the speaker.

****I am no specialist, these are my opinions based on my experience of past 15+ years, as most of my stereo listening happens near field.

Isn't the KEF Q350 a studio monitor? I'm planning to hear at low volumes and crank up the volume when I want to listen far away.
Eur 1k for a setup would be troublesome for me as it's way above my budget and I'd still need to buy an amplifier.
I'm thinking also about moving the speakers to the living room once in a while to cover more ground for far-field listening.

Planning to buy a subwoofer later if I feel the bass is not enough from the speaker.

I have been using the Marantz PM6007 with Q Acoustics 3020i and Kef Q350.
It's a great sounding amplifier and works well with both speakers.

I'd suggest you also check the prices of PM6007 to see if it's within your budget.

The KEF Q350 are great sounding speakers. I don't have any experience with the other 2 speakers.

Do you have the option to demo before buying?

PM6007 is 538 EUR, 30 EUR more and seems a bit weaker than the Yamaha A-S501, it also looks visually unappealing and dated, but that might just be my buyer bias.
I do have the option to demo the KEF Q350, will try to look and see if they're usable at near field

 

[nagbbv]

Yamaha AS-501 with Q350 is good combo for stereo setup.

 

[chander]

Isn't the KEF Q350 a studio monitor

KEF Q350 aren't studio monitors.

Eur 1k for a setup would be troublesome for me as it's way above my budget and I'd still need to buy an amplifier.

I guess this comment is in response to my Studio monitor suggestion? If so - most studio monitors are active, so no need to get an amplifier with them.

I'm thinking also about moving the speakers to the living room

Studio monitors should still do the job, but in this case probably ELAC B6.2 might be better suited as they have a lot of bass for bookshelves.

 

[bansalp]

@chander How would you rate the Elac Debut Reference?
Those will also probably fit OP's budget.

 

[goldern]

Elac Debut Reference is 490 EUR, it does fit in the budget alongside KEF Q150, KEF Q350 and Wharfedale Diamond 12.2

https://www.amazon.it/Elac-Reference-coppia-diffusori-bianchi/dp/B0843N2GZV/ref=sr_1_16?__mk_it_IT=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=E7K6O0SYM6AC&keywords=pm6007&qid=1667433868&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjg2IiwicXNhIjoiMS4zOCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=pm6%2Caps%2C383&sr=8-16#customerReviews

 

[manek]

I would suggest for near field - none of these should be considered - unless the near field use is temporary.

If you are going for near field, check out studio monitors (as they are intended for near field use), in around EUR 1K, you should be able to get some good deals on used Studio Monitors or even new. I would personally look for used Genelecs.

If studio monitors is not your thing - you can check out some speakers made for desktop use - Maybe KEF LSX II when they go on Christmas sale, QAcoustics M20 HD, acoustic energy AE1 (brilliant speakers) or something like that.

If you want to go with separates, maybe consider the following - as they might be better suited for desktop use -
PSB Alpha P3, Qacoustics Concept 20 or something on those lines, preferably something with a smaller mid/bass driver & do consider a subwoofer with these. I would whole heartedly recommend Quad S1s. A subwoofer is a great addition to any "desktop" system, as you can crossover the low frequencies out of the speaker.

****I am no specialist, these are my opinions based on my experience of past 15+ years, as most of my stereo listening happens near field.

My thoughts :
Nearfield = powered monitors (genelecs, krk,etc.). Should save on table space too.

 

[chander]

How would you rate the Elac Debut Reference?

I can not be sure if I have heard these so can't rate them. However ELAC makes pretty good speakers in general. However for Desktop use I would never suggest ELAC as they are finicky with matching and placement.

 

[ajuvignesh]

Kef Q350 should work for nearfield as they are coaxial drivers.