Intro System for a 25yo?

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Smile

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My son has an interest in getting a decent starter system. Sole source today is streaming- Spotify premium.
Budget $4-5k, say. Apartment living for a while, so book shelf rather than floor standing speakers.
Listens to, oh, light rock (?), Dinosaur Jr is a favorite, Hendrix, Led Zep and such. Plays guitar (got an array of amps to include tubes, to compare distortion, so he listens well).
He seems to want: punch/ fast attack, broad soundstage (wall of sound), on the warm side.
Hardware ideas for him? Int. amp, streamer, speakers?
Thx
 
Smile said:
My son has an interest in getting a decent starter system. Sole source today is streaming- Spotify premium.
Budget $4-5k, say. Apartment living for a while, so book shelf rather than floor standing speakers.
Listens to, oh, light rock (?), Dinosaur Jr is a favorite, Hendrix, Led Zep and such. Plays guitar (got an array of amps to include tubes, to compare distortion, so he listens well).
He seems to want: punch/ fast attack, broad soundstage (wall of sound), on the warm side.
Hardware ideas for him? Int. amp, streamer, speakers?
Thx
Click to expand...

I was thinking of something similar for my son as well.

I plan to explore the B&W Formation Wedge Wireless Speaker. See review below:

https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/bowers-and-wilkins-formation-wedge

The wedge can be placed on a shelf. You can use as a stand alone or you can add more speakers. They all work wirelessly which makes it nice for an apartment.
Also It works with Spotify (and as a bonus it is a Roon endpoint).

It is an active speaker (no need for separate amp) and is good to go out of the box. At less than $1k it is well within your budget.

I have not listened to it yet but plan to.
 
When I got back into the hobby, I started with a Rotel RA-1592 / B&W 685 combo (with an Oppo 105D). Cost a bit over $3,000 and a very nice sounding bookshelf based system. And since the Rotel had pre-amp outputs, I could then gradually make my way from an integrated amp to separates when the budget and space allowed. The Rotel also had Bluetooth built in (with a dongle attached), so I could stream directly from my phone or my computer. At the time it wasn't the AptX standard (this was four or five years ago), but I'd bet more modern integrateds would use this better standard.
 
Smile said:
My son has an interest in getting a decent starter system. Sole source today is streaming- Spotify premium.
Budget $4-5k, say. Apartment living for a while, so book shelf rather than floor standing speakers.
Listens to, oh, light rock (?), Dinosaur Jr is a favorite, Hendrix, Led Zep and such. Plays guitar (got an array of amps to include tubes, to compare distortion, so he listens well).
He seems to want: punch/ fast attack, broad soundstage (wall of sound), on the warm side.
Hardware ideas for him? Int. amp, streamer, speakers?
Thx
Click to expand...

Scansonic MB-1 http://www.theaudiobeat.com/blog/wirtaf_scansonic_mb1.htm
 
I would look at something like the Hegel H190 with KEF R series or Dynaudio speakers in the budget. A decent set up but not what I'd call "warm"

If really wanting "warm", but not too much, look at the McIntosh 252 and maybe a good B&W bookshelf.

Streaming on the reasonable I like the HEOS Link around $349.00, I think would be fine for Spotify. There are better but more money. Hegel tweaks the Apple Airplay feature which could eliminate the streamer, it's usually an endpoint as well if he can use his computer. The Hegel has A DAC.
 
The KEF LS50W would fulfill most of his requirements (wide soundscape, punch, clarity) but I wouldn't call them particularly warm. It would take care of streamer/DAC, amplification, and speakers.

Quad has a new streaming integrated, the Artera, but I know nothing about it. The Quad VA One is a good tube integrated with Aptx BT and a DAC - I've owned the PA-One headphone amp and thought it was a great unit. However the VA One would present problems integrating a subwoofer as it only has speaker outs and no pre outs.

For "warm" there's also Klipsch The Sixes which are significantly down-market from his $4-5K budget but as a Klipsch-head I have to throw them into the mix. I replaced a $2500 KEF LS50W system with a $300 Klipsch The Three in my great room and I love the damned thing.

For "audiophile" Mr Peabody is probably dead-on the best place to start with the Hegel integrated.
 
JSQT said:
The KEF LS50W would fulfill most of his requirements (wide soundscape, punch, clarity) but I wouldn't call them particularly warm. It would take care of streamer/DAC, amplification, and speakers.
Click to expand...

I would agree on the KEF LS50W. I have these in my second system and my 23 yr old son has them in his apartment. There are no components to deal with, unless you want to add a turntable. Spotify is easy. They have DSP to allow for different setup conditions. Truly a high value and easy to use product.
 
JSQT said:
The KEF LS50W would fulfill most of his requirements (wide soundscape, punch, clarity) but I wouldn't call them particularly warm. It would take care of streamer/DAC, amplification, and speakers.

Quad has a new streaming integrated, the Artera, but I know nothing about it. The Quad VA One is a good tube integrated with Aptx BT and a DAC - I've owned the PA-One headphone amp and thought it was a great unit. However the VA One would present problems integrating a subwoofer as it only has speaker outs and no pre outs.

For "warm" there's also Klipsch The Sixes which are significantly down-market from his $4-5K budget but as a Klipsch-head I have to throw them into the mix. I replaced a $2500 KEF LS50W system with a $300 Klipsch The Three in my great room and I love the damned thing.

For "audiophile" Mr Peabody is probably dead-on the best place to start with the Hegel integrated.
Click to expand...

What did you like better about the Klipsch that made you ditch the KEF? The sound? The features?
 
All good advice, thx.
I see a Hegel 160 for sale; good and cheaper alternative? The inputs are a question to me. How would I add lower cost streaming? He's using ROKU, but it outputs in only HDMI.
 
Also, check in with Mike, the owner of this forum and of Suncoast Audio. One of the largest high end audio stores in the country. He has an excellent rep. I'm in the process of purchasing a system from him. No complaints. I'll get to know Mike better when I visit Suncoast Audio in October.
 
Smile said:
All good advice, thx.
I see a Hegel 160 for sale; good and cheaper alternative? The inputs are a question to me. How would I add lower cost streaming? He's using ROKU, but it outputs in only HDMI.
Click to expand...

Look at an all in one solution like the Lumin D2.
 
nicoff said:
What did you like better about the Klipsch that made you ditch the KEF? The sound? The features?
Click to expand...

Just suited the purpose better for much less money. I was looking to add easy streaming in the great room and the KEF seemed like crazy overkill once I got it and listened to it for a few days. The sound was very "stereo-like" and not very exciting, which was fine for that room, as it was going to be mostly background music. But then when I thought about it, I realized for background music etc, I could pocket the $2000 difference and go with The Three instead. It's dynamic, has strong bass, streaming via bluetooth or high res via the HEOS app, and more than fills the entire space with excellent music.

Just seemed the more practical choice for background music.
 
This thread has been helpful to me since I am considering making a similar purchase. I read about the different products being recommended here and have concluded that in my case the active speaker route is the way to go. Any other option like streaming unit or integrated amps require buying another component (speakers) and makes the set up and installation more complex. I am leaning heavily toward the Klipsch The Three right now since I read that it also integrates easily with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
Thanks everyone!
 
nicoff said:
This thread has been helpful to me since I am considering making a similar purchase. I read about the different products being recommended here and have concluded that in my case the active speaker route is the way to go. Any other option like streaming unit or integrated amps require buying another component (speakers) and makes the set up and installation more complex. I am leaning heavily toward the Klipsch The Three right now since I read that it also integrates easily with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...

As a fan of the Klipsch sound (I have Heresy IIIs and La Scala IIs) I'm really impressed with the sound of The Three. I feel obliged to mention a few caveats however...

First, it is by no means an "audiophile" component; for using in an office, living room, etc it is hard to beat for sound quality to value. It's not even "stereo," but it does throw a large soundstage with plenty of bottom end and detail. For a higher end solution by Klipsch that is still a good value, you may want to check out the Sixes active bookshelf speakers. It's great for my situation.

The other thing is, if you want to throw Spotify via Bluetooth to the Three, it is easy as pie. However if you expect to integrate it into a streaming setup like Roon or something it is not going to work. That's the advantage higher end components bring to the table. In fact, the Klipsch-branded HEOS app is the only way to integrate Tidal or Qobuz lossless/high res and that app is a huge pain in the ass. I generally use Spotify with The Three, unless I'm listening to a whole album from Qobuz, when I'll deal with the HEOS app.

Hopefully that doesn't muddy the waters too much, but I felt obliged to point these things out.
 
JSQT said:
As a fan of the Klipsch sound (I have Heresy IIIs and La Scala IIs) I'm really impressed with the sound of The Three. I feel obliged to mention a few caveats however...

First, it is by no means an "audiophile" component; for using in an office, living room, etc it is hard to beat for sound quality to value. It's not even "stereo," but it does throw a large soundstage with plenty of bottom end and detail. For a higher end solution by Klipsch that is still a good value, you may want to check out the Sixes active bookshelf speakers. It's great for my situation.

The other thing is, if you want to throw Spotify via Bluetooth to the Three, it is easy as pie. However if you expect to integrate it into a streaming setup like Roon or something it is not going to work. That's the advantage higher end components bring to the table. In fact, the Klipsch-branded HEOS app is the only way to integrate Tidal or Qobuz lossless/high res and that app is a huge pain in the ass. I generally use Spotify with The Three, unless I'm listening to a whole album from Qobuz, when I'll deal with the HEOS app.

Hopefully that doesn't muddy the waters too much, but I felt obliged to point these things out.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the observations specially regarding Roon. I use Roon and for me connectivity with Roon is very important. On the other hand, I am quite sure that my son has never heard of Roon and would not mind at all.

Since you mentioned Roon connectivity for yourself, have you considered using a Raspberry Pi as a Roon EndPoint? The Pi has an USB output and I noticed that The Three has a USB input so you might be able to connect the two together.

Then all you do is set the Klipsch input to USB, and use your Roon app from your phone or tablet to play music to the RPI end point. The RPI sends a digital signal to the Klipsch.

I built a RPI Roon end point (with a Digi+ Pro HAT) and used it to play Roon/Tidal to a preamp that has no Roon connectivity. It worked perfectly fine. It cost less than US$100.

Edit:
PS. I just looked at the Klipsch Sixes. They are not part of the Klipsch Stream Wireless Multi-Room System so future expandability would be limited. Also, The Sixes seem to cost the same as The Three.
 
In addition to the KEFs, I would also consider an ELAC system. Andrew Jones showcased a very dynamic and good sounding system at AXPONA earlier this year within the range you are seeking for your son.
 
nicoff said:
I was thinking of something similar for my son as well.

I plan to explore the B&W Formation Wedge Wireless Speaker. See review below:

https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/bowers-and-wilkins-formation-wedge

The wedge can be placed on a shelf. You can use as a stand alone or you can add more speakers. They all work wirelessly which makes it nice for an apartment.
Also It works with Spotify (and as a bonus it is a Roon endpoint).

It is an active speaker (no need for separate amp) and is good to go out of the box. At less than $1k it is well within your budget.

I have not listened to it yet but plan to.
Click to expand...


I was also thinking of the Formation series.
4-5K even buys you the Formation Duo.

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/bowers-and-wilkins-formation-duo

It seems that their specs (goes down to 25 Hz!) are not exaggerated...
 
bluegrassphile said:
Also, check in with Mike, the owner of this forum and of Suncoast Audio. One of the largest high end audio stores in the country. He has an excellent rep. I'm in the process of purchasing a system from him. No complaints. I'll get to know Mike better when I visit Suncoast Audio in October.
Click to expand...

bought an Aurender from Mike.
I
 
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