[ Outline ] · Standard · Linear+ wanting new speakers..., audiophiles? suggestions?

[Boss429]

Yorkville
YSM-1 (passive)

175$(CAD) eac. 350$ pair.

150watt Eac.

Just wondering what you guys think.

[Rogue Znowman]

Audiyoda is exactly right about the type of results you can expect from this style of speaker. It's not designed for home theater applications. Also, although L&M are great for instruments and production quality speakers, I wouldn't recommend them for home audio shopping.

On the other hand, Audiyoda... you're dead wrong about your speaker-cable theory. (Sorry, but you are).
I've done back-to-back comparisons with various cables on various systems, and there's no doubt in my mind that they make a strong difference.

Of course, that's all relative. On an entry level system, maybe ~$1,000 and under for amp/CDplayer/speakers(pair), you'll barely notice a change. The higher up you go, the greater difference you're going to notice. Take a Musical Fidelity A308 pre-amp/power-amp/CD-player, throw on some Martin Logan Aeons or Odessy's. Now we're looking at a ~$20,000+ 2-channel setup. You can bet your ass that a set of Goertz AG 3: 'Divinity' speaker cables is gonna bring that system to life in a way that would be impossible with a low end cable ever could.

Of course there's a point of diminishing returns, and definitely budgeting restrictions (for most normal people).

Point of fact is that with a cheap set of cables you're choking your system and not realizing its full potential.
Also, some people's ears are more sensitive than others. One person may hear a great difference, another person may not hear any difference. Bottom line... if it doesn't make a large enough difference to YOU, then don't buy it. Your ears are the final (and only) judge. Doesn't matter what any review says, or how many watts it has, etc... if YOU aren't happy with the way it sounds, move on to another product.

This may sound silly, but even a power cord can make a difference. Yup, just the cable connecting the unit to a wall outlet (or more likely a surge protector of some kind).
Remove the factory power cable that was included with the unit (for example, the previously mentioned Musical Fidelity A308 power-amp). Now replace it with a Moray James power cable. Listeners will be blown away. Their most common question is usually something like "wow. what else did you change?"

Before doing a comparison, people often ask me what they should be listening for. I just smile and tell them to just listen... then they can tell me what they heard. Then I'll tell them what I changed.

Bleh.
I could go on, but don't feel like it right now. :P

Boss. For speakers, you'll probably want something with more musical tonality, with a warmer feel.
You say you want 4 of 'em? This for surround system then?
If so, I'd recommend cutting back a little on the rear pair so you could spend more on your fronts. You're rears are rarely used in movies. Only the occasion car driving by or ambiant noise. (Of course there are exceptions... like Saving Private Ryan where there's bullets whizzing all around you all the time). Your center channel is the most important for movies. Roughly 60% of your sound will be coming from your center channel. Everything on-screen. Most of the dialoge, and a lot of the action. Basically, everything you can "see" on screen you're hearing from the center. If you're more interested in the 2-channel aspect of your system, then you're 2 front speakers are what you'll be focusing on.

Cheers.