The WAF Factor

Will in January be moving house assuming all goes well.

BUT this means smaller rooms so replacing my Audio Physic Sparks with standmounts . Starting place probably Proac Response 1SC / Dynaudio 1.3 but other suggestions appreciated. (I've read the recent Voodoo thread). Amplification is Audion 300b monos.

But in the spirit of compromise as this will be "our" house rather than "my" flat are there any speakers stands with a reasonable WAF factor?

Also any decent equipment racks with wooden rather than glass shelving (glass attracts dust far too much apparently ). Not too pricey please.

Thanks
Jeff

 

New bride from Russia
much cheaper

 

Jeff, racks with WAF factor generally ain't cheap .

The g/f loves my new ASH Design racks (Rosewood to match my B&W's).
They have glass shelves which the g/f normally hates but when she seen them set up she just smiled and said "Very nice.".

Sonically not bad either .

It's a tough one. Good luck .

 

How about Merlins finite element pagode rack if its still for sale? Its as pretty as a picture, with wooden shelves and silver aluminium uprights.

The best stands for 1SCs are Target R4 (4 leg heavy stands), but you'd have to get them s/h now.

 

you're on the slippery slope to an aiwa midi mate. good luck with finding domestic and musical bliss though.
cheers


julian

 

Probably not an answer you expected, but why not see if theres anything in Ikea

Seriously though, I've got a telly/AV bench from there, £75, it looks good and its really heavy and well built. Nearly gave myself a hernia trying to get it out the shop...

 

Why not forget racks and bury all the stuff in a nice, suitably ornamental cabinet with nice, rigid shelves?

Advantages:

1. No argument about what it looks like;
2. Dust gathering problems substantially minimised;
3. Often substantially cheaper than hi-fi racks;

therefore, high WAF (believe me, I know); and following on from that;

4. As you've been good and bought something nice, your chances of a compromise on the speaker stands you want are much enhanced.

Disadvantages:

None whatsoever. (I don't believe that racks give any major improvement whatsoever over a good, firm shelf).

 

Don't get me started on ornamental cabinets. My mother had a unit specially built. Problem is that the bloody thing isn't deep enough and the holes for cables at the back are too small.

When I set up all their kit a few months ago, after they moved, we thought of a different layout for the kit. I ended up having to un-wire then re-wire the plugs after placing stuff on the shelves. To top it off, after wiring up everything to the AV receiver, we find the shelf isn't deep enough, so have to start all over again, with the AV receiver sitting on top of the unit. What a nightmare!

 

Ah well, you buy a cabinet that's deep enough for any bit of equipment you're ever likely to get, don't you, and you cut the holes big enough to accomodate all possible wiring, plus any plugs that have to go through. I've never had any trouble with wiring or size of equipment. You also have to remember that the plugs and cables at the back can stick out a long way, so you make sure that your chosen cabinet can accomodate that extra length. Alternatively, you can cut a slot in the back of the cabinet, so that they can stick through (nobody's going to see them there). Hole saws are wonderful!

 

I'm with Tones here. I had some cabinets made. They do the job fine

 

Spendor S3/5's or maybe Harbeth HL-P3ES-2 are good options maybe even Dynaudio Special 25's..

All great speakers and frankly after a few months with LS3/5as I'm converted to this BBCish sound. I reckon those Harbeths are special.

Best stands are these
http://www.sonus-systems.co.uk/R4_s...tand-black9.jpg
Ugly ish but in the flesh look great with some choice little monitors.. £450.00 though.

 

Those stands look the same as my Target R4s. Definately worth getting.

 

Chaps

Isoblue is very good, all wood and relatively cheap. Fairly good looking as well.

Regards

Mick

 

WAF?

www.standsunique.com

Glass shelves on their racks, but still good lookers. They do all wood speaker stands though.

 

On the other hand, if you want a speaker stand that performs as well as looking good, check out the Mission website. Their Stance stands look good and sound good.

To match those, how about a nice Optimum rack. There's one in the Buy & Sell section

 

Stance stands are good looking yep. But the holes (for sand filling), are stupidly small! Stoopid Stoopid Stoooooooooooopid!

Saying that, they're the only stands i've used so this be the norm. In which case, they're all stupid!

 

Yep - if I'd have had any say in the design, then I would have done - but then that's using common sense!!

Would have been more than my life's worth to take a holesaw to her beloved furniture. Have to say, I was tempted! :devil:

 

Re: Chaps

Indeed...which is why I got a carpenter to make me some lookalikes for a fraction of the price



..whether they sound as good as Isoblue I've no idea but I'm not really that fussed.

As for speaker stands, I like my Dynaudio Stand2 ones but they are pricey are £300 a pair:



Michael.

 

Michael,

Dumb question maybe, but what does that box on the middle shelf do?

I keep seeing it every time you post.

And that black cube to the left of your right speaker?

If you spiked the bottom shelf to the floor you'd possibly get a big sonic/musical improvement.

 

Steve,

Although its not my system I reckon I can make a pretty good stab at what those components are. The middle silver box is a DAC64, and the cube is a REL sub

Cheers, Robbo