Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
BlueScreenJunky;389900 Wrote: That's a matter of personal taste I guess : The SB3 has a slightly larger display and a full-sized remote. But you should indeed take it into account.Indeed - and I prefer the SB3's display, and occasionally use the SB3's remote with my Boom. However, the magnetic Boom remote more than makes up for the small size. Perfect for sticking to the cooker hood or fridge, and something which people really seem to comment on (more than the sound quality!) -- SJobson Mac Mini - Squeezebox 3 - MF X-Dac V8 - MF XT-100 - Spendor S5e SJobson's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=16336 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
Labarum;389820 Wrote: I had noted your point, and I am at a disadvantage in not having heard even a Boom. It does have a plastic case, and I expect chucks out highly processed sound which can be very convincing, as with the Bose radios. Not highly processed at all. Instead the DSP is used to maximum effect to overcome the limitations of its drivers (which aren't bad, but have problems with bass due to their size as all drivers that size do). Also the crossovers are done entirely in the DSP. See http://wiki.slimdevices.com/uploads/a/ad/Logitech_Squeezebox_Boom_Audio_Design.pdf -- Mark Lanctot Current: SB2, Transporter, Boom (PQP3 - late beta), SBC (early beta) Stored: Boom (PQP1 - early beta) Sold: SB3, Duet Mark Lanctot's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2071 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
I am trying to locate a supplier in Cyprus, but it looks s if I will end up taking what I need with me. http://www.technica.com.cy/cyprus/logitech Is as close as I have got. Interestingly it is just up the hill from where I will be living. But no Slim Devices. -- Labarum Brian Squeezebox 3 Classic and Virgin Cable Box Beresford DAC TC-7510 MK6/4 - Quad 405-2 refurbished by 405man Quart 980s German Tower Loudspeakers. Labarum's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=19963 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
how about something like a set of acoustic energy aego M speakers with an SB3? they're apprently excellent speakers. although if you got them new it would take you over the cost of a Boom. the creative labs T20s are also supposed to be very good and can be had for about £50 -- hardflipman hardflipman's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=21603 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
iPhone;389695 Wrote: I think maybe you missed one of my points. That point being that to equal the sound of the Boom, your going to end up spending two to three times the Boom to get it with powered speakers and a Classic. There is NO WAY a pair of speakers costing £30 is going to sound anywhere near what a Boom sounds like. I had noted your point, and I am at a disadvantage in not having heard even a Boom. It does have a plastic case, and I expect chucks out highly processed sound which can be very convincing, as with the Bose radios. Nor have I heard the Maplin speakers, but they do not have a plastic case. Mind you, I have some cheap plastic case passive speakers. When I got my Quad 405-2 from eBay, I tested it with these speakers rather than risk damage to something more valuable. The sound was remarkable. But I hvae read that a polite and powerful amp can hold cheap speakers in such a vice like grip that they cannot mis-behave! The answer, of course is to take the likes of an iPod to the shop and have a listen. -- Labarum Brian Squeezebox 3 Classic and Virgin Cable Box Beresford DAC TC-7510 MK6/4 - Quad 405-2 refurbished by 405man Quart 980s German Tower Loudspeakers. Labarum's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=19963 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
I purchased a Squeeze box duet about a year ago with AudioEngine speakers. A few months later, I purchased a Boom for a different room when it first came out. I think the sound quality from both is very good. However, if I was to have the choice now that both products are available, I'd definitely go for the Boom - It's so much nicer not having to search for a remote to control it (just press one of the pre-set buttons) and it's a lot more portable. -- Trevor http://www.last.fm/user/trevkin Trevor's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=10977 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
Or if you're ready to spend more than the price of the boom, maybe you could buy a Boom and a cheap Subwoofer, which from what I heard drastically improves the sound quality of the boom. So you have the advantages of both solutions : a better sound quality than just a Boom, and the Nicer and smaller form factor of the Boom (which means you can carry it around easily without the sub). -- BlueScreenJunky BlueScreenJunky's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=22725 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
There's been no mention of the slight functional differences of the Boom - having buttons on the front, and a big knob which you can use as a volume control, makes it far easier for non-geeks to turn on and use. My wife doesn't touch my SB3, but she loves the Boom in the kitchen. Although in theory they can do the same things, in practice the Boom just works. -- SJobson Mac Mini - Squeezebox 3 - MF X-Dac V8 - MF XT-100 - Spendor S5e SJobson's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=16336 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
That's a matter of personal taste I guess : The SB3 has a slightly larger display and a full-sized remote. But you should indeed take it into account. -- BlueScreenJunky BlueScreenJunky's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=22725 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
What does the Boom weigh? Specs only have Dimensions: 13W x 5H x 3.1D I would take one to Cyprus by air in my luggage if it was not too heavy. -- Labarum Brian Squeezebox 3 Classic and Virgin Cable Box Beresford DAC TC-7510 MK6/4 - Quad 405-2 refurbished by 405man Quart 980s German Tower Loudspeakers. Labarum's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=19963 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
BlueScreenJunky wrote: Or if you're ready to spend more than the price of the boom, maybe you could buy a Boom and a cheap Subwoofer, which from what I heard drastically improves the sound quality of the boom. I disagree. For my tastes, the Boom has all the bass that I'd ever want it to have. I do have a subwoofer on my main stereo, which is driven by a Transporter. The Boom sounds amazingly good for its size and price. It does not sound as good as my Sonus Faber speakers and Rel subwoofer. It also didn't cost $8,000 -- Pat Farrell http://www.pfarrell.com/ ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
Acoustic Energy Aego Ms are fantastic little speakers that can fill a room convincingly. A Sub/sat system, the sat's weigh a ton (made from metal) and are very solid. Good quality cabling provided too. I use a set in my Study hooked up to a Mk6/3 Beresford Dac playing Flacs and it makes for a good quality budget Hifi setup. I paid just over £100GBP for mine a year ago. Could be a case of if you want better sound you may have to pay for it? -- Gazjam Gazjam's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=18604 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
Gazjam;389913 Wrote: Acoustic Energy Aego Ms are fantastic little speakers that can fill a room convincingly. £107 - £109 now http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-000-AEutm_source=froogle -- Labarum Brian Squeezebox 3 Classic and Virgin Cable Box Beresford DAC TC-7510 MK6/4 - Quad 405-2 refurbished by 405man Quart 980s German Tower Loudspeakers. Labarum's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=19963 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
Labarum;389904 Wrote: What does the Boom weigh? Amazon.com says the shipping weight is 8 pounds. I'm not sure how accurate that is but it weighs more than it looks like it would weigh. -- MeSue Sue http://www.last.fm/user/MeSue MeSue's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=985 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
Labarum wrote: Has anyone made such a comparison? The items I have in mind on the UK market have a wood, well particle board, cabinets, and are £30 from Maplin http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=27962 Can others recommend other active speakers that would produce a system about or below the price of a Boom? Music industry monitors, perhaps. Most PC speakers are pretty poor. At the very least the spaced speakers would offer advantage. In some domestic circumstances the three box solution might be preferred for all sorts of reasons. Absolutely. The boom form factor may be very suited to some, but not very suited to other environments. I wouldn't want one in my bedroom. I want the speakers across the room and not on my bed stand. Regards, Peter ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
The comparison most often made between Boom and SB+active speakers is the 'Audioengine A2' (http://www.audioengineusa.com/a2_home.php). Search the forums for what various listeners have to say. Most say the A2s are comparable to the Boom in sound quality, but they're a lot more than GBP 30. For really inexpensive active speakers I've been happy with Klipsch ProMedia 2.0, which I got new-in-box on eBay for around USD 30 per pair. They're not great audio quality, but better than the average pc speakers. -- aubuti Nothing high-end, but music anywhere I want it. MSI Wind desktop (Ubuntu 8.10) feeding: Basement: SB2 JVC JA-S44 ESS Tempest LS8; Kitchen/Dining: Duet AudioSource Amp100 2 pairs Polk RC60i; Living room: SB3 Technics SA-EX140 Bose Acoustimass 3; Bedroom: Boom + SBC; Study: Duet Klipsch ProMedia 2.0; Kid's bedroom: SB2 Klipsch ProMedia 2.0 http://www.last.fm/user/aubuti/ aubuti's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2074 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
aubuti;389435 Wrote: The comparison most often made between Boom and SB+active speakers is the 'Audioengine A2' (http://www.audioengineusa.com/a2_home.php). Search the forums for what various listeners have to say. Most say the A2s are comparable to the Boom in sound quality, but they're a lot more than GBP 30. Yes £115 in UK https://www.ripcaster.co.uk/node/244 -- Labarum Brian Squeezebox 3 Classic and Virgin Cable Box Beresford DAC TC-7510 MK6/4 - Quad 405-2 refurbished by 405man Quart 980s German Tower Loudspeakers. Labarum's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=19963 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
Labarum;389429 Wrote: Has anyone made such a comparison? The items I have in mind on the UK market have a wood, well particle board, cabinets, and are £30 from Maplin http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=27962 Can others recommend other active speakers that would produce a system about or below the price of a Boom? Music industry monitors, perhaps. Most PC speakers are pretty poor. At the very least the spaced speakers would offer advantage. In some domestic circumstances the three box solution might be preferred for all sorts of reasons. In my personal opinion, I really think it depends on -HOW- the Boom is going to be used or how the active speakers are going to be used. This in my opinion only comes down to when the rooms start to get larger and the advantage of separating the speakers come into play. This is not a huge advantage because there are not many room sizes that this applies to because as rooms become to large, even the powered speakers run out of gas and just will not due either. An SB3 and a pair of AudioEngine A2's or better yet A5's are very versatile, but at two to three times the price of Boom. So looking at that, since the Boom is basically the very same thing, for the money its almost impossible to beat and has the huge convenience of being all-in-one package. Boom is very easy to move around. Before Boom, I made a portable system out of an SB3 and a pair of AE A5s. This worked great and I carried the SB3 and A5s in one of those Rubbermaid cadies that hold cleaning supplies when I wanted to move them. Now that I have two Booms, I find the SB3 and A5s tend to stay in one place. Just looking at it from a price point of view, Boom wins hands down. One has to spend two to three times the amount of Boom on powered speakers and a Classic to equal what the Boom already does. Since the Boom has come out, it is very hard to make a case for buying a Classic and powered speakers. And the only real case in my opinion is only when the application makes more sense to go with powered speakers because Boom doesnt work as good in the specific situation. Those are few and far between. -- iPhone *iPhone* 'Last.FM' (http://www.last.fm/user/mephone) Media Room: Transporter, VTL TL-6.5 Signature Pre-Amp, Ayre MX-R Mono's, Vandersteen Quatro, VeraStarr 6.4SE 6-channel Amp, VCC-5 Reference Center, four VSM-1 Signatures, Runco RS 900 CineWide AutoScope 2.35:1 Living Room: Duet, ADCOM GTP-870HD, Cinepro 3K6SE III Gold, Vandersteen Model 3A Signature, Two 2Wq subs, VCC-2, Two VSM-1 Kitchen: Squeezebox BOOM Bedroom: SB3, GFR-700HD, Thiel 2.3, Second Boom Home Office: SB3, NAD C370, two VSM-1 Home Gym: SB3, Parasound Vamp v.3, Thiel PowerPoint 1.2 Mobile: SB3, Audioengine A5 iPhone's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13622 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
I have a Boom in the kitchen and an SB3 Classic with Audioengine A5's in the bedroom. I purchased the Boom for the bedroom, but moved it to the kitchen because even though it sounded very good, IMO it lacked stereo separation. So if you want stereo separation, go for the Classic and powered speakers (or receiver/speakers). Like iPhone said though, it will cost a couple hundred dollars more. So it depends upon how important that is to you. -- morsejeff morsejeff's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=18805 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
morsejeff;389580 Wrote: So if you want stereo separation, go for the Classic and powered speakers (or receiver/speakers). . . it will cost a couple hundred dollars more. Depends on the cost of the speakers, and if the £30 Maplin speakers better the Boom output, I'm ahead. Best UK price for an SB3 seems here at the moment http://www.cooltopia.com/product.php/6/30 SB3 £130 Maplin Speakers £30 Boom £170 Portability might be a consideration, as noted higher up this thread. I would be for a third station. I have in the study a Quad 77 Integrated Amp which drives a pair of Goodmans Maxims very nicely, and takes input from an Audigy card on the PC. The study audio is awaiting the addition of a Squeezebox when I move house and locate the server somewhere else. As I get older my high frequency hearing problems get worse and I am less tolerant or whiring, whining and clicking. -- Labarum Brian Squeezebox 3 Classic and Virgin Cable Box Beresford DAC TC-7510 MK6/4 - Quad 405-2 refurbished by 405man Quart 980s German Tower Loudspeakers. Labarum's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=19963 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
to be honest, if you're happy with the suond quailty from a couple of 30 quid speakers then i'd imagine stereo seperation wouldn't be too high on the list of concerns. I prefer the boom, don't have to go hunting for the remote all the time and can just do stuff on the box. -- fredbloggs fredbloggs's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=11807 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
Labarum;389593 Wrote: Depends on the cost of the speakers, and if the £30 Maplin speakers better the Boom output, I'm ahead. Best UK price for an SB3 seems here at the moment http://www.cooltopia.com/product.php/6/30 SB3 £130 Maplin Speakers £30 Boom £170 Portability might be a consideration, as noted higher up this thread. It would be for a third station. I have in the study a Quad 77 Integrated Amp which drives a pair of Goodmans Maxims very nicely, and takes input from an Audigy card on the PC. The study audio is awaiting the addition of a Squeezebox when I move house and locate the server away from the desk. As I get older my high frequency hearing problems get worse and I am less tolerant or whiring, whining and clicking. I think maybe you missed one of my points. That point being that to equal the sound of the Boom, your going to end up spending two to three times the Boom to get it with powered spearkers and a Classic. There is NO WAY a pair of speakers costing L30 is going to sound anywhere near what a Boom sounds like. As many have said, one must buy really decent powered speakers to equal or surpass what you get in the Boom. If you have some decent equipment that just needs a Classic and pair of speakers, your still going to have to buy a decent pair probably costing more then just buying a Boom. Personally, the A2's are just below the Boom and cost more, one has to get the more expensive A5's to exceed the Boom. The Boom's sound is that good. But if money is that big of a deal, yes you can go cheap. But in the end you would have been better off spending the few more dollars and getting the Boom IMHO. YMMV. -- iPhone *iPhone* 'Last.FM' (http://www.last.fm/user/mephone) Media Room: Transporter, VTL TL-6.5 Signature Pre-Amp, Ayre MX-R Mono's, Vandersteen Quatro, VeraStarr 6.4SE 6-channel Amp, VCC-5 Reference Center, four VSM-1 Signatures, Runco RS 900 CineWide AutoScope 2.35:1 Living Room: Duet, ADCOM GTP-870HD, Cinepro 3K6SE III Gold, Vandersteen Model 3A Signature, Two 2Wq subs, VCC-2, Two VSM-1 Kitchen: Squeezebox BOOM Bedroom: SB3, GFR-700HD, Thiel 2.3, Second Boom Home Office: SB3, NAD C370, two VSM-1 Home Gym: SB3, Parasound Vamp v.3, Thiel PowerPoint 1.2 Mobile: SB3, Audioengine A5 iPhone's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=13622 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
Re: [slim] Boom versus SB3 cheap acive speakers
A happened to have a $30.- Logitech X-230 2.1 speaker system in the pilothouse aboard Jedi. This set has so much base that I stuffed it's reflex-port with a piece of cloth even after turning the sub's volume as low as possible. I recently connected an additional SBR to it and it sounds quite acceptable. I have a Boom coming this way soon and I am really curious how much better it'll sound. I would consider this setup way good enough for kitchens all but my bedrooms. cheers, Nick. -- DeVerm DeVerm's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=18104 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=58835 ___ discuss mailing list discuss@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/discuss
