I'm new here, but enthusiastic about something I read this evening. I have a couple of questions.

At my advanced age there aren't many things in the audio field that surprise me. However, after watching a video about the Betsy OB speaker with the Decware amp, I read the 6moons review that told about "George" putting together a budget system in 2018 that cost about $1000 to $1100.

Is something (approximately) close to that still possible? If I already have my source, can the Betsy speakers and a Decware amp still get in the ballpark of $2000 to $2500 or so? (I think the article I read advocated a Musical Paradise (?) 6.5W amp).

Thanks for any advice you might offer.

Welcome 6sigma!

I’m about 3 hours south of you - Brandon, MS

If you find yourself in my area, please get in touch and come by for a demo.

Have you ever heard an open baffle setup? It can be a real eye (ear) opener.

For the price range you mentioned, you can get it done. The most economical way to achieve this is Caintuck Audio:

http://www.caintuckaudio.com/

Best,

Geno

Steve,

That is a fairly big room. You may need a bit more power than the SE84UFO to fill it properly. Maybe a SE34I.5 would work a bit better, and stay in the price range you mentioned.

As for extra bass, if you feel you need it after auditioning the full rangers unaccompanied, just get either one or two bass baffles to complement the full-rangers. This works seamlessly with a subwoofer amp powering them - a few of us here on the forum are using this configuration.

Good luck,

Geno

Steve,

Welcome and glad to see you are considering a open baffle speaker and Decware amplifier.  Virtually all of the Decware amplifiers can drive either the Besty or Lii Audio 15 drivers well. As Geno mentioned, given the size of your room you need to determine combination will work best given your music preferences and desired listening level. Keep in mind that the room is of critical importance to achieving a good listening experience for two channel stereo.

I would encourage you to talk with Randy @ Caintuck and Steve @ Decware to help with your selection. FWIW, I have a pair of Randy's Lii 15 Magnum baffles (1.5" thick barrel shape) which utilize the Lii audio F15 driver in my small 13.5' x 15.5' treated listening room. They are almost full range and produce life like reproduction of live recorded music. The speakers are driven with a Decware ZMA amplifier and CSP3+ preamp both with 25th Anniversary modifications. Why the ZMA - in case I get  less sensitive speakers in the future.

A Zen amplifier and Lii 15 baffle will give you a great sounding system even in a large room, the only question is whether it will achieve the volume levels you desire. Some minimal room treatments with the Zen - Lii Audio F-15 baffles may get you there.

HK

 

Good Morning 6sigma, I am another delighted owner of Caintuck speakers, so I want to add my support this growing list.  

I now have two pairs of Caintuck speakers in two rooms:  Betsy's and Lii Fast 8's.  The Lii Fast 8's sound better to my ear, but the Betsy's are excellent.

What made a big difference for me was the addition of the Caintuck Alpha Bass Baffle.  I highly recommend that option for your consideration.  Also, I went in a bit of a different direction with the Lii "Fast 8's."  I think if you search "Fast 8's," you will find that Steve gives them a thumb's up somewhere in his comments.

Both of these options, Fast 8's and Alpha Bass Baffle, are a bit less expensive than the F-15 drivers, and that may help with giving you more room to work with for the amp.  

It is hard to know which speaker you would like best without hearing them.  Hopefully, it helps when current owners report that they are delighted with their purchase - like me.

Tony

I understand.  It's not exactly one-stop shopping for some of these options.
Don't hesitate to ask if you have a question.  Having gone through the decision-making and ordering process, I and others think we understand the process.  Randy, of course, will give you the exact information if you send him an email.

I can address #3.  I replaced HR1s with F15s in the big baffles.  I gave up some deep bass but I gained in filling my space with sound.  Differences in the quality of the sound are far less apparent than the magnitude of the sound.  I would not trade the other way.  The F15s do have a weakness as they seem to resonate a bit with certain bass.  Probably because they spec as resonating at 49Hz.  That is a relatively infrequent issue though.

To echo Tony a bit and add that even with the ZMA, high sensitivity speakers in a large space are a must, if you want to really fill that space.  Smaller rooms, not so much.