Hi Everyone,

Need some help with speaker selection.  I just picked up a Beocenter 9500 and need to find a great but reasonably priced pair of speakers to go with it.  To keep my costs down, I am considering vintage brands like the S45-2.  I would like to go with a smaller size but one with excellent sound.

 Do vintage passive speakers like the S45-2 make sense or would I be better off with acitve speakers.  Would like to get some thoughts on the best possible choices keeping in mind that I'm on a budget.

Thanks,

 Pete

The BC9500 is compatible with both active and passive speakers but I suspect the most cost effective option is the one that you suggest.

S45-2 are excellent speakers and usually available for just a few pounds. Indeed, I gave a pair away recently!!

I agree, S45-2 sound nice in general and with BC9500. I have been using pairs of S45-2 and RL 60.2 with my BC9500 and and i like the sound very much. You get the warmth and deeper sound from S45-2 and RL60.2 supports with (imho) a bit clearer and brighter sound. I also tried RL60.2s with Beovox 3000s and the sound was even deeper and bolder! Too bad, aesthetically the combination doesn't really work where system is set up.

Since i have been offered a pair of active Pentas for a reasonable price i've been thinking adding them to the system. What do you think? Or maybe replacing one of the passive pairs with Pentas?
 

Personally I'm not a fan of using more than two speakers in the same room for stereo listening, I think in mucks up the imaging. If you're going to get Pentas use them on their own, don't use them with either of your passive pairs. They're more than good enough to considerably outshine both.

(btw check all the Penta drivers for foam rot before buying, they can be easily replaced but any signs of imminent problems may help in establishing a price)

Thanks for your tips. :) Using pentas on their own would then free me two pairs of fine speakers to use with other systems! Speaking of establishing the price...the seller mentioned about some kind of gold painted stripe missing from the top of one speaker. Sounds like a cosmetical problem but does it sound fixable? I've never seen these speakers (or Pentas at all) live but i am going to see and test them next monday.

Purely cosmetic - worth asking B&O if any parts available - I have a suspicion not. Not very obvious anyway! I don't look at the top of my Pentas much anyway!

Ok, i'll check that. thanks for you too, Peter!

Peter :

Purely cosmetic - worth asking B&O if any parts available - I have a suspicion not. Not very obvious anyway! I don't look at the top of my Pentas much anyway!

These parts are still available from B&O spares stock.