I have to confess that they are not what I would choose. I like CX100s - I use a pair every day - but they are not that efficient and I am not completely convinced that I would call them a Hi-Fi speaker. They are wonderful - for their size, but it sounds to me as if you need a more efficient speaker made for a valve amplifier. Some of the much older B&O speakers are much more efficient - the 2200s for instance, but these are probably not what you are looking for in design.

Paul,

I have a

Thanks Peter

I just looked up the 2200s.I have never seen those before.Interesting design with the deep box.Those are within the size range I have in mind at 285mm(11")tall.Glad to hear your input on the CX 100s,I would prefer to just convince the wife to leave the Advents in place as opposed to taking a downgrade in sound.The Advents,which I bought new in about 1982,were failrly inexpensive and not High end at all,but history has proven them to be very good speakers.I am sure B&O has something to match the quality.I don't need super efficiency,just something like 89-90db or so.

Paul

Thanks Jaff

Yet another older pair I have never seen before.I will keep you in mind as I get this sorted out.I realize it's a bit subjective as to what "sounds as good as" the Advents unless you have heard them first hand.All I can say is they were one of the smaller,least expensive models offered at the time by Advent but have now proven to be very good sounding for the price range.I would think that a company like B&O could easily match or exceed these.

If you are looking for superb midrange especially spoken and sung voice, the speakers I use are BBC LS3/5As. Ridiculously small and no bass and the treble rolls off as well, but quite superb sonically. They divide opinions in that, as a full range speaker, they have huge flaws, but when listening to vocals, they are simply unbeatable. I cheat and use the AB1  woofers with them which adds the bass that is missing and which render them wife unfriendly. Mine are Richard Allan models - they are made under license from the BBC.

The other small speaker that is B&O and is excellent is the S45.2 but I feel this may be too big for you.

Paul,

No problem. Keep in mind that both the 500 and the 2200 are from the late 60's, ending production in 1970. So, at least 12 years older than your Advents. They are very similar in size. The 2200 is the better speaker. I happen to have two pairs of 2200's in teak and rosewood that are matched to respective BM1000's. I am not interested in breaking the matched sets up... might you have an interest in a complete correct setup? The rosewood set is the better of the two.

One thing to keep in mind with the 2200 (and I guess the 500 as well, I never heard them) is that the cone treble is immensely directional. In this respect, I think my 2200's are the most directional speakers I've heard! If you can't aim them directly at your head in the regular listening position, they may be a disappointment. Other than that, I could listen to them all day. I don't care much for boomy music, though...

Great input guys!

Mika,Is there any correcting for the extreme directionality of the 2200?I would hate to see a fight break out for the center seat at the cottage when the boys are up.

Thanks

Paul

There's not much you can do about it except placement - this affects all speakers with cone tweeters, and was exactly what the Beovox 2500 cubes were designed to compensate when paired with the bigger speakers of the time.

It's not that bad in practice though, just something to be aware of before getting them. If you can keep some distance to the speakers, the sweet spot gets larger as well.

Just took a critical re-listen, and the bass is actually pretty good - probably beats CX50!