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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: acidjack on January 30, 2010, 05:24:24 PM
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Moving to a new, larger apartment that will actually be more than one room, so I am going to get a second pair of speakers for the new "rec room" or whatever this room will turn into.
For my home theater/main stereo I have a large stereo pair of Klipsch (I forget the model, but they're the ones with the dual 8" woofers) and a center and surround channels (may be time to get a subwoofer now, too)...
For this other room I am thinking about something relatively small, kind of bookshelf type size, but with a big, accurate sound. Probably will be more for background music than main listening.
I haven't really bought many pairs of speakers and am not very well versed in anything other than the large consumer brands. Something like the Bose 301 came to mind for this purpose, but again, that's not a very inventive choice. Also, it may be how he does sets his amp, but my buddy has two of these and IMHO they sound terrible.
Any ideas?
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dont get a set of Blose.
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This was one of the best $300 I ever spent..
http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/1205usher/#
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I'd look into Epos bookshelf speakers. I have a pair and a center channel for home theater (not mains) and have been very pleased. The reviews are usually excellent. I think my model has since been replaced, but I'm sure the newer model won't disappoint.
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Love my VR-1's, think they were 500 flat and bookshelf size.
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Love my VR-1's, think they were 500 flat and bookshelf size.
this would be my suggestion
epos and usher are well reviewed brands as well
audiogon.com is your friend, use the search feature and find all of the bookshelf speakers in your price range
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Polk Audio is another good option for bookshelf speakers in the range you quoted. Check out the reviews at Clutchfield for more opinions. I have several sets of Polks in two different price levels that I use for my home theater and also with my computer (now that I've gone from 7.1 to 5.1 in my home theater) and they are great for the price.
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These are incredible speakers............Its the passive version of their powered studio monitor....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606895-REG/KRK_R6_R6_6_Two_Way_Passive.html
Peace OOK
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Bose....no highs, no lows....
I love my B&W 602 S3's
dont get a set of Blose.
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These are incredible speakers............Its the passive version of their powered studio monitor....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606895-REG/KRK_R6_R6_6_Two_Way_Passive.html
Peace OOK
FWIW I used a set of powered KRKs in a studio maybe 10 years ago and found them so amazingly hyped that I had trouble listening critically to them for more than an hour or so. They may have changed since then and of course, YMMV.
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I love my B&W 602 S3's
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FWIW I used a set of powered KRKs in a studio maybe 10 years ago and found them so amazingly hyped that I had trouble listening critically to them for more than an hour or so. They may have changed since then and of course, YMMV.
I tested the active powered KRKs (?Rockit Series 6"?) 5-6 years ago and found them incredibly bright/brittle sounding... did not like them at all.
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FWIW I used a set of powered KRKs in a studio maybe 10 years ago and found them so amazingly hyped that I had trouble listening critically to them for more than an hour or so. They may have changed since then and of course, YMMV.
I tested the active powered KRKs (?Rockit Series 6"?) 5-6 years ago and found them incredibly bright/brittle sounding... did not like them at all.
try before you buy....different ears, different folks...everyone hears different.....
OOK
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the nice thing about buying used speakers is that if you don't like them you can get all of your money back when you sell.
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Related question for folks in the NYC area - are there any dealers you particularly recommend, esp for buying used?
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Related question for folks in the NYC area - are there any dealers you particularly recommend, esp for buying used?
I got my rega r1's from here: http://www.inlivingstereo.com/
Had no problems at all, I believe the salesperson was Steve. Easy to deal with and I got everything as promised with no bs. Steve even found that he accidentally overcharged me on the rega's, called me up at home and apologized and made sure to refund the difference on my cc.
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monitor audio bronze br2
g
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Look at PSB, paradigm, and NHT speakers too
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Klipsch makes great bookshelf speakers. I have a set of KSB 1.1 that I will never part with. 5", last made in 1999, that you can find on eBay for $100-120 shipped. Perfect for background music.
http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/klipsch/floorstanding-speakers/ksb-1-1/PRD_119975_1594crx.aspx
If I was gonna upgrade, I'd get the Klipsch RB-61.
http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/rb-61-specifications/
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Just wanted to thank everyone for the recs... I ended up, for now, getting a set of Celestion SL6s at a pretty good used price.
I am now thinking about abandoning my large (very) Klipsch main speakers and replacing them with something smaller/better, maybe even the higher-end Klipsch reference series speakers.
Also I will check out that In Living Stereo store in NYC, too.
An unrelated question-- probably like many of you, I have home theater, but I care more about "music" sound than home theater. In other words, I have pretty entry level Klipsch home theater center channel and surround channels. If I upgraded to a better set of stereo L/R, I assume there is no issue continuing to run those with the less-impressive center and back Klipsch, right? I tend not to feel that the information coming from those speakers is nearly as important as the sounds coming from the main L/R drivers.. Thoughts?
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the center speaker in a HT is the hardest working channel, so its every bit as important as the L&R mains...but if HT isnt your concern anything should do the trick.
the industry now realizes this and is making some monster center channels, check out the new paradigm center!
>>http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/home-theater-speakers/775-mixing-and-matching-the-paradigm-c5-center-channel-speaker-and-two-electrostatics.html (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/home-theater-speakers/775-mixing-and-matching-the-paradigm-c5-center-channel-speaker-and-two-electrostatics.html)
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The statistic I heard was that 70% of the sound comes from your center....
the center speaker in a HT is the hardest working channel, so its every bit as important as the L&R mains...but if HT isnt your concern anything should do the trick.
the industry now realizes this and is making some monster center channels, check out the new paradigm center!
>>http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/home-theater-speakers/775-mixing-and-matching-the-paradigm-c5-center-channel-speaker-and-two-electrostatics.html (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/home-theater-speakers/775-mixing-and-matching-the-paradigm-c5-center-channel-speaker-and-two-electrostatics.html)
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sounds right sparky. im glad i have the center i have, it centralizes or focuses the sound toward tv, also makes the spoken parts as loud or louder than the surrounding music or effects. i found a bigger more pleasing effect adding my center than the matching mains honestly.
...until you pop in the zappa halloween 24/96 DTS dvd! that shit is off the hook good and uses every speaker! one of the few times i wish my rears were better.
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Just looked ... this is what I have:
L/R: http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Synergy-FloorStanding-Loudspeaker-Single/dp/B0011YXGF0/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1266259567&sr=1-9
Center: http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Synergy-SC-1-Channel-Speaker/dp/B000BW3A7C/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1266259567&sr=1-16
I have idea what opinions are on this Klipsch series are. They're obviously consumer-grade, and made in China... But not especially cheap. Just trying to think about what options could eventually make sense.
the center speaker in a HT is the hardest working channel, so its every bit as important as the L&R mains...but if HT isnt your concern anything should do the trick.
the industry now realizes this and is making some monster center channels, check out the new paradigm center!
>>http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/home-theater-speakers/775-mixing-and-matching-the-paradigm-c5-center-channel-speaker-and-two-electrostatics.html (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/home-theater-speakers/775-mixing-and-matching-the-paradigm-c5-center-channel-speaker-and-two-electrostatics.html)
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know nothing of that brand other than i once heard a theater-in-a-box from them which sucked lemons.
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one of the few times i wish my rears were better.
I love my matched speakers....all five of 'em :-)
My system sounds great, but I keep trying to talk myself out of upgrading my sub...then my amp...then my processor....WHERE DOES IT END?????
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what speakers are they?
i have timbre matched Paradigm Monitor 9v3 mains to a CC-370 center to comprise the front, but all i have is 2 crappy blose 201's for rears. i need to look into a match for the rears. unfortunately all my upgradeitis is down stairs in my music room, my theatre gets ignored when im shopping. once i get the 2 channel rig where im happy ill look for a set of Paradigm Atoms for the back, or even a set of the old titans would work ok.
..but my guess is it never ends, as soon as you think your done the gear you bought first is outdated, START OVER! :P
hi my name is jim and i am a gearaholic. do they make drugs for this disease?
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what speakers are they?
Two pairs of B&W 602 S3's and the matching LCR 600 center. I've also got the lowest-end Velodyne 12"...I got it at cost for like $150 or $200, which does a nice job of filling in the low end. It doesn't knock the pictures off the walls, like my upgrade will, but it does sound nice.
hi my name is jim and i am a gearaholic. do they make drugs for this disease?
They do. I'm on a steady dose of 722 and it has stabilized my gear-o-holism. I still get urges, but I can keep them in check.
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these!
(http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p265/stevetoney/horn-speakers_ulbmq_58.jpg)
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I listened to some high end horn speakers several years ago - they were in the $70K range - and jazz....saxes, trumpets....sounded live, like they were playing 5 feet from where I was sitting. I popped in a NIN dat soundboard and the detail they provided, I could practically hear the space between the samples. Hands down the most harsh electronic sounding recording I've ever heard. It wasn't the recording though, it was the incredible detail the speakers had. What kind of speakers are those?
these!
(http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p265/stevetoney/horn-speakers_ulbmq_58.jpg)
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Two pairs of B&W 602 S3's and the matching LCR 600 center. I've also got the lowest-end Velodyne 12"...I got it at cost for like $150 or $200, which does a nice job of filling in the low end. It doesn't knock the pictures off the walls, like my upgrade will, but it does sound nice.
very nice rig! i bet it does sound nice. i wanna here em, ill bring my zappa and some beer, sound good?
They do. I'm on a steady dose of 722 and it has stabilized my gear-o-holism. I still get urges, but I can keep them in check.
:lol: did you get a prescription for that? i didnt try that yet, but i like 4 channels which i dont think my insurance will cover a 744t.
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ill bring my zappa and some beer
Sounds great, don't forget the titties!!!
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What kind of speakers are those?
these!
(http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p265/stevetoney/horn-speakers_ulbmq_58.jpg)
I haven't got a clue. I was just looking around and thought they were funny given that he was looking for something for his apartment!
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Klipsch makes great bookshelf speakers. I have a set of KSB 1.1 that I will never part with. 5", last made in 1999, that you can find on eBay for $100-120 shipped. Perfect for background music...
I'm using a pair of these as side surrounds which I found stashed in my father's closet (slightly too big for my parent's living room). I was rather suprised how decent they sound. Now need to look into a modest home theater surround sytem for them with slightly smaller speakers.
[edit- correction, checked latnight and mine are KSB 3.1]
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I haven't got a clue. I was just looking around and thought they were funny given that he was looking for something for his apartment!
there was a short write up on those speakers in one of the hifi rags sometime in the last couple of months. I'll see if I can dig it up when I get home.
I was able to sample a set of $100k horns with similarly priced tube amplification at this years Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, it was sublime. Totally effortless sound, huge 3d soundstage, natural timbre. It was fantastic.
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im not missing RMAF this yr!
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im not missing RMAF this yr!
it was dope!
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Related question for folks in the NYC area - are there any dealers you particularly recommend, esp for buying used?
Audiogon
Click search and use zip codes in your area for large, heavy items like subs and speakers
Dealers will always add 30 - 50% onto the tag for used gear.
Nearfields are not meant to be room speakers!
Placement is everything for monitors
Placement is almost everything for bookshelf speakers
The VR-1's are great
Epos stuff that I've heard is pretty amazing
Somebody near Denver should pick these Dynaudio Focus 140s up:
http://denver.craigslist.org/ele/1607377066.html
(not affiliated in any way)
I wish they were in NYC!
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Audiogon
Click search and use zip codes in your area for large, heavy items like subs and speakers
Dealers will always add 30 - 50% onto the tag for used gear.
What he said. I do a zip code search a couple of times a week - use the first two numbers for a wider search, then add numbers to narrow.