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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on August 11, 2004, 01:23:40 PM

Title: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on August 11, 2004, 01:23:40 PM
Hey all,

Looking to upgrade my speakers.  Right now I'm using a set of Infinity Infinitessimal 4s that I've had for well over 10 years...  But they don't really have the low-end that I want, but I do want to keep them and maybe pair them with a sub later...

But I'm looking to get a nice set of bookshelves, or small floors, to really finish off my home system:

Sony E1000ES > B&K ST-140 > speaker???

Any advice would be appreciated, but I don't really want to spend more than $400-$500 on the pair.  I've thought about the Soliloquoy 5.0s as they are made here in town (Raleigh, NC) and they have cheap scratch and dents...

And I've heard enough fluff on the Maggies, but really, is it just they are popular and that's why folks get them, or are they that good...

T

Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: Tim on August 11, 2004, 01:29:02 PM
I'd say they are that good, which is why folks get them and that, in turn, makes them popular ;)
Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: nickgregory on August 11, 2004, 01:37:48 PM
where are the soliloquys made????
Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: nickgregory on August 11, 2004, 01:57:43 PM
wow...I had no idea they were that close...I need to get a job over there!
Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on August 11, 2004, 02:26:13 PM
Oh yeah, and these guys are in town too:

http://www.caryaudio.com/

Some good stuff coming out of here!

Terry

Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: BC on August 11, 2004, 04:34:57 PM
Just a few choices


paradigm monitor series

epos (SL3?)

New infinity bookshelfs with the ceramic metal matrix drivers (CMMD)

PSB Alpha

Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: som on August 11, 2004, 04:49:23 PM
I'm very happy with my Ascend Acoustic CBM-170's.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html


...and I'm not alone:

http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_125308_1594crx.aspx



Happy shopping!
Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on August 17, 2004, 12:08:38 PM
OK...

I think I've narrowed the search down to a few speakers and I wanted to get a few opinions:

The JM Labs Chorus 707S
Axiom M22ti
Mamama... Maggies

Any opinions???  Any suggestions??? 

Thanks,

Terry


Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: Trevor on August 17, 2004, 12:34:30 PM
Terry,

I hate to tell you that I think it's going to be hard to beat.  If you want more bass I would add a sub to what you already have.  Just my suggestion.
Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on August 18, 2004, 03:42:10 PM
On Trevors advice, I've started looking into subs...  I found the Velodyne VRP1000 and 1200 to be about what I'm looking for...

I'm not sure though, I really don't like the Infinitys I have, they are very lacking in the mids and bass, despite a separate woofer enclosure...  The EMIT tweetwer are very nice, and I used this system for a long time as a surround and as TV speakers...

But I'm thinking I'm needing/wanting a whole new speaker set...  We'll see...  Anyways, I'm looking for some recommendations for nice Subs under $300... 

Thanks,

Terry Watts

Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: Thom Joad on August 18, 2004, 04:13:50 PM
I have a pair of the M22's and really like them.  They are pretty transparent/accurate, throw a nice soundstage (wide and DEEP) and the bass doesn't really suck considering they're bookshelves.  I paired them up with a Velodyne CT-10, which is also very nice and adds that extra bottom end you need for those FOB Phil bombs, etc.

A buddy of mine has a set of Maggie 1.6's and they soundstage like no other I've heard, although the lack of detail turned me off, but then again I run Earthworks and DPA's so I kind of like the details

That being said, I am currently in the market for something else, probably Green Mountain Audio Europas, or Vienna Acoustics Hayden's, or Revel's M20's, or Merlin TS-M's, or North Creek Okra II's, or some Shanihan's,....   This hobby sucks!!

Seriously though, Axiom's no questions asked, money-back guarantee, 30-day trial period is a great way to tell for you like them or not.
Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: som on August 18, 2004, 04:52:35 PM
Quote
Anyways, I'm looking for some recommendations for nice Subs under $300... 

I recently bought the HSU-STF1 and am very impressed. It can dish it out. I know there are bigger, more powerful subs around, but I'm impressed with this.

http://www.hsustore.com/stf1.html

Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: Tim on August 19, 2004, 10:08:57 PM
How big of a room?

I have a Paradigm PDR-8... with my small apartment 8" is more than enough to fill the room nicely, if I turn it up it is capable of "pressurizing" the room with bass energy. I got my for $200 off of Ebay.

I like it a lot, although it's not super fast it keeps up alright with the music. For the price it's hard to beat for sound and build quality.

look at the Paradigm line, you should be able to find some good deals.
Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: Trevor on August 20, 2004, 01:07:47 PM
This is what you need Terry!

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homesubw&1098130626

Not powered, but arguably one of the best subs ever made in many people's opinion.
Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: goose on August 20, 2004, 01:56:39 PM
This is what you need Terry!

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homesubw&1098130626

Not powered, but arguably one of the best subs ever made in many people's opinion.

Shipping weight 140 pounds!!  Wow.
Title: Re: ISO: Speaker advice <$400
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on August 20, 2004, 02:26:42 PM
OK, All this has to be put on the back burner (along with the digital camera, new computer, new car stereo, new TV) as I had to shell out some extra moola to take care of some back taxes and I may have to get a new starter for Lil Zoe (my car).

So, thanks for the suggestions, I'll probalby head to Audio Advice in Raleigh this weeknd for some listening...  But I think I've decided on the M22ti...

T