Topic: Speaker Recomendations

[morningdew]

I was blessed but cursed at the same time today.  My Bose Acoustamass 15 system wouldn't wake up today.  I've been planning to replace them but wanted to wait until I have a bigger bankroll.

So I need to replace them ASAP.

Budget: $600 probably could do $700 but let's try to hit $600 or less

1.  Just 2-channel but would like to someday add surround speakers and possibly a sub.
2.  Driven by a Sony DA3000ES
3.  More interested in 2-channel playback than movies.
4.  Need to be brand new and readably available.
5.  Moderate size or smaller, just not huge, taller than wider would be better for my room.
6.  Room size 14' X 17', standard 8' ceiling
7.  Carpeting now but will be wood floors soon.

So whiich set of speaker should I buy?

Thanks.

[Chuck]

With that budget some near field speakers would work. If you got the speakers used, you may be able to fit a sub-woofer in there. I like the Tannoys, but I like that British sound, as I drive mine with a Cambridge Audio amp. There are plenty of guys/ gals with speaker opinions here that will chime in with good choices...

[Evil Taper]

A pair of B&W 602 S3 would sound really nice in a room that size.  For the size and price point I don't think you'll find much as accurate as these.

90dB sensitivity
49Hz-22kHz +-3dB on referance axis

19.3 in H x 9.3 in W x 11.5 in D (B&W also sells a stand for them)

[morningdew]

B&W Online retailers?

[fozzy]

B&W Online retailers?

nope, must get them locally.  Most dealers can budge ~10% off of list.

[morningdew]

Thanks, found a local dealer.

Now what about speaker wire.  The Bose always had the included wire.  You're not going to talk me into needing some high dollar wire (at least not yet).  I only need 10' per speaker.  I've read briefly that some people who don't buy into the high dollar wire even use Cat-5 wire.  I've actually got a ton of that stuff laying around.  How do they wire it?

Edit:  I also have a spool of Belden 1804a mini-quad wire that I was going to make some mic cables with but ended up going a different route, could use this?

For now I'd like to get something quick and easy.  Would like to use them in the near future.

Both sets of speakers I'm looking at are 8 ohms 90dB sensitivity driven by a Sony DA3000ES receiver.

Thanks.

[vwmule]

You should look at Paradigm as well. Excellent construction and beautiful performance. I've got Monitor 3  (main) and Mini Monitor (rear) sets.

[timewasajoke]

I have been ecstatic about the sound of my Quad L22's but you may be able to pick up some L21's for around $700.

here is the guy i got mine from.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ddspkrfull&1159497816

[BC]

I second the Paradigm recommendation, I was running some reference active 20's for a while and was really happy with them. Paradigms are very neutral in the midrange with a bit of bump in the low end for bass impact.

Some other brands to check out:

Infinity (yes, mass market, but excellently engineered to reasonable price points)
PSB
NHT
Definitive Technology
Klipsch
Usher
Magnepan (planar speakers, unique sound in comparison to cone-and-box types)
Martin Logan (also planar)

audiogon is a lot of fun to poke around, www.audiogon.com

[newscane]

A pair of B&W 602 S3 would sound really nice in a room that size.  For the size and price point I don't think you'll find much as accurate as these.

90dB sensitivity
49Hz-22kHz +-3dB on referance axis

19.3 in H x 9.3 in W x 11.5 in D (B&W also sells a stand for them)

I have a pair of 303s... love them.

[JasonR]

Audiogon is your friend.  I'd ditch requirement #4 and buy used.  Speaker technology moves very slowly, and they depreciate pretty quickly.  A $1200 pair of speakers will set you back like $600 only a few years after they were new, and they've still got many many good years in 'em.  B&W P6 or 603 S3 would be around $600.  I doubt you could get a pair of Martin Logan Aerius for that much unless it was a motivated local seller.  Thiel 1.5?  Vandersteen 2ce or 1b/c (leaving some money to spare)?  Maybe a Totem model 1 and some stands, but these are holding their value unusually well.

Good luck...

- Jason

[dancesonrocks]

Audiogon is your friend.  I'd ditch requirement #4 and buy used.  Speaker technology moves very slowly, and they depreciate pretty quickly.  A $1200 pair of speakers will set you back like $600 only a few years after they were new, and they've still got many many good years in 'em.  B&W P6 or 603 S3 would be around $600.  I doubt you could get a pair of Martin Logan Aerius for that much unless it was a motivated local seller.  Thiel 1.5?  Vandersteen 2ce or 1b/c (leaving some money to spare)?  Maybe a Totem model 1 and some stands, but these are holding their value unusually well.

Good luck...

- Jason

I concur, a Vandy 1C pair is around $700 new, and I"m sure you can get some version of the 2C used for around that price (or lower).  I have a nearly 20 year old pair of 2Cs, and they still sound great, although they are not my primary speaker any longer, they are a classic.

Vandersteens are good if you like a bit more laid-back sound with a good bottom end kick, Thiels are more for folks who like the sound to be a bit more 'in their face', and the Totems are not as forward as the Thiels - and not as laidback as Vandy's, but without the Vandersteen low end.

enjoy,
clay

[Nick's Picks]

maggies / martin logans : take those off your list.  the Sony wont drive them properly.  It can't handle a 4 ohm load, so keep that in mind.

in your price range, and given your desire to go surround in the future, i'd also check out some paradigms.  they sound great, and are reasonably priced.

Me, id go straight to a pair of Von Schweikert VR1 monitors.  they go down to 40hz, image like nobodies business, and are just awesome all around.  I'm sure you can find a used pair in your budget, and still be able to sell them for what you paid for them..even in a year or two, should you desire a change.

audiogon.com

[pfife]

Me, id go straight to a pair of Von Schweikert VR1 monitors.  they go down to 40hz, image like nobodies business, and are just awesome all around.  I'm sure you can find a used pair in your budget, and still be able to sell them for what you paid for them..even in a year or two, should you desire a change.

VR1's are what came to my mind at first too....

Someone suggested Klipsch, but I would make sure that you're looking at their good stuff, and not their mass produced stuff.  I picked up a pair of Heresy II's that were built in 90 or 91, and I love them.  Very crisp, forward, and detailed in the high end (probably from the horn design of the tweeter) but they *need* a sub.  They only go down to 100hz or something like that.  They were $450 used...

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Audiogon is your friend.  I'd ditch requirement #4 and buy used.  Speaker technology moves very slowly, and they depreciate pretty quickly.  A $1200 pair of speakers will set you back like $600 only a few years after they were new, and they've still got many many good years in 'em.  B&W P6 or 603 S3 would be around $600.  I doubt you could get a pair of Martin Logan Aerius for that much unless it was a motivated local seller.  Thiel 1.5?  Vandersteen 2ce or 1b/c (leaving some money to spare)?  Maybe a Totem model 1 and some stands, but these are holding their value unusually well.

Good luck...

- Jason

You can do a search by your zipcode, so you can find stuff close to you.  THat way you can go over and try it out before buying, and it reduces any shipping, etc...

I've used Craig's List as well...

Terry