Need Help Choosing Speakers

[nizzo]

Well, this is my first post in months, its good to be back.

I recently bought a Yamaha RXV-596 receiver and am looking for a good set of speakers to match. I would like to use them for listening to cds and as mains for a HT.

I only want to spend $650-$750 and have been looking at the "audiophile" brands such as Klipsch, Paradigm, NHT...

Any suggestions??? Your help is greatly appreciated.

[This message has been edited by nizzo (edited November 09, 2000).]

[stevevt]

When you say you have been looking at speakers, have you been listening as well? Or just reading?

You should demo as many speakers as you can.

Since you added a "..." after NHT, can I assume that you're also aware of Energy, PSB, B&W, and other brands?

In this price range (as in most price ranges), speakers are a very personal choice. Even if someone has the same receiver as you, and can suggest a good speaker match for it, he probably doesn't have the same room as you, or future considerations (e.g., that a matching center channel and surrounds exist).

-S

[MichaelBlanton]

Be wary of Klipsch. They'll bring as many heated opinions as the Bose brand name. Has to do with their horn tweeters having a nasal sound and most of their bass drivers being ported, and the extreme emphasis on speaker efficiency equating to better sound.
When I was speaker shopping years ago, and looking at 'mid range' speakers (Snell, Vandersteen, Boston Acoustics, Mission, ADS), one common reply I got from all local retailers was to buy any competitor's brand EXCEPT the Klipsch.

I ended up with some large Bostons, and have since bought another pair for home use and three pairs for cars. For the money I firmly believe they are the best speakers made. People who buy them tend to become unusually loyal to the brand.

[Sonic]

I own the Klipsch Reference Series and boy...how much better can it get!

I payed $1,300 for the entire set.

[ZenDog]

Demo, Demo, Demo.....

I can't stress enough how important it is to demo as many different brands as you can and buy what sounds the best to you.

[spacemen3]

paradigm...model : "titans"....go to the nearest dealer, and you will find that these $200 shpeakers blow away $1000 speakers....they are fantastic

[stevevt]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by spacemen3:
paradigm...model : "titans"....go to the nearest dealer, and you will find that these $200 shpeakers blow away $1000 speakers....they are fantastic<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

His budget, for two speakers, is $650-$750.

I don't think Paradigm Titans blow away the $1000 speakers from the companies we've been discussing above (including Paradigm).

-Steve

[nizzo]

Thanks for all your help.

After doing research and auditioning several brands, I think I will try to find a deal on Klipsch KL10's.

[stevef]

Hi, How are ya today?? I'm an long time Polk Audio lover. I've had the same, yes the same, speakers for about 20 years, and they still sound great, with no desire to get rid of them. They're a pair of SDA1-A's, and even though at the time they were pretty expensive, it certainly paid off, I couldn't be happier. In fact I'm so happy with them, that I'm now the proud owner of 8 Polk Audio speakers in my HT system (7.1). They do come in all price ranges, I'd suggest finding a decent dealer and do some serious auditioning. I almost wish I were in the market for new speakers, that's the most fun about putting together a system!! Enjoy it, don't dread it. Be very cautious as to what you buy, make sure you're happy with them and don't let 'anyone' steer you in the wrong direction, 'YOU' have to be the one who likes them. Also, I've previously owned M&K speakers, and they too were very excellent speakers.They'd be second on my list of possibilities. I'm not saying there aren't a lot of very good candidates out there, that's what makes it so difficult to chose. Polk's have very good dynamics, clean and have very good midrange, I think that's probably one of the things I love about them so much, it 'is' the one element of good sound that 'many' speakers seriously lack. So there's my word of advice!! No I don't get paid by Polk to advertise!! I just love the company and they stand behing their product BIG time. They've helped me out with blown tweeters many times, NOT to the speakers fault I might add. Ggod luck. Peace SteveF

[artichell]

Hi nizzo for someone who can not afford this big huge system like myself i decided to go with the Energy take 5 speaker system. I read that for the price you pay you cant get a better deal. They were ranked number 1 in canada and the usa for the money. Yes we would all like the dream home theather system but i think we all live in la la land somedays. Well if you wish to spend alittle more money there is the Energy Encore speaker system aswell. go to Energy-speakers.com and check them out.

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Justy

[bjhess]

Well,

This may be too late, but I'd highly suggest MB Quart. I have a full C series system (C 400) fronts, but I think that the S series would be great for your needs and price range, they're a little more expensive and a little better made. Go to http://www.mbquart.com to find a dealer. Take a listen and you'll be impressed.

The best feature of this setup is the highs...provided by titanium tweeters that can really pierce and are oh so clear. I very much preferred these to the Klipsch speakers that I was initially looking into. I felt the titanium provided a more defined and true high range. The other ranges are great, too, by the way. And the speakers are very well built.

I don't think you can buy these on the internet, though. E-mail me with any questions.

Good luck,

Barry

[Frank S]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Be wary of Klipsch. They'll bring as many heated opinions as the Bose brand name. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
To even suggest Klipsch speakers are in the Bose "You just got screwed" catagory is one of the most ludicrous statements I have heard in a long time! Klipsch by no means are anywhere near as maligned (rightfully so) as Bose speakers are!

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My DVD/LD List (http://members.fortunecity.com/fslove/frank.htm)
My Home Theater Equipment (http://members.fortunecity.com/fslove/)

[M i c h a e l]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by nizzo:
Thanks for all your help.

After doing research and auditioning several brands, I think I will try to find a deal on Klipsch KL10's.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Just curious, which models did you audition
against the Klipsch?

Any of these?
http://www.goodsound.com/speakers.html

[PoorBoy]

In that price range I would stay away from Klipsch as well. Don't get me wrong, Klipsch made some awesome speakers in the day and a horn tweeter sounds awesome driving home theater at you, but often an overkill for home theater. Klipsch speakers are better suited (in my opinion) for larger rooms and party speakers. They get great bass response and can play loud as crap but just don't have the subtlety and sound of a finer speaker. From all my shopping/reading here's the speakers I'd consider.

Monitor Audio Silver 5i - My FIRST choice, excellant bass response for home theater, very smooth sound and beautiful cabinetry. A little more than youre budget, but a good deal can be had for about $700.

[b]Paradigm Monitor 7[b] - My dad has had these for over 3 years now and they never cease to amaze me. In my opinion the best buy in speakers today.

[b]NHT [b]- Audition some. I'm unfamiliar with the new line, but I'm still NHT loyal. They make great speakers.

In your range those are what I'd go with. But as it was said: "Audition audition audition". Your ear is the only thing that matters when your the one dishing out the money. Most speakers from those manufacturers (B&W, Paradigm, NHT, Boston, Vandersteen, Monitor, etc. etc.) will sound great as you listen, but they all will have completely different sounds to them. I audiotion PSB, ADS, and two other brands side by side off the same amp and they all sounded so different it blew my mind, you have to choose what you like best! I still preferred my Von's over all of them.

[FiveO]

It all comes down to personal preference. Demo...demo...demo....like a previous post said. What ever sounds good to you. I personally love Polk Audio and just bought a set of RT1000p's with the built in subs. I also just purchased the very large CS400i center channel. I love the Polk's and thats my choice. I got a deal on the RT1000's for $750 for the pair.

Mark www.dvdtracker.com/~lastsho (http://www.dvdtracker.com/~lastsho)

[Coop]

I agree with the people saying demo as many as possible. I own a pair of Klipsch that I bought in college about 10 years ago. Trust me, those speakers went through the wars and they're still going strong. Sound is personal preference. Some people shy away from Klipsch before of their horn technology. I love 'em. If they blew up today I would say i got my money's worth.

[Coop]

before = because