deadlax

Trying to upgrade my setup.

I just parted ways with a kenwood receiver I purchased for a small apartment in 03. Replaced it with a Pioneer VSX-1020-K.

I'm in the process of replacing some small bookshelves now that I have a large (almost 500 square foot) living room. I need two floorstanding speakers (to fill space) and a center channel. Trying to keep my budget under $800 for the three speakers (not going 5.1 at this time, and not an option).

Any suggestions of strong values at low prices?

Thanks in advance.

shelland

I love my Paradigm Monitor 7s, but I think they would run closer to $1000 with a center. But I've had them for about 7 years, so haven't priced them lately.

Spiky

What do you mean, "to fill space"? Tower speakers are not necessarily louder or more powerful than bookshelf models. It depends on what you are looking at.

deadlax

thanks for the replies.

i meant to fill physical space in the room. Most stands that give the same look add on to my budget in ways I can't afford right now.

These are purely HT speakers. I've got some Soliloquy 5.0 bookshelves and a different set up for music.

Sdallnct

So your basing your buying purchase on filling physical space? Got to admit, that is a first.

If your on a budget, compact speakers give you more bang for your buck. The bigger the cabinet the more difficult it is to control. Good floor standing speakers are VERY expensive. Don't believe me? Look at the usual list of usual suspects; KEF, B&W, Canton, Definitive Technology, etc. It is very difficult to make a large cabinet out of good quality material and keep it under control on a budget. There are certain advantages to a small speaker. Many small speaker are simple to mount to a wall so no need to spend money on stands. In addition, many floor standing speakers need to be pulled away from the wall. So you will need that room you have.

But, if I wanted to buy a pair of floor standing speakers and had less than a grand to spend. This would be on my short list. But I wouldn't drive them with a Pioneer receiver. As a matter of fact, doubt a Pioneer receiver could handle them.



Pretty sure they are under $700 and last time I had an opportunity to listen to them I was very, very impressed. I see they have a new model under a grand for a pair, but I know nothing about those. A matching CC will surely put you over your budget.

If you were to reconsider and go with compact speakers, you would have a lot more options. And I'd argue have a likely chance for better sound (given you are on a budget. If you had unlimited funds and room, then sure you may get better sound out of floor standing)

Sdallnct

I'm not a Polk fan (never have been, but they have a big following). This seems like it meets your criteria and low enough that you might be able to finish out your entire system close to your budget. And even tho not a fan, I'd probably take these over most of the inexpensive floor standing at Best Buy for example. I know the Monitor series has a lot of options, so you should be able to find matching CC and surrounds reasonable. And yes, you do want to match. They don't have to be the exact same speaker obviously, but you want them to match. So that usually means the same brand and series for all speakers.

Polk Audio Monitor 70 Black Floorstanding loudspeaker $153 Shipped
Newegg

Polk Audio Monitor 70 Black Floorstanding loudspeaker [newegg.com]

$220 - $70 Code EMCYSZS24
= $150 + $2.99 S/H

Lowest price so far?
Was $180

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290015

(Deal stolen from Slickdeals)

Do some checking but I think this is the "matching" CC

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-024-_-Product

Seems like a good deal for all 3 for roughly $400 shipped!

Hummm since we are playing.....

You could add this very nice sub and still be at you $800 budget. Tho you would still need surrounds

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

These should work for surrounds (need coupon code)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-010-_-Product

Or save $30 or so...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-094-_-Product

And you could save a $100 by getting the base HSU sub,

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

So...some options....I'd skip the Polk Sub and get HSU. Even if your budget only allows for the base HSU sub. I'd take the base HSU over the Polks that cost more money.

redrum

Polk Audio Monitor 70s

deadlax

thanks for the help. i've already got a sub, but this looks perfect, thanks.

Sdallnct

What sub?

Spiky

Oh no you didn't!

Sdallnct

You know what's coming next don't you! LMAO!!

Artman

I'm debating between the Polk 60's and 70's. I'm sure the 60's would be sufficient (I live in a townhome) but part of me wants those 70's... lol. Has anyone compared them? Is there a deal for the 60's at the moment?