bardo
Minor Hero
Posts: 22
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Post by bardo on Mar 28, 2011 14:48:35 GMT -5
ok, my first post. i've been reading these forums for awhile and have found them very informative. i'm in the process of searching for new towers for my current system.
a little about my situation. i'm in my early 30's and still choking on student loans while trying to save for my first house... so i'm on a very tight budget. my current system is pretty Frankenstein with pieces i've accumulated since college... not the greatest quality by any means. i just need a little help with ideas and i'll give some info as that might make this easier.
right now, i have some cheap large towers that musically sound terrible. i have a decent infinity center channel. for subs i have a jbl s1s and a Velodyne DLS5000R (these are more HT than musical IMO). my surrounds are a mixture of a few cheap dayton B652 bookshelves, a small cheap Jensen tower, and Miller & Kreisel satellites. my receiver is a denon 3805 and i'm using an older denon 3801 to power additional surrounds/cheap fronts and a 2nd center channel. the 2nd denon really isn't needed, just used for more movie oomph.
currently, this is used 95% HT and 5% music. i rarely listen to music because of the poor stereo sound quality. i'm happy with my subs, my center, and surrounds for movies, but i would like a decent pair of fronts for music, and that's where i'd like some help from this community. i have a pretty big open room for now, but will only be at my current house for another 2 or 3 years, i have no idea what my next man-cave will look like.
i'm on a tight budget and and would be interested in something in the $600-900 range. this would include an amp if it were needed.
i mainly listen to bands such as the dave matthews band, jack johnson, audioslave, stone temple pilots, etc. i'm looking for the best speaker i can get. i do enjoy deep, tight, crisp bass. imaging, sound stage, and clarity also important. i do like to listen to it loud as well.
i originally thought about trying some maggie MMG's and getting an EMO UPA-2, but i'm not sure if the UPA-2 will have enough power for loud listening or if the maggies would be great for the type of music i listen to. i just can't afford the xpa-2. i do love the sound of some of the maggies i've listened to. i know i have a 60-day trial with the mmg's, but i would need to take a plunge for an amp as well and i'd rather not if it likely won't be the right fit. my older denon 3801 will supposedly output 210W for 2ch in 4 ohms, but i'm not sure if i'd trust that over a UPA-2.
so, are there any ideas out there as to a speaker in that price range for the music i listen to that my denon could adequately power? or perhaps a speaker/amp combo in that price range? i really can't go over that budget, and that's set in stone. any help would be greatly appreciated. i know a little about audio but i'm pretty much a noob. small words appreciated! ;D
thanks to whoever can suggest anything!
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NorthStar
Seeker Of Truth
"And it stoned me to my soul" - Van Morrison
Posts: 0
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 28, 2011 14:57:29 GMT -5
Hi Bardo and welcome to the Lounge! Best is to go out there and audition as many speakers as you can! You'll know which ones will be for you... Speakers are very personal, they are like a woman you are going to spend some serious time with, and you have to try them first! ;D
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bardo
Minor Hero
Posts: 22
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Post by bardo on Mar 28, 2011 15:06:09 GMT -5
thanks for the welcome!
i absolutely will go out test-driving, i was just hoping for a few speaker ideas to narrow my search or to look for something i may not have thought to find. i know this is absolutely 100% subjective, as someone's trash is someone else's treasure. just looking for ideas on what to try. more to steer me in the right direction. thanks again for your reply
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NorthStar
Seeker Of Truth
"And it stoned me to my soul" - Van Morrison
Posts: 0
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 28, 2011 15:28:20 GMT -5
Yes but we don't know what speakers are available in your area, right? Maggies are a good idea! Check them out for sure; but remember that they need room behind and on the sides. Some people here luv their Mirage OMD speakers. Others luv Salk speakers. Others are happy with their Emotiva speakers. Others like Paradigm speakers (Reference Signature series). Other good names: Dynaudio, Revel, B&W, Thiel, PSB, Totem Acoustic, KEF, Sonus Faber, Usher, Vandersteen, Vienna Acoustics, ...just to name few.
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Post by hotmailjbc on Mar 28, 2011 16:03:30 GMT -5
hi, i have mmgs with xpa-2,usp-1 and erc-1. i use them in a room 16 x 12 and2 velodyne subs. this system works very well and has great musical presence and detail. my advice is don,t get the mmg's without the right mix of electronics. my second idea is look for some good used electronics and some used high effeciency towers that will meet your needs. i have a second system with mbquart towers and there are times i enjoy them more on rock and alt country than i do the magnepans. good luck
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Post by flamingeye on Mar 28, 2011 16:26:17 GMT -5
Well I know most around here don`t seam to care for Klipsch , but I love them and they do not take much power to get major SPL and there towers with the 8" or better yet 10" woofers produce good full bass and on ebay you can get them for a pretty good price or go on there forum , but yes auditioning as many as you can is the best way to go and also what Bob has listed are very good , good luck
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NorthStar
Seeker Of Truth
"And it stoned me to my soul" - Van Morrison
Posts: 0
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 28, 2011 16:29:16 GMT -5
About Martin Logan speakers?
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Post by SteveB on Mar 28, 2011 17:10:36 GMT -5
Here's an idea, take advantage of the spring sale and try a pair of Emotiva ERM 6.2's with a UPA-2 for $827. Use the subs you have now for the low end. The 6.2's are a nice sounding speaker.
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Post by aboroth00 on Mar 28, 2011 17:48:46 GMT -5
Hey there,
My first question is: where are you located? My first suggestion for those on a budget and looking for value is to assess the local craigslist and audiogon listings in the area. Used is always the way to go especially when looking for ABSOLUTE value.
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bardo
Minor Hero
Posts: 22
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Post by bardo on Mar 28, 2011 17:58:41 GMT -5
Portland, Oregon.
Thanks for the ideas folks. I'll research a lot of these and try and get some demo's in. I do plan on scouring audiogon for whatever I decide.
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Post by BillBauman on Mar 28, 2011 18:38:34 GMT -5
Portland, Oregon. Thanks for the ideas folks. I'll research a lot of these and try and get some demo's in. I do plan on scouring audiogon for whatever I decide. What's your time frame for buying? I spend a good deal of time in Portland, OR. If you're interested, it might be fun for me to come along for some listening. I also have a pair of UPA-1's and an XDA-1 waiting for me when I return if you're interested in hearing any of that.
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xki
Emo VIPs
Gwack!
Posts: 1,756
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Post by xki on Mar 28, 2011 18:43:53 GMT -5
Portland, Oregon. Thanks for the ideas folks. I'll research a lot of these and try and get some demo's in. I do plan on scouring audiogon for whatever I decide. Dang! That's too far away. I could easily undercut your price range and possibly make you a Klipsch convert! Good luck and welcome to the forum!!!!!
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jlafrenz
Global Moderator
I don't want to jump in, unless this music's thumping
Posts: 7,722
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Post by jlafrenz on Mar 28, 2011 22:28:48 GMT -5
Well I know most around here don`t seam to care for Klipsch , but I love them and they do not take much power to get major SPL and there towers with the 8" or better yet 10" woofers produce good full bass and on ebay you can get them for a pretty good price or go on there forum , but yes auditioning as many as you can is the best way to go and also what Bob has listed are very good , good luck I was also thinking that some Klipsch might be a good idea in this situation. A pair of RF-62/82's with a UPA-2 should work well. Obviously I own Monitor Audio and like them so I would suggest some used RS6's. Really there are tons of choices. Demoing is a great way to get an idea of what you like and what's in your price range.
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Post by aboroth00 on Mar 28, 2011 23:54:09 GMT -5
If you're into HT and would like to shy away from a music minded setup, I'd scrap all inefficient speakers and go with very efficient speakers along the lines of Klipsch and Infinity.
I know Infinity isn't quite in favor with the big boys nowadays, but at the price and their construction usually strictly aimed at HT, I can wholeheartedly recommend them for your purposes. Just for simplicity's sake, I'd also shy away from separates for the time being if you do intend to get efficient speakers, a good receiver should do the job.
If you can get a pair of Infinity Betas, PSB Images, or Klipsch Reference, they'd probably suit you very well. Of course, I'm an Infinity fan, from vintage to new, so I'm probably biased toward them, but for HT, they can be found very cheap and they're no slouches with music as well. All of the speakers noted do not need a separate amp if coupled with a 50watt/ch receiver or more.
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bardo
Minor Hero
Posts: 22
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Post by bardo on Mar 29, 2011 21:51:37 GMT -5
thanks everyone for your input. i really appreciate the help.
bill, i'm in no hurry to buy anything, but generally i'm out of town every weekend and i work long workdays. work is sometimes busy, sometimes slow, and i was planning on doing some demo'ing whenever i can get away from work and that only gives me a moment's notice usually. feel free to pm me if you'll be in town, it'll just be difficult to plan anything.
i probably won't buy anything for a year or so. i'm in no rush. i plan on taking my time and seeing what's out there. whatever i get, will likely be my last major upgrade for quite some time. i do plan on at least trying out the MMG's down the road and see how it goes. if after the break-in period they are what do it for me, i'll keep them. if it turns out i don't have the cohones to run them properly, i'll go for something i've found in the interim.
whatever i get, i'm mainly going for something that works well for 2ch music. i'm not too worried about the HT aspect as i'll keep one of my two current towers as they both still do quite well with movies and i have the space and set-up to do it. so this upgrade is for a 2nd pair of towers for music purposes only. (it'll do HT duties too, but they won't be the only fronts)
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Post by Matt193 on Mar 29, 2011 22:30:29 GMT -5
whatever i get, will likely be my last major upgrade for quite some time. Sure, whatever you have to tell yourself! I was in the same boat as you about two years ago. I was auditioning many of the same speakers that have been suggested to you. I ended up buying my Vandersteens because they sound good (to me), can play full range nicely with out a sub, can be driven by a AVR, and last but not least can be found reasonably on the used market. The few downsides of them are that they are not very efficient, they aren't very pretty, and the matching center and surrounds are expensive. I think your on the right track and the key to success is taking your time, have fun with this, and be comfortable with your decision.
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Post by BillBauman on Mar 30, 2011 7:44:22 GMT -5
bardo, when I am around, I can usually be pretty flexible. Do you know what shops you're planning to look into?
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Post by leog2010 on Mar 30, 2011 22:31:22 GMT -5
Hi Bardo,
If I were you, I`ll try to get the best speaker possible. I`d keep the 3805, and buy an amp later. I was doing a search in Audiogon, and found this options for you:
Swan Diva 4.2 $799.00 (new) Swan Diva 6.2 $789.00 (used) Usher V-604 $995 (demos) Thiel CS1.5 $800.00 (used) Def Tech BP2000 TL $950.00 (used) Paradigm Studio 60 v3 $950 (used) Paradigm Monitor 90p $1000 (used) Paradigm Studio 80 v2 $675.00 (used) Monitor Audio Silver 9i $750 (used) Monitor Audio Rx6 $900 (used) Jamo 507 $525.00 (used) Audio Physics Tempo iii $900.00 (used) Revel F12 $999.00 (demos) Tannoy Dc6t Revolution $849.00 (used) B6W 804 Matrix $795.00 (used) Kef Reference 2 $575.00 (used)
The ones in bold are my suggestions, but as everybody is saying, you have to hear for yourself.
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Post by leog2010 on Mar 30, 2011 23:05:47 GMT -5
Also, I`d consider keeping the Velodyne, and buy a pair of good monitors, like this ones:
Revel M20 $795.00 (used) Dynaudio DM 2/10 $950 (new) Focal JM Lab Chorus 806v $625 (used) Focal JM Lab Chorus 807v $800 (used) etc, etc, etc.
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bardo
Minor Hero
Posts: 22
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Post by bardo on Apr 1, 2011 1:04:21 GMT -5
thanks again for all the suggestions. you're all going to keep me pretty busy.
i have a total newbie question that will probably get a few chuckles. so, my old receiver that used to power my jbl s1s passive sub died so a few years ago i found the cheapest amp i could to power it. i didn't care about quality because it was going to only be used for a sub and in bridged mode it "supposedly" hits the 600W my S1S is rated at.
how good, or more likely, how crappy are pyle pro amps? i have the prz3000. the fan is pretty stinking loud and annoying at low volumes, but at moderate volumes it disappears. pyle pro claims this amp will hit 320W x 2 in 4ohm, but i'm not sure i trust them. generally, how accurate are claims like that? should it be close? would it be closer to 100W or much lower?
... this is kinda fun learning about all this stuff
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