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Post by Trapperpeak77 on Oct 21, 2013 13:31:36 GMT -5
Hey all,
i just purchased an emotiva mini-x amp to drive my audio technica at-lp120-usb turntable (with built in preamp). The mini-x will be used exclusively for listening to vinyl. I am putting together a budget hifi setup and could use some advice on choosing good budget speakers. My budget is $250 for a pair.
Here are the best options I've found (amp is 50w/ch 8ohm or 80 w/ch 4ohm:
1. Emotiva XRM 6.1 X-Ref Monitors, 4 ohm, 86dB sensitivity (on sale for $249/pair, not many reviews avail.)
2. Polk monitor 40 or 45s, 8ohm, 89dB sensitivity ($129) plus a Dayton 12" sub 1200 ($129)
3. Andrew Jones designed Pioneer Floor standing speakers SP-FS52, 6 ohm, 87 dB sensitivity ($125 each)
After getting speakers, I plan to add a sub and then upgrade preamp. Let me know what you'd recommend or provide other suggestions. Cheers!
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hemster
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Particle Manufacturer
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Post by hemster on Oct 21, 2013 13:41:03 GMT -5
Emotiva XRM 6.1 X-Ref monitors sound amazing IMHO.
Also, Pioneer SP-BS22-LR monitor speakers (also designed by Andrew Jones) were featured in Stereophile Magazine, in the July, 2013 issue and got a rave review. I'd take those over the floor-standers.
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Post by Trapperpeak77 on Oct 21, 2013 13:46:31 GMT -5
I forgot to mention room size and use. My audio setup is in my basement, a large room, and I'm looking for speakers where directionality isn't super important. I mainly listen at moderate volume. Cheers!
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Post by garbulky on Oct 21, 2013 13:50:16 GMT -5
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Post by jmasterj on Oct 21, 2013 15:34:17 GMT -5
Hi and welcome to the forum.
I think you have some good choices on your list. The forum members have given you some good choices as well. All of the speakers listed that are within your price range I think are good. I'm planning to purchase a pair of bookshelf speakers myself next month, and I've looked at a few of the ones mentioned here. The EMPtek E5Bi is on my short list. Andrew here on the forum gave them a real good review. He suggested that they were a excellent value, and a good starting point for Bookshelf speakers. I don't know what your equipment will be sitting on, so I'll just mention, if you go with bookshelf speakers keep in mind that you might have to purchase a pair of speaker stands. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
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Post by dally on Oct 21, 2013 15:49:15 GMT -5
I would recommend looking on eBay or Craigs list for some nice used klipsch speakers. These are very efficient and should sound great with the mini-x.
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Post by d1sturb3d on Oct 21, 2013 23:27:52 GMT -5
omni speakers are expensive (check the entry level of duevel called planets)..so your choice is the usual bookshelf speakers (directional)..anyway I have a pair of wharfe dentons driven by the mini-x..also, will you have some space at the back when you place your speakers?..rear-port speakers tends to be boomy if not placed correctly..you might want to check sealed speakers too
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Post by gohantanch on Oct 21, 2013 23:41:29 GMT -5
Emotiva XRM 6.1 X-Ref monitors sound amazing IMHO. Also, Pioneer SP-BS22-LR monitor speakers (also designed by Andrew Jones) were featured in Stereophile Magazine, in the July, 2013 issue and got a rave review. I'd take those over the floor-standers. I have the pioneer towers in a guest room HT and they sound great, but they are not the most efficient pair of speakers. |
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hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,951
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Post by hemster on Oct 21, 2013 23:48:26 GMT -5
Emotiva XRM 6.1 X-Ref monitors sound amazing IMHO. Also, Pioneer SP-BS22-LR monitor speakers (also designed by Andrew Jones) were featured in Stereophile Magazine, in the July, 2013 issue and got a rave review. I'd take those over the floor-standers. I have the pioneer towers in a guest room HT and they sound great, but they are not the most efficient pair of speakers. The towers are good but the SP-BS22 monitors are very good indeed. The mini-X will keep them busy quite productively, IMHO. |
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Post by gohantanch on Oct 22, 2013 10:04:15 GMT -5
I have the pioneer towers in a guest room HT and they sound great, but they are not the most efficient pair of speakers. The towers are good but the SP-BS22 monitors are very good indeed. The mini-X will keep them busy quite productively, IMHO. INDEED! Mmmyess! They do sound good for what you pay. |
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Post by pallpoul on Oct 22, 2013 19:41:43 GMT -5
I would appreciate it if anybody has any experience with the mini x driving a pair of klipsch icon w 35 f/s speakers ?
I have bigger emotive amps, but I need to audio sensing wake up function in the mini x.
Any advise on driving F/S speakers with the Mini X?
Thanks
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Post by gohantanch on Oct 22, 2013 21:24:40 GMT -5
I would appreciate it if anybody has any experience with the mini x driving a pair of klipsch icon w 35 f/s speakers ? I have bigger emotive amps, but I need to audio sensing wake up function in the mini x. Any advise on driving F/S speakers with the Mini X? Thanks Klipsch are super efficient so it would stand to reason that it would drive them pretty well. |
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Post by Trapperpeak77 on Oct 22, 2013 23:29:28 GMT -5
Thanks guys for all the great prompt feedback. This forum is awesome. I am leaning toward the Cambridge SoundWorks Model Six bookshelves due to his high sensitivity of 90dB, and 8" woofers. Do you guys think the Emotiva XRM 6.1 X-Ref monitors would sound that much better for twice the price? The XRMs do run at 4 ohm impedance, which would give me 30 more watts per channel.
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Post by plm on Oct 22, 2013 23:59:50 GMT -5
Also, Pioneer SP-BS22-LR monitor speakers (also designed by Andrew Jones) were featured in Stereophile Magazine, in the July, 2013 issue and got a rave review. I'd take those over the floor-standers. I snagged a pair of these from Best Buy for $89 the other week, purely on a whim because of the Andrew Jones design and the strength of the reviews. I figured I'd try them in the bedroom system and take them back if I didn't like them. I'm seriously thinking about grabbing another pair to use in my office now because they're so good. A Mini-X would probably be a great companion amp for these. |
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Post by garbulky on Oct 23, 2013 1:12:20 GMT -5
Thanks guys for all the great prompt feedback. This forum is awesome. I am leaning toward the Cambridge SoundWorks Model Six bookshelves due to his high sensitivity of 90dB, and 8" woofers. Do you guys think the Emotiva XRM 6.1 X-Ref monitors would sound that much better for twice the price? The XRMs do run at 4 ohm impedance, which would give me 30 more watts per channel. I think you will be happy either way.... Caveat: as long as you realize that you won't be getting miracles. I still second the Tekton mini-lore (m-lore) that I linked to earlier. Though much pricier, it will save you wanting to upgrade your setup down the road because it may not have some quality that you yearn for. Having owned most of my speakers in that price range, and upgrading sources and speakers over a decade, I speak from experience. It was long and costly and I wish I would have avoided the small numerous incremental upgrades which cost me significantly more in the long run. BTW, if you have a computer/laptop and want to listen to vintage music via youtube (they have a GREAT selection), online radio, or have some CD's you want to play off it, this will work like a charm and connect easily to the mini-x really improving sound quality with your computer setup. Cost: $30 www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382508265&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+DAC |
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Post by Trapperpeak77 on Oct 23, 2013 9:41:33 GMT -5
Can anyone else vouch for the Emotiva XRM 6.1 X-Ref monitors? I'm willing to pay double for them if they're worth it!
Garbulky- the m lores look bad a**, but I don't have the coin.
Cheers
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Post by Andrew Robinson on Oct 23, 2013 9:51:45 GMT -5
Can anyone else vouch for the Emotiva XRM 6.1 X-Ref monitors? I'm willing to pay double for them if they're worth it! Garbulky- the m lores look bad a**, but I don't have the coin. Cheers Why do you have to pay double for them? At $249/pair I'd say they're most assuredly "worth it". |
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Post by Trapperpeak77 on Oct 23, 2013 11:44:02 GMT -5
I meant that they are double the cost of the pioneers, polks, and Cambridge soundworks options.
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Post by drtrey3 on Oct 23, 2013 11:56:46 GMT -5
I own a pair of the XRM 6.1s and paid more than you will! I listen to them every day in my den as I am doing computer work or ripping files to the computer. I really enjoy them a lot. I have not heard the other speakers mentioned, but I have read about them and think that they are worth your consideration as well. I am most happy with my 6.1s but I am listening near field close in to them.
Trey
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Post by garbulky on Oct 23, 2013 12:12:29 GMT -5
Can anyone else vouch for the Emotiva XRM 6.1 X-Ref monitors? I'm willing to pay double for them if they're worth it! Garbulky- the m lores look bad a**, but I don't have the coin. Cheers I understand. I hope either speakers are fantastic! Your amp should do very well with either. |
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