Speaker Recommendation

 

Jeff B
I just bought an HK receiver and I am looking to pick up my main front speakers. I am currently debating between the Polk R50's and the Bose Series 301. However, I am open to anything with good quality that is in the <$400 range. I would also prefer a wood grain as opposed to black. Any suggestions...???
 

Jeff B
I am also considering the Bose 601 Series IV speakers. Any thoughts there?
 

Berny
Have you listened to both these systems? Looks like you've been shopping at Circuit City ;-) I preferred the sound of the Polks over the 301s. I was really into Bose for a while but I started listening more to other speaker makers and it was an enlightening experience. But if you must, I would go with the 601's as opposed to the 301. The 301s can get really loud but it's very harsh at high volumes. The 601's can handle a better range and it can produce better bass than the 301s. The clarity of Polks are preferrable over Bose, though. Go out and audition more speakers in that price range if you can, you'll be happier.
Let us know what you decide, though.
cheers
 

GT
If you're limited to Circuit City I would look at the RTi series which is on clearance right now. You should be able to get the RTi70 for about $400 for the pair or less. Try to negotiate. I know I saw the RTi38 at my local CC for $90each and the RTi70 at Fry's for $359/pr. The RTi comes in black and cherry and are better sounding speakers than the R50.

If you can shop online or elsewhere look at PSB, Athena, Axiom, Ascend, NHT, Paradigm, Energy, Mirage, etc.

Here's a couple good deals on Mirage speakers that Hawk found. One is in cherry.
http://audioadvisor.com/store/mfglisting.asp?hdnMfg=Mirage&MFGID=256

Here are good quality speakers from Axiom that come in several colors.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22.html

And people rave about the build of these beauties.
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=1.1
 

Jeff B
Thank you both for your advice. I went with the Bose 601's - I found a pretty good deal on them with no shipping fee on J & R. I checked out the RS150's that GT mentioned. I think I will probably go with those for another room of the house that I am adding in a few months. Thanks.
 

Marc Racine
Bose speakers (their whole line) are the most overrated speakers in the world. Bose has a brilliant marketing thing going on to dupe the majority of the population who have very limited knowledge, if any, in the field of acoustics. Bose has been using inferior and outdated components in their speakers for years.(check out their dinosaur cheap paper cone tweaters, for example)
If you want the highest quality speakers for your money, just look to your neighbors to the north, in Canada, and pick up Axioms or Meraks..etc, and the like. Don't laugh, but surveys have indicated that, because of their long winters, and the extra time spent entertaining indoors, Canadians seem to be fussier about the quality of their stereo equipment! There are dozens of high-end speaker manufacturers in northern Ontario, that all benefit from testing their products with the acoustical department of the National Research Council, based in the Capital, Ottawa. These scientists are non-biased and contribute to the development of products far superior to the norm. Most of these manufacturers have fast, cheap shipping and money-back guarantees. Oh! and think of the savings you'll get from Canadian prices! Having sold audio (including Bose) for 30 years+, I have kept myself informed and always been on the lookout the the best stuff(for the lowest price, of course)I just purchased a pair of Merak MT66 after having compared them to speakers up to $1000.00 a pair and they blew me away! I paid about $100.00 US for them at a discount store!!!!!!!
Check these sites out
http://www.axiomaudio.com or
http://www.merakspeakers.com
http://www.mission.co.uk
 

Hawkson
i can second the axiom line

another reason you get so much bang for your buck up in canada is the great dollar advantage- the U.S. dollar gets great exchange rates with the Canadian dollar.

so that effectively drops the price by 150 dollars for the 400 dollar axiom(roughly)

and coincidently the axiom m22ti and m3ti are unbelivable products. just search for any review of the axiom's and you wont be dissapointed

whatever you do, dont get Bose. They used to be good, and now they are just selling you a brand name. Their speakers suck(they dont suck, but they are way to expensive.
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