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New member Username: ArchguyPost Number: 1 Registered: Jul-05 | I need new main speakers for my Onkyo TX-DS484 receiver and I have about $300 to spend. The room is huge - about 20' x 14' adjoined by a 12' x 12' dining room. Both have wood floors so there are not many absorbent surfaces. It's also an apartment, so I don't want to drive my neighbors nuts and I'm not at all a basshead anyway. My main interest is in listening to music with the occasional DVD. I already have a cheapo set of generic rear and center channel speakers that were thrown is as a bonus with the receiver and that I plan on keeping for now. What I'm really trying to decide is between the following options and which speakers would fit my budget within each option: 1. Floorstanders without sub 2. Bookshelves with sub 3. Bookshelves without sub (if I can get away with it in such a large room...and perhaps add the sub later). |
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Silver Member Username: JimvmLouisiana U.S.A. Post Number: 111 Registered: Apr-05 | Given your budget, I really don't think you're going to be able to get decent floorstanders or decent bookshelves with a decent sub. I think, if I were in your shoes, I'd try the third option. Give a listen to the Paradigm Mini Monitors. Their MSRP is $399 but you can probably get a new pair from an authorized dealer for $340 plus tax. They are, for their size and price, very robust speakers and IMO have an excellent sound. They are not very big but will, I believe, fill the room as well as anything you can buy at that price and size. You can add a sub later. Some will tell you that speakers that size cannot fill a 14' x 20' room that is open to other rooms. That's what many, including my salesman, told me when I wanted to buy my Paradigm Studio 20's. They are small speakers too and my room is 18' x 18' x 12' also open to other rooms. The 20's fill the room quite nicely. So, I really think that you could give the Mini Monitors a try. See if your dealer will allow you to audition them in your home. BTW, welcome to the forum. |
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KBear Unregistered guest | Two other possibilities: A bit of a cheaper option might be the Energy Connoisseur C-1, $280 at one store in Toronto. I've got that on my mini system, but it is a small room, about 12' by 12' with no adjoining room. It fills the room with sound very well and could certainly fill a bigger room, not sure about your space though. But I have found that these speakers really do need a sub as low frequencies sound boomy. They are front ported which is good for my small room but you may not need. Judging by most opinions the Paradigms are likely superior overall. Alternatively, people rave about Axiom speakers and they get very good reviews. The M3ti is $360Cdn and has a 6.5 inch woofer vs. the Energy's 5.5. So that would certainly help. You can only buy direct from Axiom, which isn't bad as it allows you to get better value than buying retail. |
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Anonymous | I think www.fluance.com is what you may be looking for. |
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Silver Member Username: Timn8terSeattle, WA USA Post Number: 325 Registered: Dec-03 | Another possibility: http://www.us.alegriaaudio.com/LingSingle.htm |
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Anonymous | Athena ASF2.2 floorstandards. Good efficient speakers perfect for large rooms. No sub needed. Can be had at audioadviser.com for around $400/pair with no sales tax or shipping charges. |
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Silver Member Username: EdisonGlendale, CA US Post Number: 787 Registered: Dec-03 | https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-audio/149525.html |
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Rusin Unregistered guest | You might want to consider used speakers on your budget. I have a pair of Pioneer HPM 100's, made in the late 70's, that are very efficient and can easily fill a large room with quality sound. You can find them on ebay for about $250.00 plus shipping, e.g.:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem%26item%3D5790640928&category=50597 %26%26 They weigh in at over 60 pounds - so be sure to check that the shipping charges are fair. Take a look at the audio karma web site and audioreview.com. Many people still love these speakers for a very good reason - they sound great. No need for subs either. They can be used as floor standers but sound best on stands (I used to use milk crates in my college days). If you find a clean pair at or below $250 you won't be disappointed. I doubt you could get anything new at that price that could come close to the Hpm's. They were made in the day when Pioneer was in competition with JBL for making state of the art monitors. Good luck! |
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Anonymous | How about these: http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3986020 They look "high end" and are floor standing. Sony and Pioneer both make inexpensive type towers that you can find at your big box stores. I think the towers are the best choice. Book shelf speakers do sound great but will also require stands, that means extra $$$. And book shelf speakers are better paired with a powered sub. You might check this sub out, a friend of mine got one and it is not bad for the money: http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4022141 Pair it up with some book shelf speakers and your set! Just a few ideas! |
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Silver Member Username: EdisonGlendale, CA US Post Number: 815 Registered: Dec-03 | https://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/forum/home-audio/145226.html http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=1171468 |