$1000 speakers or $5000

[cka69335]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first posting, and I am totally confused on the type of speaker to purchase. First of all there is the wife, that does't see the need for "expensive" speakers. I've been looking at the B&W's 604's and the Klipsch 82's. I personally heard the Klipsch (sounds great like a listening to a live show), but have not hear the B&W's. I heard more about the B&W's than the Klipsch, and wanted to know is there anyone out there that could help me with this disission :confused: I'm also open to other speakers out there. My budget per the wife :o is about $1000 - $1200. Or should I push it to the limit and get more epensive speakers >$1500:eek: . Below is my current set up...

Please Help me!!


Emotiva Ultra Theater Series
Boston Acoustics VR1's -- Fronts
Boston Acoustics VRC -- Center
Boston Acoustics DSi485 -- In-ceiling speaker
Polk 505 -- Sub

[ParadigmDawg]

The 1-1.5K mark leaves you a lot of good choices. The only way to find a speaker is to listen for yourself. Try to find as many in your price range and go audition them. Here is a list of my favorite most of which I auditioned 3 months ago.
Paradigm studio series
Warefedale Evo series
PSB Image series
KEF IQ series
Monitor Audio RS series
Ascend CMT-340
AV123 Rockets
Aperion Intimus 633

If you like the sound of the BAs you may just want to upgrade to a nice SVS sub and watch your system come to life.
__________________

[billy p]

The 1-1.5K mark leaves you a lot of good choices. The only way to find a speaker is to listen for yourself. Try to find as many in your price range and go audition them. Here is a list of my favorite most of which I auditioned 3 months ago.
Paradigm studio series
Warefedale Evo series
PSB Image series
KEF IQ series
Monitor Audio RS series
Ascend CMT-340
AV123 Rockets
Aperion Intimus 633

If you like the sound of the BAs you may just want to upgrade to a nice SVS sub and watch your system come to life.
__________________

Hey Greg, I know you choose the Digms! The balance of speakers that followed in that list, where they in order of preference. There are some decent speakers on that list and I am just curious.

Billy p

[Hipnotic4]

Dont buy speakers based on your max budget...just because speakers cost alot do not mean they will sound good. (Just look at bose. Nuff said.)

What you should do is first figure out what the speakers will primarly be used for. Then do some research and read reviews on what speakers people reccomend for stereo or HT or both..whatever you need em for

..Then once you narrow down some choices..try to audition some speakers and figure what type of sound your after.

I know money does play a huge role, but just because you have 5g limit doesnt mean you wont be happy with speakers in the 800 dollar range..

[mazersteven]

If it was me, I think I would up-grade that Polk sub first. I believe you would hear a difference in your current system with a better sub.

www.svsound.com

www.hsuresearch.com

PSB SubSeries 6i

http://www.psbspeakers.com/product.php?pId=25&sId=5

Martin Logan Abyss

http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/abyss.html

Martin Logan Dynamo

http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/dynamo.html

Rocket UFW-10 Subwoofer

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=1.1

[ParadigmDawg]

No balance on the list. It came down to the MAs, Rockets and the Digms for me.

Hey Greg, I know you choose the Digms! The balance of speakers that followed in that list, where they in order of preference. There are some decent speakers on that list and I am just curious.

Billy p

[Haoleb]

Check out the Axiom M80's too. Or even M60 depending on your room size.

[highfihoney]

The reason you hear more about b&w is that they advertise very heavily, to the point of market saturation,they build nice speakers & are 100% quality but you gotta remember that a company that advertises as heavily as b&w puts all the advertising dollars spent tword the price of the speaker,thats a whole lotta mark up for advertising hype,also i think there are much better sounding speakers on the market over b&w products,im a former b&w owner.

If you liked the Klipsch why are you questioning your own judgement,from my experience in audio first impressions are the most accurate of all,if you hear a speaker that sounds great right off the bat then it is great, but if you hear a model that the salesman blames the bad sound on the room or something else that is lacking then pass on that model.

Unless you have the ability to hear any other speaker your thinking about buying i'd take a big pass on the other models & stick with the Klipsch,you've heard em & liked em its a win win situation.

[tomahawktim]

You definately want to enjoy your speakers. Here is how:

1. Spend x amount on the speakers of your choice.
2. Spend x amount on your wife.

Fellow, give it some thought. Don't brush this off as some dumb post.

[Davemcc]

It wouldn't hurt to listen to some $5k speakers to decide if you want to make that leap. Personally, I aspire to obtain a set of Focal/JM Labs Electras for about $5k, but I'm so happy with my current set of $1k speakers that it would be hard to make that leap.

[Joe Schmoe]

Those Bostons are som d**n fine speakers. You would have to spend a lot to noticeably improve on them.
As for your specific choice, I prefer B&W to pretty much everything else out there, at every price level. On the other hand, I find the Klipsch sound fatiguing and would never recommend them.

[Hipnotic4]

Could just be me but i really couldnt justify spending 5gz on speakers. Especially with out a demo.

Alot of people dont like Klipsch just because they are sold at BestBuy..But like someone else said before..if you like them then thats all that matters.

[sholling]

You’re already heavily invested in Boston Acoustics and the VR1’s are pretty good speakers. Especially with all three front speakers being so well matched. If you’re upgrading I suggest you look at the BA VR3’s for around $700-1,300/pr delivered depending on where you buy them. That moves you up to a much (to my ear) better speaker while keeping your system well matched and your wife happy.

I’ve never listened to that Polk sub so I’ll leave comment to others that have. I do know from experience with a similar sized, powered, and priced sub that moving up to a higher end sub made a huge difference in my movie listening experience. I’d take the time to email SVS with a drawing of your listing room and the adjoining spaces, complete with dimensions and let them size a sub for you. You may have plenty of sub or you may not.

[trailertrash]

If you are in the Portsmouth NH area State Street Discount has great deals on VR3's. I think they are below $800.

John

[ParadigmDawg]

Keep the BA's and get a sub. The 100watt sub you have would be straining to fill the space in a waterheater closet.

[xboxweasel]

I have the Klipsch RF35's, which are equivalent to the RF82's (last generation models). When I heard them, I loved them. I bought a complete set. Like highfihoney said, stick with first impressions. They usually are never wrong. Even after changing to a set of Paradigms, I still kept the Klipsch. I recently had them hooked up PC speakers. My girlfriend still prefers them over the others I have.

[BabelFish]

Keep the BA's and get a sub. The 100watt sub you have would be straining to fill the space in a waterheater closet.

man, that's funny :)

[Warpdrv]

Take your time and do some auditions to see what sounds the best to you...

I ran around listening to alot of speakers, almost 2 dozen... I was coming off an old set of Polk Audio's that I really thought sounded great, My budget was around $6K...

Listened to, just to name a few.
Klipsch, Monitor Audio, Warefedale, PSB, Boston Acoustics, Canton, Definitive Technology Martin Logan, Snell, KEF, B&W, Energy, Vandersteen, Vienna Acoustic.

There are some awesome speakers out there, but I finally settled on Paradigm Studio's for the Bang for the Buck, if you can call them that... All told I have a little less then $5K invested in just speakers.... To me they sound fantastic.

Most of those in my opinion were overpriced... I really loved the sound of some better then the Digms... and the craftsmenship, but my wallet kept me coming back to these.

Do yourself a favor and take your time, I auditioned for almost 6 months, not that you should, just so your happy with your purchase in the end.

[Buckeye_Nut]

Alot of people dont like Klipsch just because they are sold at BestBuy..But like someone else said before..if you like them then thats all that matters.

So you think people like Klipsch because of that??

LOL........c'mon man!!

Do you think that maybe it's just possible that Klipsch has been a highly regarded maker of loudspeakers for more than a half-century because they make a fine product?

The only klipsch speakers you'll find at most BB stores are their bottom tier 'BB-Brand' Synergy line. There is a lot more to Klipsch than their entry level product!!

I realize that in some parts of the country, you can find a very limited reference selection in Magnolia, but that's more the exception than the rule because many stores around the country have yet to add a Magnolia section.

If you're interested in auditioning any of Klipsch's higher-end lines....... the dealer search results will most likely point you towards a high-end audio shop.

[Buckeye_Nut]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first posting, and I am totally confused on the type of speaker to purchase. First of all there is the wife, that does't see the need for "expensive" speakers. I've been looking at the B&W's 604's and the Klipsch 82's. I personally heard the Klipsch (sounds great like a listening to a live show), but have not hear the B&W's. I heard more about the B&W's than the Klipsch, and wanted to know is there anyone out there that could help me with this disission :confused: I'm also open to other speakers out there. My budget per the wife :o is about $1000 - $1200. Or should I push it to the limit and get more epensive speakers >$1500:eek: . Below is my current set up...

Please Help me!!


Emotiva Ultra Theater Series
Boston Acoustics VR1's -- Fronts
Boston Acoustics VRC -- Center
Boston Acoustics DSi485 -- In-ceiling speaker
Polk 505 -- Sub

Hmmm..... I thought this post looked familiar!! This must be a repost......

For now...........Spend the $1200 on a new sub, and keep the speakers:cool:
Dont worry about a speaker upgrade until your next upgrade.

[Warpdrv]

For now...........Spend the $1200 on a new sub, and keep the speakers:cool:
Dont worry about a speaker upgrade until your next upgrade.

Hey thats really good advice...

A good sub can really breath new life into an existing setup... It can certainly take your worries away from what you might think is lacking...

Warp

[FguerraG]

You definately want to enjoy your speakers. Here is how:

1. Spend x amount on the speakers of your choice.
2. Spend x amount on your wife.

Fellow, give it some thought. Don't brush this off as some dumb post.

That's how I get away wit most of my stuff!!!!

[in2xshp]

I have the KEF iQ9's and for about a grand they can't be beat. Fantastic highs and mids and really good bass extention, altough with movies you do want a sub, but for everyday music listening they are fantastic

[frankf]

I have recently been able to make a decesion about whether to upgrade my speaker system or as in some of these posts make a another decesion about just upgrading my subs. (REL).
I have listened to B&W's on more than one occasion and have to agree with a prior post that B&W puts a lot of bucks in there advertising which is extensive and expensive. There price range I feel is out of line with what you get. Don't get me wrong they are a very good speaker however I have heard other speakers that are less expensive and sound excellent in my opinion.

Remember you get what you pay for.....always. My own advice is not to go cheap and go at least middle of the road. I am in a position that I can afford B&W speakers but have deceided against it after auditioning The Paradigm Studio 60 speaker.
I have own JBL's, KEF, and currently own Definitive speakers, 2004's, BP2X surrounds, CLR2002 center and a PF1500 sub. Some people might think that I am crazy to sell this system however I am fortunate enough to be able to upgrade....with my wife's blessing. Definitive is another speaker system worth listening.
I have always wanted to be in a position to buy an above par system. This is my chance.
Another very important point to remember.The most judgemental listening device you have that is on you side when auditioning speakers is your EARS. Not your wallet. Go with how you feel when listening to YOUR best music. Go with how you feel when watching YOUR favorite movie.
$1000.00,$5000.00 or $50,000 is not the only factor to consider when making a choice about speakers.
If that $1000.00 system sounds right to you and it sounds right in your home then you made the right decesion. Remember the speakers that you are listening to in the store with that perfect acoustal treatment to make sales can and probably will sound different at home sweet home.
But if you can step it up a notch without feeling guilty or wondering whether or not if you had purchased a less expensive system:):) would it sound the same then GO FOR IT!!!

My choices Paradigm, Totem, Definitive, Aperion, Kef

Ps Aperion has a 30 day return policy with no cost to you.

(www.aperionaudio.com/home)

rubbersoul

[frankf]

I have recently been able to make a decesion about whether to upgrade my speaker system or as in some of these posts make a another decesion about just upgrading my subs. (REL).
I have listened to B&W's on more than one occasion and have to agree with a prior post that B&W puts a lot of bucks in there advertising which is extensive and expensive. There price range I feel is out of line with what you get. Don't get me wrong they are a very good speaker however I have heard other speakers that are less expensive and sound excellent in my opinion.

Remember you get what you pay for.....always. My own advice is not to go cheap and go at least middle of the road. I am in a position that I can afford B&W speakers but have deceided against it after auditioning The Paradigm Studio 60 speaker.
I have own JBL's, KEF, and currently own Definitive speakers, 2004's, BP2X surrounds, CLR2002 center and a PF1500 sub. Some people might think that I am crazy to sell this system however I am fortunate enough to be able to upgrade....with my wife's blessing. Definitive is another speaker system worth listening.
I have always wanted to be in a position to buy an above par system. This is my chance.
Another very important point to remember.The most judgemental listening device you have that is on you side when auditioning speakers is your EARS. Not your wallet. Go with how you feel when listening to YOUR best music. Go with how you feel when watching YOUR favorite movie.
$1000.00,$5000.00 or $50,000 is not the only factor to consider when making a choice about speakers.
If that $1000.00 system sounds right to you and it sounds right in your home then you made the right decesion. Remember the speakers that you are listening to in the store with that perfect acoustal treatment to make sales can and probably will sound different at home sweet home.
But if you can step it up a notch without feeling guilty or wondering whether or not if you had purchased a less expensive system:):) would it sound the same then GO FOR IT!!!

My choices Paradigm, Totem, Definitive, Aperion, Kef

Ps Aperion has a 30 day return policy with no cost to you.

(www.aperionaudio.com/home)

rubbersoul

[muzz]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first posting, and I am totally confused on the type of speaker to purchase. First of all there is the wife, that does't see the need for "expensive" speakers. I've been looking at the B&W's 604's and the Klipsch 82's. I personally heard the Klipsch (sounds great like a listening to a live show), but have not hear the B&W's. I heard more about the B&W's than the Klipsch, and wanted to know is there anyone out there that could help me with this disission :confused: I'm also open to other speakers out there. My budget per the wife :o is about $1000 - $1200. Or should I push it to the limit and get more epensive speakers >$1500:eek: . Below is my current set up...

Please Help me!!


Emotiva Ultra Theater Series
Boston Acoustics VR1's -- Fronts
Boston Acoustics VRC -- Center
Boston Acoustics DSi485 -- In-ceiling speaker
Polk 505 -- Sub



IF the problem is movies, that VRC is a hunk of garbage IMHO....... so if Movies are a high priority, dump that, and get yourself a GOOD Center, like the VR12,VR14, or the VR920(Ebay or similar- expect to pay almost/new price- they are that good)).

In Movies, Dialogue is #1 over EVERTHING else, and that piece of crap ya have(sorry) is killing ya.
Some folks like the VR2 over the VR3 as well.

[sholling]

IF the problem is movies, that VRC is a hunk of garbage IMHO....... so if Movies are a high priority, dump that, and get yourself a GOOD Center, like the VR12,VR14, or the VR920(Ebay or similar- expect to pay almost/new price- they are that good)).

In Movies, Dialogue is #1 over EVERTHING else, and that piece of crap ya have(sorry) is killing ya.
Some folks like the VR2 over the VR3 as well.Actually if he has (or gets) a sub woofer then that VRC will work just fine. I really like the VR12 and the VR920 but their main advantage is that they can reach lower than the VRC. With a sub woofer dealing with everything lower than 80hz you will never hear what the VR12 and the VR920 are capable of.

Getting the buy new mains vs adding a sub (or both) issue resolved is the correct starting point. Once that issue is resolved then tactfully discussing whether or not he has the right center becomes frosting on a tasty cake.

[flippo]

Mirage speakers also make some great speakers. Look at the OMD series listened to them at a store in Fairview Heights Illinois and they sounded excellent (model was the OMD 28) and they are beautiful speakers. I also own the Omnisat v2 satellites that i really like (as long as they are mated with a subwoofer).