Help With Speaker Choice

[Zar]

I have a very small listening area. My room is 10 feet wide and my speakers are 3 feet out from the wall. I am right against the opposite wall and in between 6-7 feet away from the speakers in my listening chair. I have big Mirage M5si bi polars which I have felt lately are too big for my room. Would like to get a more traditional speaker, smaller in size (not bi polar) that can be set a little closer to the wall. Would like floor standers and hopefully they can be more than just 2 way. Have looked at (online) at Paradigm, Totem, B&W, Mission, Triangle, and Opera. I listen to classic hard rock, electric and acoustic blues, and vintage cool jazz. Some classical and vocal rock like Elton John is also enjoyed. My amp is a Aragon dual mono 8008bb I have a Musical Fidelity pre-amp and a Ps-Audio P-300 power plant. Digital is a Marantz sa-14 that has been modded by tube research labs. Thanks for any and all advice and input.

[rnatalli]

Unfortunately, the best way to choose speakers is by auditioning tons of them. However, we can throw a few ideas your way. What's your budget and how do you like the Mirage sound in general? Do you have a subwoofer?

[Zar]

Thanks for responding. I have a sub but I use it in my home theatre rig only. I like my Mirages a lot more since I have had decent amplification and such. For years they went wasted when I had Adcom components. overall I would say I like the sound though bass is not always a strength. My budget would be no more than 2k new and I would be willing to spend up to and around $1,200 used. Thanks, Zar

[Swerd]

Thanks for responding. I have a sub but I use it in my home theatre rig only. I like my Mirages a lot more since I have had decent amplification and such. For years they went wasted when I had Adcom components. overall I would say I like the sound though bass is not always a strength. My budget would be no more than 2k new and I would be willing to spend up to and around $1,200 used. Thanks, ZarFor that price range I strongly recommend Salk SongTower QWT speakers (http://www.salksound.com/songtower.shtml).

I recently bought a pair and I'm delighted with them. I posted some pictures here (http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?p=307085#post307085).

If you're near the Washington, DC area, you are welcome to come hear them.

[rnatalli]

For $2k, you have quite a few options. I'd get out and audition as many as possible. Nothing worst than dropping a couple of grand on speakers that sound "okay" in your own home. Locally you should be able to find most of the usual suspects except for the ID brands.

[Zar]

Swerd, thanks and they do look nice. I'm on the west coast so I can't take you up on the nice offer. I'll look around to see if any one carries them and i will keep an eye out for used. Rn, thanks for your advice and I know i do need to get out and listen. Thanks, Zar

[Swerd]

Swerd, thanks and they do look nice. I'm on the west coast so I can't take you up on the nice offer. I'll look around to see if any one carries them and i will keep an eye out for used. Rn, thanks for your advice and I know i do need to get out and listen. Thanks, ZarSalk speakers are sold internet direct through the website (http://www.salksound.com/). The SongTower is a new speaker, just introduced last summer, so I doubt if you will find any used ones yet. There is also a Salk speaker forum at Audio circles (http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?board=82.0). If you ask there, you might find an owner who lives closer to you.

[vic]

I have about 3 grand to buy speakers, this will be my first big buy on speakers. After reading several reviews I have narrowed it down to a couple, well more than a couple. I'm hoping someone here has listened to some of these speakers so I can have an idea. I'm stationed in Kuwait and will be leaving soon...My choices. Axiom M60, Aperion 633, Atlantic Technology-4200E and Paradign Studio 40.. The 3 grand is a plus or minus...depending on my better half.. Thank you for your help.