View Full Version : Tower selection in sub 500 range decision
Im trying to decide on some towers but are unsure what to get. Looking for something in the 500 or below range and will add a sub later. I cant decide. It seems like the more reviews and posts I read I become more confused. I asked this on another forum too but since this is audioholics and all the great reviews you guys do I figured you can steer me in the right direction.
I am liking these polks because I have had experience with the brand in the past (cant remember model), they are 8 ohm (same as my amp) and seem like the power range is alot higher. Alot of good reviews too.
newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290015
However, I have read good things about the EMP e5ti and at the intro price of 400 bucks a pair It seems like a good deal. It says the msrp is 700+. not alot of reviews yet, but the ones I have seen are good.
emptek.com/e5ti.php
Given the specs of these which one would you go for? or would you recommend something totally different?:confused:
Matt34
10-18-2009, 03:31 PM
The EMP, Infinity P362 or Polk M70 would be good choices. The Polks are going to require a little more amplification though. I have had both the Polks and Infinity speakers but not at the same time, I liked the mid-range and highs of the infinity's better. Bass output would have to go to the M70.
shadyJ
10-18-2009, 03:48 PM
To that list I would add the BIC Acoustech PL-89 speakers (http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/BIC-Acoustech-PL-89-Speakers-Set-of-2/3935943/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=11974726) and the Elemental Designs A6 6T6 towers (http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_42&products_id=96).
P362 bass can be improved radically by adding in heavy acoustical dampening. The P362 as a tuned in 100Hz bass peak; that is reduced by using heavy acoustical dampening.
-Chris
To that list I would add the BIC-Acoustech-PL-89-Speakers-Set-of-2 or Elemental Designs A6 6T6 towers
Aw man! youre confusing me even more. The BIC have Recommended power: 10 to 250 watts per channel RMS, 600 watts peak power?
Decisions decisions? Im not sure what brand to get. All of them are in my price range.
sokrman14
10-18-2009, 08:05 PM
EMP (http://store.audioholics.com/product/2715/66381/emp-impression-e5ti-tower-speakers--red-burl-pair-)
I think these may be your best speaker in that range.
lsiberian
10-18-2009, 08:11 PM
P362 bass can be improved radically by adding in heavy acoustical dampening. The P362 as a tuned in 100Hz bass peak; that is reduced by using heavy acoustical dampening.
-Chris
Along with some concrete, oak and the addition of a JL Audio 8w7-3. :D
But seriously I think this would be an easy way to get a high quality speaker.
Even using a 10 dollar roll of fiber from home depot would be a huge upgrade from the dampening they have.
shadyJ
10-18-2009, 09:18 PM
You don't have to pay attention to the recommended power on the BIC Acoustechs. They will take anything and rock hard with it, they have a 98 db sensitivity. They will get very loud, even with a weak amp. They are quite a bit more powerful than the other speakers mentioned, something to consider if you have a modest amp or large room.
griffinconst
10-18-2009, 11:19 PM
I heard those EMP towers at the GTG. I'm not sure they can be beat for $400. They had a good sound with plenty of bass. The high end had a bit of sizzle but you might like that. The fit and finish was very good as well. The gloss black had a bit of grain to it so it wasn't shiney solid black like a piano.
griffinconst
10-18-2009, 11:21 PM
You don't have to pay attention to the recommended power on the BIC Acoustechs. They will take anything and rock hard with it, they have a 98 db sensitivity. They will get very loud, even with a weak amp. They are quite a bit more powerful than the other speakers mentioned, something to consider if you have a modest amp or large room.
98db sensitivity? Those must have horns huh?
Matt34
10-18-2009, 11:43 PM
98db sensitivity? Those must have horns huh?
They are and if they are in anyway similar to the older HT-75, I would pass on them completely. They did not compare favorably to the P362 or AV123 x-sls. They sounded hollow in the midrange and lacked any real bass compared to the other two.
shadyJ
10-19-2009, 10:14 AM
They are and if they are in anyway similar to the older HT-75, I would pass on them completely. They did not compare favorably to the P362 or AV123 x-sls. They sounded hollow in the midrange and lacked any real bass compared to the other two.
I don't know about midrange, but it seems unlikely they would lack bass, what with two 8" woofers. I have not heard them so I can't say for sure.
They are and if they are in anyway similar to the older HT-75, I would pass on them completely. They did not compare favorably to the P362 or AV123 x-sls. They sounded hollow in the midrange and lacked any real bass compared to the other two.
I am not to sure on the horns as well. The power sounds good but the last time I owned a speaker with a horn was around 1990's. That doesnt mean they arent good. Im just not to sure if I would like it.
griffinconst
10-19-2009, 08:32 PM
If you try something from Aperion, they pay return shipping if you don't like them. I really liked the 6T but they should sound good at $1400 a pair. They had em on special at the GTG for $1050.
I think The speaker Company also pays shipping both ways for a no quibble in home audition.
The EMP's are shipped free but you catch the return if you no likey. :D
Let us know what you decide.
exerciseguy
10-19-2009, 08:49 PM
ac4l.com has the KEF IQ5 for $449.
QwikKotaTx
10-20-2009, 08:33 AM
Does anyone have any input on the Acoustech PL-76's? They are only $350 shipped from Overstock and a matching center channel is a very affordable $130 or so. 96db sensitivity and 30Hz freq response sound too good to be true at that price range.
shadyJ
10-20-2009, 11:38 AM
I haven't heard them personally. Here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=990726) is a thread in another forum which discusses them. You will have to skip ahead in the thread a lot because I believe the PL-76 and PL-89 were introduced in late 2008.
QwikKotaTx
10-20-2009, 02:08 PM
I haven't heard them personally. Here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=990726) is a thread in another forum which discusses them. You will have to skip ahead in the thread a lot because I believe the PL-76 and PL-89 were introduced in late 2008.
Thanks. I am also considering the Infinity Primus P362's if I can get them for the same price range. 3 way to cover full range of sound with overlap.
shadyJ
10-20-2009, 07:56 PM
The Primus speakers are terrific, I have a pair of p362s myself. Fry's used to have them on sale occasionally for $100 to $130, but I haven't seen that sale in awhile, so they may not be doing that anymore. If you do a Google search, you can get them for $200 a piece and free shipping from a a couple places, and it is still a great bargain at that price.
QwikKotaTx
10-20-2009, 08:18 PM
I tried haggling with manager at Fry's since they only had 1 pair left and I believe they are discontinued but he would only come down 10%. I don't mind paying $400 for a pair but half of that is a steal that is tugging on my mind, hah. I listened to my friend's Polk 60's tonight, to me they sounded great so the Infinity's can only be better.
fightinkraut
10-20-2009, 08:46 PM
I tried haggling with manager at Fry's since they only had 1 pair left and I believe they are discontinued but he would only come down 10%. I don't mind paying $400 for a pair but half of that is a steal that is tugging on my mind, hah. I listened to my friend's Polk 60's tonight, to me they sounded great so the Infinity's can only be better.
I know what you mean, when you know something has sold for 50% of what you're facing it's difficult to accept. :) If you liked the monitor 60's you could subscribe to newegg's newsletter, earlier this year they ran the t90e's (European monitor 60's, identical except they have a real wood veneer) for $130 each shipped. The 60's are $120 shipped right now from newegg, ends tonight.
I would also suggest keeping on eye out on Audiogon, sometimes you can land some great used gear for similar prices.
QwikKotaTx
10-21-2009, 05:06 PM
I may wait for Fry's to have another sale but there is no guarantee there. $400 isn't awful but I could also get those EMP E5Ti's, albeit backorder. I mainly want a tower with a 6.5" woofer, 4 to 5.25" mid and a dome tweeter. I like the Infinity's because I can get a matching center that has that same 3 way setup, should match well for home theater.
fightinkraut
10-21-2009, 05:11 PM
You are 100% correct that you want to match the front three speakers. In case you didn't see it, there is a matching center channel for the EMP towers, found here: Center channel (http://store.audioholics.com/product/2718/0/emp-impression-e5ci-center-channel-speaker--black-each-/00011e7238187d5240e2ce524c032d59)
j_garcia
10-21-2009, 06:18 PM
Polk Monitor 50s $89 each, free shipping at New Egg http://www.techdealdigger.com/pr/cheap-polk-audio-monitor-50-2-way-floorstanding-speaker-deals/1493
QwikKotaTx
10-21-2009, 09:41 PM
Polk Monitor 50s $89 each, free shipping at New Egg http://www.techdealdigger.com/pr/cheap-polk-audio-monitor-50-2-way-floorstanding-speaker-deals/1493
I have a pair on backorder at Fry's for $59 each, that was their special 2 weeks ago. I may use them for surrounds. An even better deal is the 60's for $120 and the 70's for $170, I think the price just went down as the cherry ones were $200 yesterday. If they had a 5.25" mid and a non-subwoofer 6.5" I would jump on that.
j_garcia
10-22-2009, 11:32 AM
I don't even see the Monitor line listed at Frys. I did notice at my local one they had a ton of Polk car speaekrs on sale this week, so they must have bought out a bunch of old Polk inventory from somewhere.
fightinkraut
10-22-2009, 11:36 AM
I don't even see the Monitor line listed at Frys. I did notice at my local one they had a ton of Polk car speaekrs on sale this week, so they must have bought out a bunch of old Polk inventory from somewhere.
I suspect the OP is talking about the R50 model (http://www.frys.com/product/4005092?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) at Frys, currently $69.
I'm jealous of all of you with Fry's nearby, seems like I'm always reading about B&M mortar only deals at Fry's...
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