10 Biggest Mistakes in Loudspeaker Shopping

[mustang_steve]

Meridians are amplified speakers, therefore can be "digital", as they can utilize a digital input.

The majority of us use unamplified speakers, which require a separate amp, thus the amp can support digital in, but the speaker cannot...so putting digital in the name is misleading.

I think one of the biggest mistakes is playing the bigger is better game. There is such a thing as too much speaker in a room. It took me a while to realise that applied to "bookshelf" speakers as well. It's so easy to buy that 6.5" MTM with the integrade amplified woofers in the sides, for as much as say a Klipsch reference bookshelf speaker or Energy Connosieur series shelf speaker would cost (of coruse a floorstander w/ powered integrated woofers that cheap would probably have serious sound quality issues...but let's forget that for now)....but if your room is too small, it's just going to cause more problems than solve. This is a classic case of "less is more".

 

[krabapple]

IMO the biggest mistake is thinking that you can audition speakers in a showroom somewhere and actually get a reliable idea of how they would compare in your own room. Except for the grossest differences, this flies in the face of acoustics.

 

[Diapason]

IMO the biggest mistake is thinking that you can audition speakers in a showroom somewhere and actually get a reliable idea of how they would compare in your own room. Except for the grossest differences, this flies in the face of acoustics.

Amen to that. I've been caught out several times with this one. Luckily I have a dealer who virtually insists on home dems so no money has ever changed hands, but it's now got to the stage that I completely disregard the sound of speakers in any room other than my own.

Si

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Be very careful when you confront these guys. I had a couple of them confront me on their speakers and I respectfully said I wasnt interested. They persisted and I finally told them I am in the industry and I know all about Street speakers. One man said, "What our stuff isn't good enough for you?" I said "actually your stuff isn't even good enough for Best Buy".

He then treatened he should beat me up for being a wise *ss. Then I followed and said I should report his license tag to consumer affairs or the local law. They took off after that but it occurred to me what if these guys had a Gun or weapon? Is it really worth it, especially if you have your wife or children in your car?

Gene, FL is a right to carry state. I would not live down there and not carry; infact, When I did, I did and still do. Glock 21 and two 13rd magazines

 

[majorloser]

Gene, FL is a right to carry state. I would not live down there and not carry; infact, When I did, I did and still do. Glock 21 and two 13rd magazines

You mean some people don't carry?

Floridians get 'em as baby gifts.

(Glock 32 w/ 2 mags)

 

[pbmpharmacist]

Be very careful when you confront these guys. I had a couple of them confront me on their speakers and I respectfully said I wasnt interested. They persisted and I finally told them I am in the industry and I know all about Street speakers. One man said, "What our stuff isn't good enough for you?" I said "actually your stuff isn't even good enough for Best Buy".

He then treatened he should beat me up for being a wise *ss. Then I followed and said I should report his license tag to consumer affairs or the local law. They took off after that but it occurred to me what if these guys had a Gun or weapon? Is it really worth it, especially if you have your wife or children in your car?

Wow... good point. I also had this happen to me. I didn't smart off but I might have.

 

[dp_pb]

Its interesing for me in the uk to hear about bose's reputation in the us. i recently heard the slogan "better sound through marketing". are they considered something seperate from the "hifi" over there?

 

[Rob Babcock]

that seems like a really pointless idea- because you won't be able to listen to records, tapes, regular analogue television, etc.

You still can. Meridian converts analog sources to digital for all routing, switching & signal manipulations.

 

[skizzerflake]

This article has only relevance to Audiophiles. The mass mainstream like to have somthing that is affordable and easy to use. Most high end audio systems require lots of research to get the right one, technical aptitude to hook up (HT in box comes with everything you need as well as easy to read daigrams on how to putt it together), and cost lots more than the HT in a box systems.

This advice is actually more relevant if you're looking to find something inexpensive. If you're going to spend 5K on speakers, you can be pretty sure that any of them at that price are quite good. A self-important "golden ears" might spurn some of them over details that most people can't even hear but you can't stay in business for long making $5000 junk.

On the other hand, buying cheap means being pretty selective. I have had the experience of looking for cheap equipment and found that there are differences between them and that it is worth being careful so you get the most bang for you bucks. Big stores like Walmart or Best Buy don't make it easy since they are toxic sound environments but any listening you can do, including getting up very close, cranking up the volume to see if they distort and listening to music that you are familiar with will help you to increase the value you get.

 

[pjviitas]

Thankfully, I havent bought my speakers yet

 

[Totoro]

It's for the most part a term that is applied to speakers to make them seem high tech. In fact, there really are no "digital" speakers. If a manufacturer can't get this right, or is stooping to this type of marketing to get you to buy product - it is a pretty big red flag.

I am not thinking of buying these, but I do recall seeing the word DIGITAL in the name. They are the CADENCE S-15 SATELLITE BOOKSHELF DIGITAL CINEMA SERIES. So I guess these are to be avoided. I have heard good things about the Cadence subwoofers though.

 

[Totoro]

A self-important "golden ears" might spurn some of them over details that most people can't even hear but you can't stay in business for long making $5000 junk.

Unless you're Bose.

 

[renomanrandy]

Speakers

I have up to $3500.00 to spend on a receiver speakers etc. My room is 12.5' by 22'. Any suggestions on where to start HELP!!!! I have the TV a 67" Samsung

R

 

[abefroeman]

I have up to $3500.00 to spend on a receiver speakers etc. My room is 12.5' by 22'. Any suggestions on where to start HELP!!!! I have the TV a 67" Samsung

Get a Bose system

 

[jaxvon]

Get a Bose system

Usually you'd want some kind of smiley to indicate sarcasm.

 

[markw]

I'm not too sure he was being sarcastic.

Usually you'd want some kind of smiley to indicate sarcasm.

After a question that goes into such detail as to the specifics, particularly deep into another thread on a totally different subject, I'd say it's a perfectly valid response.

..an irreverent response to an irreverent question.

 

[Nick250]

I have up to $3500.00 to spend on a receiver speakers etc. My room is 12.5' by 22'. Any suggestions on where to start HELP!!!! I have the TV a 67" Samsung

R

I suggest starting your own thread.

Nick

 

[sandy.cybersavi]

Pioneer surround sound speaker

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-Matt

 

[Reidevin]

hi every one this is my first post!... i just found out yesterday the speakers i have we got as gift from uncle back in 1988- 1990 were a huge scam that went around out of back of van they made total of 24 mill off it...cost them 15 dollars to make pair sold $500 saying werth $1000....well personally im not stupid enough fall for it but my uncle did lmfao....well any how i want to buy new speakers $1000 max ...good bass and sharp sounds ...any suggestions...??!!??

 

[just listening]

First, what size room do you have? Second, what type of equipment will be providing the source material and the amplifier brand? Third, what type of music will you be listening to? Fourth, do you have a wife approval factor to deal with? Fifth, arer you opposed to buying used?