so, christmas mains, i just have to pick them out...

[parkerbender]

so, here's the skinny. I currently have a rx-v2500, a set of htib yamaha 4400 series fronts, center and surronunds, and a pair of 600 watt BIC subwoofers, in a 15x20 ft. basement room, setup 15' fron to back, 20' side-to-side. moderately thick carpet and a hung ceiling. i've theoretically got 400ish for a pair of mains, though i was thinking if i could get away with a little less, i might be able to pull off a harmony remote too... anyway. i was looking at either JBL Northridge E80's for $440 or maybe Cervin Vega E-712's also for $440, shipped... opinions on either/both, or other, better (maybe less expensive) options?


JBL's :http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Northridge-6-Inch-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B00018XF9Y/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1198572025&sr=1-8

cerwin-vega's: http://www.amazon.com/Cerwin-Vega-E-712-12-Inch-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B00007BGPA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1198571527&sr=1-1

Thanks!!!
-Parker

 

[mazersteven]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=347279&postcount=4

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=347277&postcount=3

 

[parkerbender]

Here's a question that i probably should be ashamed to ask, but in the spirit of there is no stupid question... the only thing that kinda, but not relaly throws me is that i wonder about a single 6.5" driver and a tweeter... not that the speakers i'm using now are volumous or accurate at all, but i am interested, is it the driver quality difference that makes the difference, or, the cabinet? i read about the cerwin's, and though i do use the system for parties, it sounds like they don't have much accuracy at all. But i guess what i'm interested about is, not that there is anything special about the jbl's, but, what makes them a sub-par speaker, as that when i look for speakers, how do i tell what is actually good, and what are just numbers slapped on a box. The system sees probably 30% video game/40% movie/ 30%music, usually a party-type environment. so i guess i'm saying that though not eintirely driven by sPl ratings or anything like that, lots of times, with the current speakers that i have (which have an 87 db/watt/meter rating) it feels like my decent-sized reciever is working quite hard to get to high levels, and have always thought that someday when i broke down and actually bought new speakers that they'd be more efficient so that i maybe don't have to crank it as hard to get the same amount of sound sometimes... since the thing gets HOT every once in awhile... sorry for rambling,

-Parker

 

[mazersteven]

but i am interested, is it the driver quality difference that makes the difference, or, the cabinet?

how do i tell what is actually good,
-Parker

You answered your own question. Yes the quality of the driver, tweeter. The quality of the build, and design of the cabinet. The quality of the crossover. All contribute to the Quality of Sound you hear from a speaker.

Just because a speaker has bigger, or has more drivers does not mean it will sound better.

And "how do you tell what is actually good?" Stick around here, and the other forums, and read. After enough time you will be able to decipher who's (what members) opinions should be listened to.

 

[Seth=L]

I only skimmed through the posts on this thread, because I am tired, but I saw Cerwin Vega mentioned so I figured I would chime in. Cerwin Vega makes efficient, high power handling, loudspeakers. They don't reproduce accurate sound, and would not likely be pleasurable to sit and listen to. They work great for parties because they can take lots of clipping distortion and high wattage without breaking down. If it is high fidelity your are after, Cerwin Vega isn't likely going to satisfy your ears.

 

[parkerbender]

how much money does somebody have to spend/ what are some suggestions for speakers which are both efficient AND decently accurate?

 

[rnatalli]

how much money does somebody have to spend/ what are some suggestions for speakers which are both efficient AND decently accurate?

A pair of Axioms might fit the bill. They're efficient and very accurate. You could buy a pair of the bookshelf speakers and a Dayton 10" sub from Part Express. The Axioms are $296 and the Dayton sub $105 so $401 total. Shipping costs are included already.

 

[parkerbender]

isn't there a noticable sound difference between bookshelves and floorstanders? are there any more suggestions for speakers which are efficient and accurate?

 

[Seth=L]

isn't there a noticable sound difference between bookshelves and floorstanders? are there any more suggestions for speakers which are efficient and accurate?

Boston Acoustics VR series.

Bookshelf speakers are not going to have the same bass responce, but a subwoofer can pick up where they leave off anyway. Many prefer bookself speakers because of their reduce cabinet resonance for the price and series and the fact that they will be set up in a home theater with a receiver using bass management anyway.

 

[parkerbender]

i suppose that is probably true. i just didn't want to skimp for appearance or anything, because i have room wherever i ant to put them, and don't care how big they are or how they look...

 

[mazersteven]

how much money does somebody have to spend/ what are some suggestions for speakers which are both efficient AND decently accurate?

Parker,

I posted links above with links to speakers recommendations.

???

 

[Warpdrv]

What are you looking for here... Big and loud, or quality sound...


If you want loud but want quality sound, sometimes you have to spend a bit more. If you are willing to stretch the budget... alot of people have been extremely happy with PSB's..

Check out http://www.saturdayaudio.com/

PSB Images are very well respected in the bang for the buck area..

Mazersteven has also given you some great suggestions and hints...

 

[parkerbender]

i'm sorry mazersteven, i thought the swans were a firm possibliity, but couldn't find where they are $100 off, unless that's what the 549 price is, and the polks are a pretty possible idea, i was just fishing for more opinions, not that yours arn't good, just that i'll maybe feel more confident in my purchase if i have looked at more... didn't mean to step on toes or anything, sorry :S

-parker

 

[mazersteven]

i'm sorry mazersteven, i thought the swans were a firm possibliity, but couldn't find where they are $100 off, unless that's what the 549 price is, and the polks are a pretty possible idea, i was just fishing for more opinions, not that yours arn't good, just that i'll maybe feel more confident in my purchase if i have looked at more... didn't mean to step on toes or anything, sorry :S

-parker

Don't be sorry. No toes stepped on. I just thought you didn't see my links. Options, and opinions are good from everyone.

I'm sorry if my post was confusing.

The Ascends are $100 off.

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?p=25900#post25900

Holiday Special 2: $100 off 1 pair of our award-winning CMT-340 SE.*

This is the lowest price we have ever offered on our acclaimed 340 SE and this discount still qualifies for our package price discounting. *Note: Discount valid on 1 pair of 340 SE per customer. Not valid with any other discounts or specials.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html


The Swans are already on sale for $549 from $1,049.00

 

[parkerbender]

so, are JBL's complete junk then? i'm thinking about going with a full set of jbl's maybe, instead of a really good set of mains. after going in the room and looking, the rest of my speakers :New version of my surround speakers, my 4400 series are 5 years old i think... are pretty depressing. is it a complete waste to buy something like JBL speakers, or are they just not super accurate? (note that i'm a semi-professional drummer that doesn't really hear that well anyway :S ) thanks for opinions and bearing with me dragging this out so long, it's just that i haven't bought speakers in the seven years i've been interested in the scene, and so now that i am, i'm just probably being over critical and devil's advocate-y

Thanks!

-Parker

 

[Seth=L]

so, are JBL's complete junk then? i'm thinking about going with a full set of jbl's maybe, instead of a really good set of mains. after going in the room and looking, the rest of my speakers :New version of my surround speakers, my 4400 series are 5 years old i think... are pretty depressing. is it a complete waste to buy something like JBL speakers, or are they just not super accurate? (note that i'm a semi-professional drummer that doesn't really hear that well anyway :S ) thanks for opinions and bearing with me dragging this out so long, it's just that i haven't bought speakers in the seven years i've been interested in the scene, and so now that i am, i'm just probably being over critical and devil's advocate-y

Thanks!

-Parker

JBL is certainly not junk. It really depends on what sounds good to you. GET OUT THERE AND LISTEN TO SOME SPEAKERS, don't soak up every thing you hear on a forum and take it as fact, because speaker selection is very subjective.

 

[parkerbender]

i'll hae to do that tomorrow, i think CC carries JBL... yeah, i found a complete setup for basically the same price as the swans, so i might get all new speakers, and with the money i save on free shipping, buy an 890, and some remote control switches

 

[adwilk]

Since you already have subs and are looking for efficient accurate sound, i would recommend finding some klipsch rb35's. Great party speakers, efficient, and sound good. they can be found for about 400...

 

[3db]

Try and audtion these. Someone posted that you find themn fro around $500.0 US.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-T45-Tower

 

[Warpdrv]

I won't say JBL's are junk, but think about it...

If your spending $150.00 on a floorstanding speaker, Im not sure their putting a whole lot of effort and thought into it... Slap that sucker together and get it out the door... cheap....

If you want a good product, you do have to spend a little money...

I third my first suggestion of the PSB's... Great price point and you get a hell of alot more in the end...