suggestions for speaker upgrade

[selkec]

I currently have polk audio rti150 towers, csi5 center and rc65i in walls. Im getting the bug to upgrade some more after just upgrading my old cerwin vega sub to an earthquake mkiv12. worlds of difference in the subs. I have heard polks can take alot of watts on some sites. Would it be beneficial to me to upgrade to the emotiva lpa1 or xpa5 to put more power to them? Or to upgrade my speakers. I guess Im asking what is the next step up or two to polk audio? I like the idea of def tech bipolar speakers. What would you all suggest. Im open to anything.

 

[trnqk7]

I'm a sucker for my Dali Ikon 6's (I'm "borrowing" a pair while mine are shipping from Denmark), I think they sound great. Also, a friend of mine just got M60's from Axiom-they sounded great as well. Difference in the two to me was he has a very little bit more bass and I have better distinction in the highs (but only a little). The extra detail to my ear won me over-I figured I would always wonder "what if?" if I had got the Axioms after hearing the Dali's. That said, I also listened to the RBH TK series towers and they sounded very good as well. Not nearly as "bright", very neutral sound, and with very good bass. All would be good speakers I think!

 

[codexp3]

I too am upgrading from a polk system. The LSIs just didn't cut it for me. Paradigm, b&w, def tech, revel, psb, dynaudio, and thiel are the brands I auditioned (Along with McIntosh and Wilson which I can't afford). I'm going to post a write up on my impressions of each brand tomorrow evening (going back for a final listen of my top three and then pulling the trigger).

My price range was 5k to 10k, but After listening to the Paradigm S8s, and B&W 803Ds I decided I was willing to go up to 12 (5 speaker system). I did listen to some killer systems for around 5! Tomorrow night look for my post if you're interested, again it will reflect only my opinion. To be honest I would be happy with any of the brands I listed.

 

[trnqk7]

Yeah, what is your price range-that would help a lot. All the speakers I mentioned can be found for under $1500 a pair (Dali's) and under a $1k (Axiom and RBH).

 

[codexp3]

Yeah, what is your price range-that would help a lot. All the speakers I mentioned can be found for under $1500 a pair (Dali's) and under a $1k (Axiom and RBH).

I wanted to check out RBH but couldn't find a local dealer. The biggest problem I had in my speaker search was I had to go to 4 shops to listen to 6 brands. Every set of speakers was on a different pre/pro, so the differences I noticed between the brands were partially dependent on the electronics and room acoustics.

 

[trnqk7]

That is a difficulty, but I think you have to end up picking a few that you like the sound of and then see if they will let you "borrow" them so you can compare in a similar space/room. Sometimes you will get lucky and they will let you, other times, not so lucky.

 

[Soundman]

I'm a sucker for my Dali Ikon 6's (I'm "borrowing" a pair while mine are shipping from Denmark), I think they sound great. Also, a friend of mine just got M60's from Axiom-they sounded great as well. Difference in the two to me was he has a very little bit more bass and I have better distinction in the highs (but only a little). The extra detail to my ear won me over-I figured I would always wonder "what if?" if I had got the Axioms after hearing the Dali's. That said, I also listened to the RBH TK series towers and they sounded very good as well. Not nearly as "bright", very neutral sound, and with very good bass. All would be good speakers I think!

If you're going with one of the ID's I'd go with AV123 or Aperion anyday over Axiom, I bought an Axiom setup, incluing the M60V2's and wasn't happy with them. I ended up purchasing some Rocket 850's instead and the quality of craftmanship is night and day over the Axiom's. As far as SQ goes, the Axiom's sounded very good at low listening levels, but tended to break up once you turn it up. They also tended to be pretty bright in an untreated room. The Rocket's do much better, you can push them really hard and they just beg for more. The difference here is the Rocket's use a Viffa Ring radiator tweeter vs the Axioms aluminum tweeter. As for looks, the Rockets make the Axioms look like...well I better stop here. They are gorgeous, wheras the Axioms are just ok. What can you expect for vinyl? PM me for more information. I could go on and on, but I've listened quite a bit to both companies speakers. I hope this doesnt come across as a cheap shot to Axiom. They are a good comopany. I'm just saying for the money, I think you can do better, IMO.

 

[selkec]

So it sounds like you all have some good ideas. Not real sure of my price range. Lets say maybe 2000 (if possible). And hopefully I could sell my polks and put that money into them and maybe get something even better. I heard def tech speakers in magnolia and some other speakers. I thought they sounded good. I could not even tell where the sound was coming from. I had to go to each speaker to see which one was playing. So if def tech is a step up in all your minds maybe ill go that route. I like the idea of having a sub and it being bipolar design. Its hard to audition speakers here in Indianapolis. Not alot of places and the ones that are here are over priced.
Im not totally dissatisfied with my polks. They sound ok to me. My 15ft ceilings and the great room open into my kitchen prolly dont help much as for sound. Its alot of space to feel up. Thats why i was maybe thinking about the amp first. Ill check out all your options. Keep the ideas coming. thank you for all the quick responses. this forum is awesome. Its made me addicted to this stuff. lol

 

[gus6464]

So it sounds like you all have some good ideas. Not real sure of my price range. Lets say maybe 2000 (if possible). And hopefully I could sell my polks and put that money into them and maybe get something even better. I heard def tech speakers in magnolia and some other speakers. I thought they sounded good. I could not even tell where the sound was coming from. I had to go to each speaker to see which one was playing. So if def tech is a step up in all your minds maybe ill go that route. I like the idea of having a sub and it being bipolar design. Its hard to audition speakers here in Indianapolis. Not alot of places and the ones that are here are over priced.
Im not totally dissatisfied with my polks. They sound ok to me. My 15ft ceilings and the great room open into my kitchen prolly dont help much as for sound. Its alot of space to feel up. Thats why i was maybe thinking about the amp first. Ill check out all your options. Keep the ideas coming. thank you for all the quick responses. this forum is awesome. Its made me addicted to this stuff. lol

For 2 grand I say check out Monitor Audio RS series, PSB Image series, Dali Ikon series if you go with the Ikon 1 and Vokal 1 and that might still be too much. Also check out the new B&W 68x series as well. You might also be able to squeeze into Paradigm Studio series if you go for the Studio 20.

 

[Guangui]

For 2 grand I say check out Monitor Audio RS series, PSB Image series, Dali Ikon series if you go with the Ikon 1 and Vokal 1 and that might still be too much. Also check out the new B&W 68x series as well. You might also be able to squeeze into Paradigm Studio series if you go for the Studio 20.

I agree with Gus's recommendations, I am happy PSB Image owner, but my first choice was MA RS Series. But, my question is what amp or receiver you own right now???

 

[selkec]

all i have right now is a harman kardon dpr1005. thats why i was leaning toeards an amp

 

[selkec]

why is it that alot of you dont like polk audio? Is it because they are not sold in speciality high end shops? By the way i listened to paradigm in a shop once and didnt like them at all.

 

[codexp3]

why is it that alot of you dont like polk audio? Is it because they are not sold in speciality high end shops? By the way i listened to paradigm in a shop once and didnt like them at all.

I love polk! I've owned 3 sets begining with the monitor, then the RT, and ended with their top of line LSIs. Polk holds their own with other speakers in their price range. There's a point of diminishing returns when it comes to cost vs. performance ratio, but it doesn't end with polk's best. After listening to paradigm's studio 100s and signature s8s, I realized there were better speakers out there. I was equally impressed by B&W, Dynaudio and PSB.

 

[selkec]

Since I only running 70 watts with my HK dpr1005. Would the lpa1 do me any good? or should I go up to the xpa5 amp by emotiva. Im thinking that much more watts would really make my rti150s and the csi5 center come to life. here is a link to my towers...http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/rti150/
Or since It seems like Im really just worried about my mains sounding better or louder. Would you all reccomend a 2 channel amp from anyone that is not really high priced?

 

[the grunt]

The difference here is the Rocket's use a Viffa Ring radiator tweeter vs the Axioms aluminum tweeter.

FYI, Axiom’s product info says titanium tweeters. Not that I took them to a metallurgist.

 

[Soundman]

FYI, Axiom’s product info says titanium tweeters. Not that I took them to a metallurgist.

My mistake. You are correct, but you see my point, right? Sorry for the error.

 

[codexp3]

The parasound classic 2250 is a good choice for about 1000. 250x2 at 8ohms. Haven't heard an emotiva yet, but I love the looks!