A subject that's been beaten to death: need loudspeaker recommendations

[gwilks98]

Hello all,

Allow me to apologize for beating this horse again, but I'm looking to replace my fronts. I'm thinking around $1000 per pair is about right, plus some extra to accomodate for a matching center channel. I would even be willing to go over that if the speaker was worth it.

I've been lurking these forums (and others) for a few months now trying to find good opinions that match what I'm looking for, but I'm just stumped. I can't really afford to try out 10 different speaker sets and send them back, so, if you regulars don't mind, I'd like to listen to what advice you can give.

Here are my requirements:
I can't handle harsh bright tweeters. My ears are pretty sensitive to high pitched noises.
I listen to all types of music, but mostly rock and metal.
I already I have an SVS PB12-NSD and a Denon 2308CI (capable 6-8 ohm speakers @ 100W)
The room is a fairly decent size, much wider than it is long. (the wider the sweet spot, the better I guess.)
I would prefer to avoid speakers with powered components. (Def Tech BP7004's had a nice wide stage to them, though.)


Maybe it's my listening tastes, but I found that my budget doesn't allow for what I consider good sounding towers. The ones I've listened to seem fantastic up top, ok with bass but really lacking in the mids. (Electric guitar always seemed muddy, or quiet, with the vocals being completely dominant.)

Maybe the ID tower brands will be different, but again, I'll quickly kill my budget in return shipping if I can't find something I'll be happy with.

My sub is fantastic for home theater, but I've found that it just isn't punchy enough for my music tastes, so I'd like to find a speaker that can help address that problem.

My searching has brought me to these speakers:

SVS MBS-01
Ascend Sierra-1s
Rocket Sigs 850s
Swan Divas (6.1s or 6.2s)

After seeing Warpdrv's opinion on the SVS MTS-01s, I'm not sure that's the speaker for me, but they were originally in my list.

I saw a review that compared the sierra's to the dynaudio focus-140's here:
"Enjoy the Music dot com" (Unable to post the link since my count is under 5.

I got to listen to the dynaudios (as a reference point) and did like the way they sounded. BTW, they were fantastic with string music.

Is there anyone here who would mind breaking down how each speaker would sound different from the others, based on their own experience? Is there a particular speaker you would advise me to stay away from or go after? (Please no brand bashing: keep it factual.)

Thanks for hearing my questions.

 

[mike c]

i would recommend you go to your local b&m (brick and mortar) stores to listen to the speakers available.

while decent subwoofers are few and rare at b&m's ... speakers are not. no need to waste shipping costs.

 

[furrycute]

The Ascend Sierra 1's have gotten rave reviews. That would be my pick.

 

[satish536]

RBH MC-6CT Towers. They have a review for the MC-6C's on this website.

This is the review for the towers.
http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/rbh_mc6ct.htm

 

[Stripes]

Have you thought about throwing the Era Design 5 in the mix?

They are a remarkable little powerhouse. $900.00 a pair...

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Aperion Audio Internet Direct Speakers

Give the Aperion Audio Intimus 633-T Tower Speakers a try. $1000.00 shipped both ways (well, $1000.00 if you keep them.)

Aperion Audio offers the following redeeming features:

1" Hi Density Fiberboard construction, vs. many companies only use 3/4" Medium Density Fiberboard.

30 day audition with shipping BOTH ways if your not happy.

One year Trade in / Trade up deal. Just keep the packing boxes and you can trade, say the 533 LR's up to 633 LR's with full credit on the 533's. Who else does that?

The Piano Black is to behold, simply awesome. I hear the same thing about the Cherry looking more like furniture than speakers.

And the customer support is awesome. Very friendly.

As far as sound goes, at first I thought they were a little bright on the top end, but I cranked them up to reference level for over an hour, and had zero listening fatigue. I'm a bass nut, so I crossed mine over at 80 hz, and set my big Hsu by ear for a "warm" bottom end. During that hour, my remastered Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" sounded insanely good.

I also have played smooth R&B, new country, and 80's country off the Satellite Dish (XM) and they sound great. Only thing I have not played is rap. I'm very very satisfied with my system, and everybody that hears it comments on the sound quality.

Bottom line: Buy any Aperion speaker and try them out.

 

[stratman]

I'm with Mike, you must audition. Use the recommendations as a guide, go from there and don't be cheap with the time spent auditioning. In the end you'll be happier.

 

[mazersteven]

The other night while auditioning everything from The Allman Brothers to Frédéric Chopin , Leann Rhymes to Prodigy, Rush to Sade. IMO the SVS MBS-01 are outstanding speakers.

 

[jliedeka]

I'm looking to replace all 5 speakers at a comparable price range. I have local dealers for Era, Paradigm and B&W. I'm planning to check out the D4 and D5 monitors, Paradigm Studio 20s and hopefully something from the B&W 700 series.

If I don't find something that blows me away, I may take a chance on Ascend Sierra 1s or the Quad L series. If you can, check out Revel, Focus, Triangle, Monitor Audio and Dynaudio. Those would all be my candidates.

Jim

 

[mazersteven]

Paradigm Studio 20s and hopefully something from the B&W 700 series.
Jim

The Paradigm Studio 20's are an excellent speaker, and one that I have recommended a thousand times. IMO the Studio 20's sound quality can't compare to the MBS-01's.

 

[mike c]

The Paradigm Studio 20's are an excellent speaker, and one that I have recommended a thousand times. IMO the Studio 20's sound quality can't compare to the MBS-01's.

studio 20's < MBS-01 in your opinion?

 

[mazersteven]

studio 20's < MBS-01 in your opinion?

MBS-01's

Over

Studio 20's

 

[speakerman39]

MBS-01's

Over

Studio 20's

I used to own a set of the Studio 20 v.3's myself and just loved them. Have you compared the MBS-O1's to the new v.4 version? It is my understanding that the tweeter is much better than on the v.3 version. Just curious is all mazer-no pun intended.

 

[mazersteven]

Have you compared the MBS-O1's to the new v.4 version? .

Not side, by side. But yes I have heard the Studio v.4, and am very familiar with the Paradigm Studio sound.

My preference in still toward the SVS's.

 

[speakerman39]

Not side, by side. But yes I have heard the Studio v.4, and am very familiar with the Paradigm Studio sound.

My preference in still toward the SVS's.

Wow mazer guess I need to check them out myself one of these days. Do you believe the 20 v.4's sounded that much better than the v.3's? I mean was the tweeter on the v.4 more open and airy? Or, is it just a bunch of hype? BTW, it is good to see you posting as it has been a while since I seen you post here. I also appreciate the info mazer.

 

[mazersteven]

IMO there was a larger difference between the v.2's and the v.3's. Not as large of a difference between the v.3's and v.4's.

If you only had to pay the difference between what the v.3's cost new, and what the v.4's cost now. I would say do it. If you have to pay more I would say it's not worth it. So if your dealer has a trade up program that lets you trade your speakers for what you paid and pay only the difference it might be something you would want to look into.

Definitely worth taking your speaker to a Paradigm dealer and doing side by side yourself.

 

[Matt34]

There are a set of B-stock rocket 850's on the av123 site. You might perfer these over the Sierra's as they tend to have a "warmer" signature than the Sierra's more nuetral sound. They should also be able to give you more mid-bass punch than any of the other speakers.

Your best bet is to see if someone local to you has them or the 760s and see if you can audition them.

 

[mazersteven]

There are a set of B-stock rocket 850's on the av123 site. You might perfer these over the Sierra's as they tend to have a "warmer" signature than the Sierra's more nuetral sound. They should also be able to give you more mid-bass punch than any of the other speakers.

Your best bet if to see if someone local to you has them or the 760 and see if you can audition them.

I would hope the 850's had more mid-bass. After all the cabinet is just a little larger.

Excellent advice on seeing if you can audition someones system locally.

 

[speakerman39]

IMO there was a larger difference between the v.2's and the v.3's. Not as large of a difference between the v.3's and v.4's.

If you only had to pay the difference between what the v.3's cost new, and what the v.4's cost now. I would say do it. If you have to pay more I would say it's not worth it. So if your dealer has a trade up program that lets you trade your speakers for what you paid and pay only the difference it might be something you would want to look into.

Definitely worth taking your speaker to a Paradigm dealer and doing side by side yourself.

Thanks mazer but I don't own the Studio 20's anymore. I have been told that the v.4 version uses the the same tweeter used in the Signature Series speakers but not totally sure.

 

[mazersteven]

Thanks mazer but don't own the Studio 20's anymore. I have been told that the v.4 version uses the the same tweeter used in their best speakers but not totally sure.

If I am correct the Studio's use a completely different tweeter then the Signature series.