Looking for a nice pair of speakers (<$400)

[JerryG20]

Hey guys, I'm looking a nice pair of speakers (2.0) for listening to dance, electronic, and trance music. I'm really after top-notch transient response, detail, and soundstage (I'd go with electrostats, but they're too expensive, too big, and don't quite offer enough bass oomph for my tastes). My budget is to spend less than $400. I'd prefer to buy used to save money. I do not have any preferences for bookshelf vs. floorstanding; whatever sounds the best.

So, any suggestions to look into?

 

[fredk]

Your comment on bass suggests a floor stander they will give you more bass than a bookshelf by virtue of their size.

I don't know what the rule of thumb is for used audio equipment. 50%?? If thats the case, you should be able to pick up a decent set of floorstanders in that range.

Browse Audiogon and see what sort of speakers are in that range. Maybe come back here with a list and see what people say.

 

[corey]

No one can, or should, get too specific with out knowing more about what you're doing: what amp/receiver are you going to drive them with, & how big a room?

That being said, I'd look towards 2.1, rather then 2.0.

Your local craigslist is good, no shipping. I recently picked up a used HSU sub for $160, but for music only you should be able to go lower. Put the rest into a pair of bookshelves.

 

[corey]

I guess I don't type fast enough, didn't see fredk's post.

 

[mazersteven]

Based on your needs my recommendation would be a pre-owned pair of Polk LSi9's. These speakers will give everything you asked for IMO.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/bookshelf/lsi9/

Audiogon
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl

 

[mazersteven]

Polk Audio RTi8

http://shop3.frys.com/product/3753276?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

 

[Matt34]

Look around and you may be able to find the Infinity Primus 360 for around your price range.

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/605infinity/

 

[JerryG20]

I don't have any particular amplifier in mind, so I guess that also has to be factored in. So, my budget is less than $400 for the speakers, and less than $300 for the amplifier.

I saw a deal on the Infinity speakers on slickdeals.net at Fry's for $99 a speaker. Too bad I missed it, but was that a good deal? I mean, would these speakers fit my bill? It's one thing to recommend the speakers because they're insanely cheap or have a very good deal, but it's another if they fit the kind of sound I'm looking for.

Should I go with 2 bookshelfs and a subwoofer? I think the bass from a bookshelf speaker should be fine, so the only concern is whether I need a subwoofer for the specific bookshelfs I get or not (I suspect the recommended speakers might be a bit bass light due to my criteria of extremely detailed, fast transient response, and large soundstage).

 

[MiamiBluff]

Paradigm

I'm getting the Paradigm Atoms to match a 100W Onkyo 8522 Receiver ($250 at Amazon).

 

[jcPanny]

AV123 X-series

AV123 is having a bid sale on their x-series speakers. You should be able to get the X-sls or X-mtm floor standers in your price range.
http://av123.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,21/Itemid,37/
If you go with the bookshelf speakers or the X-sls you would have enough money to pick up an X-sub at the sale prices.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

For just $200/pr, Alesis Monitor Ones are outstanding. In fact, they hold their own against a lot of vastly more expensive offerings.
I also got a pair of JBL Stadiums for $300, but that was a deep discount (MSRP is $600.) They sound great with most music, and exceptional with live rock (in fact, I went out and bought a bunch of live rock CDs after hearing them!)

 

[Tomorrow]

These would be fabulous for you. They can't be told from brand new. (There is a potential sale pending on these, however.)
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45020

I also have a rockin', minty pair of Advents that would give you all the bass you can handle....$150 + shipping + Paypal.

PM me if you want pictures or further information.

 

[JerryG20]

Wow, a whole bunch of different responses. Are you guys keeping in mind my criteria and music preferences (for instance, one guy simply posted a one liner stating what HE is buying)?

What do you guys think of the Focal Jm Labs Chorus 705v or 706v?

 

[mazersteven]

Wow, a whole bunch of different responses. Are you guys keeping in mind my criteria and music preferences

Did you not see my post where I stated "Based on your needs my recommendation would be".

 

[gus6464]

Based on your needs my recommendation would be a pre-owned pair of Polk LSi9's. These speakers will give everything you asked for IMO.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/bookshelf/lsi9/

Audiogon
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl

Good speakers and one of the best tweeters ever IMO. They sure are power hungry though

Edit: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1219359225
Spend the extra $100 bucks and buy those now

 

[mazersteven]

Good speakers and one of the best tweeters ever IMO. They sure are power hungry though

Edit: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1219359225
Spend the extra $100 bucks and buy those now

I had those linked in my post. I linked all the LSi9's that were for sale. But don't know what happened. Hmmmmm Thanks for re-linking.

 

[JerryG20]

Sorry, mazersteven, I just meant that some people didn't seem (based on their post, that is) to acknowledge that they factored in my music tastes and what not. You did, of course.

I'll look into those speakers. What are your feelings on amplification? I'd prefer a receiver or integrated amp.

 

[mazersteven]

What are your feelings on amplification? I'd prefer a receiver or integrated amp.

Once you select speakers, then you can select a receiver.

 

[JerryG20]

I've been reading up a bit on the LSi9 and it seems it tends to have a "musical" and "smooth" sound? Would you agree with this? I'd prefer something that wasn't so "smooth" sounding (I like a fast, detailed sound, if that makes any sense; something "cold" sounding...).

I was talking about amplification for the LSi9 in my budget (under $300)? It seems that they need quite an amp because they are 4 ohms? I really don't want to push my budget (I was originally looking at stuff that costs LESS THAN $400, now I'm looking at speakers that cost at least $100 MORE THAN $400 )

 

[Alex2507]

Look around and you may be able to find the Infinity Primus 360 for around your price range.

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/605infinity/

Just wanted to add this:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44745

and this:

http://order.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/wg-order?unique=5efca&catalog=yhst-86301231766969&et=4865f6d2&basket=b=5C3b42bfd100b15c4865efca61a493c42bfd124570944b6b1e5c0a08716ef2961&l=&s=EwzbdVXGoA9uTTiVn2hJLDHcaRg-