It's Been Said That "Speakers are What Matters," and so...

[PearlcorderS701]

I'm simply getting ridiculously fed up with my Polk R20 bookshelves on the leaning, half-broken POS Sanus stands they're on in my 2-channel room -- it's time to upgrade. I'm getting really tired of attempting to make the stands remain upright without leaning to one side, pulling the carpet spikes out of the floor to move these things about into place...enough.

First, the speakers must be floor standers (don't want to go down the bookshelf route again), and I'm looking for a pair that would mate well with my new(ish) Onkyo 8555 stereo receiver for music playback...now, before you all tell me "ANY $99 Best Buy speaker would go with that POS receiver!" please be aware that I'm not looking for "any Best Buy speaker" nor am I looking to get rid of the receiver. I recently bought this unit, and it's doing just fine for two channel -- I need to upgrade my speakers, though.

So, they must be floor standers, not too big in girth and width, but not something ridiculously cheap either "just because" they're being mated to a "mere" stereo receiver...I'd like to get something of quality -- not esoteric/audiophile level obviously as this setup is simply not set up for ultra-high-end -- but something that would do good for music mated to this Onkyo.

Any suggestions? Any specific brands that do better with music than HT? I am not loyal to Polk -- so any somewhat affordable recommendations are welcome.

 

[JJMP50]

Well like all suggestions on speakers, it all comes down to what you like. If I was going to replace the speakers in my 2 channel room (den), I would pick up a pair of Totem Sttafs. I auditioned them a few months ago and fell in love with them but couldn't justify the price and they (the shop) didn't have a matching center (I was shopping for my HT upgrade). Incredible little tower. There are so many choices today. Speaker shopping is fun but can be frustrating especially when you're about to pull the trigger.

 

[Matt34]

I'm simply getting ridiculously fed up with my Polk R20 bookshelves on the leaning, half-broken POS Sanus stands they're on in my 2-channel room -- it's time to upgrade. I'm getting really tired of attempting to make the stands remain upright without leaning to one side, pulling the carpet spikes out of the floor to move these things about into place...enough.

First, the speakers must be floor standers (don't want to go down the bookshelf route again), and I'm looking for a pair that would mate well with my new(ish) Onkyo 8555 stereo receiver for music playback...now, before you all tell me "ANY $99 Best Buy speaker would go with that POS receiver!" please be aware that I'm not looking for "any Best Buy speaker" nor am I looking to get rid of the receiver. I recently bought this unit, and it's doing just fine for two channel -- I need to upgrade my speakers, though.

So, they must be floor standers, not too big in girth and width, but not something ridiculously cheap either "just because" they're being mated to a "mere" stereo receiver...I'd like to get something of quality -- not esoteric/audiophile level obviously as this setup is simply not set up for ultra-high-end -- but something that would do good for music mated to this Onkyo.

Any suggestions? Any specific brands that do better with music than HT? I am not loyal to Polk -- so any somewhat affordable recommendations are welcome.

As someone that has gave a lot of the cheaper speakers a go at one time or another and at the risk of sounding like a broken record I would highly suggest the Infinity Primus 362.

 

[shadyJ]

Nobody here would tell you that any $99 POS speaker will match that receiver, in fact, that receiver isn't bad at all. How much are you looking to spend? If money is tight, look at the Infinity Primus p362's, like matt said. Also check out the EMP E5Ti or E55Ti speakers. Aperion look like they have nice floor standing speakers, but I haven't heard them personally.

 

[3db]

PSB's Image T6s are garnering good reviews.

 

[ohskigod]

you got plenty of good options in your situation. I certainly wouldnt call that reciever a p.o.s.

that said, this is actually a texbook situation for the much mentioned Infinity speakers noted above in there price range might be a perfect fit. I've never laid ears on them and Infinity usually does float my boat, but the price I hear they go for you can't go too wrong.


also note, do the R20's sound good to you stand issues be damned? if so don't rule out Polk's old R line towers, Monitor line, or new TSi line as well (new, used..whatever), as they are similarly voiced and those lines have floor standers.

while i have had issues with stands, usually sanus are pretty solid......but know the annoyance of a stand that just doesnt do it's effin job right, so I feel ya.

are the stands fillable? if so, FILL THEM. I learned this lesson the hard way, a 5 dollar bag of sand can be a huge win. if not, broom em and get the floorstanders

whatever works bud, cause if your rig is annoying you, it defeats the purpose.

 

[KEW]

...now, before you all tell me "ANY $99 Best Buy speaker would go with that POS receiver!" please be aware that I'm not looking for "any Best Buy speaker" nor am I looking to get rid of the receiver. I recently bought this unit, and it's doing just fine for two channel -- I need to upgrade my speakers, though.

I think you've got the wrong forum!
The TX-8555 may not be a high end unit, but it is a modern 100WPC receiver from a competent company.
If you want to improve your sound, you are correct - replacing the Polks is the route to take. You didn't mention a budget.

I'll be a ditto head - at $350 to $450 (sale prices vary widely) the Primus P362's are way better than you would think.

 

[gmichael]

Wow! My first thought was the Infinty 362's would be a nice upgrade but I see that almost everyone has already suggested them. Nothing left for me to say, but I will try. The Totems mentioned would be a step up from the Infinity's IMO, but would cost you more. They also tend to need a little more power than most receivers can give them to sound their best.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

WOW -- didn't expect this many responses...thanks a lot guys!

I'm kind of in a rush now, but I will definitely get back to each of you with regards to your suggestions. As always, they're definitely appreciated!

I see that the Infinitys are being recommended highly -- are these good for music over, say, comparable Polk floorstanders?

 

[3db]

WOW -- didn't expect this many responses...thanks a lot guys!

I'm kind of in a rush now, but I will definitely get back to each of you with regards to your suggestions. As always, they're definitely appreciated!

I see that the Infinitys are being recommended highly -- are these good for music over, say, comparable Polk floorstanders?

Yup, there's not a Polk speaker that can't be beat by PSB Oh you said Infinity........ Answer is yes.

 

[andres6]

so which PSB's would you say

compare favorably to Polk Audio's LSi line of speakers?

That means they have to compare price wise too.

Thanks.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

compare favorably to Polk Audio's LSi line of speakers?

That means they have to compare price wise too.

Thanks.

Huh?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Yup, there's not a Polk speaker that can't be beat by PSB Oh you said Infinity........ Answer is yes.

The Polks are really that bad, you feel?

Just trying to hold back the sobs because I just dropped a nice amount on a pair of RTi12's for my HT...

 

[KEW]

WOW -- didn't expect this many responses...thanks a lot guys!

I'm kind of in a rush now, but I will definitely get back to each of you with regards to your suggestions. As always, they're definitely appreciated!

I see that the Infinitys are being recommended highly -- are these good for music over, say, comparable Polk floorstanders?

I have never heard the current generation of Polk speakers in a decent listening environment. However, I did hook up a pair of P362's in my "listening room" (aka bedroom & 100% music). I have been listening to them A-B and volume matched against my other speakers (all over $2000 retail). No, they definitely don't beat the $2K+ speakers. However, they are very well balanced and composed for <$500. There are even a few isolated places where they actually sounded better to my ear!
Anybody in the ATL area want to compare their speakers against the P362's, PM me!

 

[its phillip]

The Polks are really that bad, you feel?

Just trying to hold back the sobs because I just dropped a nice amount on a pair of RTi12's for my HT...

Dude, if you enjoy them, that's all that matters. Second guessing purchases after the fact is a terrible habit :O

 

[jostenmeat]

It's Been Said That "Speakers are What Matters," and so...

I think that's about halfway there. I think the better version goes like so, It's Been Said That "Speakers And Their Interaction With The Room Are What Matters".

Or, I could change the statement a different way, It's Been Said That "Speakers are What Matters as far as Purchasing Decisions are Concerned". Still, the other HALF of the equation is still very important (and arguably free).

I have the impression that I can take a pair of "ok" speakers and make them sound better than what most people are used to, if given utter freedom in placement of both speakers and listener. This is without even getting into discussion of treatments. I can also take top of the line speakers, and probably make them sound quite crappy if I was given utter freedom in speakers and listener placement (with the goal of crappy sound).

my 2 cents.


edit: Oh, I'd like to repeat the question that I don't think has yet been answered. What is the budget?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Okay, time to reply individually to all of you that were helpful in some suggestions...and I'm simply not going to entertain the "corrections" certain folks made to the meaning or gist of my thread's title -- we all know what I meant, which was that most often, it's suggested that the speakers have a much greater effect on what you're experiencing rather than the amplification and in many instances the source deck. Sure, the room factors in there too at some point, but saying that, let me first reply to Mr. JJ here below...

Well like all suggestions on speakers, it all comes down to what you like.

I know and realize this is a very, very open-ended question with hundreds -- maybe thousands -- of variables, as it seems there are more speaker manufacturers than any other kind of electronics gear in the marketplace (and I am talking esoteric audiophile level all the way down to Sony HTiB makes), and it is very difficult to send anyone in a certain direction without them hearing speakers in a good demo room and such (we've seen the countless threads on AVS and even here in which someone asks for speaker recommendations and the thread is overrun with "you have to listen to them yourself!" and "there is no way anyone could actually recommend to you what to buy..." comments and replies)...but let me say this: First, I live in a state where there are no specialty audio shops whatsoever (regardless of the fact that there are ridiculously rich people that live here and that certain areas of this city are renowned for being Hollywood famous types' second home getaways and even the new place they're moving to)...the only places we had to even look at any kind of gear was Circuit City (which closed) and a couple of Best Buys. I'm not buying ANY gear from either of these places, regardless if they sell brands I can "afford" and which may share the label with gear I happen to already own. There's something just "wrong" about buying speakers/audio equipment at a Best Buy as they're normally the worst pieces of junk in a manufacturer's specific line.

And so, my point is, I have nowhere to really demo any speakers -- but I am willing to go on some personal recommendations from others on here, and as I said, I am not loyal to Polk.

If I was going to replace the speakers in my 2 channel room (den), I would pick up a pair of Totem Sttafs. I auditioned them a few months ago and fell in love with them but couldn't justify the price and they (the shop) didn't have a matching center (I was shopping for my HT upgrade). Incredible little tower. There are so many choices today. Speaker shopping is fun but can be frustrating especially when you're about to pull the trigger.

Indeed -- there are so many choices today, as I mentioned above, but let me ask you regarding the Totems...how expensive are they?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

As someone that has gave a lot of the cheaper speakers a go at one time or another and at the risk of sounding like a broken record I would highly suggest the Infinity Primus 362.

Thank you for the honest and open opinion here Matt -- THIS is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Can you give me some insight as to why you would recommend the Primus for music playback...is there a quality they have? Are they better than just a "bargain basement special"?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Nobody here would tell you that any $99 POS speaker will match that receiver, in fact, that receiver isn't bad at all. How much are you looking to spend? If money is tight, look at the Infinity Primus p362's, like matt said. Also check out the EMP E5Ti or E55Ti speakers. Aperion look like they have nice floor standing speakers, but I haven't heard them personally.

Thanks so much for your opinions here too, J! Much appreciated...

I only mentioned that comment about the "$99 POS speakers" because I just expected to get those kinds of responses from people based on what I will be powering the speakers with -- indeed, I agree 100 percent with you, and feel the 8555 is more than "not bad at all"...I feel this receiver behaves and feels (tactile touch of its controls, weight for price paid) like a much higher-end integrated amp that approaches the hi-fi area. If we're all moving past the fact that better speakers can be mated to this unit, then we can start discussing such speakers...thank you.

Now, can you give me some more insight as to why you agree with Matt's recommendations of the Infinitys? Would these be considered a "very low end" speaker? I am trying to figure out my ultimate budget, but I know I don't want some "bargain basement special" just to save money; can you tell me more about why you like the Infinitys? Are EMP and Emperion expensive makes?

Thanks again...

 

[PearlcorderS701]

PSB's Image T6s are garnering good reviews.

Thank you, dB! I shall add these to my growing list...do you know if these are good with/for music only applications? I've heard good things about PSB but never demo'ed any of their stuff...