Selecting new speakers -- please help a newbie

[heyNY]

Hello.

I have been going back and forth about budget speakers -- was hoping to get some advice before putting any money into this. Oh, I have a Sony STR-DG820 receiver (7.1 Channel Audio/Video Receiver, 100 Watts X 7 Amplifier Power (8 ohms, 1Khz, 1.0% THD). Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Here are the three I was thinking about 1 of these 3...

2 Polk Audio R300s(I looked through the forums and seems like there may be some problems with the cross-over on these?)

# Speaker Type 2-way - Passive
# Response Bandwidth 45 - 24000 Hz
# -3dB Frequency Response 55 - 20000 Hz
# Input Impedance 8 Ohm
# Recommended Amplifier Power 20 - 150 Watt
# Sensitivity 89 dB
# Output Features Bass Reflex
# Driver Details Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Mid/woofer driver - 6.5 in - Mineral-filled polymer - Dynamic Balance,
Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Tweeter driver - 3/4 in - Silk/polymer composite - Dynamic Balance​

Sony SS-F6000 (good reviews on amazon)

# Speaker Type 4-way - Passive
# Max (RMS) Output Power 180 Watt
# Max (RMS) Output Power (Total) 180 Watt
# Response Bandwidth 40 - 50000 Hz
# -3dB Frequency Response 40 - 50000 Hz
# Input Impedance 8 Ohm
# Sensitivity 89 dB
* Driver Details Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Tweeter driver - 1 in,
Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Midrange driver - 3.25 in,
Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Woofer driver - 6.5 in,
Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Woofer driver - 6.5 in
* Driver Details 1 x 1 in (Tweeter),
2 x 6.5 in (Woofer),
1 x 3.3 in (Midrange)​

Sony SS-F5000 (good reviews on amazon too -- will it sound about the same as F6000?)

# Speaker Type 3-way - Passive
# Max (RMS) Output Power 150 Watt
# Max (RMS) Output Power (Total) 150 Watt
# Response Bandwidth 45 - 50000 Hz
# -3dB Frequency Response 45 - 50000 Hz
# Input Impedance 8 Ohm
# Sensitivity 88 dB
# Driver Details Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Tweeter driver - 1 in,
Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Midrange driver - 3.25 in,
Right/left channel speaker : 1 x Woofer driver - 8 in
# Driver Details 1 x 1 in (Tweeter),
2 x 8 in (Woofer),
1 x 4.3 in (Midrange)​

 

[markw]

Several random thoughts...

1) You can't judge a speaker by reading a spec sheet. Listening is the only way to know.

2) Like women, speakers are a matter of personal taste. Are blonds better than brunettes?

3) Two highly rated speakers can sound totally different. It all depends on who is writing the review.

4) Many speakers do many thing s right but no speaker is perfect. Sometimes you have to go for the one that does the least things wrong.

5) If you're buying off the net, unheard first, make dang sure they have a fair return policy and don't hesitate to use it.

6) Don't expect break-in, assuming there is such a thing, to make a bad sounding speaker sound good.

 

[zumbo]

Tips.

Give budget.

No need to post specs. A model# usually is enough.

$300 for a pair of towers the budget?

 

[heyNY]

zumbo - ok, thanks - won't spew out the specs again. I was looking to stay under $150 (I know...not the easiest to do, but those 3 choices are under it at the moment)

markw - good advice -- I'll see if I can't find these setup in store to get a better idea and will be sure of the return policy.

 

[just-some-guy]

No need to post specs. A model# usually is enough.

links are better

 

[zumbo]

links are better

Well, I have clicked on a link before and got myself a virus. I will usually click on a link from a member that has been around for a while, other than that, I Google to get the information myself.

Another tip.

 

[lsiberian]

zumbo - ok, thanks - won't spew out the specs again. I was looking to stay under $150 (I know...not the easiest to do, but those 3 choices are under it at the moment)

markw - good advice -- I'll see if I can't find these setup in store to get a better idea and will be sure of the return policy.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/321847-REG/Behringer_B2030P_B2030P_2_Way_Passive.html

best speaker within 100 dollars of your budget I have heard.

 

[markw]

Depending on where in NY you are,...

...if you have access to a local 6th Ave store, they are having what appears to be a terrific one day, in-store only bargain on a quintet of Jamo speakers. I haven't heard 'em, but for that price, I'd certainly take a gamble.

Clock here for the ad in today's paper.

 

[lsiberian]

...if you have access to a local 6th Ave store, they are having what appears to be a terrific one day, in-store only bargain on a quintet of Jamo speakers. I haven't heard 'em, but for that price, I'd certainly take a gamble.

Clock here for the ad in today's paper.

That is a great eye Mark. I would jump on that if you can heyNY.

 

[zumbo]

Be careful recommending 6thave. I had some d!p$h!t go nuts 2 days after placing an online order with them, wandering where his order was.

I love 6thave. Always been top notch to me.

 

[heyNY]

That is a great eye Mark. I would jump on that if you can heyNY.

I wish there was one near me -- that is a nice deal. I think I'll go with your suggestion on the Behringer B2030P. My wife wasn't too big on the idea of floorstanding speakers anyway -- it doesn't sound like it matters for sound quality (right?).

After looking at 2009 bookshelf results, when they compared to the Behringer B2030P, Yamaha NS-6490 looked to come out on top. Have you had a chance to hear them?

 

[MLCorman]

Several random thoughts...

1) You can't judge a speaker by reading a spec sheet. Listening is the only way to know.

2) Like women, speakers are a matter of personal taste. Are blonds better than brunettes?

3) Two highly rated speakers can sound totally different. It all depends on who is writing the review.

4) Many speakers do many thing s right but no speaker is perfect. Sometimes you have to go for the one that does the least things wrong.

5) If you're buying off the net, unheard first, make dang sure they have a fair return policy and don't hesitate to use it.

6) Don't expect break-in, assuming there is such a thing, to make a bad sounding speaker sound good.

Has anyone heard both the Salk SS 7M and the Klipsch Heresy? I have a 7.1 system and my current L&R fronts at Pinnacle Black Diamond 650s. I am looking at upgrading to Salk SS 7Ms or Klipsch Heresys...

 

[Verdinut]

Well, I have clicked on a link before and got myself a virus. I will usually click on a link from a member that has been around for a while, other than that, I Google to get the information myself.

Another tip.

To protect yourself against malware and PC viruses, I strongly recommend Malwarebytes Premium. I have been using it for over 10 years and this software is constantly updated with new databases for a full online protection.

 

[John Parks]

To protect yourself against malware and PC viruses, I strongly recommend Malwarebytes Premium. I have been using it for over 10 years and this software is constantly updated with new databases for a full online protection.

I certainly hope zumbo hasn't been waiting ten years for that info!

 

[MacCali]

I'd wait 40 days and invest 200 bucks on ~400 dollar speakers.

So rather than search for cheap now, search for some things that are in the 300-400 dollar range and buy them then during the holiday sales.

Probably would give you best experience.