Best Floorstanding Speakers < $1,000?

[Melee]

@ AcuDef, I have nowhere to listen to any of these. lol As I said, the only store within 2-3 hours of me that carries home theater speakers is Best Buy and it's a small Best Buy that only has the Klipsch Icon's, Polk TSi's, and some model of Pioneers. That is why I have to rely on you guys to help me out AS MUCH as possible. haha I appreciate everything so far, though. You guys are amazing.

@ Granteed, that review got me excited about them, I'm not going to lie. lol He did an amazing job of describing every aspect of them in detail and the way he says it makes me think they are exactly what I am looking for. It's a little disappointing that they're not incredible on bass since I won't have a Sub for a while, but as long as it's accurate and precise then I don't need it to rumble the apartment. ^_^

Is there a specific reason that they didn't allow for bi-amping with these, though? Even my cheap Polk's had that option. I'm extremely surprised that they opted to leave that out but it's not a huge deal to me since I had no intentions of adding an additional amp, anyways.

Are you able to at least make a comparison between them and the Infinity's? lol The Infinity's are definitely MUCH cheaper and everyone seems to regard them highly. Aesthetically, it's a landslide. lol I've never seen such beautiful speakers in this price range as the EMP's.

*EDIT* Also, if anyone has heard both the RC-50's and EMP e55ti's and can compare them, they would be extremely helpful.

 

[Melee]

Wow, I found some amazing prices on the Infinity's. lol

Infinity Primus P363's - $158.24 Each $316.47 for a Pair

Infinity Primus PC351 (Center) - $172.50

Infinity Primus P153 (Bookshelves) - $57.26 Each $114.52 for a Pair

Total for the System: $603.49

I wish they had the P163's instead of the P153's but they don't carry them.

What do you guys think? Is that the better option or should I stick with the Energy's or EMP's?

 

[its phillip]

Those are amazing prices - where did you find em? I'd definitely buy that setup.

 

[GranteedEV]

What do you guys think? Is that the better option or should I stick with the Energy's or EMP's?

I think you need a look at the return/audition policy more than anything. At the end of the day, all speakers are a series of compromises, even the best of the best still come short somewhere or another. Only way to know which compromises you prefer is to hear them yourself. Like I said earlier, we can recommend all we want, but at the end of the day you might end up buying something and then bring it home and find it lacking on a specific recording or what-have-you. The only way to decide if it's right is a 30-60 day audition period. Most internet direct companies are perfectly fine by this, and a lot of high end dealers are as well. Where you may run into problems is with large scale resellers.


For all I know, despite being the least expensive, the P363s might be the speakers you end up buying and loving most. But that's no garuntee. We can give you a list based on the sorts of measurements and experiences we think define superior speakers but because they're not fully measured in every criteria (and never are), we don't know enough about them so listening is truly the only way to get to know them. All the reviews and opinions in the world mean nothing because even though we all enjoy them, they can't begin to describe the complexity of sound perception.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Wow, I found some amazing prices on the Infinity's. lol

Infinity Primus P363's - $158.24 Each $316.47 for a Pair

Infinity Primus PC351 (Center) - $172.50

Infinity Primus P153 (Bookshelves) - $57.26 Each $114.52 for a Pair

Total for the System: $603.49

I wish they had the P163's instead of the P153's but they don't carry them.

What do you guys think? Is that the better option or should I stick with the Energy's or EMP's?

Where did you find the P363 for $158.24 each? That would be a great deal.

When you ask 100 guys, you will get 100 different answers.

The only thing any of us can do is give our own honest opinion based solely on our personal experience.

I my experience and opinion, the P362s sounded better to me than many speakers costing $2K. I won't mention any specifics unless you PM me.

Great on-axis and off-axis frequency response - check.
Clear midrange sound - check.
Smooth treble sound - check.
Adequate bass - check.
Good imaging - check.

Because they are not expensive speakers, you won't find luxury speaker posts and all that, but they got it where it really counts - the sound.

BTW, passive bi-amping and bi-wire is 100% waste of time and money; don't do it.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Sure doesn't make me all warm and fuzzy about auditioning the Imagine T's... as I had planned. I've heard the Infinity's on a few occassion here locally at future shop....with that said...maybe aesthetics,prestige and/or cost along with waf play a larger role in our decision, than we think. Maybe I'll need to delve into DIY research and come up with another plan or something?

Let's put it this way, IMO the Imagine T impressed me a lot more than some much more expensive speakers, but I won't mention their names unless you PM me, but you may already know which ones I'm talking about.

We all know about diminishing returns when it comes to SQ.

But as you say, aesthetics, pride of ownership, prestige, etc., all play a major role as well.

But for $300/pr, the P362s impressed me more than anything!

I believe the P362s will win a lot of double-blinded tests, but not on many sighted ones.

 

[Melee]

Well, I don't like going at this as "these are nice for the price". That is what I did with the Polk's and while they were decent, when I really listened to them with music, I was disappointed. I just simply don't want that to happen again.

As far as the Infinity's, they have a warmer and more neutral sound than the Polk's, don't they? That's definitely a plus for them if so.

I mean, if they are even COMPARABLE in sound to the Energy's and EMP's, then that is an amazing deal and will allow me so much breathing room with the rest of my setup. For example, I could buy a much nicer receiver and Sub to pair with them while the other two choices will take most or all of my budget just for the towers.

However, if the RC-50's and e55ti's are DECISIVELY better than the Infinity's, I don't want to buy the Infinity's and then regret it.

The only downside I have seen to the Infinity's are that they are reportedly hard to drive as they will dip down to 4-ohms in the midrange. How strong of a receiver would I need to power these? I have my heart set on a Pioneer VSX-1120-K, but the Pioneer Elite's and Yamaha 667 are nice as well. I definitely want to make sure that I would have enough power for them. I have a Denon AVR-791 right now that I'm not fond of. I am going to sell it soon. What would be the best option between the Pioneer's and Yamaha? I believe I can get the Yamaha new for around $360 and I believe the 1120-K is something like $499 at the lowest. What would you guys recommend there?

If I went the Infinity route, I would probably consider something like:

Infinity Primus P363's x2
Infinity Primus PC351 Center
$300-$400 Sub (Might have to save up a bit for this)
$300-$400 Receiver

Are the Infinity or Velodyne Impact Subs any good?

 

[GranteedEV]

Both are okay for subs, but for the money you can do better going internet direct. Infinity does make great drivers for DIY though.

But yeah, a robust amplifier section is recommended for full fidelity. Overall harman speakers are an easy load to drive however.

 

[dem beats]

I'm with Grant 110%. You need to DIY the sub or go with a reputable ID brand here.

I don't know what's hot anymore. I'm working on a dual Maelstrom DIY build now but SVS used to be great value for the dollar.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, I don't like going at this as "these are nice for the price". That is what I did with the Polk's and while they were decent, when I really listened to them with music, I was disappointed. I just simply don't want that to happen again.

If you just heard the P363s and did not know the price, you may think they sound like $2,000 speakers. That is what I'm saying.

Just don't expect premium gold plated muilti-binding posts and beautiful veneer wood.

 

[dem beats]

Oh.... I have a lower mid level velodyne and all I can think of is upgrade BTW.

 

[GranteedEV]

Oh.... I have a lower mid level velodyne and all I can think of is upgrade BTW.

I've got one sealed maelstrom and all I can think of is

"How inadequate"

...not the maelstrom... but movies. Because the Mal-x wipes the floor with the movies and deep bass in music.

Although i'm still getting a second to clean up room response and reduce excursion.

 

[Melee]

@ Acu, this is a bedroom system so aesthetics are FAR less important than sound. lol I'm not really worried about having gorgeous speakers in my room as I'm the only one in here most of the time so I would much rather have excellent sound over eye candy. I definitely don't want something that is butt ugly (lol) but the Infinity's are actually quite attractive from what I can tell.

The reason I was asking about those two brands of Subs are that the same place I found the P363's have their Sub's and the Velodyne Impact Subs for 40% Off.

So, for example, I can get a Velodyne Impact 12 which is $340 + $20 Shipping on Amazon for $230. I have no clue of how good these are, though.

I thought about going with some DIY Subs as I found a great deal on Anarchy 6.5" Woofers for $65 apiece and specially designed cabinets for them for $70 apiece. So, for $260 (plus the cost of amp(s)) I could have nice dual subs. Aside from that, I don't know much about them.

The ID Subs I have been considering are:

BIC F-12 for $181
BIC PL-200 for $275
Lava LSP12 for $285
HSU STF-2 for $349
ED A2-300 for $415
Emotiva Ultra 12 for $429
(I would like to keep it around $400 or less on the Sub....the less the better. lol I just want a nice tight/precise sub that is wonderfully musical. I live in an apartment so I won't be cranking it up to rumble the place anytime soon.)

Any better options out there? Or, could I make a much better DIY Sub for that price?

 

[dem beats]

Not to hijack as this pertains to where I think the RC-50's could use some majic in the low end.....

I'm building 2 16cuf boxes tuned to ~10hz. Do you use some boost EQ on the sealed Mael-x?

I hope I'm not left wanting with my 2 huge cabs.

 

[GranteedEV]

I thought about going with some DIY Subs as I found a great deal on Anarchy 6.5" Woofers for $65 apiece and specially designed cabinets for them for $70 apiece. So, for $260 (plus the cost of amp(s)) I could have nice dual subs. Aside from that, I don't know much about them.

Anarchies are midwoofers. While they can be used as subs, they're not subs inherently.

Any better options out there? Or, could I make a much better DIY Sub for that price?

My choices for commercial subs around the price range would be Epik Legend and the Emotiva Ultra 12.

For DIY look into CSS Trio 12s and SDX10s. I don't recall how they would do in sealed boxes but i'm leaning more towards sealed if it's a bedroom. What are the dimensions of the bedroom?

 

[Melee]

Anarchies are midwoofers. While they can be used as subs, they're not subs inherently.

My choices for commercial subs around the price range would be Epik Legend and the Emotiva Ultra 12.

For DIY look into CSS Trio 12s and SDX10s. I don't recall how they would do in sealed boxes but i'm leaning more towards sealed if it's a bedroom. What are the dimensions of the bedroom?

They were awesome looking little subs when completed. They were tall and thin and actually impressed in numbers. They could dip down to the mid-upper 20's with relative ease, although they definitely aren't very loud. It was just an interested little project. ^_^

I have honestly been thinking Sealed might be best for me for 2 reasons.

1) They are supposedly more musical than ported subs from what I have read. Ported subs will generally be louder and go deeper, but Sealed subs are tighter, more accurate, and overall more musically pleasing.

2) Sealed Sub probably won't piss off my neighbors as much. haha

The Emotiva Ultra 12 is the only ID Sealed Sub I know of that is well regarded. I have heard a bit on the Epik Legend, but not a lot.

 

[GranteedEV]

1) They are supposedly more musical than ported subs from what I have read. Ported subs will generally be louder and go deeper, but Sealed subs are tighter, more accurate, and overall more musically pleasing.

Poorly designed, both can sound royally awful.
Well-designed, both can sound pretty much equally musical although some might disagree (in theory, I'd argue equalized open baffle dipole is the way to go but that's a serious sacrifice on output capabilty... and TLS guy would tell you both sealed and ported are flawed.. and that transmission lines are the way to go... and then some other people would tell you all these designs are poor compared to the efficient exponential horns )

The reason I recommend sealed is that if you have a smaller room, a ported sub or low corner horn loaded sub may have some unwanted gain at the low end leading to a bottom-heavy sound. You can EQ it down, but I don't know if you're going to have EQ.

Sealed in a larger room will lack low end as a whole unless you EQ it up (which puts a lot more stress on the amp and driver) but in a small room, you'll gain a lot of desired low end.

2) Sealed Sub probably won't piss off my neighbors as much. haha

Dude, who cares about that. If they ask, it's because a plane flew overhead

The Emotiva Ultra 12 is the only ID Sealed Sub I know of that is well regarded. I have heard a bit on the Epik Legend, but not a lot.

BTW, if you're using a sub and it's a bedroom, I figured I'd ask. Do you truly need tower speakers?

Because some of these beasts:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LSR6325P

Would be great and also take away the need for a receiver.

 

[Melee]

Oh, I forgot to answer a few of your questions. -_- lol

My bedroom is 13' x 13' x 7'. I'll post a diagram of it at the bottom. (I had to wait until I had 5 posts.)

I will most definitely have EQ, however, I know only certain ones EQ the Sub. Right now, I have a Denon with Audyssey MultEQ which takes care of the Sub also, but I'm not a fan of this receiver. I would much rather switch to something else if I can find something better in the price range. Right now, I'm looking at the Pioneer VSX-1120-K/VSX-32 (I think the 32 is the elite equivalent to the 1120, right?) or the Yamaha RX-V667. Marantz and Harman receivers are too expensive so I believe these two are my only legitimate options.

Well, I hadn't originally planned on getting a Sub which is why I was looking for Towers. Honestly, though, I'm thinking for a 2.1 System that Towers + Sub would give me a far more fluid sound since the Towers will have strong bass already and the Sub will take care of the low end.

I would lose a lot without a Receiver, though, wouldn't I? lol All of the EQ tools and such as well as the ability to run all of my video and audio sources through it.

By the way, my neighbor above me is an @sshole. lol They stomp around and make ridiculous noise all day and night. I had a small set of Klipsch Promedia 2.1's for my computer and if I turned the Sub on even 1/6-1/4th of the way, dude would start banging on the floor and even came down here once at like 3 in the afternoon because he said he couldn't hear his tv for my music....One of my roommates and I were sitting here playing Call of Duty and TALKING while listening to music but in his apartment it was drowning out his tv....lol

Here is the Diagram of my Room:

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

@ Acu, this is a bedroom system so aesthetics are FAR less important than sound. lol I'm not really worried about having gorgeous speakers in my room as I'm the only one in here most of the time so I would much rather have excellent sound over eye candy. I definitely don't want something that is butt ugly (lol) but the Infinity's are actually quite attractive from what I can tell.

If crystal clear accurate sound is your objective, I still personally recommend the P363 for your bedroom.

 

[Melee]

If crystal clear accurate sound is your objective, I still personally recommend the P363 for your bedroom.

I will be going with the Infinity P363's for Fronts. Thank You Guys for the Input. The price is simply too good to pass up especially with the unbelievable reviews that these receive.

I'll buy the PC351 and either P163's or P153's (I can get the P153's much cheaper) later on to complete the 5.1 System.

Right now, I'm trying to decide on the Receiver and Sub(s).