New Speakers Best bang under $500?

[blazerboy]

Alright so Iv been coming around here for awhile however would just read, never felt the need to ask anything. Now comes the time where i put my money where my mouth is haha.

So my current system is...
Receiver: Sony STR-DE595
Center: Sony SS-CN5000
Surrounds:Sony b-1000
A/B Channels
A: JBL 130 (computer speakers xD)
B: Sony SS-F6000
Sub: Bic F12
Running it all with 14 gauge wire. Im guessing thats good enough?

Anyways im pretty much a novice, and broke too. My step-father worked at sony for years so every product I was accustomed to being good was sony. I got my reciever for free from him, and bought the rest of the sony products for ~250. Again...didnt have money. I needed new B channel fronts so bought my JBL's a few weeks ago and WOW I totally prefer listening to these bookshelves over my actual floorstanding speakers anyday right about now. So I got some cash together and am going to upgrade my system. No more cheaping out (not going to blow huge amounts of cash either)

Firstly I understand that different lineups of speakers are sometimes lower in highs/mids/lows and other speakers in that package (Like say the JBL studio 1 series) make up for it. So say their fronts are a bit lacking on the bass you get a sub, if its lacking in the mids...thats what the centers for. I believe they call this, voice matched.

Anyways my question. My best bang for my buck right now seems to be the Front Floor loudspeakers, Im looking into the JBL 190's I can get a pair for about $500 but also saw amazon had the ES90's for $500 a pair too. If anyone could give me some type of guideline to follow, or what to upgrade and when type deal it would be most appreciated. Say I upgrade to the studio 190s, how much of a difference over the SS-F6000 sonys will it make, i assume alot jumping from a pair for 120 vs a pair for 500...but please correct me if I am wrong.

And please any suggestions on speakers etc would be great, I dont have a huge budget but Im trying to push what I can. Speakers over 600 a pair are just too much out of my price range at the moment.

Im looking for something for both music and HT, but Musically amazing more so. I listen to everything so speakers that sound good in just classic or jazz are a big no-no. Need something musically brilliant and at least good for HT. They dont need to be huge pounders, but filling up my house when people are over (small house) ...even my sonys can do...as long as they can do that with more UMPH ...and stay audible at higher volumes...where im not straining to make out the words when its cranked to 60... wonderful.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The JBL is fine. Also look at the Infinity P362 for $400/pr. Very good overall measurements and sound quality.

infinity primus at Crutchfield.com

Infinity Primus 360 loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

 

[shadyJ]

+1 on Acu's recommendation.

 

[gmichael]

+1 on acu's recommendation.

+2...........

 

[slammin86]

What about emptek?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

e5ti are cheaper and a bit below
EMP Tek Clearance E5Ti Tower Speakers
E55Ti are better than p362, but also more expensive
EMP Tek E55Ti Tower Speakers--March Madness Sale 3/2012

 

[ack_bak]

Keep in mind your are going to want to upgrade your center speaker to match your mains as well.

The EmpTek E5ti speakers are on a B Stock clearance for $275 and the matching center speaker will still put you right on budget.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

E55Ti are better than p362...

In what way?

Objective measurements?

The P360/362 had some pretty impressive on-axis and off-axis FR from both Stereophile and Harman anechoic chamber.

Remember, Toole/Olive had DBTs where the "majority" subjectively preferred the P362 over much more expensive speakers from the likes of B&W & Martin Logan.

 

[gtpsuper24]

Although alittle over you $500 budget by about $60-80, the Arx A3s are a fantastic value. Great build quality, and sound fantastic with just about anything. They have a very natural, neutral sound that isn't fatiguing or harsh.

 

[blazerboy]

I just want to get the most out of my system for the least money basically. What do you guy's think about the receiver? I think its pretty good, I have it hooked up on optic digital to a sound card on my PC.

I dont really care too much about my surrounds at this moment and I can push the budget but only reasonably. I have the money but just like gambling...i could get a little more (in this case a little better) if I just spend more...it can turn into an addiction and clog your senses in which you end up spending double what you previously wanted to. I want to avoid that, I can spend 500 on the speakers, center channel has a different budget, the center wont cut into it. Say 500 for loudspeakers, 200 for a center...and 250 for other mindless junk that I might need.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

In what way?

Objective measurements?

The P360/362 had some pretty impressive on-axis and off-axis FR from both Stereophile and Harman anechoic chamber.

Remember, Toole/Olive had DBTs where the "majority" subjectively preferred the P362 over much more expensive speakers from the likes of B&W & Martin Logan.

Gene's in room measurements:
EMPTek Impression E55Ti Measurements & Analysis — Reviews and News from Audioholics
Read Gene's comments regarding 200-300Hz drops

P360 have a bass hump, which some people find attractive, some don't

Both very good budget speakers, but I still like my tSt2 better


Did I mentioned that E55Ti looks better than p362

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Although alittle over you $500 budget by about $60-80, the Arx A3s are a fantastic value. Great build quality, and sound fantastic with just about anything. They have a very natural, neutral sound that isn't fatiguing or harsh.

Too bad, other than you shilling for Arx, no one else tested and measured them

Darn, I knew there was a reason I put you on the ignore list

 

[blazerboy]

My Bic F-12 (though maybe not high quality to some of you guys) is more than ample enough to me for bass, I want speakers that hit the other notes with clarity at almost any volume. Say you got people over, wer playin beer pong (for example) and enjoying ourselves partying it up, last thing you want to do is have your speakers sound like crap when you turn it up.

 

[gtpsuper24]

Too bad, other than you shilling for Arx, no one else tested and measured them

Darn, I knew there was a reason I put you on the ignore list

I'm not shilling for Arx, i'm a happy Arx owner. I paid my hard earned money for them and am a satified owner. Nothing more.

Now to get back on topic of helping the OP, regardless of what he decides on.

 

[blazerboy]

Also, in regard to the p362, is the p363 the same but with different aesthetics? And also what is all this that I hear about external amps, how would i go about using one with my receiver to power my loud speakers? If it can get 200 watts and my receivers only pushing 100, im assuming more wattage can get it soaring to new levels. How would I do this, and what would I be looking for, any product info, examples anything would be most welcome.

I want to compile a list and head to my local fry's and see which speakers they have out and listen to each...myself. But i dont want to waste my time with junk, which is why Im asking you guys . Of course i would most likely buy the speakers online

 

[blazerboy]

So as far as tests go I want to go listen to a few here is a list of what I will be looking at until more choices are given.

EMP E55Ti
JBL Studio 190
Infinity p362/p363

 

[gtpsuper24]

Your receiver has to have "pre outs" on the back. Some have just L/R pre outs and others have 5.1-7.1 pre outs. Few other higher end receiver has pre outs for the height and wides.

the P362/363 is fairy efficient so it doesn't need 200 watt mono blocks, a mid level reciever will power those to some really loud levels. The speakers in your budget will work just fine on a good receiver.

 

[blazerboy]

My receiver back looks like this

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Sony-STR-DE595-5-Channel-Stereo-Surround-Receiver-Excellent-Condition-Nice-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$(KGrHqF,!pcE8Wpn9Y,QBPOWHkCnb!~~60_57.JPG

 

[ack_bak]

If the center channel is not in the $500 budget, then the Primus speakers are a strong recommendation too.

Since these are mostly being used for music, I would also strongly recommend the Martin Logan Motion 12 speakers that are on sale at Newegg form$269 each right now with free shipping. Barely over your budget, but they are great speakers.

 

[blazerboy]

If the center channel is not in the $500 budget, then the Primus speakers are a strong recommendation too.

Since these are mostly being used for music, I would also strongly recommend the Martin Logan Motion 12 speakers that are on sale at Newegg form$269 each right now with free shipping. Barely over your budget, but they are great speakers.

I will add that to my lineup of listen-to's. The martin logans seem to have rave reviews. And stretching the budget to 540 isnt that big of a stretch, I can do that. Thanks for the opinion.

Question, the magnetic tweeters, are they supposed to be better than the 1 inch dome tweeters I find commonly in the budget range of speakers?