Need Advice on "Entry-to-Audiophile" Grade Floorstanders for 2-Channel System

[HorizonRidge]

Hello, Fellow 'Holics.

I am in the midst of searching for replacement speakers for my music-only two-channel setup (a separate rig from my 5.1 arrangement) which previously utilized a pair of old Polk R20 bookshelves on Sanus stands. I cannot wait to get rid of these things -- especially the rickety, leaning stands -- and replace them with a solid set of floorstanding towers (don't want bookshelves anymore)...but my criteria is a bit unique and "all over the place" in terms of what I'm looking for exactly; I'd like to move beyond the "mass market" garden variety brands (i.e. Polk/Infinity/JBL/Klipsch) if I can, and begin to explore more entry-level audiophile variants that are known for great music reproduction. I have nothing against those aforementioned brands -- at all -- in fact, I have Polk RTi12's running the front channel duties of my home theater and they're BEASTS; I would just like to get my feet wet, if I could, in the "semi-approaching-audiophile grade" arena of speakers...

Of course, the catch is the budget -- like everyone, I don't have bottomless funds, so when I say "entry-to-audiophile" I really mean it. An exact amount of what we can spend hasn't really been determined yet -- but the price tag can't be astronomical, nor can the speakers be that massive due to the space they're going in (flanking a Bell'O audio tower/rack); thus, they cannot be as large, or unfortunately even as expensive, as, say, Polk RTi A9 towers...

Here are a couple of things: First, the speakers are going to be driven by an Onkyo TX-8555 stereo receiver putting out 100 watts X 2 and I had been advised in the past that I should look into the Infinity Primus P363 towers based on their performance to price ratio, which presumably cannot be beat...in fact, I see these speakers get a ton of love on this site in particular. I'd be totally open to considering the Infinitys, regardless of the fact that they're not in that "entry-to-audiophile" range just because of all the wonderful comments owners give these things all over the internet...would any of you here concur that these are great towers regardless of their low price?

Further -- to simplify things, I have done some research and broke down some options into categories that may help in my search for some good tower speakers. Here is what I came up with, and I would like to get some feedback on these lists if I could:

ENTRY-LEVEL & "MASS MARKET" FLOORSTANDER OPTIONS:

Infinity Primus 253 (I think I can actually do better than these, though...)
Polk TSi300
Infinity Primus P363
Cambridge Audio S70
Polk TSi400
Boston Acoustics A 250
Klipsch Reference RF-42 II
Polk RTi A5
Polk TSi500
Klipsch Reference RF-52 II
Definitive Technology BP6B
Boston Acoustics A 360
Klipsch RF-62 II
Polk RTi A7 (these may be getting too large for our space)
Klipsch Reference RF-82 II
NHT Classic Absolute Tower
PSB Image T5
Definitive Technology BP-8020ST
Definitive Technology BP10B
JBL Studio 570
PSB Image T6
Polk RTi A9 (too large for our space if based on the RTi12, which is essentially the same speaker, and which we have in our HT room...)
Boston Acoustics RS 334
PSB Alpha T1
Definitive Technology BP-8040ST
JBL Studio 580
Definitive Technology BP-8060ST
JBL Studio 590
PSB Imagine T
PSB Synchrony Two
Definitive Technology BP-8080ST
Definitive Technology Mythos STS SuperTower
Polk LSi Series (probably way out of our budget at this point, and with a too-low impedance to drive...)
Klipsch Reference RF-7 II
PSB Imagine T2 Tower
THIEL SCS4T (out of budget, but just throwing it out there...)
PSB Synchrony One

Yeah...at this point the more "mass market" brands like above get way out of our budget beyond these models mentioned...

STEP UP "ENTRY-TO-AUDIOPHILE" FLOORSTANDER OPTIONS:

Paradigm Monitor 7
Energy Veritas 6.2
Aperion Intimus 5T
Wharfdale Evo or Diamond
Monitor Audio BX5
Dali Zensor 5
KEF Q Series
Canton GLE Series
T&A
B&W 684
Martin Logan
Focal 714V
Ascend Acoustics

What do y'all make of all those? Are these classifications logical -- and if so, which way would you direct me in terms of what would mate good with my Onkyo 8555? Finally, do any of those "bordering on audiophile" selections on my list make sense to mate up with a piece of electronics like the 8555 -- or should I definitely be looking in the class of the Primus 363s?

Thank you, in advance...

 

[Irvrobinson]

You might want to consider a set of used high-end speakers. For example, these Revel F30s look like a reasonable buy:

Revel F30 on Audiogon

Audiogon is the center of the audiophile universe for used equipment, and if you watch carefully you can get some very good buys. You didn't mention a budget, but these Paradigms are also very interesting:

Paradigm Studio 100 on Audiogon

Just a thought.

 

[HorizonRidge]

You might want to consider a set of used high-end speakers. For example, these Revel F30s look like a reasonable buy:

Audiogon is the center of the audiophile universe for used equipment, and if you watch carefully you can get some very good buys. You didn't mention a budget, but these Paradigms are also very interesting:

Just a thought.

Hello, Irv.

Thank you for the quick reply; indeed, I'm aware of Audiogon and the availability of used gear, but if possible I'd like to stick to strictly a new set of floorstanding towers for this venture.

As for the exact budget, as I stated in the original post, I'm not sure exactly how much we have to spend, but it is more in the range of the entry PSBs, Energys, JBLs or perhaps the upper-range Infinitys etc...

I have also considered Paradigm on my "entry-to-audiophile" list; are these good speakers for music-only duties?

Thank you, again, though for your input!

 

[zieglj01]

It will not be easy for me to say much at this time, due to the fact I need
to recover from reading you list > of some of the speakers that you consider
entry level to mass market.

It might be good for you to go out, and start some type of audition process.
Then you by listening, can pick up some of the different qualities that some
of these speakers do have. Go and experience how they are able to resolve
certain details with good definition and depth > and find out how some do
really image better, and throw a huge soundstage. Also, the room with the
placement of speakers, play a big part. Have fun and good luck!

 

[HorizonRidge]

It will not be easy for me to say much at this time, due to the fact I need
to recover from reading you list > of some of the speakers that you consider
entry level to mass market.

I'm sorry about that...

It might be good for you to go out, and start some type of audition process.
Then you by listening, can pick up some of the different qualities that some
of these speakers do have. Go and experience how they are able to resolve
certain details with good definition and depth > and find out how some do
really image better, and throw a huge soundstage. Also, the room with the
placement of speakers, play a big part. Have fun and good luck!

Any suggestions or tips in terms of thoughts about this would be greatly appreciated...

 

[zieglj01]

I'm sorry about that...



Any suggestions or tips in terms of thoughts about this would be greatly appreciated...

Take a look at some articles here.
How to Audition Loudspeakers in a Retail Store — Reviews and News from Audioholics

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/how-to-shop-loudspeakers.html

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/ten-biggest-mistakes-of-speaker-and-home-theater-shopping

 

[HorizonRidge]

Looked it over; thanks.

 

[slipperybidness]

Check out Philharmonic Audio

 

[Steve81]

My 2 cents:

With your desires and current equipment, I'd probably opt for something like the Ascend CMT-340s. They're fairly sensitive and their impedance curve is relatively benign, so your Onkyo shouldn't have any trouble driving them. They've also got a reputation for fantastic sound and the measurements to back it up. Hard to go too far wrong IMO.

I'd like to move beyond the "mass market" garden variety brands (i.e. Polk/Infinity/JBL/Klipsch) if I can, and begin to explore more entry-level audiophile variants that are known for great music reproduction. I have nothing against those aforementioned brands -- at all -- in fact, I have Polk RTi12's running the front channel duties of my home theater and they're BEASTS; I would just like to get my feet wet, if I could, in the "semi-approaching-audiophile grade" arena of speakers...

FWIW, I know exactly how you feel. I've got a Klipsch setup in my basement HT (RF-5s main, RC-35 center, RF-15 surrounds) and for what I need them to do, there is very little that will outperform them $ for $ (especially considering I got them all used). In the bedroom, I've got the "Anti-Klipsch": a pair of bookshelf speakers with nice warm sound and a sensitivity of about 85dB w/ 2.83V @ 1m. Both systems are great, just in totally different ways.

 

[j_garcia]

I agree with the CMT-340SEs. They are a fine speaker for the price and they do well with pretty much everything. The P363 is a good speaker and a definite step up from the Polks, but is not going to give you the quality of the Ascends. They are not towers though (can get their stands for them that essentially make them towers though), and will require a sub.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I agree with the CMT-340SEs. They are a fine speaker for the price and they do well with pretty much everything. The P363 is a good speaker and a definite step up from the Polks, but is not going to give you the quality of the Ascends. They are not towers though (can get their stands for them that essentially make them towers though), and will require a sub.

2nd on Ascend Rec - They represent one highest bang for the buck for such terrific speakers...

Imo Polk Doesn't do anything decent before LSi/LSiM models and they are way too expensive. P363 at $99 pair - are amazing bargain and they give you tons of value, but Ascend are significantly better speakers

Old price for Philharmonic 1 used to deal of the century, but apparently it was sold at near loss for Denis and unfortunately new source for cabinets demanded much higher pricing plus a bit more sustainable margin makes Phils speakers just a bit less desirable for me

These might be in interest to you:
Huge liquidation sale!

Danny Richie - is very good and known audio designer

 

[j_garcia]

These might be in interest to you:
Huge liquidation sale!

Danny Richie - is very good and known audio designer

Those were the ones I was looking for to post up too Danny is one of the best out there. All of my speakers are from him.

 

[ahblaza]

2nd on Ascend Rec - They represent one highest bang for the buck for such terrific speakers...

Imo Polk Doesn't do anything decent before LSi/LSiM models and they are way too expensive. P363 at $99 pair - are amazing bargain and they give you tons of value, but Ascend are significantly better speakers

Old price for Philharmonic 1 used to deal of the century, but apparently it was sold at near loss for Denis and unfortunately new source for cabinets demanded much higher pricing plus a bit more sustainable margin makes Phils speakers just a bit less desirable for me

These might be in interest to you:
Huge liquidation sale!

Danny Richie - is very good and known audio designer

Good find BSA, are these Carnegie's only available through Danny (GR Research)? I've had my eye on the Phil 1's and talked with Dennis @$1600 they were a steal but in the interim the Asian cabs were gone and thus the $$$ increase. These Carn's look really good at 70% off, all of the models. Thanks.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Good find BSA, are these Carnegie's only available through Danny (GR Research)? I've had my eye on the Phil 1's and talked with Dennis @$1600 they were a steal but in the interim the Asian cabs were gone and thus the $$$ increase. These Carn's look really good at 70% off, all of the models. Thanks.

Carnegie's Classic line look is just not my style, but I could see how A LOT of marksmanship went into making these cabinets ... but the deal is really great

 

[Steve81]

I could see how A LOT of marksmanship went into making these cabinets ...

So is that how they made the holes in the motor board for the drivers! I always wondered.

 

[ahblaza]

Carnegie's Classic line look is just not my style, but I could see how A LOT of marksmanship went into making these cabinets ... but the deal is really great

I agree with the Classic look, not my cup of tea, what about these:
Another incredible speaker deal, fully assembled, and discounted big!

The OP may also be interested, the Ascends also are highly reccommended, I own them, hard to beat at the price point.

 

[j_garcia]

Carnegie's Classic line look is just not my style, but I could see how A LOT of marksmanship went into making these cabinets ... but the deal is really great

Same here. Not crazy about the looks of the towers, but I could get over it if they are that good For the price, I could mod the cabinets and replace the top with something less conspicuous hopefully without destroying the nice finish. These would, IMO, be far more than a "entry" into higher end speakers too

 

[HorizonRidge]

I agree with the CMT-340SEs. They are a fine speaker for the price and they do well with pretty much everything. The P363 is a good speaker and a definite step up from the Polks, but is not going to give you the quality of the Ascends. They are not towers though (can get their stands for them that essentially make them towers though), and will require a sub.

In what way are the 363's a "step up from the Polks" -- and are you referring to my R20's that they would be a step up from?

And, we're definitely looking for floorstanding towers, not bookshelves on stands.

 

[HorizonRidge]

Polk Doesn't do anything decent before LSi/LSiM models and they are way too expensive.

Oh, I totally disagree with the statement regarding them not doing anything decent before the LSi/LSiM; the RTi line, especially in "flagship trim" of the previous RTi12's and current RTi A9's, are rock-solid speakers with amazing build quality and excellent sound. I do agree the LSi's are ridiculously expensive...and I don't really have any listening experience with the series below the RTi line such as the Monitors, R/T/M's and TSi's...

P363 at $99 pair - are amazing bargain and they give you tons of value, but Ascend are significantly better speakers

Before I registered here, I read thread after thread about everyone's proverbial love for the Infinity P363's and even noticed recommendations for the Onkyo 8555 to be paired up with these towers...I don't really sense the same kind of feedback now -- are the Infinitys simply a good price, with no audiophile-style signature to them at all?

Are Ascends approaching the "audiophile" ring if even from a distance?

 

[ahblaza]

Same here. Not crazy about the looks of the towers, but I could get over it if they are that good For the price, I could mod the cabinets and replace the top with something less conspicuous hopefully without destroying the nice finish. These would, IMO, be far more than a "entry" into higher end speakers too

Highly agree, way more than entry, if Danny is behind these it's got to be good thing
j_n