Need help choosing a pair of decent towers for less than $1400

[Pyrrho]

I guess I do not get it. How could a speaker that is over $1000 a pair have inadequate bass? I guess with my public teacher income and my wife's retirement income $1400 seems like a lot to spend on speakers. To each his/her own. Peace and goodwill.

Imagine a $500 bookshelf speaker that sounds decent. Now, more money can get you basically the same quality of sound, but with deeper bass, or you can instead choose to improve the quality of the sound, without getting deeper bass. Getting both costs even more money.

I have some pretty nice bookshelf speakers that retailed for $1499. The bass -3dB point is 50 Hz. That may or may not be judged "adequate," depending on one's preferences. But they sound really, really good for the frequencies they do cover.

Here is another example to consider; imagine you are looking at:

RTiA3 - Bookshelf | Polk Audio®

You decide you have more money, and want to look at their better speakers. You could go with:

RTiA9 - Floorstanding | Polk Audio®

They are "voice matched" to the first pair, so basically what you get for your money is deeper bass, and possibly the ability to play louder overall. But the treble and midrange will sound nearly identical to the cheaper set (otherwise, they would not be "voice matched"). Or for the same (retail) price, you could instead go with:

LSiM703 - Bookshelf | Polk Audio®

With this choice, you get the same -3dB point in the bass as with the first, cheapest speakers, but you improve the quality of sound, going with a higher line of speaker. Suppose you have the price for either of these more expensive speakers. Which way do you want to spend your money?

The same idea applies to many different brands; you can either go with improving the bass, or the overall quality of sound.

And for still more money, you can do both:

LSiM707 - Floorstanding | Polk Audio®

At most price points, you are making compromises on what aspect of performance will be improved. And so what one should get depends on what compromises one is willing to live with, and what compromises one will find too annoying.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. It did make the whole concept clearer. I would not spend that much money on speakers unless they totally thrilled me. As I said earlier to each his/her own. Peace and goodwill.

 

[Pyrrho]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. It did make the whole concept clearer. I would not spend that much money on speakers unless they totally thrilled me. As I said earlier to each his/her own. Peace and goodwill.

If you want to be totally thrilled with speakers at that price point, I recommend never listening to more expensive speakers, or even bookshelf speakers at that price point. Otherwise, you will likely find out that you are missing out on something at that price point, and won't be totally thrilled by anything at that price.

But for such a tight budget, I would consider the Magnepan MMG (only $599) or these (for $850):

Monitors~Philharmonic Audio

And then add a subwoofer, if more or deeper bass were desired.

 

[WhiskeyTheHorse]

The subs are going to have their own amplifiers built in, 5 channels was this for a theater or a music 2. ch. system? I was thinking this was thinking this was a music only system.

It will be a music only system and I have decided on the 2 bookshelves/2 subwoofer route. The only thing I have thought of doing differently is that I have an SACD player and I was thinking of getting more speakers later so I can run that properly. That is why I am considering 5 channel.

The ULS-15's look great, but I am not sure they are in my price range. I want to try and get the Amp, Preamp, 2 bookshelves and 2 subwoofers for less than $3,000. I may be able to go over that for the right Subs. I have been recommended the VTF-1 MK2 and the SB-1000 also. I like the floor firing aspect of the VTF-1, but the larger speakers of the SB-1000. Anybody know which is deeper?

I have also been looking at some other bookshelves on music direct and I am curious if any of these are good speakers/a good deal

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-41246-focal-chorus-706v-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx?source=igodigital&

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-57507-epos-epic-2-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx?source=igodigital&

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15479-wharfedale-diamond-102-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx?source=igodigital&

and this sub

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-42451-focal-chorus-sw700v-subwoofer.aspx

 

[WhiskeyTheHorse]

If I were building a 2.2 system and was not worried about cost but building something I could afford, I would go with...
Ascend sierra towers
HSU ULS15 dual drive ULS-15 DualDrive Packages

I checked these out and liked these subs, but I also saw another product from HSU that I was interested in. I am considering getting 1 ULS-15 and this

MBM-12 MK2 Mid-Bass Module

I know that some of these bigger subs perform well for real deep bass but when you move the crossover higher to accommodate some of the mid bass frequencies you lose some of that performance. Has anybody tried having a bigger sub for the lower bass and one of these mid bass modules to cover some of the spectrum below what the bookshelves are good for? How does it work? Does anyone recommend trying that or is the dual 15" the better idea?

 

[Mark of Cenla]

If you want to be totally thrilled with speakers at that price point, I recommend never listening to more expensive speakers, or even bookshelf speakers at that price point. Otherwise, you will likely find out that you are missing out on something at that price point, and won't be totally thrilled by anything at that price.

But for such a tight budget, I would consider the Magnepan MMG (only $599) or these (for $850):

Monitors~Philharmonic Audio

And then add a subwoofer, if more or deeper bass were desired.

The last time I went into a high end audio store, in Lafayette, Louisiana, I walked around in all of the rooms and looked at everything, and then left about ten minutes later because nobody said a word to me. I then drove down the street to Circuit City and bought Polk Rti4 bookshelf speakers. I was willing at the time to spend as much as $500, and maybe would have bought speakers at that other store, but no one spoke to me. Back in the 80s I had Boston Acoustics T1000 tower speakers that were $500 each. They had good bass, but eventually one tweeter died, and the woofers rotted. So I modified them to what I have now, full range in the front and excellent woofers in the back, which take two amps to power. In the 80s we sold Thiel, Infinity, and Boston Acoustics, so I have heard some expensive speakers. Peace and goodwill.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I checked these out and liked these subs, but I also saw another product from HSU that I was interested in. I am considering getting 1 ULS-15 and this

MBM-12 MK2 Mid-Bass Module

I know that some of these bigger subs perform well for real deep bass but when you move the crossover higher to accommodate some of the mid bass frequencies you lose some of that performance. Has anybody tried having a bigger sub for the lower bass and one of these mid bass modules to cover some of the spectrum below what the bookshelves are good for? How does it work? Does anyone recommend trying that or is the dual 15" the better idea?

I think that is a bad idea.

A great sub should be great from 25-100 Hz, so I think it is silly to get a "mid-bass module".

I can't believe they would even make something like that. Reminds me of the Bose bass module.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It will be a music only system and I have decided on the 2 bookshelves/2 subwoofer route. The only thing I have thought of doing differently is that I have an SACD player and I was thinking of getting more speakers later so I can run that properly. That is why I am considering 5 channel.

The ULS-15's look great, but I am not sure they are in my price range. I want to try and get the Amp, Preamp, 2 bookshelves and 2 subwoofers for less than $3,000. I may be able to go over that for the right Subs. I have been recommended the VTF-1 MK2 and the SB-1000 also. I like the floor firing aspect of the VTF-1, but the larger speakers of the SB-1000. Anybody know which is deeper?

I have also been looking at some other bookshelves on music direct and I am curious if any of these are good speakers/a good deal

FOCAL CHORUS 706V BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS (PR) at Music Direct

EPOS EPIC 2 BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS (PR) at Music Direct

WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 10.2 BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS (PR) at Music Direct

and this sub

FOCAL CHORUS SW700V SUBWOOFER at Music Direct

I would not get any of those subs from Focal, KEF, Revel, etc. For $500 subs, stick to SVS or HSU. The SVS has more volume dimension and a little more output, but the HSU has Q-control for tighter bass. So pros and cons. I would probably go for more output in the SVS.

I like Focal. I think they sound very good. But they most likely won't measure better or sound better than the NHT Absolute Zero.

The Focal are made in France and are pretty looking.

 

[Jimz711]

The Absolute Tower should also be a consideration for a larger room. Does not go much below 60 Hz, but it does often go on sale for under 400. It is essentially an Absolute zero with two extra woofers.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

I think that is a bad idea.

A great sub should be great from 25-100 Hz, so I think it is silly to get a "mid-bass module".

I can't believe they would even make something like that. Reminds me of the Bose bass module.

I concur. Peace and goodwill.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

The last time I went into a high end audio store, in Lafayette, Louisiana, I walked around in all of the rooms and looked at everything, and then left about ten minutes later because nobody said a word to me. I then drove down the street to Circuit City and bought Polk Rti4 bookshelf speakers. I was willing at the time to spend as much as $500, and maybe would have bought speakers at that other store, but no one spoke to me. Back in the 80s I had Boston Acoustics T1000 tower speakers that were $500 each. They had good bass, but eventually one tweeter died, and the woofers rotted. So I modified them to what I have now, full range in the front and excellent woofers in the back, which take two amps to power. In the 80s we sold Thiel, Infinity, and Boston Acoustics, so I have heard some expensive speakers. Peace and goodwill.

P.S. We also sold JBL, Snell, and Janzen Electrostatic speakers. We also had a pair of Sony speakers that were $10,000 a pair. So I have been around some high end audio. I used to have a Crown power amp and nice JBL's, and then I went with Hafler and Boston Acoustic towers. All of that stuff eventually died. My current life situation dictates that I dwell in the land of "mid-fi". Peace and goodwill.

 

[fuzz092888]

P.S. We also sold JBL, Snell, and Janzen Electrostatic speakers. We also had a pair of Sony speakers that were $10,000 a pair. So I have been around some high end audio. I used to have a Crown power amp and nice JBL's, and then I went with Hafler and Boston Acoustic towers. All of that stuff eventually died. My current life situation dictates that I dwell in the land of "mid-fi". Peace and goodwill.

I'm not sure I would link "hi-fi" and "expensive", nor "mid-fi" and "inexpensive".

 

[Mark of Cenla]

I'm not sure I would link "hi-fi" and "expensive", nor "mid-fi" and "inexpensive".

True, but I am doubtful that any of you would be too impressed with any of the stereos at my house. Peace and goodwill.

 

[fuzz092888]

True, but I am doubtful that any of you would be too impressed with any of the stereos at my house. Peace and goodwill.

Well, you have the Polk Rti4, and what else? Most people have a problem with Polk only because you can usually do better for the money, but if you like how they sound there's nothing wrong with them per se.

 

[WhiskeyTheHorse]

I like Focal. I think they sound very good. But they most likely won't measure better or sound better than the NHT Absolute Zero.

The Focal are made in France and are pretty looking.

The specs on the Focal show they go deeper and higher, but that doesn't necessarily mean they sound better. You seem to know this equipment. I know sound, but I know jack about home stereo equipment because I haven't had the money before now. Long story short... I ordered the Absolute Zeros this afternoon. I'll report back with my thoughts after I have broken them in. Now to get some subwoofers. And a pre amp, and amp. I have a good idea with the subwoofers and am about to post in the appropriate forum for pre amp and amp help.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

Well, you have the Polk Rti4, and what else? Most people have a problem with Polk only because you can usually do better for the money, but if you like how they sound there's nothing wrong with them per se.

Speakers (in this stereo): Polk Rti4 bookshelf, Sony SA-W2500; sometimes I sub out the Polks for Boston Acoustics A40's.
Amp: Audiosource Model Amp One/A
Preamp: Technical Pro PRE-B5050
Sources: Sony CDP-CE500 CD player and Lenovo computer

The Audiosource power amp has two "through" RCA jacks in the back, and that is how the signal gets to the subwoofer. The crossover is set almost all the way down, and the volume is at about two o'clock. This is the system I listen to the most and is the second best system in our house. I like this system because the only place we can put the speakers requires bookshelf speakers, and they are good little speakers. I may get a better sub later. I really enjoy getting the best sound I can get by spending as little as possible. I really enjoy hi-fi forums like this one because I really like the gear, but I usually feel out of touch with topics like this one. There is no budget hi-fi internet forum. At least I can not find one. Peace and goodwill.

 

[fuzz092888]

That's not a bad setup and I would encourage you to post pictures in the Pros and Joes section. Take a look through there, not every system has thousands of dollars invested in it and many of the ones that do started with humble beginnings. This is pretty much a hi fi forum for any budget.

Speakers (in this stereo): Polk Rti4 bookshelf, Sony SA-W2500; sometimes I sub out the Polks for Boston Acoustics A40's.
Amp: Audiosource Model Amp One/A
Preamp: Technical Pro PRE-B5050
Sources: Sony CDP-CE500 CD player and Lenovo computer

The Audiosource power amp has two "through" RCA jacks in the back, and that is how the signal gets to the subwoofer. The crossover is set almost all the way down, and the volume is at about two o'clock. This is the system I listen to the most and is the second best system in our house. I like this system because the only place we can put the speakers requires bookshelf speakers, and they are good little speakers. I may get a better sub later. I really enjoy getting the best sound I can get by spending as little as possible. I really enjoy hi-fi forums like this one because I really like the gear, but I usually feel out of touch with topics like this one. There is no budget hi-fi internet forum. At least I can not find one. Peace and goodwill.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The specs on the Focal show they go deeper and higher, but that doesn't necessarily mean they sound better. You seem to know this equipment. I know sound, but I know jack about home stereo equipment because I haven't had the money before now. Long story short... I ordered the Absolute Zeros this afternoon. I'll report back with my thoughts after I have broken them in. Now to get some subwoofers. And a pre amp, and amp. I have a good idea with the subwoofers and am about to post in the appropriate forum for pre amp and amp help.

Absolute Zero + multiple subs would be awesome.

 

[WhiskeyTheHorse]

Absolute Zero + multiple subs would be awesome.

SVS Dual SB1000's ordered.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

SVS Dual SB1000's ordered.

Congrats! NHT + SVS.

Probably the best damn $1400 stereo system.

Are you getting some stands and placing the NHT atop the SVS like towers?