$1000 Or Less Stereo Pair-- What Would You Buy and Why?

[slipperybidness]

I'm considering a new pair of speakers and wanted to get some opinions, maybe someone will mention a company and model that I haven't considered yet.

Let's say the max price I am willing to pay is $1000 (street price) and the minimum is $400. So, kind of a "budget" pair.

Forget about my room, my equipment, me auditioning, etc. All the normal advice, I am aware of it and I have the amps etc.

Bookshelves, Towers, Active Monitors, it's all on the table. Let's even throw used speakers and B stock on the table too. I would consider DIY if the flat-pack is available. If it were YOUR $1000, what would YOU buy and WHY?

I'm wanting a quality pair that I would keep for the long haul.

Here's my "short list" for now:

Philharmonitors
Ascend Sierra or CBM 340
Jamo C803
Emotiva Pro
Adam Audio Monitors
Pioneer AJs
NHT
JBL Monitors
SVS Bookshelf

Here's what I already own:
Goldenear Triton II
Infinity Primus 363
DT SM350

 

[psbfan9]

I would suggest a pair of EMP E55Ti. I really like mine. I have the red burl finish.

EMPtek Impression E55Ti Floorstanding Speaker System Review | Audioholics

If you want a speaker that can truly deliver a tonally accurate, dynamically lifelike reproduction of your music which also happens to look stunningly beautiful, than the EMP Impression E55Ti's should fit the bill nicely. The E55Ti's give you a huge soundstage and can play exceedingly loud down to a modest 50 Hz, with little to no audible compression. In my opinion, these speakers look as good as they sound which is something I rarely find myself saying at this price point for a tower speaker system. The EMP E55Ti's come with a 5 year warranty and a 30 day money back return policy with free shipping both ways. This makes for a risk free trial for you to demo these speakers in the most critical and important listening room - your own home theater. Highly recommended!

I'm looking at something for my computer, and these are at the top of the list.

http://www.vanatoo.com/products/?slug=index.php&cPath=23_26

 

[Steve81]

The KEF R100 might be worth a look. It retails for $1200, but I'm guessing you could negotiate it into your price range. Why? Well I like my Q700s overall quite well (fantastic imaging, good tonal balance, etc), and the weaknesses it has (lively cabinet/somewhat loose bass) aren't going to be an issue with the R100

 

[t3steve]

I would build the SEOS Tempest
Fusion-12 Tempest - Fusion Series - Waveguide Speaker Kits DIY Sound Group
$315 +$69 for the flat pack cabinets = $384 each
Everyone who has heard them says they are very clean clear and accurate. They will play full range for music and cross over to a sub for HT Also the reviews say the imagine is so precise that you don't need a center channel for home theater.

Here is a speaker listening comparison with these speakers:
NE Spring Speaker Shootout results thread - April 13, 2013

Monitor Audio RX8
Ascend Sierras
SVS Ultra Towers
Beast's LS6s
Legacy Focus SE
KRK 10-3s (played at the end of the event)

With Subs
Arx A5
SEOS Fusion 8s
JTR Single 8’s
SEOS Tempests
SEOS Sentinels
Yorkville U215s
JTR Noesis 212
Seaton Cat 12Cs

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I already own:
Goldenear Triton II
Infinity Primus 363
DT SM350

3 HIGH-END brands you *need* to own: KEF, Revel, & B&W.

Reason: Because I do!

First, get a pair of KEF Q300 for $470:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFQ300BL/KEF-Q300-Q-Series-6-1/2-inch-Black-Bookshelf-Speakers-pair/1.html

Then offer this guy $300 for a pair of (excellent condition) Revel M12:
REVEL M12 2 WAY MONITORS BLACK FINISH EXCELLENT CONDITION | Monitors | Hastings, Michigan 49058 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

Then offer this guy $200 for a pair of excellent condition B&W 600S3:
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-mint-condition-pair-of-b-w-600s3-with-matching-stands-b-w-600s3-2013-04-14-speakers-93109

 

[ski2xblack]

You need a pair of used Klipsch Cornwalls for the ST-70 you just built.

 

[slipperybidness]

I would suggest a pair of EMP E55Ti. I really like mine. I have the red burl finish.

EMPtek Impression E55Ti Floorstanding Speaker System Review | Audioholics

If you want a speaker that can truly deliver a tonally accurate, dynamically lifelike reproduction of your music which also happens to look stunningly beautiful, than the EMP Impression E55Ti's should fit the bill nicely. The E55Ti's give you a huge soundstage and can play exceedingly loud down to a modest 50 Hz, with little to no audible compression. In my opinion, these speakers look as good as they sound which is something I rarely find myself saying at this price point for a tower speaker system. The EMP E55Ti's come with a 5 year warranty and a 30 day money back return policy with free shipping both ways. This makes for a risk free trial for you to demo these speakers in the most critical and important listening room - your own home theater. Highly recommended!

I'm looking at something for my computer, and these are at the top of the list.

PRODUCTS | Vanatoo

Yeah, I should have added these to my list. My only holdup is the $. I know that these can be had for the $500-600 range if I'm patient. When I bought the 363s, they had some of the E5Ti tower b stocks for $275, but I got the 363 instead. I'm still not sure if that was a mistake or not.....

Edit:
I see that the E5Ti has officially been moved to the "discontinued products" on the EMP site. And they are out of stock on the E55Tis in all finishes

 

[ousooner2]

I've spoken with EMP quite a bit and they estimate they'll have the e55's back in stock late May/early June

 

[macddmac]

Some used monitor options:

Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 | Monitors | West Mclean, Virginia 22102 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

KEF R100 Bookshelf speaker pair (rosewood) | Monitors | Charlotte, North Carolina 28262 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

Usher X-718 Monitor | Monitors | Garden Grove, California 92840 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

Cheers, Mac

ps there is usually a pair of slightly used LS50's on agon in the 1200 dollar range if you can stretch it

 

[VicTorious1]

You should be able to get some KEF LS50s new for $1200. I got mine brand new for $1,100. Great speaker.

 

[Pyrrho]

I would get these:

MMG - Magnepan, Inc.

Unless I found some used upper model Magnepan speakers or Apogee speakers in good condition for less than $1k (that my amplifier could handle; some of the Apogees have a nominal impedance of 1 ohm or less). I think the Magnepan MMGs have a very "natural" sound to them, for the price. I would consider trying to get a used subwoofer for the remaining money, but for most music, I would be okay with them without a subwoofer.

 

[t3steve]

The SEOS Tempest is in a whole other league than the other speakers on your shortlist.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It's pretty hard something specific without knowing what would be the intended use. That said if you consider DIY I think this would your best bet to get most of value for your money
Imo it's would pretty hard to find anything south of 3k better than ER18's -http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/diy-corner-tips-techniques/68531-new-diy-mtm-towers-designed-dennis-murphy-paul-kittinger.html#.UW8DQaeW_U0

Since you've mentioned JBL Monitors - LSR2325P are pretty good monitors, in fact I heard them compared to Adam Audio and I think JBL's were better imo. They can play very loud and very clear with they achilles foot is lower bass regions - they started to sound a bit out of air on really low notes (think canon shots in 1812 Overture)

 

[ichigo]

At under 1k I would get the Ascend Sierra-1.

 

[slipperybidness]

I would get these:

MMG - Magnepan, Inc.

Unless I found some used upper model Magnepan speakers or Apogee speakers in good condition for less than $1k (that my amplifier could handle; some of the Apogees have a nominal impedance of 1 ohm or less). I think the Magnepan MMGs have a very "natural" sound to them, for the price. I would consider trying to get a used subwoofer for the remaining money, but for most music, I would be okay with them without a subwoofer.

I definitely want a pair of Maggies and a pair of MLs in my future. Just because its different technology and it has it's own set of strengths and weaknesses.

 

[Pyrrho]

I definitely want a pair of Maggies and a pair of MLs in my future. Just because its different technology and it has it's own set of strengths and weaknesses.

Well, why not make it now? If you had more than $1000 that you wanted to spend, I would recommend going to a local dealer if there is one in your area. It still might not be a bad idea to get an idea of the sort of sound you will be getting, though the more expensive models do sound better, so it would not exactly give the sound of the MMG.

You might want to read the online reviews of it first as well. It has its limitations, which are often mentioned in online reviews, but if you are okay with those limitations, you will be rewarded with good sound.

 

[gtpsuper24]

If it were YOUR $1000, what would YOU buy and WHY?

Arx A5 towers ($749+shipping). Great sound, loaded with quality drivers and xover components, XBL2 was a big selling point for me. Proven technology.

 

[slipperybidness]

Let me throw this out there, now that I've been giving it some more consideration.

What if my intentions were to eventually use these speakers in my primary HT (new house, a few years from now) as either mains or surrounds. I would move my GEs to 2 channel duty and get new speakers for the HT. What would you choose?

I also want a pair of powered speakers just for convenience, etc, so that is why they are on the original list.

Also, anybody got comments on any of these from Audiogon?:
Monitor Audio Silver 3i Bookshelf speakers plus Plateau 30" stands | Monitors | Oak Park, Illinois 60302 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
Wharfedale Diamond 9.3 new in box | Monitors | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
Focal Chorus 705v Speakers, New with Full Warranty and Free Shipping | Monitors | Florence, Massachusetts 01060 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
Definitive Technology Studio Monitor 65 Bookshelf Speaker | Full range | Winfield, Illinois 60190 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 | Monitors | West Mclean, Virginia 22102 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

 

[slipperybidness]

Dang, this looks like a good deal. A pair of Sierra 1s and a center from the other Ascend line.....but the seller has 0 feedback! If he had an ebay reputation, I would have to jump on it I think.

Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 Pair and HTM 200 SE Center Speakers | eBay

 

[ousooner2]

The HTC isn't a timbre match (even if they claim it might be be close).

Having zero feedback is also risky. I've had speakers ship damaged to me and... As you should/might know... They reimburse the seller. I never saw the money to fix it. That guy had like 200-300 positive reviews on Ebay too. You just never know. It's sad to think people are like that, but it's true.