$500 a pair Tower Speakers for Music

[Madhu Srinivasan]

I am looking for a pair of floor-standing speakers in the $500 range primarily for music. I mostly listen to modern pop and classic rock. I want something that would produce a very detailed sound, with punchy bass and clear mids. I wouldn't mind if it sounded mildly bright. I will be powering it with an older Sony DA5300ES receiver (120 w/ch.) that is bi-amping capable. And the source would be CD player via digital input (optical).

My living room is 15’ X 18’ with 9.5 foot ceiling. I usually set the volume between -27 to -21 db. I currently have Polk audio setup, with RT600i, R40 and center CS1 and a 10” sub. I don’t like to use the sub for music. I am hoping to replace my mains with the new speakers and move the RT600i to the back. I’ll probably give away the R40s or move it to another room.

I saw a pair for Polk audio RTi8 for sale for $330, so I am considering them as they will match with the RT600i. I also found a pair of Boston Acoustics RS334 for a little over 500. How would these compare to the Polk RTi8.

Any other suggestion... Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[afterlife2]

Contact Dennis Murphy he has a pair of modded pair of Pioneer SP-FS52-LR that are fantastic and less than $500. I really love mine and listen to all types of music and they really shine. His Email: info@philharmonicaudio.com
Review: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=124245.0
Review: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/murphyblaster-pioneer-bs22-dna-speaker.87887/
More info in this thread: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=113182.0;topicseen

 

[zieglj01]

I am looking for a pair of floor-standing speakers in the $500 range primarily for music. I mostly listen to modern pop and classic rock. I want something that would produce a very detailed sound, with punchy bass and clear mids. I wouldn't mind if it sounded mildly bright.

I saw a pair for Polk audio RTi8 for sale for $330, so I am considering them as they will match with the RT600i. I also found a pair of Boston Acoustics RS334 for a little over 500. How would these compare to the Polk RTi8.

The Boston RS334 would be my preference - and their dimple dome tweeters are nice/good.
I would for sure, keep them on a short list. Also, they can go down to 40 hz.

 

[Madhu Srinivasan]

Contact Dennis Murphy he has a pair of modded pair of Pioneer SP-FS52-LR that are fantastic and less than $500. I really love mine and listen to all types of music and they really shine.

Thanks or your suggestion.

I have auditioned the unmodified FS-52s, I can image that they could greatly benefit from the modification. But I am looking for something a little more powerful with a "bigger sound" if you will, at moderate to low volume.

 

[j_garcia]

With enough just 95W, the 52s don't have a problem filling my large open space easily. The tweeter is clean, but lacks refinement for critical music listening and that's the key area where Dennis has improved them with a new tweeter and x-over.

Your description actually sounds like it would align a lot with the Ascend CMT-340 with pedestals. Slightly above budget, but based on your listening type and the fact that these are specifically slightly brighter than neutral to my ears, they sound like a decent match. They are also better voiced and more even handed than the Polks IMO. RTiA line is better than the RTi line, but the Ascends are still a step up IMO.

http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

 

[Madhu Srinivasan]

Folks thank you for all your input.

Ascends acoustics speakers look great, but they would be over my budget factoring in the pedestals/stands. I am interested in the FS52s now, but I am concerned that these are rated 6 ohms my current Polk system is 8 ohms. Looks like I would have to buy the whole philharmonic 5.0 package.

What do you guys think about the modified BIC Venturi DV64? Would they sound better than the FS52s? How about Infinity Primus P363?
Would the fact that all these speakers are are not bi-ampable take something away? I see that Fluance SXHTBFR and XL7F are bi-ampable, but I have read very mixed reviews about them.

The bottom like, I need a pair of speakers much much better sounding than my current Polk RT600i.

thanks a bunch!

 

[j_garcia]

6 Ohms won't be an issue and mixing impedance isn't a problem either. If they were 4 Ohms, then there might be a some concern depending on the receiver, but likely only the lowest models might have an issue with 6 Ohms when pushed hard.

Passive biamping is pretty much pointless, so no worries there either

It is hard to quantify "a LOT" better, but many of the mid level Polks are not exactly highly thought of around here. The problem is, everyone's preference is different. I consider the FS52 better than the P363 (and I've side by side compared the 163 and the BS22). Have not heard any recent BICs or Fluance, though I'd still tend to say the FS52 will be tough to beat in the price range and the AALs even harder (I have not heard them actually, but I have no doubts about Dennis's work, heard quite a few of his speakers).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

For $500, I would get the much cheaper Pioneer or Infinity P363 towers or EMP towers when they are on sale.

 

[3db]

Look for some used PSB Image T6s if you can find them. They will blow away all the speakers mentioned so far.

Frequency Response
On Axis @ 0°±3dB 32-23,000Hz
On Axis @ 0°±1 1/2dB 45-20,000Hz
Off Axis @ 30°±1 1/2dB 45-10,000Hz
LF Cutoff -10dB 28Hz

 

[ARES24]

I apologize for my inexperienced ear but I am forced to vote for anything designed or 'improved' by dennis murphy..... My speakers (designed by Dennis) leave nothing to be desired.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Always keep in mind that everyone has a different opinion and favorite speaker.

If the speakers sound good to you, then they are good.

 

[afterlife2]

I apologize for my inexperienced ear but I am forced to vote for anything designed or 'improved' by dennis murphy..... My speakers (designed by Dennis) leave nothing to be desired.

Hey Ares which ones did Dennis design for you?

 

[ARES24]

Hey Ares which ones did Dennis design for you?

I was just referring to the ER18's and ER15 center. He didn't have any specs on the cabinet for the center so I made one up and he advised/approved it.

 

[es347]

..check out LSA speakers thru Underwood Hifi

 

[Michael DeLury]

Def Tech BP-8060ST... these were $500 each.