A great pair of floorstanding speakers for $600 or less?

[poulet]

I want to buy a new pair of floorstanding speakers for less than $600. Any recommendations?

I've read a lot of reviews on this forum and on other sites, and I've compiled this tentative shortlist:

Infinity Primus 360
Yamaha NS-555
Athena F2.2

Positive or negative comments on these? Anything else that should be on this list? I left off the Ascend CMT-340s because they're not truly floorstanding.

More about my setup: This is it! That is, I'll be replacing a pair of really terrible floorstanding front speakers, and I don't have a center speaker, surround speakers, or a subwoofer.

I'd like to get floorstanding speakers that have great all-around sound -- highs, middles, lows -- until I add other types of speakers. I care more about music (all genres -- really) than about home theater, but obviously I'd prefer something that handles both well.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

I'd look at bic and polk

 

[billnchristy]

AV123 is going to be releasing floor standing versions of the X-LS soon for 299 a pair, they are also working on a powered version with subwoofer in the tower at 599 a pair...may be worth waiting for.

 

[Tomorrow]

Buying used on audiogon (which is generally safe) would provide more bang for your buck. Also, keep an eye on the Classified section of Audioholics. Our members put up good deals on speakers every now and then.

Good luck with your new system.

 

[kgb540]

This sounds like a job for a pair of Magenpan MMG's! When set up properly and having a adequate amount of power given to them, they will amaze you! and their re-sell value (should you ever need it) is far beyond their competition in this price range.

 

[speakerman39]

I want to buy a new pair of floorstanding speakers for less than $600. Any recommendations?

I've read a lot of reviews on this forum and on other sites, and I've compiled this tentative shortlist:

Infinity Primus 360
Yamaha NS-555
Athena F2.2

Positive or negative comments on these? Anything else that should be on this list? I left off the Ascend CMT-340s because they're not truly floorstanding.

More about my setup: This is it! That is, I'll be replacing a pair of really terrible floorstanding front speakers, and I don't have a center speaker, surround speakers, or a subwoofer.

I'd like to get floorstanding speakers that have great all-around sound -- highs, middles, lows -- until I add other types of speakers. I care more about music (all genres -- really) than about home theater, but obviously I'd prefer something that handles both well.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hey maybe look at the Polk Monitor 60's-it has been said several times the 60's are the "jewel" of the monitor line. I have heard the 60's and thought they were very good at home theater applications. Not really sure how they would be with respect to music listening. Another brand you may wanna look at is Athena. That is, the F2.2's will certainly give you more low end sound when compared to the Polk 60's but imho the 60's are a bit more crisp and clear on the higher end of the spectrum. Anyways, hope this helps. Happy hunting!!!!!

 

[sokrman14]

I would say go with the Boston Acoustics VR line, I dont remember what the exact prices are for them, but you definitely should be able to find them for 600$ at least. I have listened to them many times, and I have sold Polk and Infinity. IMO, I liked the Boston acoustics much more.

 

[ggunnell]

You'll get better sound with monitors on stands for $600 -- B&W, Epos, and Ascend come to mind...

 

[littleb]

I would say go with the Boston Acoustics VR line, I dont remember what the exact prices are for them, but you definitely should be able to find them for 600$ at least. I have listened to them many times, and I have sold Polk and Infinity. IMO, I liked the Boston acoustics much more.

Would you consider them harsh?

 

[jcPanny]

Onix floorstanders

The Onix X-sls speakers will be available soon for $300 / pair from av123.com. Check out the real wood veneer. They don't have as many drivers, but will sound much better than the Athena, Yamaha and Infinity models you list.

They also have another version with 2 mids and powered woofers that will sell for $600 / pair and might be worth the wait. Just buy a pair of the bookshelf version for <$200 to hold you over and move them to the surrounds when you get the floorstanders.

Otherwise, check audiogon.com for some used Paradigm, PSB, Onix, etc. floorstanders in your price range.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

These are worthy of a listen.

http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=980&s=specs
With a little negotiation, a pair of these should be within your price range.

If you have yet to hear the brand new reference line from Klipsch, you owe it to yourself to give them an audition. You'll have to use the 'find a dealer' function to locate a dealer near you because Klipsch doesnt sell their Reference Level speakers at big box stores.

Scratch Yamaha speakers off your list because they dont make good speakers. I would also scratch athenas & Polks off. I've listened to them, and the Reference line of Klipsch is in a totally different league. As for the BICs?? I've never listened to them. Infinity makes a quality speaker, but their price/performance ratio is higher.

Good Luck

 

[sokrman14]

Would you consider them harsh?

I personally dont consider them harsh. I think that they do put a little extra emphasis on the high's, but I think the reason they do that is because people tend correlate that with crispness, although at times it can be a little much, but not nearly as bad as infinity. Polk, IMO, doesnt put enough into the highs, and they sound too neutral for me. To much midrange, and not enough high's. That is why I prefer Boston, I think they are right in the middle with that, a nice blend of highs and lows and mids.

 

[speakerman39]

I personally dont consider them harsh. I think that they do put a little extra emphasis on the high's, but I think the reason they do that is because people tend correlate that with crispness, although at times it can be a little much, but not nearly as bad as infinity. Polk, IMO, doesnt put enough into the highs, and they sound too neutral for me. To much midrange, and not enough high's. That is why I prefer Boston, I think they are right in the middle with that, a nice blend of highs and lows and mids.

I have sold many Boston Acoustic car speakers from co-axials to subwoofers. The funny thing is I have never gotten to listen to the Boston home speakers. However, imho the Polk "R" series and the Monitor series can be a bit too bright even a bit harsh. But, the Polk Rti series has much better balance and is much more detailed. The Infinity Betas are also very clear sounding BUT the top end and the midrange is definitely laid-back and less refined. Some people like that kind of sound BUT I prefer a bit more agressive speaker myself.

 

[rikmeister]

well i would go audition some speakers to see what you ike and i would

look at around 1200.00 not 600.00 then go to audiogon when you have found what you like and you will get them for 40 to 50% off. remember it is your ears not mine.

 

[3db]

For additional 149.00 you can end up with these,

I want to buy a new pair of floorstanding speakers for less than $600. Any recommendations?

I've read a lot of reviews on this forum and on other sites, and I've compiled this tentative shortlist:

Infinity Primus 360
Yamaha NS-555
Athena F2.2

Positive or negative comments on these? Anything else that should be on this list? I left off the Ascend CMT-340s because they're not truly floorstanding.

More about my setup: This is it! That is, I'll be replacing a pair of really terrible floorstanding front speakers, and I don't have a center speaker, surround speakers, or a subwoofer.

I'd like to get floorstanding speakers that have great all-around sound -- highs, middles, lows -- until I add other types of speakers. I care more about music (all genres -- really) than about home theater, but obviously I'd prefer something that handles both well.

Thanks in advance for your help!

A pair of PSB Image t45s. I own a pair of myself and I do not feel the need to upgrade anytime soon. They are one awesome pair of speakers. heres the latest review on them. Its interesting that they do a comparison to the much pricier Revels and they holld remarkabley well to them

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/psb_image_t45.htm

 

[ICEdevil]

i own a pair of JBL E80...got them from a local AVstore and they sound great IMHO...they were priced around 600$

 

[JonBaker99]

KEF iQ5s have a retail price of $350 each. Probably can find them cheaper if you look around. Great sounding a looking speaker that will fit right in your budget.

 

[tomd51]

Boston Acoustics VR2s...

Here's a pair of Boston Acoustic VR2s that are factory refurbished from OneCall that would get you a nice pair of towers for a little over $500 (assuming your in the lower 48, shipping may be more if not). They come w/full factory warranty.

I purchased a refurbed pair of VR3s from them last December and I couldn't tell at all they were refurbs, 'except when I checked my bank acct... Very solid speaker for the money, even more so w/the refurb discount... -TD