Advice for 2.0 Setup Floorstanding

[Joeboku]

I'm new here and I'm hoping I can get some suggestions on some floorstanding speakers. I want to start out with some quality floorstanding speakers that I can expand to 3.0, 3.1, etc over the years. I've been asking around various places and people trying to make an informed decision. Here's a little bit of information that might be useful.

System: 2.0 Floorstanding
Budget: I'd like to keep it around $500 (USD) for the pair
Location: USA
Primary Use: 50% Movies / 50% Music (Streaming & Vinyl - Classic and 90s Rock, Jazz, and Blues)
Room Size: 22 ft x 18ft with 8 ft ceilings. Seating area 15 ft away from the TV.
Store: Amazon (Have Gift Card Credit but will consider other locations if a better deal can't be had at amazon)
Receiver: I'm considering a refurbished Denon AVR-X1500H through accessories4less unless you have a better suggestion.

I've been looking at the Polk S55, the Fluance XL7F, BIC PL-89 II, and many others. I've also been looking at the Fluance Signature Series, even though they are a bit out of my price range. Honestly, I'm in information overload and completely new to home theater audio. That's why I'm turning to you to hopefully be able to help me make an informed decision. Thanks for the help.

 

[theJman]

A 2.0 setup for music makes sense, but are you sure that's the configuration you want for movies as well? No center channel and no subwoofer will impact the viewing experience.

 

[Joeboku]

A 2.0 setup for music makes sense, but are you sure that's the configuration you want for movies as well? No center channel and no subwoofer will impact the viewing experience.

Yes, since I have a budget of around $500 for the pair I want to start off with some decent quality speakers. Id rather build a solid 2.0 system now that can be expanded upon than to get an inferior 5.0 system now.

 

[shadyJ]

The Fluance Signature Three-Way speakers are very good. If you can make that stretch, try to do so. The Polk S55 might be decent. Take a hard look at what you can get from Klipsch Reference Premier series within this price range too. If you don't intend to listen at loud levels, do give the Dayton MK442T speakers a look, they are a bargain at their price, and that would save you a chunk of change as well. One speaker that is not a tower speaker but still may merit your attention is the Monoprice K-BAS speakers. They have a nicely neutral response and very good bass extension for bookshelf speakers.

 

[Leemix]

With 500 for 2.0 it might be an idea to go for bookshelf speakers then go for a sub a little later when you can afford it. You will get a little less bass at first but you will get better speakers(possibly quite a lot better) and you would have to run any towers in that range with almost the same crossover later anyway when you get a sub. Many bookshelf speakers have surprisingly decent bass compared to same cost towers because you can often get the «next tier» of bookshelf(and then you get better midrange and upper range)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[HTfreak2004]

I agree with Leemix.

Bookshelf bass managed will definitely allow you to juice the volume even though that room is quite large.

Later those bookshelf speakers will make a good surround for 5.1 and even better rears in a 7.1+ setup

 

[Pogre]

I started with bookshelf speakers and a sub. Added the towers later and moved the bs to surround duty. I agree that I think you can get a better quality bs speaker than tower in the same price range.

 

[Zega]

Yes, since I have a budget of around $500 for the pair I want to start off with some decent quality speakers. Id rather build a solid 2.0 system now that can be expanded upon than to get an inferior 5.0 system now.

Have you looked much in your local area for quality used speakers and receivers?
My brother's Polk Monitor 70's are spectacular!
How it will turn out, will greatly depend on which receiver or speaker set you get.
Pairing the wrong speaker with any amp and it will sound like crap.
My ELAC F5.2 series towers sound amazing with my 3080 yamaha!
They also sound incredible with my Denon 4810ci.
They do not sound good with my old Yamaha RX-Z9.
Every series of receiver is unique in how it sounds.
The F5.2 Elac's are 599 a pair. With free shipping though.
But who knows what you may find used locally!
Good Luck!

 

[zieglj01]

I would take a hard look at the Canton GLE 470.2 speakers .... a real good deal
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle4702blka/canton-gle-470.2-7-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-black-each/1.html

 

[HTfreak2004]

Why not jump up another model to:

CANTONGLE490.2 8" 3-Way Floorstanding Speaker Black Each
TypeFloorstanding speaker
Nom. /Music power handling150 / 320 wattsSPL (1 watt/1m)90.5 dbFrequency response20...30.000 HzCrossover frequency300 / 3.200 HzWoofer2 x 8'' Aluminum (Wave surround)Midrange1 x 7'' Aluminum (Wave surround)
Tweeter1 x 1'’Fabric
Nominal Impedance4...8 ohms
Dimensions (WxHxD)8.3'' x 41.7'' x 12.2''
Weight42.3 lbs

 

[Pogre]

I would take a hard look at the Canton GLE 470.2 speakers .... a real good deal
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle4702blka/canton-gle-470.2-7-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-black-each/1.html

Excellent speakers from what I've been seeing.

Zieg here goes through speakers like I do socks. He has a lot of experience with a variety of them.

 

[Crazy8s846]

Polk RTIA7 are being discontinued , was thinking of getting them, but got kilpsch rp280f instead. They are 299 each, frys if there is one near you has them for 178.00 each. I should say i dont know alot about speakers but they seem like a good deal an the cherry look really nice.

 

[KEW]

Speakers are the greatest influence on your sound quality.
... and I like deals - where you can get more speaker for less because of an available discount.
Here are the best three tower options at different price points that I am aware of (from highest to lowest price):

$700/pair. I would be most inclined to try to stretch your budget and spend $700 on a pair of refurbished JBL 580 towers as the best all around solution (note MSRP for the pair is $1600)!
This is a very good price on a very good speaker!
https://www.jbl.com/loudspeakers/STUDIO+580BK-Z.html?mrkgcl=741&mrkgadid=3285981485&utm_campaign=Con|GSC|Product&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=Google&utm_term=412806718463_channel_online_product_type_home_audio_speakers_product_type_loudsp&product_id=STUDIO 580BK-Z&utm_content=Home+Audio+-+Product&adpos=1o2&creative=249866156292&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjwpuXpBRAAEiwAyRRPgbhiv0QyAQ-UkXi5DFuNS-N78ehFjnTyl9RqRNVqEU3R7MjXc744nxoCX5wQAvD_BwE

$480/pair. If you can't stretch your budget, The Canton speaker @zieglj01 recommended are the next best option! I have not heard this speaker, but the two Canton speakers I have heard were both good values for the price A4L was selling them. Canton is a very large speaker company that you may not know of because they are a German company which is not aggressively targeting the US market. Fortunately, A4L carries them!

$330/pair. If the budget is really tight, the Boston Acoustics A360 are a great deal at $330 a pair.
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosa360gba/boston-acoustics-a360-dual-6.5-3-way-floor-standing-speaker-black-each/1.html

I answered your question about towers, but I agree with others that your budget is better spent on bookshelf speakers since you will add a sub.

If you wait a while, I expect the Infinity R162 to go on sale again for ~$200 a pair, and the JBL 530 (bookshelf relative to the 580) to go for $300/pr. Even though these are well below $500/pr (when on sale), I don't know of any bookshelf under $500/pr to beat either of these!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Speakers are the greatest influence on your sound quality.
I would be most inclined to try to stretch your budget and spend $700 on a pair of refurbished JBL 580 towers as the best all around solution (note MSRP for the pair is $1600)!
This is a very good price on a very good speaker!
https://www.jbl.com/loudspeakers/STUDIO+580BK-Z.html?mrkgcl=741&mrkgadid=3285981485&utm_campaign=Con|GSC|Product&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_source=Google&utm_term=412806718463_channel_online_product_type_home_audio_speakers_product_type_loudsp&product_id=STUDIO 580BK-Z&utm_content=Home+Audio+-+Product&adpos=1o2&creative=249866156292&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjwpuXpBRAAEiwAyRRPgbhiv0QyAQ-UkXi5DFuNS-N78ehFjnTyl9RqRNVqEU3R7MjXc744nxoCX5wQAvD_BwE

This!