Advice on a set up for a beginner!

[soymilk]

Hey everyone!

I’ve been exploring this site and others more frequently lately, and I’ve really grown to love the audiophile/audio enthusiast community. While I’ve been passionate about great sound for a while, I’ve always felt unsure about where to start. My current setup includes the Hifiman Sundaras paired with a DAC/amp from iFi, which has been a fantastic introduction to high-quality audio. This setup got me wondering about the possibilities in the speaker space—if headphones can sound this amazing, what could speakers bring to the table?
I’m looking to dive into the world of speakers but want to keep my budget around $1,000. For some background, I’m a student in higher education, so I move between apartments pretty often. Because of that, I’d prefer a setup that’s relatively simple and easy to manage. I’ve been leaning toward tower speakers over bookshelf models for their portability and perceived performance, but I’ve come across conflicting advice about price-to-performance ratios and whether a high-end amp is truly necessary to drive tower speakers compared to bookshelves.
Primarily, I’ll be using the speakers to listen to music, but I’d also love to have a setup that enhances my movie-watching experience. If anyone has been in a similar position, I’d greatly appreciate your advice! What setup would you recommend for someone in my situation?

Thanks so much for your insights!

 

[Isosevodes]

Klipsch RP8000F Tower Speakers! $800 per pair! The best $800 you’ll ever spend! They sound absolutely FANTASTIC and they ROAR! Check out online and YouTube reviews!

 

[PhantomGleam]

If you’re considering tower speakers, the Klipsch RP-8000F mentioned earlier is a solid choice, especially for the price. Another great option within your budget could be the Elac Debut 2.0 F6.2, which offers excellent soundstage and clarity for both music and movies. If you decide to go with bookshelf speakers instead for more portability, the KEF Q350 or Klipsch RP-600M paired with a decent subwoofer could give you a well-rounded setup without sacrificing much in terms of performance. For an amp, the Yamaha R-N303 or Denon PMA-600NE would work well with both tower and bookshelf options, providing plenty of power and good connectivity features. Since you’re moving frequently, consider sturdy speaker stands if you go with bookshelves, as they’ll make setup much easier in new apartments.