advice...where to start?

[Thatssougly]

I want to buy some really nice speakers and possibly a subwoofer specifically for listening to and creating music. So far I have gone to Best Buy and tested out their Klipsch sytems. I tried out the Tower F3 and F2 speakers and also the B2 and B3 bookshelf speakers with the 10" subwoofer. I think that is about the price range I am looking at. Including the receiver, I would like to be comfortably inside 1000 dollars.

I think this may sound very general, but my main concerns are tight, detailed bass, and high all around sound quality at high volumes.

I think I really don't know nearly enough about this to make good decisions. For example, I was reading a review on this website that compared the Axiom M3Ti and the Klipsch RB-15. Just from looking at the specs, I would have assumed that because the Axiom's max power handling is 175 watts and the RB-15 handles 300, along with higher efficiency, that it would automatically blow the Axioms away. This is even though I am aware that I would most likely have a receiver that delivers only 100 watts to each speaker. To my surprise, these speakers tied in the contest and it seems that, from what the reviewer said, the Axioms would suit me better.

So my first question is: should I go with two tower speakers and potentially get a subwoofer in the far future or go with two bookshelf speakers and get the subwoofer, now?

I am going to try to find a store that specializes in audio so I can do some more testing, but I don't really know if such a place exists here in Gainesville, FL where I live.

Another question is which receiver for this application? I want at least 3 inputs: 2 computers and a turntable. 4 or 5 would be nice. In this forum, I think it probably goes without saying that the main concern is sound quality, so is it even an option to look for something in this price range? Also, can I connect a subwoofer to a 2 channel stereo receiver?

This is for my bedroom.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Absolutely! You can get really nice sound for $1k. Another person asked essentially the same question yesterday, and had virtually the same goal. Check this thread. Not the exact same thing, but very relevant info. I'd offer much of the same advice to you as I did to him.

If you just want stereo, you can easily do that for a grand. Especially if you already have the sources. There's a wealth of good deals, particularly if you're open to buying used. Provided you stick to good sellers, you get many of the advantages of a 1 yr old car. Let someone else drive it off the lot and lose $5k!

 

[mpompey]

I used to live in Gainesville! You go to UF? Go Gators!!!

I'd go with the Axioms first. That way if you do migrate into the HT realm, you could port those into surrounds. Right now it sounds like you need some good monitors so you can listen to how your music sounds. Let your fans play it out of whatever they want to.

As far as good audio stores in Gainesville, nothing comes to mind off hand. Check out the Sound Advice/ Tweeter stores in Jacksonville or Orlando. There's a Sensuous Sound Systems store in Tampa. That's about 1 1/2 hours away though. Unfortunately most of the really good stores are in South Florida.

 

[Thatssougly]

Yeah go gators! Thanks for the guidance, guys. I went to a store I found today and listened to the paradigm mini monitors; they are priced at 400 in the store. I thought they sounded pretty excellent but i wish i could compare them to something else. The guy there said that was the only thing he had to fit my price range...he offered to give me those monitors, the paradigm PDR 8, and an integra DTM 5.3? refurbished receiver for 1k. Does anyone know how these compare to the Axioms and other options in the same price range? I am still open to used stuff, but for the purposes of comparison.

 

[Nick250]

I own Mini Monitors v2 and they nice little speakers. You will want a sub with them for best results, but the PDR 8 is the worst sub I have every heard. There is the X sub for $200 sub that has been reviewed here recently that might meet your needs.

Nick

 

[Thatssougly]

Thanks, I will look into that sub. If it is good for only 200 that would be sweet. I think my biggest problem will be figuring out which receiver to buy. It seems like it will potentially be the most expensive part of the system, and so far they havent been set up to test and compare the way speakers have been at stores. I think i will have to rely only on the opinions of others. I want one that puts out as much power as it claims to. A lot of reviews I have read of the few that I have checked out online either say something like: Great product! it is so great! or: it didnt sound like 100 watts so I tested it and nope, it wasn't. And the bass sucks. I will look at all the reviews of receivers on this website to start, but are there any that are standout receivers in my price range? Also, stereo or surround? I think surround, and if so, i might go over my budget if it makes sense to. Does it?

 

[Thatssougly]

Does anyone have anything to say about the Harman Kardon HK3480? It is 246 dollars on amazon.

 

[Pianoman84d]

I think if you buy the Yamaha RX-V659, see review here (http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/YamahaRX-V659p1.php) You would have to find it for cheaper than the MSRP, but that should be doable. You can also look at the Onkyo 504, and the entry level Harman Kardon as well. Speakers are more important than the receiver, so there is much flexibility here.

+ a pair of the Onix X-LS and the X-sub, you will have a good stereo setup for under $1K. All have been reviewed on Audioholics and I think that is a very good setup.

About the HK 3480. It is only a stereo receiver, so if you are planning to upgrade to a 5.1 system later, it will need to be upgraded as well.

 

[Thatssougly]

Thanks for that...I think I am sold on that Yamaha RX-V659; I found it online for 360 with free shipping. So I need to choose the speakers and sub now. I couldnt find a power handling figure for the x-ls bookshelves, anyone know? Can anyone compare those x-ls with the axiom m3ti's?

the x-sub seems like it might be my choice for now, but i could spend more. I might want to go for something in the SVS PB10 range? How much of a difference? Double the power, more frequency response(very important). My main concern, however, is the detail in the bass. If it is worth paying twice as much for that sub or a comparable one, or does the x sub really perform like a more expensive one?

I am happily under the budget right now with either of those speaker choices, but a 100 dollar difference is still considerable. I could afford to spend the additional 250-300 on the axioms and svs sub, but I want to figure out if the difference would be worth it. I won't be actually buying anything for at least another week. I am going to jax for t-giving break and i will check out some of the stores up there. I don't think most of the specific speakers discussed here will end up being in any store up there though, so i will probably be buying almost completely based on this advice.
Thank you for all the help!

 

[Pianoman84d]

Thanks for that...I think I am sold on that Yamaha RX-V659; I found it online for 360 with free shipping. So I need to choose the speakers and sub now. I couldnt find a power handling figure for the x-ls bookshelves, anyone know? Can anyone compare those x-ls with the axiom m3ti's?

the x-sub seems like it might be my choice for now, but i could spend more. I might want to go for something in the SVS PB10 range? How much of a difference? Double the power, more frequency response(very important). My main concern, however, is the detail in the bass. If it is worth paying twice as much for that sub or a comparable one, or does the x sub really perform like a more expensive one?

I am happily under the budget right now with either of those speaker choices, but a 100 dollar difference is still considerable. I could afford to spend the additional 250-300 on the axioms and svs sub, but I want to figure out if the difference would be worth it. I won't be actually buying anything for at least another week. I am going to jax for t-giving break and i will check out some of the stores up there. I don't think most of the specific speakers discussed here will end up being in any store up there though, so i will probably be buying almost completely based on this advice.
Thank you for all the help!

The difference between the Axioms and the X-LS is going to be one of taste IMHO. I really believe that if music is more important to you than HT, or music is a significant part of your listening, than you should order both and compare. I prefer the X-LS, but you may disagree. As far as the X-Sub goes, I love its articulation, etc... with music. Again, I think the answer to this question is whether you are more of a HT or music guy. If the answer is HT, you may want the lower extension of the SVS.

 

[jcPanny]

Thanks for that...I think I am sold on that Yamaha RX-V659; I found it online for 360 with free shipping. So I need to choose the speakers and sub now. I couldnt find a power handling figure for the x-ls bookshelves, anyone know? Can anyone compare those x-ls with the axiom m3ti's?

I wouldn't be so concerned about the "Max Power Spec", it is mostly for marketing. Both the X-LS and Axoims will play to high SPLs without distortion, that is what is important.

With any decent bookshelf speakers, your 100 Watt/channel receiver will be the limiting power factor. When the receivers amp is maxed out, it will start to clip the output which can damage the tweeters of the speakers.