Another "What to Buy" Post 1-2k

[Fryguy]

Hi folks, thanks in advance for your help!

Currently I have:
Pioneer Elite pro-940hd
Yamaha RXV-657
Bose 301/501/701, currently using the 501 as front L/R
Rears not currently set up, but was using part of the 701s (don't know why, just sounded better)
Bose VCS-10 center
The subwoofer from a pretty cheap Sony HTIB, just because its powered and had more bass than the subwoofer that came with the 501s.
$60 Sony DVD player from Costco.

The Bose Acoustimass speakers I have are all about 15 years old and hand me downs, and I'm all grown up and ready to buy something for bigger boys. Don't have rears set up because just moved and the wiring will be tricky, as there is no wall to run the wire on, and I'm not comfortable doing in-wall wiring and don't want to pay someone to do it in an apartment I'm renting.

Just wondering where to apply the next home theater funds. I'm definitely happy with the tv (most recent purchase), I'm content with the Yamaha, and I've heard that incremental gains from spending more money on DVD players is minor, so I see the speakers as the weakest element, and probably where I'll see the biggest returns for the money.

I probably do about 75% home theater, 25% music (usually just from my iPod, I don't have any Super Audio or High Def music). I'd probably lean towards floorstand, because I like how they look. The room is not that large, but as I mentioned, its just temporary as an apartment.

I'm fairly flexible on the pricetag, as I'm more concerned for cost-efficiency and just want to get something that I won't need to upgrade for about 5 years, when my budget will expand quite a bit more. So for now, probably closer to 1-1.5k would do well for me, unless I'm getting "that much more" for the next 500-1000 dollars.

Well, thanks again for your help!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The 1-1.5K mark leaves you a lot of good choices. The only way to find a speaker is to listen for yourself. Try to find as many in your price range and go audition them. Here is a list of my favorite most of which I auditioned 5 months ago.
Paradigm studio series
Warefedale Evo series
PSB Image series
KEF IQ series
Monitor Audio RS series
Ascend CMT-340
AV123 Rockets
Aperion Intimus 633

 

[jcPanny]

Bose speakers

The Bose speakers have pretty good resale on ebay. Sell them to add to the speaker fund. With your current budget, you should consider spending $1k on speakers and $5-600 for a sub from SVS or HSU.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I think the budget is for the main speakers only but I may be wrong.

 

[Fryguy]

Budget is for fronts and rears, but I could step it up to 2k or so as needed, plus whatever I can sell the Bose for.

Do you just find a high-end audio place to test speakers? I haven't found a local electronics store that carries some of these brands, and they cost so much.

On a related note, is Radioshack 16 guage speaker wire (Type CL2?) good enough for running the quality of speakers you are recommending, or do I need to find some better speaker cable?

Thanks again!

 

[mazersteven]

Read this for recommendations in this thread.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34180

Also look at this system.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=13.1