Best speakers for me <$400

[WVHick]

I am a college student, so don't rant on me for my low budget. Anyhow, I listen to a lot of country and rock with a decent amount of rap thrown in. I was wondering what the best pair of speakers for me would be in this price range? I have searched, but everyone seems to listen to classical, or metal on here which isn't really my style. I was wanting something with a good amount of mid range. I already have a sub, but it's not a great one. I'd like the fronts to hit pretty good by themselves. I'm not too picky on the highs. Thanks for the help.

 

[chris357]

what kind of amp ?

 

[WVHick]

I have a Yamaha V463 Receiver.

 

[alexsabree]

Welcome

Well, there are tons of options. But first we really need to know what sub you are using. Sounds like its a really bad one and if it is, its doing more harm then good.

Behringer B2030P $130
Yamaha NS 6490 $100
AudioSource AMP-100 $80

And those speakers would give you money left over to get a subwoofer. If you listen to any hip hop, movies, or games. Having a decent sub is one of the most important things.

 

[WVHick]

The sub brand is an Optimus. I believe it's some shitty Radio Shack thing, but it was free, so I use it. It hits pretty hard, but vibrates and just isn't that good. I plan on adding a sub later, so you don't have to factor that into my budget. It'll have it's own budget.

 

[fredk]

If you are planing on adding a sub later, I would go for a pair of bookshelves. Ascend is having a moving sale so there are probably some good deals to be had there. The M3 from Axiom is a nice speaker. Maybe also look at the PSB B25.

I think you will find a good selection in your price range.

 

[lsiberian]

Go listen is my suggestions.

But Behringer 2030p's are used in recording studios and come at 130 a pair.

I think they are good enough for most people.

Pair them with Dayton sub and you have a nice lil setup.

FYI I listen to rock a lot more than I do anything else, but as I age I really am starting to enjoy the older stuff. I want a Mozart box set badly.

My favorite band is Punk Rock, but I really enjoy the good hard rock bands like Shinedown, Default, 12 Stones, Creed, Live(etc)

 

[j_garcia]

I would have to agree with the 2030p or these:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CAS30 BLK

They are a bit more, but well regarded.

I only rarely listen to classical

 

[WVHick]

I'd like to go listen, but the only thing around here is a Best Buy. They have hardly nothing except some Polk and Klipsch stuff.

 

[j_garcia]

You won't find the Behringers in typical stores. They will be in a musician's shop, like Guitar Center or something similar.

 

[Jeff R.]

Why not try the Usher S520's that were reviewed here recently. I have not personally heard them, however the review was very good. I rarely see reivews this good for such value priced pair of bookshelves.

 

[fredk]

I'd like to go listen, but the only thing around here is a Best Buy.

That sucks. One other thing you can try is checking out the audition forums for some of the online vendors to see if there is someone in the area that will give you an audition. Axiom's forum is here. Try the Ascend and Aperion sites to see what they have available. Aperion has free shipping both ways on a 30 day evaluation so that you can return the speakers if you don't like them. I don't know who else does this. Axiom would charge you return shipping.

You could also watch fleabay or audiogone for one of the speakers mentioned here second hand as a way to test the waters.

 

[abboudc]

Personally, i'd go with Ascend 170's.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

 

[Patrick_Wolf]

B2030P gets my vote. I haven't heard the Yamaha NS 6490, Usher S-520, or anything from Aperion.

 

[3db]

I would see what kind of deal you can find on PSB's Image B25 models since PSB has just revamped their Image line. The B25 has garnenered alot of favourable press from all the audio rags out there. As an example;

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1204psb/index.html

 

[lsiberian]

Personally, i'd go with Ascend 170's.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

also a great choice. Problem is you got no budget for a sub and you really want one for bookshelves usually.

 

[WVHick]

I live in West Virginia, and Axiom isn't even having any auditions there. I pretty much won't be able to listen to any nice speakers before buying. Thanks for the other speaker recommendations though. How are the Audioengine P4's and the AV123 X-SLS?

 

[rnatalli]

Why not try the Usher S520's that were reviewed here recently. I have not personally heard them, however the review was very good. I rarely see reivews this good for such value priced pair of bookshelves.

These are probably my new favorites at $400; definitely worth a listen. But Axiom, Ascend, Aperion, Monitor Audio, PSB, and many others all make fine speakers.

 

[WVHick]

Alright, I just found a place that's like 3 minutes from my apartment called "Sound Investments." They had the full line of Paradigm speakers, but that's the only brand they carried. I really really liked the Mini Monitor, but the Atom just didn't have enough mid-range or bass for me. The Monitor 7's I am in love with, but they are double my price range. They were kind of high though, I think. They wanted $478 for a pair of Mini Monitors and $798 for a pair of Monitor 7s.

 

[lsiberian]

Alright, I just found a place that's like 3 minutes from my apartment called "Sound Investments." They had the full line of Paradigm speakers, but that's the only brand they carried. I really really liked the Mini Monitor, but the Atom just didn't have enough mid-range or bass for me. The Monitor 7's I am in love with, but they are double my price range. They were kind of high though, I think. They wanted $478 for a pair of Mini Monitors and $798 for a pair of Monitor 7s.

Keep listening. This is the time to have plenty of fun demoing.