Best speakers for music listening!!!

[nikonf3]

Hello all,

I noticed how ridiculous audiophiles are when I realized how ridiculous I have become with photography. If you asked me "what is the best digital camera" I would say to you " how big of a enlargement do you want and are you going to be using your camera for services - work or for your personal hobby enjoyment! simple really - no point me laying out all options in a price-range - just the best in a particular price range.

If you asked me how do you get the best possible quality - resolution, dynamic range, enlargement options yet spending the least - I say buy a film camera with great lenses.

I am not going to be listening to some recording artist track before editing in a studio - I want speakers for my home music enjoyment! I listen to classic rock, electronica, euro dance, rock - and lots of female vocals. enough said.
Thank you much in advanced!!!
Gary.

1st. what is the preferred set -up for music listening, 2 bookshelf speakers and a sub; or full range floor standing speakers?

speaker recommendation please:

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

What is your budget?

 

[nikonf3]

Hello Adam,
Thank you for the welcome;

My budget is $2.000 for a amp and speakers.

Thank you.
Gary

 

[chris357]

b&w, I suggest you increase your budget

 

[pzaur]

Hello Adam,
Thank you for the welcome;

My budget is $2.000 for a amp and speakers.

Thank you.
Gary

Stick with your budget.

There are many excellent speakers in this price range. B&W (Bowers and Wilkins) makes excellent speakers. They are very well respected. Personally, I have an old model from Aperion Audio and am very pleased with them.

As per the usual suggestion, go out and listen to speakers. They all have different characteristics and everyone has different tastes.

When you're talking of an amp, is it really just an amp or are you thinking of an AVR (Audio/Visual Receiver - like these)?

-pat

 

[nikonf3]

hey Pat

Thanks for responding.

Amp consideration for music only not A/V,

I too was looking at Aperion audio, was thinking about their intimus 6t tower speakers, as you know you can only audition them in home. can you please tell me how they perform with music form your experience and would you pick them over B&W; it was noted that Aperion audio, being internet based, gives you a speaker that would cost almost twice as much if sold through a vendor, any truth to that? I got the same store for a amp - outlawaudio.com
the rr1250 - was told it is worth twice the price.

 

[pzaur]

Thanks for responding.

Amp consideration for music only not A/V,

I too was looking at Aperion audio, was thinking about their intimus 6t tower speakers, as you know you can only audition them in home. can you please tell me how they perform with music form your experience and would you pick them over B&W; it was noted that Aperion audio, being internet based, gives you a speaker that would cost almost twice as much if sold through a vendor, any truth to that? I got the same store for a amp - outlawaudio.com
the rr1250 - was told it is worth twice the price.

I have a buddy that has the older 600 series B&W speakers and they sound incredible. The 6T speakers are probably right in line with that. Mine are the 533-T speakers and I've never regretted purchasing them. The 6 series from Aperion where just too large for my wife.

I have never been a fan of marketing by saying "sounds as good as speakers costing blah-blah-blah." They either sound good or they don't. The build quality on mine are fantastic. The piano black was flawless when I received them. Pairing them with a sub is a must since the 5 series don't reach down very far with enough oompf.

Would I pick them over B&W? It simply depends on final cost. Either company builds fine speakers to own.

If you can get a trial pair of B&Ws from a local dealer at the same time you have the Aperions then you could listen to them in their listening place. Any speaker will sound different from room to room with the same speaker.

-pat

 

[AVRat]

Denon DRA-697
Ascend Sierras
HSU STF-2

Yes, the Outlaw would be a nice option.

 

[pzaur]

Denon DRA-697
Ascend Sierras
HSU STF-2

Yes, the Outlaw would be a nice option.

This would also be a nice setup to gather. I've never heard the Ascend or HSU. But, they're both very well respected.

-pat

 

[jostenmeat]

1st. what is the preferred set -up for music listening, 2 bookshelf speakers and a sub; or full range floor standing speakers?

With limitless budget, full range speakers. However, within the budget, and better than 2 bookshelf speakers + sub, is actually 2 bookshelf speakers + 2 (stereo) subs. The argument is that with a real world price point, bookshelves are subject to much less cabinet resonances with, well, the smaller cabinet. The cabinet is probably the most expensive part of the speaker, well, with good speakers at least.

I understand that it looks funny to most. It would look funny to me, and I'd be hesitant in an LR situation. But, you can do it with 2k.

You want to have the subs close to each respective speaker. Within a quarter wavelength of the crossover freq, IIRC.


Salk Sound hasn't been mentioned yet here, but I'd consider their Song Towers very strongly for towers. Or their bookshelves. I've never heard them, but the consumer feedback has been of extremely high praise. I have heard Ascend, and I don't think you can go wrong there, and highly recommend them as well.

If B&W, if towers, I'd encourage you to wait to increase budget by 50%, and aim for 804s on the classifieds, or as demo's.

I've got some PSB, and they ain't too shabby.

 

[walter duque]

If you can pick these Klipsch up used at a good price, these are great all around speakers.
http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/cornwall-iii-overview/

 

[bandphan]

I'd look at the JTR triple 8s and a sub with your budget

 

[bombarde32]

Seems like all the talk is focused on the speakers. I saw someone mention the Denon amp retailing at $600. You can beat retail but you are approaching/entering used McIntosh territory. A clean 4100 can be found for 700 - 800 if you are patient.

Just a thought ...

 

[chris357]

audiogon and ebay are my best friends.. if it werent for speakers being so subjective I'd not hesitate with used.. but if you have a store that sells a variety and will let you do home auditions then as a salesman i can not endorse using them local store for service then buying elsewhere for less.. I'm struggling with this as well since I love to buy used equipment and i have saved tons of money.. like women save on shoes that are on sale lol

anyway i like the 600 series b&w's and i love my NHT's the 2.5i is an incredible value and sounds amazing.. I do think for the amp section you can get used higher end rhather than so so new.. again search audiogon and ask alot of questions on here before you buy anything.. but speakers you can put 10 pairs of speakers in a room with 10 people and have 10 different answers.

 

[JerryLove]

For music, honestly, my ear likes full-sized vs bookshelf+sub. Perhaps it's just me (and I'm actually looking forward to someone telling me specifically "here's why you perceive that")

In my home, right now, I have the following (functional):

PSB 400i bookshelf speakers (on an amp as computer speakers)
Kef Q1 bookshelf speakers (getting ready to sell)
McIntosh XD-717 floor-standing (front room)
Infinity RS3b (really pissed I just missed an under-priced pair of RS2) floor standing (living room)
Home-theater with:
Paradigm Reference Studio 40v3 x2
Paradigm Reference Studio 370v3
Paradigm Signature S1v1 x2
Energy 12" sub (forget the model)

Ignoring everything but the floor-standers and HT setup (simply put, the other bookshelves are outclassed by the paradigms):

For music listening, for me, the most play comes from the two sets of floor-standers. I find the deep mids richer, and the overall effect simply better than running 2+sub or stereo-in-surround in the bedroom. Maybe I've just not got with a high-enough quality sub; but given that I got the XD-717s for $150, and the Infinity's were free (I think they go about $200 these days)... well. A McIntosh XR-19 pair just went on EBay for $1100. If *I* we spending your budget on music, I'd be very likely to want to track down a good, older pair of floor-standing speakers.

(and yes, I've listened to more modern units from Maggies (*love them*, but expensive to buy (and need lots of amp IIRC)) to B&W's slimmer towers (703?))

I'll recommend what everyone (rightly) does: go audition and determine your tastes.

 

[nikonf3]

DONT Believe The HYPE!!!

Hello all!

Thank you all for your valued feedback!!! was away for a few days and could not respond.

Well, let me start off by saying I have had a few Audiophyte experiences!

1. Yes, what sounds good to you sounds good, or not good to me!
2. Who says that internet direct audio companies really do give you more for your money in terms of quality and performance since there is no "middle-man".

Salk Sung/towers, B&W 685/683-towers, Paradigm s100; all these speakers have been getting the most consistent pro reviews(if pro means unbiased) and customer reviews for best speakers too accommodate a medium sized room. Then their is aperion audio with their top of the line Intumus 6t tower speakers - made in china - 1400.00/pair. I compared them to Canton chrono 507 floor-standings 1600.00/pair - german speakers - made in germany - Full range speakers. 1600.00 cnd vs 1400 us, one made in china, one made in germany. The Cantons are simply...disgusting(90's term), Far-out (80's term), I was very impressed! heard it with a cambridge azur 650a, heard the paradigms also with a yamaha 797 - sounded great.

Also listened to a hk 3490 with B&W 683 and 685, of course this would not be a "audiophile comparison given the speakers were tested with different amps; however they all sounded really good - is it the speakers or the amp, I have not purchased anything yet - more confused than ever, was going to listen to rotel 1520 or I should say considered it or the cambridge azur650 - both great reviews,
So.. if the Hk, Cambridge azur, yamaha - 797, sounded good, how much better would a internet integrated amp such as the outlaw audio rr2150 which is at the same price point give or take a 100.00 depending which of the aforementioned amps you compare it too, Outlaw claims that its amp if sold through a regular channels - store, it would cost twice and is equivalent to Rotel, and Cambridge Azur 650 but even better given all the inputs - mp3, usb, subout......

What do you guys think! is internet direct really giving us quality and performance equivlant to items sold through a audio store? how can a 700.00 internet direct amp compete with a retail sold Rotel, cambridges and such? Same goes for speakers?

Final options: Cambridge azur 650, yamaha 797, rotel 1520, hk3490 or outlaw audio rr2150-which is suppose to outperform the above.
Speakers: 685/683, paradigm s100, OR JBL L890's!!!

Called JBL, they said that they have been making speakers so long that they are better than anyone or almost any other company at reducing their costs so what you get for the money is superior to anything in the same price point! true or bull?

have a great day/night fellow music people, and don't hold back on your imput!
Gary

 

[deedubb]

If you want bang for your buck (who doesn't?), I would strongly consider you at least audition PSB if you're able to. In fact, if you're not opposed to buying used, try to find a pair of PSB Stratus Golds. The only downside is they need a decent amp to run them and be able to sound good. Your run of the mill receiver may not be satisfactory. Listen to some of their newer models if you don't want to buy used.

Personally, if you have the space, I prefer full range floorstanders over bookshelf speakers w/ sub, but that's just personal preference.

Good luck!

 

[JerryLove]

Yes, Internet-direct should be cheaper (all other things being equal) than brick-and-morter. A typical markup from wholesale to retail is 100% (A $1000 MSRP speaker is $500 for the store to buy).

But any company can place any markup they want, they can be as good or bad for the cost as is possible... and that ignores simple personal preference.

 

[lsiberian]

What I'd buy if I were buying speakers today.

The Behringer 2031p 's.

I don't care how much money I had I'd still buy them If I were buying speakers. They are amazing speakers with exceptional build quality. I see no reason to spend any more money on a commerical speaker.

Save the rest for a sick sub if you need one.

 

[jostenmeat]

2. Who says that internet direct audio companies really do give you more for your money in terms of quality and performance since there is no "middle-man".

This is a common argument, but at least in my case, I've never paid retail, or even close to it. Then again, I buy a lot of used, refurbished, demo, openbox, bstock, what have you. And that includes some "internet direct" acoustical treatments at half of, as used. But even my "new" purchases were greatly discounted. Don't expect to pay retail. And that's even with "price protection"; just get creative there.

Also listened to a hk 3490 with B&W 683 and 685, of course this would not be a "audiophile comparison given the speakers were tested with different amps; however they all sounded really good - is it the speakers or the amp, I have not purchased anything yet - more confused than ever, was going to listen to rotel 1520 or I should say considered it or the cambridge azur650 - both great reviews,

The biggest factor is the actual room. When you listen to speakers, more than half of what you hear is the room. This is why treatments and EQ can be so beneficial. The other factors are where the speaker sit and where you sit.

The electronics should be the last thing on your mind. Repeat after me . . . last thing on your mind. This comes from someone who owns what was formerly the top of the line Cambridge integrated, a large NAD amp, and an Onkyo receiver.

Outside of the "room", speakers are everything. It's where electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy, and therefore is the place where the greatest variances with accuracy occur. The variances and compromises with accuracy of sound reproduction are overwhelmingly greater here than it would be with nearly any electronics purchase. I'm not saying electronics *can't* make a difference, but the speakers are where it's at, and it's not even close.

So.. if the Hk, Cambridge azur, yamaha - 797, sounded good, how much better would a internet integrated amp such as the outlaw audio rr2150 which is at the same price point give or take a 100.00 depending which of the aforementioned amps you compare it too, Outlaw claims that its amp if sold through a regular channels - store, it would cost twice and is equivalent to Rotel, and Cambridge Azur 650 but even better given all the inputs - mp3, usb, subout.....

YMMV. But, seriously, just pick the speakers first. Ok? Repeat after me . . .

Called JBL, they said that they have been making speakers so long that they are better than anyone or almost any other company at reducing their costs so what you get for the money is superior to anything in the same price point! true or bull?

While it's probably bull, did you really expect them to say anything else? I bet they must make some awesome speakers, if perhaps for movie theater applications . . .