Bouston Acoustics VR2's with Onkyo TX-SR674

[baraant]

I'm looking for something to be used mainly for music, but it will need video up-conversion. My room size to fill is 28' wide x 28' long x 8' ceiling and the floor is wood, it's a combined kitchen and family room that leads into a large open hallway with a staircase in it.

I was in Circuit city last night looking at their floor speakers and they also have the Onkyo receiver hooked up to try. Here's the deal the guy was offering me and it wasn't a pressure sale: The Onkyo 674 for $499, which is the same on-line price they have for the silver model that's unavailable, and he's giving me %10 off the $800 pair price of the VR2's so they're at $720. Given the deal what do you guys think? Another benefit is that if I'm not happy and don't like them I can always cart them right back to the store. At this pricing can I really get a set-up that will be noticeably better? Also I am probably going to buy a sub-woofer to go along with the speakers, does size matter?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

If you like the sound and you are comfortable with the prices then get it. If you want to slow down a little and get better equipment for the same price then do that. I am not a big fan of BA but some people like them. I try to never go into a best buy or circuit city and I never buy equipment from them. (I did buy a fridge, washer and dryer from them)

You can find a lot of high quality speakers for $700 and you can find a lot of high quality AVRs for $500. Keep searching on here for equipment in your price range and you will probably end up with a better set up for the same price.

Speakers:

Aperion
Energy
PSB
Monitor Audio
Paradigm

AVR:

Yammy
Denon

Sub:

You need something big and powerful for that room. Look at SVS and HSU.

 

[baraant]

Yeah For speakers I have been looking at the Asperion Intimus 533PT for about $1,200, but that price just seems to put them right out of my range. Are there any other specific floor speakers in the $700, pair price, range you can recommend?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I would seriously consider the Ascend
CMT-340 SE MINI-TOWER MONITOR...
SAVE $40 340 SE mains plus pedestal stands only $668

You can get the Monitor Audio RS6 in your price range depending on where you live. If not you can step down to the bronze series.

Athena LS-500B; great speaker and good price from one-call.

KEF IQ 5 or IQ7

I have seen deals on the internet for Aperion that put them in your range.

Just keep searching on here and you will find the prices on everything.

 

[baraant]

It's tough to choose without hearing them

Man it's really tough to choose the speakers without actually hearing them, there can be such a difference between them. The one thing I did notice at Circuit City was the difference between the Polk Monitor 70 and the VR2 speakers. The Polk's appeared to muddy the tone or sound and the VR2's were much clearer sounding.

I live in the Western Suburbs of Chicago anyplace anyone can recommend to listen to some speakers?

Greg, I also don't like to buy things from Best Buy or Circuit City where you deal with kids who generally are only worried about the latest playstation or gamecube. But right now I pass those places going home from work and I can step in and listen to what they have.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It is hard.

One I forgot to mention was the AV123 Rocket RS450. They are great and in your price range. I almost purchased these before I got my Paradigms.

 

[darien87]

I absolutely LOVE my VR2's. But then again, I only paid $300 for mine.

 

[MDS]

Man it's really tough to choose the speakers without actually hearing them, there can be such a difference between them. The one thing I did notice at Circuit City was the difference between the Polk Monitor 70 and the VR2 speakers. The Polk's appeared to muddy the tone or sound and the VR2's were much clearer sounding.

I hate auditioning speakers. The polks may sound just fine if you get them home, but then again maybe not. I do however concur that in the store at least Polk + HK sounds kinda dull. However, many people have that combination and love it.

Maybe that's why I don't bother with speaker upgrades on a regular basis. I do need to upgrade my 10 year old JBL but am fearful of buying something based on a casual listen at the store and then having buyer's remorse if I find they are no better than what I have currently.

 

[no. 5]

At this pricing can I really get a set-up that will be noticeably better?

at that price you can certainly find things that are noticeably deferent, but better is in the ears of the beholder.

Also I am probably going to buy a sub-woofer to go along with the speakers, does size matter?

it can, room size is a big factor too. (big room + small sub = bad idea )
in addition to SVS and Hsu, Earthquake and Velodyne are some others that are worth a look.

 

[baraant]

darien, $300 each or for the pair? Either way what's your secret in buying these, I hat to buy them for standard price if they can be found cheaper.l

 

[darien87]

darien, $300 each or for the pair? Either way what's your secret in buying these, I hat to buy them for standard price if they can be found cheaper.l

$300 for the pair. A local Magnolia was selling their last pair and wanted to get rid of them. I guess I lucked out. The only thing that sucks is that they are the white maple finish, so they don't really match my furniture. Oh well.