Buying speakers when you can't audition them -

[twochordcool]

I want to buy 3 pairs of bookshelfs for a variety of music and 6.1 home theater for an average sized room.

I DO NOT have a specialty hi-fi shop anywhere near me.

So I am forced to purchase speakers based on reviews, advice and specs - and I feel comfortable with doing that - I think I can gather enough information and not make a bad choice.

I know most of you guys are against this idea but I almost have to.

So, one last time, I'd like everyones opinion on what they think the best speakers are on my list - and if they recommend another speaker that is not on my list.

I'm willing to spend about $400 per pair.

But then again, after I spend a small fortune on speaker stands, I'd wonder if I should have just went with decent entry-level floor standers!

Here is my list:

Now Hear This! SB-2 –
51Hz to 22kHz
86db
150 Watts

Now Hear This! SB-3 –
39Hz- 22kHz
175 Watts
86db???

Paradigm Atom –
70Hz to 20Khz
86 db
80 Watts

Paradigm Titan –
60Hz to 20kHz
86 db
100 Watts

Paradigm Mini Monitor
56Hz to 20kHz
87 db
100 Watts

Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 -
69Hz to 20kHz
89db
200 Watts

Axiom M3ti –
60 to 22kHz
88 db
175 Watts

Axiom M22ti –
60Hz to 22kHz
89db
200 Watts

Energy C-3 –
46Hz to 23kHz
89db
125 Watts

 

[jaxvon]

You may also want to add the Rocket RS-150s to your list. They are also highly rated and are beautiful to boot.

 

[s2pdname]

I DO NOT have a specialty hi-fi shop anywhere near me. So I am forced to purchase speakers based on reviews, advice and specs...I know most of you guys are against this idea but I almost have to.

At least with the internet direct brands (Ascend, Onix/Rocket,etc.) you have a 30 day return period. I believe most (internet directs) also have a period of time 30-45 days where you may purchase a few speakers at a time, but still get a package price. The advantage of doing this is that you can first purchase just the two main speakers (or front 3) as a trial, and if you decide to return them the shipping cost is minimal.


Best of luck!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

If the new Athena Audition bookshelves decide to come out anytime soon, for the money, I'd highly recommend them. Much more efficient, feature a 6.5" woofer, and have a very sweet sound to them.
www.athenaspeakers.com/model-AS-B2-2-specs.htm
www.abesofmaine.com/viewproduct.asp?id=athasb2.2&l=Bizrate

 

[furrycute]

When you purchase internet brand speakers, don't forget to factor in the cost of having the speakers shipped to you and the cost of having to ship the speakers back if you don't like them.

The shipping charges can be quite hefty.

 

[silversurfer]

You may also want to add the Rocket RS-150s to your list. They are also highly rated and are beautiful to boot.

Have you heard these speakers? They are very laid back, almost as though there is something covering them. If you do the research, the only people that like them are the ones that own Rockets. I have never seen a professional review of the speakers, not even in a publication in which AV123 advertises in.

 

[silversurfer]

When you purchase internet brand speakers, don't forget to factor in the cost of having the speakers shipped to you and the cost of having to ship the speakers back if you don't like them.

The shipping charges can be quite hefty.

Agreed, but when you are talking bookshelf size speakers, the charges are usually no more than $20-$30. When you get to floorstanders, it is a whole new ballgame.

 

[nm2285]

I think you can safely remove the atoms and titans from the list. They're certainly great speakers, but they're meant for lower budget systems. Stick with your other options. On your list, I've heard the minimonitors, but don't remember them well. I think from what I remember, they were very nice speakers, but sounded a but too detailed/harsh to the point of distraction. Both the Energy C-3s and the NHTs are superb choices (my 2 favs in this price range).

Where would you buy the Paradigms, NHTs, or Energys? I know Paradigm doesn't sell online.

Now the plug: Keep in mind, I have some NHT SB2s in very good shape I'd be willing to part with if you went that route!

 

[furrycute]

I owned the NHT SB3's. Very good bass response for bookshelf speakers, especially when you pair them up with a good amp. Plus they are sealed, which means you can place them closer to the rear wall.

 

[eddiem67]

Have you heard these speakers? They are very laid back, almost as though there is something covering them. If you do the research, the only people that like them are the ones that own Rockets. I have never seen a professional review of the speakers, not even in a publication in which AV123 advertises in.

What do you mean there are reviews,

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_3/onix-rocket-speakers-8-2003.html

http://www.audiorevolution.com/equip/rocket_speakers/index.html

 

[silversurfer]

What do you mean there are reviews,

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_3/onix-rocket-speakers-8-2003.html

http://www.audiorevolution.com/equip/rocket_speakers/index.html

Neither of those two reviews contains the RS150 that is being asked about here.

 

[VS540]

I don't know if they fall under "professional" but they are reviews:

http://202.186.86.35/audio/story.asp?file=/2004/10/28/audiofile/28onix&sec=audiofile

http://www.av123.com/outwordreview.pdf

 

[silversurfer]

OK, those look fair, but still two sources/publications I have not heard of before. I still suggest listenning to them though, they do not sound like any of the other speakers listed.

 

[JerryElbow]

You may also want to add the Rocket RS-150s to your list. They are also highly rated and are beautiful to boot.

This might have been a great option as the Rocket Onix speakers are a tremendous value at their respective price ranges, look absolutely fantastic and sound great. However, the RS150s have been discontinued and are out of stock. Currently, their most affordable "main" speakers are the RS250 MK IIs, which are $700 a pair (though they have a special on some in a red finish that run $100/pair less).

 

[JerryElbow]

I just looked at the "B-Stock" section at AV123.com and they do have one pair of RS250 MK IIs at just $500 a pair, which would be a steal. The "B-Stock" section is for speakers returned for whatever reason during the 30-day trial period AV123 offers on their speakers. I believe they're fully warranteed and that you still get a 30-day trial on them. People sometimes send them back when they decide to go with something even bigger or whatever. The downside of the "B-Stock" section is that speakers come and go in a heartbeat there. It's worth checking back often if you want a real deal on some great Rocket Onix or other AV123 speakers. I have a pair of RS250 MK IIs for my rear speakers (RS850s and RSC200 for front and center) and I think they're just great. I'd put them up against many "main" speakers at much higher prices. They've got the same tweeters as my $2,000/pair (a steal at that) RS850s and what appears to be the same woofer as my fabulous $600 (another steal) RSC200 "Bigfoot" center. I'm using the RS250 MK IIs for the rears as I wanted something that would tonally match my mains as close as possible yet still be able to be hung from a wall (which my home theater room forces on me). These are the first full-range speakers I've ever bought without hearing them first; basing the purchase entirely on professional and amateur reviews and I have no regrets whatsoever. I got WAY more speaker for the buck than I would have had I bought locally through a hifi retailer. That pains me somewhat as I used to be a hifi retailer myself!

Hey, another option for the money is to buy my original Klipsch Heresy speakers (which I'm replacing with the above-mentioned equipment) from me! Though they aren't the speaker that the RS850s are, they held up surprisingly well in the A-B testing I did before "committing" to the RS850s!