Floor standing front speaker suggestions pls

[jamespaulp]

After reading through many many posts and reviews here, I was excited about the RBH TK-5CT speakers. I started out to find where I can audition those speakers. Based on all the positive reviews here, I was willing to blindly go for them even if I could not audition them. I went to the RBH web site and got the dealer list close to my location. I sent an email and did not receive any response. I went to check the store and found it to be a real estate office now. I called the phone and got a message saying I am trying to reach a phone that is no longer in service. I give up on RBH.

Yesterday, I was back to reading forum posts to determine what are my other best options within my budget, which is about $600-900 a pair.

I found a lot of positive reviews about av123 rockets. There is a sale going on there but it requires me to buy 3 speakers. With a toddler running around in the house, I was concerned about the instability mentioned in the review as well. So, that is also out of my picture, almost.

The next most popular item I saw was the Swan Divas. There is a sale going on for them as well. I am looking at the 5.2 model.

Aperion seems to be a bit expensive than the Swan right now with same features. At the same price range as 533-T you can get a Swan on sale that is equivalent to 633-T.

I did not see a lot of popular opinions about another speaker I found within my budget and seem to have technical merits. The Infinity BETA 50.

Power handling is also important to me as I am planning to upgrade my receiver in the near future to something that will have ~130-150W/Ch.

What do you suggest? I am open to other speaker options as well. I really appreciate your opinions, expertise and experience. Thx.

 

[rnatalli]

RBH, Rockets, Swans, and Infinity are all fine speakers and there are others to consider like Monitor Audio, Mordaunt-Short, Axiom, Ascend, Boston Acoustics, PSB, Mirage, KEF, and tons more. Most people here will most likely give you the same answer and that's: never buy speakers without auditioning them.

 

[jamespaulp]

Thanks rnatalli.
I don't have any background in speaker quality. So, most of the good quality speakers may sound pretty same to me. I can hear the difference between a good and a bad speaker, but not the difference between 2 good speakers. Considering my noob status in audio listening skills, what would you suggest? Once I get to a point where I can really pinpoint the differences between good quality speakers and develop a taste for certain sound qualities, I am willing to come back and make a different choice. What I need right now is help to get started on some quality sounding audio.

 

[EddieG]

James,

I am in the exact same situation as you. If you search for messages by my user name you will see what I mean.

I finally went and listened to speakers, and I must say that as someone who did not think I would hear a difference, I sure did!

As was said to me, and now I am passing the baton to you...go out and listen!

 

[annunaki]

Honestly, what I would do (based on what you have said and what you can hear) is go audition a few pairs of speakers in your price range. Find the one that tickles your fancy the most. If you can, listen to them for 20 minutes or so to see if they become fatiguing at all. After that, find the best price you can on them (while keeping support in mind) and purchase that set. PSB makes a good speaker in that range as does Infinity, Pinnacle, Kef, Athena, and many more.

 

[rnatalli]

Here's a good article Audioholics did that might help:

http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/how-to-judge-loudspeakers-sound-and-accuracy

But like Annunaki said, the speaker that gives you that wow factor is the right one. Trust your ears.

 

[zumbo]

B&W 684 retails for $499 each.
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2287

Dealer locator:
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1426

 

[jamespaulp]

James,

I am in the exact same situation as you. If you search for messages by my user name you will see what I mean.

I finally went and listened to speakers, and I must say that as someone who did not think I would hear a difference, I sure did!

As was said to me, and now I am passing the baton to you...go out and listen!

Looks like I have some work to do I will go check out some best buy around here. I will let you know what speakers I find and like. Thanks everyone.

 

[jamespaulp]

Honestly, what I would do (based on what you have said and what you can hear) is go audition a few pairs of speakers in your price range. Find the one that tickles your fancy the most. If you can, listen to them for 20 minutes or so to see if they become fatiguing at all. After that, find the best price you can on them (while keeping support in mind) and purchase that set. PSB makes a good speaker in that range as does Infinity, Pinnacle, Kef, Athena, and many more.

Hopefully I can find enough time to audition at least 4 different ones.

 

[jamespaulp]

Here's a good article Audioholics did that might help:

http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/how-to-judge-loudspeakers-sound-and-accuracy

But like Annunaki said, the speaker that gives you that wow factor is the right one. Trust your ears.

Reading it. Excellent info but feels too complicated and overwhelmed right now.

 

[jamespaulp]

B&W 684 retails for $499 each.
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2287

Dealer locator:
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1426

Today evening I will try to get to a dealer close by.

 

[jostenmeat]

...I finally went and listened to speakers, and I must say that as someone who did not think I would hear a difference, I sure did!

As was said to me, and now I am passing the baton to you...go out and listen!

Awesome.

James, I was also overwhelmed for quite a while when I first started looking like a maniac, less than a year ago. Take your time, and take a deep breath now and then.

I hear the new 68 BW series have a very nice finish considering its vinyl. Some don't like the sharper corners.

 

[annunaki]

B&W 684 retails for $499 each.
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2287

Dealer locator:
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1426

I didn't realize these were that affordable. I would think you could talk any dealer into a $100 break on the price to fit your budget. I would go there with $900 cash and say this is what you have what can they do (assuming the sales tax is 5% or less)? Seriously, bring cash and whip it out. They will probaly ask, what finish do you prefer?

If they are anything like the 600 series 3 they will sound very nice. I have heard great things about the new 600's as well.

 

[jostenmeat]

I believe they use first-order x-overs too with this newer line. I think that's kind of cool, although it's not supposed to matter that much as far as slope (right?) just the engineering. Still, you need well-matching drivers to pull it off? (Question).

ps Dynaudio's use 1st order as well, correct? (Im sure it depends on models in any line, and I am sure some 3 ways will have different sloping x-overs in the same cabinet...)

 

[jamespaulp]

Still, you need well-matching drivers to pull it off? (Question).

I don't get it. Is that something I need to worry about?

 

[jostenmeat]

No it is not. I am very sorry. Just use your ears! and have fun; its key!

(I should not have said anything resembling jargon in regards to your poor overwhelmed soul!)

Please ignore, for now.

ps it was purely for my own furthering education. A complete hi-jack of your thread, apologies once again.

 

[jamespaulp]

I would go there with $900 cash and say this is what you have what can they do (assuming the sales tax is 5% or less)?

CA Tax is 8.25+ I think

 

[jamespaulp]

A complete hi-jack of your thread, apologies once again.

Not at all. May be in a year I will start using those jargons too

 

[annunaki]

I believe they use first-order x-overs too with this newer line. I think that's kind of cool, although it's not supposed to matter that much as far as slope (right?) just the engineering. Still, you need well-matching drivers to pull it off? (Question).

ps Dynaudio's use 1st order as well, correct? (Im sure it depends on models in any line, and I am sure some 3 ways will have different sloping x-overs in the same cabinet...)

If a company has the ability to use first order crossovers, it means that the midrange driver has very extended response as well as very accuracte off axis response well above its intended range. For a tweeter that usually it means that it is very smooth on the low end with little chance of break up, meaning it has a low Fs but is comfortable playing down to it. Not to mention that both divers will need to interact well together near the crossover point.

It also means the crossover can be very simple and there is less chance that the original signal will be altered significantly.

Simply speaking, you need really well designed drivers to pull off a first order 6db/oct. crossover in a two way or three way speaker. It does not surprise me that B&W and Dynaudio are doing this as they build exceptional drivers... themselves. No build houses for them.

 

[annunaki]

CA Tax is 8.25+ I think

I would offer them $925.00 including tax then and see what they say. Tell them that they will still be making about $304.00 and some change. Let them know that you will buy the matching center and rears from them too (if that is your plan to purchase those at some point).

If they don't budge offer them $950 including the tax. If they won't do it tell them you will find a dealer that will and you know they are out there.

Start at $900 including tax and work up in $25.00 increments. If they want your business they should do it by the time you get to $950.

By the way, with B&W as protected as it is getting them for $925 or $950 with tax included is a very good deal considering how new the model lineup is.

What am I doing? I sell products and I am giving you advice on how to barter.