Floor standing front speaker suggestions pls

Hide sidebar Show sidebar
jamespaulp

jamespaulp

Audioholic Intern
Audition

Had been to Magnolia. This store did not have many choices. I was not impressed by the Klipsch or Def Tech they had. I listened to of the Vienna Accoustics Mozart Grand they had. My friend has the same model in a 7.1 setup. They are way too expensive for me. The highs were a bit bright for me. May be it was the setup.

Next stop was Century Stereo in San Jose. They had the B&W 684. Listened to it for about 15-20 minutes (Diana Crall & Dire Straits). Impressive. I thought they too were a bit bright.

I could not get them reduce the price. 684 was lowest priced floor standing speaker in the shop. All other brands they have are all much more expensive. This is the only B&W dealer in the area.

Not sure what next? I have to find out other audio dealers for auditioning other brands.
 
jamespaulp

jamespaulp

Audioholic Intern
annunaki said:
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? :eek: I sell products and I am giving you advice on how to barter. :D
Click to expand...
I tried and it did not work. May be I am not good at negotiating price. I have a friend who is good at it. If I decide this is the one, I'll go with him :)
 
jamespaulp

jamespaulp

Audioholic Intern
B&W 684 made of Vinyl?

One thing that bothered me while I was at the dealers was a statement from the sales person saying something about vinyl vs wood compared to an older model. I just confirmed that by going to the B&W web site. Not sure vinyl was the right choice at this price point.
 
annunaki

annunaki

Moderator
The 600 series have always had a vinyl finish. The grade of the vinyl used on the new ones looks much better than in the past from what I have been told.
 
jamespaulp

jamespaulp

Audioholic Intern
More auditions...

Today I had been to another Magnolia. Not the ones inside the best buys. I listened to Monitor Audio RS6 & 8. I really liked them. Listened to them for more than 20 minutes. The sales guy was very patient. They have a sale on them right now in the store. RS6 goes for ~$930/pr and RS8 for ~$1350.

I could not find other stores within 10 miles radius of my work and home to audition other speakers.

Are there any other speakers very similar to these Monitor Audio speakers?

What is your opinion about these speakers?

I wish I could get the RS8 because when we switched from RS8 to RS6 I felt like something was taken away from me.
 
Z

zumbo

Audioholic Spartan
jamespaulp said:
Today I had been to another Magnolia. Not the ones inside the best buys. I listened to Monitor Audio RS6 & 8. I really liked them. Listened to them for more than 20 minutes. The sales guy was very patient. They have a sale on them right now in the store. RS6 goes for ~$930/pr and RS8 for ~$1350.

I could not find other stores within 10 miles radius of my work and home to audition other speakers.

Are there any other speakers very similar to these Monitor Audio speakers?

What is your opinion about these speakers?

I wish I could get the RS8 because when we switched from RS8 to RS6 I felt like something was taken away from me.
Click to expand...
I have auditioned Monitor Audio with B&W. I like the MA's alot, just a little too laid back for me. They were one of my top picks at the time of my purchase. The price is fair for either model, and I feel you have found a good dealer. Let us know either way. Glad to see you hit the pavement in this manner. I know it was fun, and you will be glad you did it.

I believe Mission is another laid back speaker.
http://www.mission.co.uk/

And, Mordaunt-Short.
http://www.mordauntshort.com/default.php?TID=27
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
jamespaulp said:
Today I had been to another Magnolia. Not the ones inside the best buys. I listened to Monitor Audio RS6 & 8. I really liked them. Listened to them for more than 20 minutes. The sales guy was very patient. They have a sale on them right now in the store. RS6 goes for ~$930/pr and RS8 for ~$1350.

I could not find other stores within 10 miles radius of my work and home to audition other speakers.

Are there any other speakers very similar to these Monitor Audio speakers?

What is your opinion about these speakers?

I wish I could get the RS8 because when we switched from RS8 to RS6 I felt like something was taken away from me.
Click to expand...
You just missed the RS8 for $950 at Saturday Audio. Shipping would be $50 all the way to CA.

I think the choice between 6 and 8 depends on room size. I have heard some have issues with difficult-to-control bass issues if the room are distance from boundaries were not great enough. Tough to say though.

btw, vinyl finish has nothing to do w/ SQ. That being said, the MAs from the Silvers on up are known for their beautiful finish.

I am w/ zumbo, great that you hit the pavement :)
 
jamespaulp

jamespaulp

Audioholic Intern
zumbo said:
New Polk Audio RTi A5 is another fine option. Real wood.
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/floorstanding/rtia5/
Click to expand...
The only dealers for them in the area are Fry's Electronics. They do not have dedicated listening rooms. I listened to an Rti A9 in the store. I cannot say whether the speaker was bad, the CD was or the processor was bad. It sounded really bad in that environment. They had only A9 on display. They had A5 in stock. The guy asked me to take home and return within 30 days if I did not like them. Fry's has 30 day return policy. I did not, because I have heard from anybody about how these speakers are.
 
jamespaulp

jamespaulp

Audioholic Intern
3db said:
Very refined sound chartarized on the warm side. Lots of detail in the treble with out being harsh, amazing midrange and good fast tight bass. They image amazingly well as the series name implies.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-T45-Tower
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-T55-Tower
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-T65-Tower
Click to expand...
I tried today. Could not contact the only dealer who is about 25 miles away. No one ever picks up the phone. It is sad that these speakers are not available online to try out.
 
jamespaulp

jamespaulp

Audioholic Intern
annunaki said:
The 600 series have always had a vinyl finish. The grade of the vinyl used on the new ones looks much better than in the past from what I have been told.
Click to expand...
Monitor Audio RS series looked way better than B&W 684, well, most finishes. I did not like the white and the black finishes of RS. But cherry and rosenut were really good.
 
jamespaulp

jamespaulp

Audioholic Intern
jostenmeat said:
You just missed the RS8 for $950 at Saturday Audio. Shipping would be $50 all the way to CA.

I think the choice between 6 and 8 depends on room size. I have heard some have issues with difficult-to-control bass issues if the room are distance from boundaries were not great enough. Tough to say though.

btw, vinyl finish has nothing to do w/ SQ. That being said, the MAs from the Silvers on up are known for their beautiful finish.

I am w/ zumbo, great that you hit the pavement :)
Click to expand...
Saturday Audio sale was for the old S8. They are different from what I saw at Magnolia.

The room is about 15'W 18'L 12'H.
 
jamespaulp

jamespaulp

Audioholic Intern
Audiophines leaving Northern California (Silicon Valley)?

Here is what I think. People with good taste are leaving the area in hordes. Almost every dealer for every good loudspeaker company has closed shop or in the process of closing shop, except the big retail chains. It is not that there were no dealers in the area at all. It is just that they are closing shop.

I tried to contact a Marantz dealer in Mountain View, CA today. When I called the number, they said they no longer have a shop in Mountain View and they are no longer a dealer for Marantz.

Can you believe that such a highly populated area does not have dealers for any of the good loudspeaker companies? This is for a place where people pay $500K+ for a small condo!
 
Warpdrv

Warpdrv

Audioholic Ninja
jamespaulp said:
Can you believe that such a highly populated area does not have dealers for any of the good loudspeaker companies? This is for a place where people pay $500K+ for a small condo!
Click to expand...

Can you also grasp the reality of trying to do business in those same areas?

They probably can't afford the cost of the building, or maybe the taxes are killing them there.... The midwest is the place to be for lower overhead, and were also known for our serial killers... :) Lets not forget Cheeseheads, Beer, and Brats !!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis

Sitemap

Sitemap

Site Information

Site Information

HTML

audio forum
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Twitter
  • instagram
  • rss
Top