Floor-Standing Speaker Recommendations for HK 3490 ($500 Budget, L112 Replacements)

[bigkahuna2187]

Looking to replace my JBL L112's stereo setup with something more modern. I absolutely love these speakers, but would like to preserve them in order to pass down as my father has done with me with these. Also, pets are somewhat of an issue. Anyways, I'd like to find some new floorstanding speakers which have similar sound (loud, punchy and clean) but don't break the bank. So far I have been looking at:

Infinity P363 (not sure about the 4 ohms with the HK3490)
JBL ES80
Boston Acoustics A360
Cambridge S70
Any other suggestions are much appreciated.

I also have a BIC F12 with this setup. Music is a priority over movies/PS4 games. I know its hard to duplicate a specific speaker but just looking for something thats able to get loud without distorting, clean and somewhat neutral.

Thanks!

 

[bigkahuna2187]

Any opinions?

Thanks

 

[j_garcia]

Have you actually listened to any of those you listed? In this price range, I'd add the Pioneer FS52 as well. For the price, they are not so pretty but sound quite good. Of those listed, I'd consider the Cambridge, but I have not heard those Bostons.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/81868-pioneer-andrew-jones-sp-pk52fs-review.html

Distortion at volume is not a function of the speaker, that is an amplification issue IMO. 3490 will be fine with 4 Ohms.

 

[bigkahuna2187]

No local retailers have any decent speakers to audition. Best buy doesn't have the caliber they do online and there is no Fry's in the state of FL.

 

[j_garcia]

That's the downside of fewer B&M stores; no place to audition. You can actually listen to the listed Pioneers at most Best Buys, though usually in a less than desirable setup. Very few shops carried Cambridge before small shops died off, but now it is nearly impossible to find one. See if you have a Best Buy in the area with a Magnolia booth inside; they will have a better speaker selection.

Coming from the home of Frys, you are not missing much in terms of auditioning, only price

 

[Swerd]

I haven't heard L-112s but I am very familiar with the older L-100s. From what I read about them, the L-112s seem like they might sound better.

I wonder if you will find anything at $500/pair that will satisfy you. I found years ago when replacing my L-100s, that I had to spend more than 3 times $500/pair before I was satisfied. Your mileage may vary…

I am also curious what you mean by "preserve them". Speakers don't wear out with normal use, but the Alnico magnets on older drivers have been known to loose their magnetic charge with years of storage without being used. I'm not sure if the drivers JBL used in the L-112 have Alnico magnets.

 

[bigkahuna2187]

Not so much wearing them out in terms of listening to them, in terms of cats tearing them up. I know that may seem like a trivial issue but id like to either store them or move them to a room that has a door.