Front Three Channel Recommendations $2000

[shadyJ]

Thanks everyone! Great options. Has anyone heard the PowerSound Audio MT-110?

I have heard them. They can get loud, for sure, but other speakers will get you adequate dynamic range without the sacrifice in sound quality. I think you would do better with some of the options that you have listed.

 

[shadyJ]

These will put you over budget just by a Little

Polk Audio LSiM 707

Polk™ Tower Speakers & Floor Standing Speakers | Polk Audio™

Shop our floor-standing tower speaker collection and get free shipping. The highest standard in uncompromising audio performance. Free Shipping.

www.polkaudio.com

With a midrange to bass driver crossover frequency of 100Hz, that looks problematic for conventional use with a subwoofer. Their impedance also dips below 3 ohms. If I were to use this speaker, I would run it full range, and I would use a very stout amplifier.

 

[mazersteven]

I would use a very stout amplifier.

Outlaw 2200

Model 2200 Monoblock Power Amplifier

 

[shadyJ]

Outlaw 2200

Model 2200 Monoblock Power Amplifier

That is discontinued and has been replaced with the Model 2220. That amp should do the trick, but the LSiM707 has an impedance minima of 2.8 Ohms and I am guessing that occurs at a steep phase angle. If you intend to play that speaker loud, I would want something even beefier than that amp.

 

[vader540is]

Thanks everyone! Great options. Has anyone heard the PowerSound Audio MT-110?

Yes i own some they are great IMO.

I listen to my movies at reference levels and I get ZERO distortion. They don't go below 70hz so you definitely need a subwoofer.

 

[Space2013]

No but knowing Tom V I'd expect they're good. Those are Bookshelf speakers.

I’m not opposed to bookshelf speakers as long as they have the dynamic range and sound quality I’m looking for. In fact I’d probably prefer them.

 

[Space2013]

I have heard them. They can get loud, for sure, but other speakers will get you adequate dynamic range without the sacrifice in sound quality. I think you would do better with some of the options that you have listed.

That is really good to know. I think you are right that I do not need that much dynamic range capability for my setup, plus I couldn’t find any measurements to see how linear their response is which is important to me. Very impressive looking speaker though for dynamic range.

 

[Space2013]

With a midrange to bass driver crossover frequency of 100Hz, that looks problematic for conventional use with a subwoofer. Their impedance also dips below 3 ohms. If I were to use this speaker, I would run it full range, and I would use a very stout amplifier.

That’s a really impressive looking speaker design, but I agree with my dual subwoofer setup I think the Canton towers would be a better option. That is a really intriguing design by Polk though!

 

[Space2013]

Thanks for the input! I definitely added the Cantons to my short list. I haven’t seen many 3-way center channels like the Canton where it use two identical looking woofers that cover different frequencies.

I think the center channel is very important for me given I hate when voices or dialogue are unclear. So I want to make sure any setup I have includes a robust center channel, which I believe all of these do!

I was also considering the Paradigm 700F and 500C, but that would put me a bit over budget and I think the Canton Chrono SL would have an advantage. I’m also keeping the Monolith THX 365 on the list. They may not have the finish of the Cantons but the review on Audioholics was quite impressive.

Anything else in this range I should consider?

 

[Kleinst]

Yes i own some they are great IMO.

I listen to my movies at reference levels and I get ZERO distortion. They don't go below 70hz so you definitely need a subwoofer. View attachment 38240

What’s that sub?

 

[Space2013]

Hard to beat those Cantons

I Love these but a Little Over the Budget.

SIERRA TOWER PAIR

Introducing our Flagship Loudspeaker "The midrange on the Towers...is a main event. Inner detail is fantastic even on large-ensemble recordings, and they are free from distortion and retain a hefty amount of dynamic headroom when played at spirited levels." -Enjoy the Music.com Combining...

www.ascendacoustics.com

I do love the look of these, but with a 3-way center in there too I think it pushes the budget a bit, but I’ll keep it in mind!

 

[Space2013]

I reserved $1,000 of my budget to replace my old Denon 1612. However, if there are speakers that are slightly more expensive than my current $2,000 speaker budget, but could by driven by my current Denon 1612, I could delay my AVR purchase and put more toward the speakers.

 

[mazersteven]

You could use your old Denon. But most if those speakers will benefit from more Power. But you could use it for awhile.

Model 2220

Mono? Mini? Micro? Magnificent? Whatever that M is, this is one UNREAL little single-channel amp. 200 Watts (conservatively!) into a 3-inch chassis with balanced input stage to offer Common Mode Rejection! MANUAL See Front Panel Huge See Rear Panel Huge

outlawaudio.com

 

[Space2013]

You could use your old Denon. But most if those speakers will benefit from more Power. But you could use it for awhile.

Model 2220

Mono? Mini? Micro? Magnificent? Whatever that M is, this is one UNREAL little single-channel amp. 200 Watts (conservatively!) into a 3-inch chassis with balanced input stage to offer Common Mode Rejection! MANUAL See Front Panel Huge See Rear Panel Huge

outlawaudio.com

I would only continue to use the Denon 1612 if there was a really good set of speakers in the $2,000-$3,000 price range. I could delay buying a new AVR and put more money into the speakers if it was worth it.

 

[Space2013]

My list currently for passive front three channels under $2,000 is:
1) Monolith THX 365
2) Canton Chrono SL 596.2 and 556.2
3) NHT C3/CLCR
4) Paradigm 700F and 500C (a bit over budget)
5) Ascend Acoustics Sierra Tower + Horizon (very over budget, but possible if I continue to use my old AVR and don’t budget for a new one).

I looked at Salk but I think for the dynamic range I want they get too expensive for my budget. Wonderful looking speakers, just out of my price range for the larger dual woofer fronts and three-way surrounds. I am still considering SVS.

Anything else I should considerfor passives in this price range?

 

[vader540is]

What’s that sub?

PSA TV1812

 

[Space2013]

You could use your old Denon. But most if those speakers will benefit from more Power. But you could use it for awhile.

Model 2220

Mono? Mini? Micro? Magnificent? Whatever that M is, this is one UNREAL little single-channel amp. 200 Watts (conservatively!) into a 3-inch chassis with balanced input stage to offer Common Mode Rejection! MANUAL See Front Panel Huge See Rear Panel Huge

outlawaudio.com

If I did continue to use my old AVR I could go up to $3,000 for the front three channels, but I’m not sure what I’d get over what I was looking at in the $2,000 range. It seems like a good set of $2,000 speakers plus a new AVR to drive them is a better combo but I could be wrong.

 

[mazersteven]

Those Cantons are $3000 speakers. How long do you think this Sale/Promotion is good for? Won't last forever

$1,699.99 - $999.99 41% off msrp

 

[Trophykage]

Aside from the Paradigm 800f/ 500c speakers (in a demo situation) which also sounded good to my ears, I have not personally heard the others on your list. I currently have the Canton 596.2 and 556.2 setup thanks to the recommendation of @mazersteven and sit roughly 10ft from them as well. I am extremely pleased by their performance and range in both HT and music. I think considering the sale they are some quality sounding speakers for $2k.

 

[Gmoney]

These will put you over budget just by a Little

Polk Audio LSiM 707

Polk™ Tower Speakers & Floor Standing Speakers | Polk Audio™

Shop our floor-standing tower speaker collection and get free shipping. The highest standard in uncompromising audio performance. Free Shipping.

www.polkaudio.com

Polks LSIM 707 @ $999.00 or Cantons SL596.2 @ $999.00 each which is the best bang for the buck. The Polk LSIM 705 @ $749.00 each seems to be the best bang for the buck. Can't say how Polks CS is now since Sound unlimited has taken over but CS after the sale should be Considered. I myself are Considering picking up a pair of the Polk LSiM 705's,