Help in buying new front speakers

[Tooloud/tooold]

I am currently looking to upgrade/replace my front speakers, and was looking for some suggestions/help from the knowledgeable folks here. As of this writing, I am using a pair of Infinity SM125 speakers, and have been since I bought them in 1995. They have more than served their purpose, with a few drawbacks as expected, based on the type of speakers that they are and what they’re intended for. However, I plan on moving early this summer and was looking to get a new pair that will cater to my needs a bit more effectively as my main priority now is no longer cranking Metallica and drowning out the kids that live in the apartment across the way.
My current system is rounded out by the following:

 Receiver: Pioneer VSX-604S (purchased with the speakers, and is an outdated model but has been a great product that’s performed superbly and I plan on sticking with it until I upgrade in another year or so)
 Center Channel: Boston Acoustics CRC (acquired from a friend when he upgraded recently)
 Rear Speakers: Infinity RS1 (purchased in 1998 and still sound as good as new)

I currently do not have a subwoofer, since the 125’s had 12” drivers they covered most of the low end I needed. I am also, much to the chagrin of people who might read this, not planning on purchasing a subwoofer in the immediate future.
Basically, I’m looking for a solid pair of all-around speakers that will handle a number of duties. I’d like something that will be good for home theater, but at the same time is good for playback of a wide range of music. I listen to Billy Joel to Beethoven to Black Sabbath to Bill Evans and everything in between. I’m partial to Infinity, they’ve sold me on their quality and longevity, but am open to any other brand based on the (hopeful) endorsements/testimonials from you all. My price range is from $200 > $300/pr. Towers or bookshelves, it doesn’t matter. And I’m kind of shooting for something a bit more compact that the 125's, for those of you that don’t know, they’re monsters. Thanks very much in advance for your help guys.

Deron

 

[zumbo]

Infinity Kappa 600 on sale at Onecall for 999.95 pair. Speakers have 10" woofers. I figure your rears are worth more than your center, so I would go with Infinity and upgrade center in the near future.

Plus, you might be able to use this coupon from here.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Patrick Hart is the guy to ask about the Infinity's- if I recall, he did some design work on some of the Alpha's or Beta's, I can't recall which. Those little RS1's you're using are nice speakers, and should serve well as surrounds. My brother had a pair of those RS1's (til they got nabbed by a former gf of his) and currently has some RS5's in his bedroom system. Up until a year ago he had an SM theater setup (SM-155's in the front, SM-125's in the rear & SM center) to I'm very familiar with them. They definately wring every last drop out of an amp, with very high sensitivity- and God, will they play loud! Definately a killer heavy metal speaker, which is mostly what he listens to.

You might want to investigate the Athena Audition line. They have a large tower called the AS-F2 for $400 (or even $300 if you're lucky) or a smaller 2-Way tower called the AS-F1 that seems to be going for under $200/pair. They're about the best speakers I can think of in that price range, new. They'll give you a pretty good taste of what you'll get from more expensive speakers without breaking the bank. They also have a bookshelf model or two in the Audition line.

And you may get enough selling your SM's to cover it. You might try local or list 'em on Ebay. It wouldn't be a terrible idea, if you like the Athena's, to sell your center and buy a matching Athena one. It's fairly cheap, and you'd then have a darned good voice match. And I think the RS-1s will complement the Athenas very nicely.