Help - which speakers for XMAS

[clemulus]

I know speakers are a very personel experience and nothing beats going out to listen with your very own ears to what you like but...I would like your opinions on the following....

It's been about 10 years since my last purchase of front loudspeakers. My wife said she would get me a pair but wouldn't spend more than $500/600. The room is roughly 12 X 15 and have an Onkyo TX-DS575x AV receiver. I have the following speakers;

Front A - old JBL HLS615 (sounded better than the N28's)
Front B - JBL N28 (originally purchased for the rear but way to big - no room)
Rear - Infinity US1 (picked up since the N28 were too big - nice and small and pretty good sound)
Center - JBL N-Center
Sub - JBL PB 10

I was thinking about getting the Athena AS-FS and also the AS-B1/ or B2 for the rears. What do you think of these speakers with the Onkyo and the other speakers (N Center and PB 10 sub)?

The other speakers I was thinking about for the fronts were;
Paradigm Espirit V.3 or the Axiom M22ti

Could the Axioms be used up front? I could pair them with the M2i or M3ti to use in the rear. The Axiom Towers (M50/60/80ti) are a little over my budget

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rob Babcock]

You're shopping for your own Christmas present? That's cool- at least you won't get more ties! Those JBLs you have aren't too shabby. If you like the general way they're voiced but just want to kick up the detail a notch, you might want to look at the Monitor Audio Bronze B's. Similar voicing but just less veiled. I'd suggest B4's and a Bronze B Center if you can get them for what you have budgeted. Keep your current speakers for surrounds.

The Athena's aren't bad for the money, either. But I don't think they're really any better than the HLS-615's you already have. Those JBLs are pretty competitive with most current speakers around $500-600, IMO. A Bronze center from the original (pre-Bronze B) series is a reasonable match for them. You could try looking for one of those. I mention this because I'm listening to my HLS-610's hooked up to my PC rig right now, and I have some Monitor Audio Bronzes in my bedroom stereo rig 8 feet away from me. A few years ago I tried mixing and matching Bronzes & my JBLs and was suprised that they matched reasonably well. The MA's & JBL's both creamed a pair of Infinitor Monitor series speakers my brother left with me.

I'm a big believer in using matched speakers, at the very least for the front 3 channels. I haven't heard the Axioms so I can't really comment there.

Alternatively, you might stick with your current speakers for awhile and get a new sub. That's probably the weakest link among the ones you listed. A new Hsu sub would be in your price range, and they make some nice ones. Def Tech makes some you could afford, too. I'd hate to recommend one without listening, but SVS has a good enough reputation that I'd feel comfortable doing so. Plus they have an excellent return policy if you don't like them.

Just a few ideas.

 

[clemulus]

which speakers for xmas

Wow, I didn't think I would get a response that actually liked the HLS615's. I always liked the sound but figured they probably weren't that good. I specifically matched all of my speakers to the same brand but thought I would try to upgrade just a little bit.

I came up with the other brands based on research I have done for the money I want to spend (Axiom, Athena, Paradigm). Now I added another speaker - the paradigm monitor 7.

Where kind I find the Monitor Bronze - there aren't too many dealers where I live - any online retailers? Lastly, the sub is the weak link and not the rear Infinity's?

Thanks again

 

[zumbo]

You can find MA here!

 

[clemulus]

I did audition the Paradigm Monitor 7 and Espirit and was impressed. I am just causing myself more problems, the more I look around. I also through in the Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo 3's into the mix.

Trying to determine if an extra $250 is warranted for the 7's over the Espirit's.

Decisions/Decisions

 

[eirepaul]

I just recently switched over to an all Paradigm 7.1 surround system matched up with my denon 3805 and I am very pleased with the results. I have mini monitors (front), micros (surrounds) and a 10-inch subwoofer. I think Paradigm makes great speakers for the money and they pay attention to the important details of speaker design.