Loud Speaker Short List. suggestions?

[youngbuck]

I have short listed my tower speaker choices.
1) Athena Technologies AS-F2
2) PSB Image 6T
3) JBL Northridge E90
4) Boston Acoustics VR3

Listening Space: loft with 600-700 sq ft of open area with cathedral ceilings above main listening and viewing area.

Preferences: 70 %(music: electonica, rock, jazz) vs 30 % TV & Movies

Current A/V Receiver (for the time being): Pioneer VSX-D712 500 watts 5.1 surrond sound. 2 speaker stereo output: 100 W per channel (20-20 000 Hz, THD 0.2%, 8 ohms).

Please consider my future a/v receiver will be either marantz7400 or yamaha 2400

thanks,

 

[Rob Babcock]

Both are good in the price range. By narrowing your choices down to these two, does that mean thru research or by listening to them both? If the former, then I'd suggest trying to audition both and seeing which you like. If you're in a situation where you must buy "sound unheard" due to lack of local retailers, etc., then I'd say either would serve you well. I suppose I'd give the nod to the PSBs, although they sound a little "dark" for my tastes. The Athena's have sounded a tad bright in the demos I've heard, but those were in very live rooms and driven by a Yammie receiver, which probably exacerbated the problems. (Most of the times I've heard the Image towers they were driven by a NAD amp, so it's possible the combination of the two might be responsible for the minor rolloff of highs).

The PSBs have a bit better bass & a smoother midrange, IMO. But unless you're getting an exceptional deal on 'em, the 6t is a bit more expensive than the Athena. I think the 4t/5t would be a bit closer, pricewise.

To sum up, if I was choosing between just those two, I guess I'd take the PSBs.

 

[Shinerman]

Tough choice, but I think I would also go with the PSB. especially if 70% of your listening will be music. I have listened to both in the past and I really liked both but I think PSB get's the nod for mainly music. BTW, the PSB sounded great with HT as well. Athena struck me as a really good HT speaker but maybe not as good as the PSB in music, although very good in it's own right at it's price. The PSB just seemd to be a bit tighter and more detailed without being "shrill".

Remember, go with what YOU like, not what myself and others may like. The good thing about your two finalists is that you will not be sorry with either one. Both a great speakers.

Good luck!


Shinerman.


P.S., I think it may have been the 5T and the 7T that I listened to. Both were very nice so I can only assume the 6T would be in the same league. Just thought I would note that.

 

[youngbuck]

Growing loud speaker shortlist...comments!

Thanks guys for the advice and comments. I've since listened to the Psb 6t, while powered by a Marantz 7400 with a juicy psb 12" sub which sounded amazing. I was sold on the spot! But not so fast.

Regarding the Athena AS-F2, I've heard nothing but rave reviews (stereophile "best under $1000 speakers) and have located a dealer for a personal sound check.

But since then I've also edited my list to include the following:
1) Boston Acoustic VR 3
2) JBL Northridge E90

I've also found a dealers for these speakers and will first visit for a listen before making any decisions. I will keep you posted.

Thanks again.

PS any words on the new sets added to the list.

 

[Unregistered]

I can say very confidently I would never consider the Bostons or the JBL especially when doing music listening. I think the Bostons are overpriced (very dynamic and artificial sounding to my ears-i prefer a slightly more natural sound) and the JBL just not very well suited for music (very brassy and again, artificial). The other two (athena and psb) are well worth an audition. You should be happy with either.

 

[Shinerman]

Personally, I am a Boston fan and I love my VR965 towers. The VR3 is a nice speaker and not artificial sounding in any way, IMO. Definitely listen the Athenas and the Bostons.

Again, don't go by what "we" tell you. Choose the speaker you like the best. You've got a good short list, enjoy and have fun picking your speakers.

Shinerman

 

[Rob Babcock]

JBL's are a mixed bag. I have a 6 year old pair of HLS-610s that I use with my PC, and they sound really good. Corey Greenberg raved them in Stereophile and stated they were among the most important products he'd heard that year. Likewise, they make a high end system that's garnered rave reviews from Stereophile & SGHT. But most of their other speakers sound tipped up and shrill to my ears. Their nice models are very nice, as long as they're used with well matched electronics.

I haven't really heard any Bostons in a few years. Not sure what they've been up to.

Certainly the Athena's & PSBs are pretty nice. In the same range you have Axiom, Rockets by Onyx/AV123 & Paradigm, too. As has been mentioned elsewhere here, Monitor Audio has several models I really like around the same general price range.

This is a great time to be getting into HT.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Here's a pretty good deal on the Athena's.

 

[Unregistered]

link to PSB specials

Here is a link to some good deals on the PSB's

https://dmc-electronics.com/Default.htm

 

[Unregistered]

f you can find a local dealer listen to the Focal / JM Lab Chorus 716S or 726S. Thy are just above and below the price of the BAs. I am a great believer in trickle down technology and these guys make some of the worlds best speakers at much higher price points, up to $80,000.00 a pair for thier best speakers.

 

[Unregistered]

Check out PSB Stratus Bronze - discontinued now

 

[youngbuck]

Final Decision

Thanks everybody for their stacks of information & insight. I've decided on the the following.

Receiver: Marantz 7300 OSC
Loud Speakers: PSB Image 6T

I also found a buyer of all my old stuff, so I can start from stratch with a much better sounding unit which is unique to my demands and suitable for my listening area. My Pioneer receiver 712 and Sinclair Audio 5.1 H/T speaker set is one year old. I managed to get $800.00 CAD for my receiver & speakers. This $800.00 will pay for the speakers (someone posted that great deal on PSB speakers, thank you!) and I will finance the Marantz 7300 OSC with 12 equal payment with no interest from a local dealer.

Next step (in quite some time) will be a sub, maybe even the PSB SubSonic 6T, which is a 12"er and matched very nicely with the PSB Image 6T.

Once again, thanks everyone for their input. I am well on my way to having MY ultimate system for the numerous house parties I will be having.

Youngbuck has earned his first stripe, what do you think?