Moving into the highend floorstanders around $1K

[Sounds Good]

It time to move on from my sub/sat 5.1.... It sounds amazing, it just leaves me wanting more room filling sound.

ive broke my budget up like this.

Budget
$1000 for 2 floorstanders
$1000 for the center and 2 bookshelf surrounds

not buying a sub yet, ill use my tiny sub from my satellite set up for now, then when SVS releases the 12ultra ill pick one up. The whole system will be powered by my onk 876.


Ive already been looking at a few different speakers, i know your all going to tell me to audition them in my own home, but fact is, i dont have the time or the space to give them all a fair shake. I will however be more than happy to go to a store and listen to them.


My Listening Habits
Include 60-70% music piped in from sirius via optical link from my dish network receiver 10-20% cd or ipod(300+ bitrate), 10-30% movies of those mostly action and comedies. there is also some radio and hd radio sprinkled in there too.

What I Like
I like warm rich sounds, i dont like sharp and piercing. i listen at loud levels, defiantly not reference levels but loud. I also like bass, but i think the SVS has that covered, .I know this info is subjective, but thought i would through it in there.

The Products Ive Read About
Ive always like NHT but their flagship is out of my range. I also like what I read about Paradigim, but what confuses me the most is, (applies to all speaker co's with multiple lines) Do I look at their top rung base model (ie. Paradigim Monitor 11) or do i look at their entry level Reference series (ie Studio 60)?


I appreciate everyone's input, and i will also be searching, googleing, and running through Audioholics.com...

 

[3db]

It time to move on from my sub/sat 5.1.... It sounds amazing, it just leaves me wanting more room filling sound.

ive broke my budget up like this.

Budget
$1000 for 2 floorstanders
$1000 for the center and 2 bookshelf surrounds

not buying a sub yet, ill use my tiny sub from my satellite set up for now, then when SVS releases the 12ultra ill pick one up. The whole system will be powered by my onk 876.


Ive already been looking at a few different speakers, i know your all going to tell me to audition them in my own home, but fact is, i dont have the time or the space to give them all a fair shake. I will however be more than happy to go to a store and listen to them.


My Listening Habits
Include 60-70% music piped in from sirius via optical link from my dish network receiver 10-20% cd or ipod(300+ bitrate), 10-30% movies of those mostly action and comedies. there is also some radio and hd radio sprinkled in there too.

What I Like
I like warm rich sounds, i dont like sharp and piercing. i listen at loud levels, defiantly not reference levels but loud. I also like bass, but i think the SVS has that covered, .I know this info is subjective, but thought i would through it in there.

The Products Ive Read About
Ive always like NHT but their flagship is out of my range. I also like what I read about Paradigim, but what confuses me the most is, (applies to all speaker co's with multiple lines) Do I look at their top rung base model (ie. Paradigim Monitor 11) or do i look at their entry level Reference series (ie Studio 60)?


I appreciate everyone's input, and i will also be searching, googleing, and running through Audioholics.com...

umm you have it backwards on teh Paradigm line-up. Their monitor series is considered entry level, their Studio series is mid-level.

To help you choose a speaker;


What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and
model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about the
speakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy and loose sounding? Were the mids life like or were they hollow or just too pronounced? Was the treble irritating and harsh or were they dark and not revealing or were they smooththat made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To
make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2
channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce accurately then a movie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do well with HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can understand what the mumbling announcer is saying, then you have a good center channel.

I would go to speciality stores first and start auditioning speakers first
instead of going to the internet first. Once your likes are determined, you can
mention them here and fellow members can make internet brand recommendations based on your likes/dislikes. The specality stores are better setup acousticaly then the big box stores which will make auditioning a little easier. It will give you an idea of what you like in a speaker.

Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume
levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder
speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you
would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using
them most of the time.


Paradigm Monitor/Studio series, PSB Image/Imagine series, Energy should be put on your audition list.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

The obvious choices for towers at $1k
http://www.emptek.com/e55ti.php
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Intimus-5T-Tower-Speaker,107,28,248.aspx ($499 sold as each)
http://www.axiomaudio.com/m60.html

and as usual - the best speakers are the ones you love to listed to and not the ones someone tells you

 

[Neijii]

Totem Arro or Sttaf...you can probably get the sttaf used for around 1k.

You can match that with the mite bookshelf for surround and center.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It time to move on from my sub/sat 5.1...It sounds amazing, it just leaves me wanting more room filling sound...

Upgraditis, I tell yah, upgraditis!

1st, I think a great Bookshelf + Sub system will fill up your room just as well as any direct-radiating floor-standing speaker. Just crank up the volume.

2nd, I don't think any direct-radiating speaker will "fill up" the room better than bipole/dipole speakers.

3rd, audition, audition, audition. Price doesn't always translates to better room-filling sound. Your current Sat/Sub may sound just as good.

 

[Docks]

You could pick up a set of lightly used Revel F12's or Paradigm Studio 100's for about a grand if u looked at audiogon.
For that price range.. those would be amazing.

 

[KEW]

Do I look at their top rung base model (ie. Paradigim Monitor 11) or do i look at their entry level Reference series (ie Studio 60)?

Just to be sure there is no confusion - you are correct on the relative position of these speakers within Paradigm's structure. Most people don't realize that Paradigm has a designation of Reference line which consists of Studio as the lower level and Signature as top level.

At $1000 and if you want a new tower speaker, I would go with the Aperion 5T. They offer all of the center and surround options you need and their finish/build quality is very high. Also, they give a one year "trade up" credit, a 10 year transferable warranty and are one of very few companies who will pay full refund and return shipping if you simply don't like them! They are the model of a customer based Internet Direct company.

If possible, do not move your old speakers out until you've had the chance to compare them with your new ones in your room with your equipment, that way you'll know if your money was well spent (thus the desire to find speakers which you can return free of charge).

 

[3db]

Do I look at their top rung base model (ie. Paradigim Monitor 11) or do i look at their entry level Reference series (ie Studio 60)?

Oops, me bad Mis read that just a little. You had it right. Between the two I would choose the Studio 60s over the Monitor 11s.


Picking speakers is very subjective so the trick is to audition as many speakers as possible so you can come up with a decision you'll be happy with.

 

[just listening]

Just to be sure there is no confusion - you are correct on the relative position of these speakers within Paradigm's structure. Most people don't realize that Paradigm has a designation of Reference line which consists of Studio as the lower level and Signature as top level.

At $1000 and if you want a new tower speaker, I would go with the Aperion 5T. They offer all of the center and surround options you need and their finish/build quality is very high. Also, they give a one year "trade up" credit, a 10 year transferable warranty and are one of very few companies who will pay full refund and return shipping if you simply don't like them! They are the model of a customer based Internet Direct company.

If possible, do not move your old speakers out until you've had the chance to compare them with your new ones in your room with your equipment, that way you'll know if your money was well spent (thus the desire to find speakers which you can return free of charge).

I agree 110%, you can't go wrong giving the Aperion 5T a chance, plus they are still on a major sale.

 

[jinjuku]

With 2K for speakers I say you DIY

You could do the Mini-Statements for ~$800
The Statement Monitors for ~$600
Statement Center for ~$400

 

[bigbassdave]

The obvious choices for towers at $1k
http://www.emptek.com/e55ti.php
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Intimus-5T-Tower-Speaker,107,28,248.aspx ($499 sold as each)
http://www.axiomaudio.com/m60.html

and as usual - the best speakers are the ones you love to listed to and not the ones someone tells you

I wouldn't hesitate to keep an eye on your local Craigslist. I ws able to find Axiom M80's in near perfect shape for well under 1k

 

[ohskigod]

I wouldn't hesitate to keep an eye on your local Craigslist. I ws able to find Axiom M80's in near perfect shape for well under 1k

there is a valid point here, 1k can do serious damage in the used market.

lots of new stuff you can hear new as well already mentioned here. I will say that (especially by me) I havent heard a place set up Def Tech's right, which is a shame because I know they sound frikkin sweet when set up right

I'll add the Polk LSi series but know they are 4 ohm and a beast to drive......but worthy of mention becase they fit your description of a warm sound and not being to forward to a T!

 

[bigbassdave]

There are some great deals out there on used tower speakers. Seems like the vast majority of people prefer either buying new, or finding something that doesn't visually stand out. I frequently see used floor standing models from Klipsch and others that retailed for 2 - 3k selling around the 1k range used. For a thousand dollars you can get a really nice pair of new speakers but like the above poster noted in the used market that same amount of money could get you a killer set. Just something to consider. Good luck in your quest for audio nirvana!

 

[Sounds Good]

thanks everyone, i have been looking at PSB and Polk since i created this thread... they are all very nice looking speakers (important for WAF lol ) and they all get ASTOUNDING reviews... i think this is going to a hard choise and be down to what sounds the best to me...

ill definitely be checking the used market AFTER i hear some with my own ears.

 

[tom67]

Looks likes the ones that lost to Klipsch RF62 in your shootout....and that was based on music.....probably even better for HT......

 

[3db]

thanks everyone, i have been looking at PSB and Polk since i created this thread... they are all very nice looking speakers (important for WAF lol ) and they all get ASTOUNDING reviews... i think this is going to a hard choise and be down to what sounds the best to me...

ill definitely be checking the used market AFTER i hear some with my own ears.

Like I suggested in my 1st reply, take a pas of paper with you and the same music, (bring something you know) and take notes. It will help you make a decision at the end. Also, don't get discouraged while lookng. Half of teh fun of owning a nice set of speakers is auditoning all whats new out there.

 

[cornelius]

Taking notes, that's a great idea.

 

[moves]

Totem Arro or Sttaf...you can probably get the sttaf used for around 1k.

You can match that with the mite bookshelf for surround and center.

Amen...... I think it would be hard to find a Sttaf for 1k though...

 

[moves]

thanks everyone, i have been looking at PSB and Polk since i created this thread... they are all very nice looking speakers (important for WAF lol ) and they all get ASTOUNDING reviews... i think this is going to a hard choise and be down to what sounds the best to me...

ill definitely be checking the used market AFTER i hear some with my own ears.

I would take a hard look at PSB for your price range. They have nice entry/mid level speakers. The alphas would do you fine for surrounds at $350ish. That's what I currently use. I have upgraded my mains to the Totems Forests which are spectacular. But they are listed at around 4k. I did have the Sttaf in my room for a couple of weeks and they are also unreal. I would have sticked with them but I knew that down the road I wanted something top of the line/almost top of the line.....

 

[jostenmeat]

I would take a hard look at PSB for your price range. They have nice entry/mid level speakers. The alphas would do you fine for surrounds at $350ish. That's what I currently use. I have upgraded my mains to the Totems Forests which are spectacular. But they are listed at around 4k. I did have the Sttaf in my room for a couple of weeks and they are also unreal. I would have sticked with them but I knew that down the road I wanted something top of the line/almost top of the line.....

I have a pair of Alphas for my rear speakers, but I honestly wish I just kept the Images there, and just drilled right into the cabinets to ceiling mount. I believe there is a very great performance difference between the two lines for not much money at all. However, at this budget, I would definitely be looking for better than Images if possible.

If I did it all over again, I'd likely look at DIY kits, at this kind of budget. If not, I might pour more eggs into a single basket, by taking the lion's share of the budget into something like Salk Song Towers (which I've never heard). They are tall though. Or maybe not, I dunno. I like Ascend speakers too.

Anyways, there are just too many speakers available at this budget. And nobody has heard them all. That gets tough. I've been familiar with the different lines among Paradigm, but what gets me is all of the different "versions", V2, V3, V4, V5, etc etc etc. Hard to know what the different improvements are among them, or how close performance might be with the latest gen Studio vs the earliest Signature, etc.