Need advice on budget music loudspeakers

[alexjdb]

Hi,

I was browsing the forums and didn't find any topic that suited my request... So here are my requirements :

- Bookshelf speakers
- I can't spend more than $200
- I want correct sound
- I like deep bass
- I'd need some sort of A/V receiver, amplifier
- [EDIT] I can go with an external subwoofer.

I currently have a JVC PC-R55C back from '80, so anything better would be ok.

My preferred music is Pink Floyd (The Wall) and popular music (pop-rock, trance), if that can help.

I saw the Polk Audio Monitor30 on Amazon at $75... What would you think of these ?

I would like to know what you'd suggest... I might go for eBay or craigslist if I can find some bargains there.

Thanks a lot,

alexjdb

 

[jaxvon]

Hi,

I was browsing the forums and didn't find any topic that suited my request... So here are my requirements :

- Bookshelf speakers
- I can't spend more than $200
- I want correct sound
- I like deep bass
- I'd need some sort of A/V receiver, amplifier

I currently have a JVC PC-R55C back from '80, so anything better would be ok.

My preferred music is Pink Floyd (The Wall) and popular music (pop-rock, trance), if that can help.

I saw the Polk Audio Monitor30 on Amazon at $75... What would you think of these ?

I would like to know what you'd suggest... I might go for eBay or craigslist if I can find some bargains there.

Thanks a lot,

alexjdb

Welcome. There are some problems with what you request. It is very hard to make a bookshelf speaker that has both accuracy AND deep bass. More often than not these traits are mutually exclusive. I personally think the best approach would be to pick up the best bookshelves you can buy on your budget then later add stereo subwoofers to extend the range. I feel that Polks aren't that great, but that's an opinion.

 

[alexjdb]

Hi,

Thanks for your fast reply. I edited my post to make it clear... What speakers/subwoofer would you recommend in this price range ?

 

[Crackerballer]

My suggestion, start shopping Ebay and Craigslist for a receiver and speakers. If you don't need 5.1, find a stereo receiver. I have a friend with one who would probably make you a good deal (Pm me if interested).

$200 is not alot. Most people here spend 3-700 or so just on a receiver, and they are not the hardcore folks. Craiglist can be your friend.

 

[mkinder]

You might try some DCM CX-17's. They're about 10-15 years old, just before DCM was bought out and lost their reputation. I think they're an underrated speaker for the money and seem to last forever. CC sold them for a while so there are a lot of them around used. You can usually find a pair for 50-100 bucks on ebay or Craigslist. I've had their big brother (CX-27's) for 15 yrs and listen to them almost daily. I consider it a rich, smooth speaker with with above avg highs. They're especially good with female vocals. I could never find a decent review of any of them, but the few comments I found were positive. I found a cx-17 on Craigslist for $20 this week to act as my center channel. Picking it up tomorrow.

It's a transmission line design - which apparently means it uses a tubed port to gain additional bass. It's there if you turn the bass up, i usually don't.

 

[Denis29]

On your budget, you might like to check out Sony SS-MB350H... I'm not sure if I'll get flamed here for mentioning the Sony name, but I read in numerous places some high praises for this low-price bookshelf speaker: can be had for $50 - $70 a pair, which sounds like a bargain... Read the specs on it and try to find it somewhere so you could take a listen.

 

[nibhaz]

The best at this price point!

IMHO you should take a serious look at Infinity's Primus 150's. If you do a little research you should be able to find a pair for $100 shipped. I have five of them in my bedroom system and they are quite impressive for their price. When combined with a sub they really shine. However with out a sub they display a bit of cabinet resonance when reaching for low notes. At your price point you’d be hard pressed to find a better ROI.

 

[Pianoman84d]

If you can save up for the Onix X-LS, they're worth it

 

[Bee-Man]

Hsu HB-12 speakers with the Hsu STF-2 subwoofer......great value.

 

[robot]

Well... I'm retarded for B&W and whenever I recommend anything to anyone it's always B&W. So take whatever I have to say with a grain of salt.

I admit I haven't had a chance to hear much but in my opinion the B&W 600, 601, and 602 are ridiculously good value. I can't remember which one(s) it was exactly that I listened to in the shop but whichever ones I heard sounded almost as good as my 603s. The bass was lacking but I was impressed for the speaker's size. The bass was also tight and controlled, I am quite picky about that. The highs of course were also amazing.

If you can, I think you should find some of these to listen to and decide if they would be worth the extra money. Also try to listen to as many speakers as you can before you make your purchase, get a feel for what kind of sound you like. I thought I knew what I liked on my first purchase... Axiom m80s... boy was I wrong.

 

[a67676767]

Dude at that price go used off craigs list. That's my opinion. You could get a pretty decent set of bookshelves and receiver. I just got some bookshelves and a receiver for $50 combined.

Plus you are saving the lives of unwanted speakers. Don't buy from speaker breeders.

 

[nibhaz]

As already suggested in the thread, buying used will give you a better chance at getting a higher quality speaker at your price point. However buying used means that you need to wait for the right deal to come along, and you never know how the speaker was treated before it gets to you.

I've already suggested the Primus 150's and I'm going to reinforce that suggestion again.

When I received my 150's I did an A/B comparison between them and my B&W 600 S3s. With out a subwoofer the B&Ws were the winner because they did a better job at rolling off the lower notes without any suggestion of distortion. In other words they know their limits and do not try to over extend themselves. The 150's on the on the other hand tried to produce the lower notes with some success, but they also produced some cabinet resonance that muddled their overall sound a bit. However, I would still consider their performance at this price point to be nothing short of outstanding.

Once I introduced my sub into the comparison, it became very difficult to declare a clear winner. Now what makes that amazing is the fact that I paid 300 for the pair of B&Ws and about 60 for the pair of 150’s. I would estimate that you get at least 85% of the B&W’s performance at one fifth the price.

Just because you have a low budget, doesn’t mean that you can’t get good sound, it just means that you need to be careful about your speaker choices because there are a lot poor choices at this price point. Are the 150’s the end all be all? No, but they should be on your short list.

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/404infinity/

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/bookshelf-speakers/infinity-systems/PRD_172114_4290crx.aspx

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_4/infinity-primus-speakers-10-2003.html

 

[alexjdb]

Thanks for your replies.

Hi everyone. I checked Craigslist and came across a Technics SB-W33 passive subwoofer on sale @ $50. I may take it, but I'd like your opinions... For the bookshelves, since I take a sub I might go with some high-mid level speakers... Give me your ideas . As for the receiver, I need 50-75 watt output with 4 channels and an RCA in, any age. Any suggestions ?

Thanks a lot for your help. It is very appreciated.

alexjdb

 

[alexjdb]

Oh, and I just wanted to know something... Would the quality of a CD player be the same of my computer's optical drive, for example, or is there a noticeable drawback in quality ?

Thanks

 

[tman]

If you buy used, I'd suggest check into whether they were reconed.

Just a suggestion-- may be higher in posts but didn't see it. If you buy used speakers you should check the age of speakers and when they were last reconed. Otherwise $100 speakers becomes $125 do it yourself project or $140+ speakers. The foam around woofers deteriorate after about 10-15 years. Some people get 20 years, but they all fail in time. You get good prices on recently reconed speakers so should not worry that that will move you to higher price range. I think you can get classic acoustic suspensions from Kloss (classic ARs, classic Advents, classic KLH, etc) for <$100-150 freshly reconed. Advent Baby's (circa early 1990's) are probably around $50-$75 reconed in good condition, Advent Legacy II's (also early 1990's) are about $100, reconed on eBay in good condition.

 

[nibhaz]

Hi everyone. I checked Craigslist and came across a Technics SB-W33 passive subwoofer on sale @ $50. I may take it, but I'd like your opinions... For the bookshelves, since I take a sub I might go with some high-mid level speakers... Give me your ideas . As for the receiver, I need 50-75 watt output with 4 channels and an RCA in, any age. Any suggestions ?

Thanks a lot for your help. It is very appreciated.

alexjdb

You do realize that if you buy a passive subwoofer you will need a separate out-board amp to power it? A receiver cannot power a passive subwoofer.

Considering your limited budget I would take a look at AV123's X-Sub.
An Audioholics review of it can be found here.

 

[alexjdb]

Since I only need one RCA input (for my computer), I could get only an amp... Am I right ?

I've seen Realistic deals on eBay... What can you say about this brand ? And Boston Acoustics HD5 @ $50... What can you suggest about these ?

Thanks.

 

[speakerman39]

IMHO you should take a serious look at Infinity's Primus 150's. If you do a little research you should be able to find a pair for $100 shipped. I have five of them in my bedroom system and they are quite impressive for their price. When combined with a sub they really shine. However with out a sub they display a bit of cabinet resonance when reaching for low notes. At your price point you’d be hard pressed to find a better ROI.

Would have to agree here. In fact, I also own the 360's, C25, and the 150's comprising 5.2. Vann's has them for $120 a set delivered!!!!!!!!!!!! Trust me that the 150's are really that good especially given the price. Loving my Primus speakers more and more everyday.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I'd say your best bets for new would be the Polks, the Infinity Primus or the Insignia's from BestBuy. All three are good for the money and quite cheap. You won't get "ultimate" performance, but for $200 you can't expect the world! However, none of those give you bass that will knock pictures off your wall.

Buying used might be your best bet. There are some risks involved, ranging from buying speakers that haven't been well maintained to being ripped off outright, but those risks can be minimized by sticking with reputable sellers. I'd recommend used Athena towers as being a superb deal if you find them, and you can get good, entry-level bookshelf models by Monitor Audio, Onix and B&W for that price.

Lastly, given your desire for good bass, you may wish to consider a sub/sat system. Recently I purchased a used Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble II from Ebay for somewhere around $50! It's comprised of a pair of smallish satellite speakers and a largish bandpass sub. It won't knock my modded Monitor Audio Bronze B2's off my computer desk, but sounds quite good for the money.

 

[alexjdb]

Insignia ?

Is Insignia actually a good brand for stereo amps & receivers... and speakers ? Because they are not that expensive...

Thanks