Need help with speaker choices

[trabadoor22]

I'm interested in upgrading speakers and would like to get some input or advice since this will be a fairly large purchase for me. The speakers I'm upgrading from are Polk monitor 70's and a Polk cs1 center channel. I already have a Polk sub and two surround speakers that will make due until I can afford to upgrade them as well. I would like to spend no more than $1500 for my front and center channel speakers. I have auditioned a few speakers and the ones I liked the most were B&W c1's, Paradigm monitor 7's and the Polk rti a7's. I only listened to the C1's with music, but out of the three was most impressed with these even though they were bookshelf speakers. Unfortunately they were not all at the same shop so it is difficult for me to easily pick a winner. To be honest I liked all three, but since I am making a large purchase I want to do it right. So for info, I will be using these speakers for roughly 60/40 mix of movies and music respectively. I also will be using them alot when watching television so I need a strong center channel to match up the fronts. I haven’t had a chance to listen to any of their center channels however. My listening room is roughly 15x10'. Also my receiver is an Onkyo sr602, 85 watts x 7. So any info or opinions on these would be much welcomed. Hopefully this weekend I can find some time to audition them further. Thanks for any help.

 

[jamie2112]

I like the B&Ws myself. They hold their value well and sound amazing.If you can listen to Axioms the m-22 is a great bookshelf if thats what you are looking for. Best of luck let your ears be the judge.... If you like what the speakers sound like thats really all that matters anywhoo.....

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

If you liked the paradigm monitors, audition the studio 20's. They should be doable in your budget, or look for lightly used on audiogon.

There are lots of good options in your $1k/pair budget so listen to several.

 

[funked up]

Check out www.AV123.com , their rocket series is loved by many(and is on sale right now), and there "bigfoot" center channel is suppose to be pretty amazing. A lot of bang for your buck with these speakers.

 

[trabadoor22]

Thanks for the help so far. I did check out the AV123 speakers, however I don't think I could go for their looks. I got a chance to check out some more speakers over the weekend though as well as listen to the Polk's and Paradigm's again. I liked most of the speakers I listened to in this price range, but have narrowed it down based on preference and cost. My three choices are the Polk rti a7's, Polk lsi9's, and Klipsch rf-82's. I really liked the lsi's, but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to power them adequately with my receiver since they are 4 ohms. Also B&W's with the stands, fronts, and center channel would run me near $2000 and I think that's a little too much for me right now. I can get what I think is a pretty good deal on the Polk rti a7's with a CSi a6 for $1170+ tax, so I'm leaning towards those. I could probably get the Lsi's with matching center channel and stands for pretty close to that, but again can my receiver keep up? I think it's only rated at 4 ohms for dynamic power. My other option is the Klipsch rf82's with the rc-62 center channel for around the same price. I unfortunately haven't been able to hear any of these speakers in a home theater type setting with the exception of the Paradigms, nor can I compare the Klipsch and Polk's side by side since they are at two different shops. So what are your thoughts on these two? Thanks again.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the help so far. I did check out the AV123 speakers, however I don't think I could go for their looks. I got a chance to check out some more speakers over the weekend though as well as listen to the Polk's and Paradigm's again. I liked most of the speakers I listened to in this price range, but have narrowed it down based on preference and cost. My three choices are the Polk rti a7's, Polk lsi9's, and Klipsch rf-82's. I really liked the lsi's, but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to power them adequately with my receiver since they are 4 ohms. Also B&W's with the stands, fronts, and center channel would run me near $2000 and I think that's a little too much for me right now. I can get what I think is a pretty good deal on the Polk rti a7's with a CSi a6 for $1170+ tax, so I'm leaning towards those. I could probably get the Lsi's with matching center channel and stands for pretty close to that, but again can my receiver keep up? I think it's only rated at 4 ohms for dynamic power. My other option is the Klipsch rf82's with the rc-62 center channel for around the same price. I unfortunately haven't been able to hear any of these speakers in a home theater type setting with the exception of the Paradigms, nor can I compare the Klipsch and Polk's side by side since they are at two different shops. So what are your thoughts on these two? Thanks again.

The Klipsch is the odd man out in that line up.

 

[3db]

I try and listen to a set of PSB Image series speakers if possible. Great value for the moeny and they sound/perform really well. A few people around here have them as well and are very happy with them. Good luck and have fun.


Towers
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-T45-Tower

Center channel
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-C40-Center

 

[Midcow2]

Looks on Rockets are awesome ..

Thanks for the help so far. I did check out the AV123 speakers, however I don't think I could go for their looks. ...

I currently have some older Definitive Tech speakers: BP2006TL towers, sub, center Pro 100 and in ceiling surrounds. I am upgrading the the Rocket 1000s and the Bigfooot center. The sound of the Rockets is above average and the looks are outstanding. However, if is doesn't fit in your environment then maybe looks is an issue.

Oh yes, check out Defintive Technology. Big range of price, upper end is very expensive and the are just now going through a significant price increase ( about 10%).

 

[furrycute]

The Polk LSi speakers need an external amplifier to power them. Your receiver wont be adequate.

Do you like the Polk sound? If you do, why not seriously consider their newer RTi series?

 

[trabadoor22]

Ya, I figured that about the LSi's but was hopefull. I know the PSB's generally are well liked , but I listened to the Image T-65's next to the Polk Rti's and I thought the Rti's sounded better. I'm definitely leaning toward's the Polk's, but want to hear the Klipsch speakers in a home theater setup. Has anyone heard a Klipsch home theater setup? If so what are your thoughts. Thanks

 

[fredk]

Of the speakers you listed I have only lisened to the Monitor 7. They were OK, but a little muddy. I much preferred the Paradigm studio 40 bookshelf.

Go back to the place where you auditioned the Monitor 7 and see if they will let you a/b them against something in the studio line. If you like the studios better, there are a number of choices out there that will give you similar quality sound at a much better price.

The Axiom M22+ sub or M60 + sub would be good choices. The RBH TK 5CT got good reviews here as well.

Fred