Need new L/R for 6.1

[Nakattk]

Looking for my best option around $1000 just L/R. My receiver is a Yamaha A1000 and this is for a 6.1 setup. My current speakers are garbage HTiB Onkyos that the tweeter has already burnt out. I have a medium size room, I sit 12ft from my HT on the back wall of the room. I plan on buying a new center and sub later, but just want to focus on the L/R and build from there. Bookshelf or tower, with book shelf being the preference, but will go tower for good deal and sound. I have no way of auditioning anything other than what a Best Buy would sell,Polk/klipsch, in my area. I know there are better options out there I am just overwhelmed with all the choices without being able to hear anything. I like the looks of Kef and NHT but know nothing about them. Any advice?

 

[bikdav]

My Thought

Don't completely blow off the Best Buy offerings. If you can get a good deal on some "open box" towers, I'd consider those. Personally, I find towers to generally perform better than bookshelf speakers. I find that to be the case when comparing a tower to a bookshelf of the same maker and model line.

 

[zieglj01]

Sometimes something that looks good, can sound bad - however, NHT
and KEF are good. You can always pick what attracks you the most, and
do a in home trial period. Also this set of Boston speakers are good, the
VS series, do not confuse them with the RS series. The VS is on close out
pricing, you can get a pair of the 260 and the 325 center, for less than a
1,000 dollars.
Vanns.com Search : boston vs

 

[mjcmt]

I have no way of auditioning anything other than what a Best Buy would sell,Polk/klipsch, in my area.

Is there another BB in your area that has the Magnolia AV section. Not all BBs have them, but many do. Magnolia is their audiophile dept. and carry brands like B&W, Monitor audio, Martin Logan, Sonus Faber, etc. It be worth traveling to a BB that has one.
Product Listing

 

[Crackerballer]

With your budget, look into real speakers from real companies that let you audition for 30 days. EMP and Axiom both allow it and I am sure several others do as well. KEF is highly recommended on this board and many people like Paradigm.

 

[Nakattk]

"Paradigm" I have seen this name alot, where is a good place online to shop them? I do have a Magnoila BB in a bad part of town. I went there and nothing was hooked up right, had to modify things myself with no employee in sight. I was able to kinda get a feel for Def tech there, but the B&W was not hooked up. What about the "Aperion Audio Verus Grand" is it as good as they make out? I like the look of the EMP towers, but they seem a little to good to be true with the price being lower than others, is this so?

 

[mjcmt]

I do have a Magnoila BB in a bad part of town. I went there and nothing was hooked up right, had to modify things myself with no employee in sight.

That is really to bad. The Magnolia by me has multiple listening rooms w/ a lot of gear ready to audition. You should contact Magnolia by email and file a complaint.
Def Tech makes great compact sub/sat systems, about the best I've heard for their diminutive size.
This is where I first heard Vienna Acoustics and have been sold on them.

 

[bikdav]

That is really to bad. The Magnolia by me has multiple listening rooms w/ a lot of gear ready to audition. You should contact Magnolia by email and file a complaint.
Def Tech makes great compact sub/sat systems, about the best I've heard for their diminutive size.
This is where I first heard Vienna Acoustics and have been sold on them.

That is bad indeed. All of the Magnolias in my area are really good. I've had no problems auditioning equipment.

 

[Crackerballer]

"Paradigm" I have seen this name alot, where is a good place online to shop them? I do have a Magnoila BB in a bad part of town. I went there and nothing was hooked up right, had to modify things myself with no employee in sight. I was able to kinda get a feel for Def tech there, but the B&W was not hooked up. What about the "Aperion Audio Verus Grand" is it as good as they make out? I like the look of the EMP towers, but they seem a little to good to be true with the price being lower than others, is this so?

Paradigm doesn't sell online with the exception of some closeouts, etc. Aperions get good reviews on this site from what I remember. The EMPs are almost too good to be true at that price, but I ordered them and they are an amazing speaker.

 

[Nakattk]

Looks like I missed the EMP E55Ti Tower Speakers on clearance. Just as I had warmed to the idea. What about the E5Ti Tower Speakers is it worth it. Or should I still look at the E55ti? I mainly want my speakers for movies, but I want good quality. How about these KEF Q500 Q Series 5-1/4 inch Walnut Floorstanding Speaker, Each | Accessories4less would they be good for something like movies and moderate music listening?

 

[Crackerballer]

*In before Granteedev recommends the KEFs*

Yes the Kefs are a good speaker from what I read on this site. I know with the pricing on accessories4less many people have been ordering them lately.

Those E5ti towers look great and that is a hell of a price on them as well. For a medium sized room I think they would do just fine.

*edit: and those EMPs are A stock clearance which means there is NOTHING wrong with them! If you like the red burl, which I think is just plain sexy, then I'd say jump on them. hard to beat at that price.

 

[wrunow]

The e5ti's are a steal at that price, and the bonus is you'll have plenty of money leftover and so you can grab the e56ci center channel and still be within your budget. I bought the e5ti's when they first came out and they are currently my mains, I have been pleased with them overall, but I upgraded to the big center last fall and then the e55's on the last deal, but haven't set them up yet.
Soon though, soon.

 

[Crackerballer]

I would be ordering a set of the E5tis if they were available in black just because of the price. That is a smoking deal.

 

[Nakattk]

Looks like the Emp 55's are back in stock. I noticed under the specs it says 6ohms not 8, I know this is a newb question but is that better or worse? I think my Yamaha a1000 recommends 8. I know you cannot return the clearance items so I would hate to buy them and be screwed. Also, does anyone know if the defects are unlivable I am kind of a stickler for quality?

 

[zieglj01]

I think my Yamaha a1000 recommends 8.

The Yamaha will play 8, 6 and 4ohms.

 

[Nakattk]

Mine might as well have to look in manual, but what is the diffference is 6 or 8 better? I will swing for an 8 if it is better. Also, trying to get WAF for the size plus having a sub next to them not going so well atm.

 

[avnetguy]

The Yamaha will play 8, 6 and 4ohms.

The A1000 the manual says you can connect 4 ohm speakers for the fronts when set to 6 ohm mode.

Steve

 

[zieglj01]

Mine might as well have to look in manual, but what is the diffference is 6 or 8 better? I will swing for an 8 if it is better. Also, trying to get WAF for the size plus having a sub next to them not going so well atm.

Most receivers today are rated to handle 8 and 6 ohm loads.
I do not worry if a speaker is 6 or 8 ohms - All that I want,
is a good performing speaker, and a nice (reliable) receiver
to drive them - those that have nice power handling, in the
multi-channel surround mode.

Some info
http://www.audioholics.com/education/amplifier-technology/impedance-selector-switch-1
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/amps-pre-pros-receivers/75823-ohms-speaker-receiver-matching-faq.html

Do not know what to tell you about the WAF factor - maybe
take here out for dinner and a movie.

 

[Nakattk]

I figured out how to change my receiver to 6 ohms, but I only have the option to make the change for the entire reciever. Will it be ok if only the towers are 6 ohms and all of my other speakers are 8 ohms or will it screw up the 8ohms speakers? Still a little confused but getting there.

 

[zieglj01]

I figured out how to change my receiver to 6 ohms, but I only have the option to make the change for the entire reciever. Will it be ok if only the towers are 6 ohms and all of my other speakers are 8 ohms or will it screw up the 8ohms speakers? Still a little confused but getting there.

You will be fine - let it play.