New speaker help

[twoxtrm]

Hello all,

So I have been posting alot on here lately and it has been fun and helpful. I just received my new Marantz 7701 pre/pro and Marantz 7055 amp. I am now at the point of upgrading my speakers. I am currently using Athena's all around and a Deftech Supercube ll. I was wondering what everyone's thought are on speakers (as we have to many choices). I am currently looking at one of the following companies.

1. Axiom Setup
2. Martin Logan Motion's
3. Sunfire XT Series
4. EMP

Just wondering what advice or input you all could give me help with. I have not heard the Axiom's or EMP's But hear good things about them. Also what difference if Bookshelf vs Tower setup? Thanks in advance for all your time and input.

 

[JerryLove]

So you just spent $3k on Pre/pro and amp, and you are considering EMP (whose most expensive speaker is $347/ea), Martin Logan Motion ($1k/ea), A similarly ($1k/ea) set of on-wall / in-wall speakers, and something from the Axiom line?

1) You need to pick a price. You haven't.
2) You need to pick a room layout (are you in wall or free standing)? You haven't.
3) You spent too much on electronics.

To answer your other question: If towers they stand on the floor and are hard to wall mount. If bookshelves they need to be put on something or mounted (hopefully easier than said tower). There's nothing else that can be universally said about a speaker based on "tower" or "bookshelf".

 

[twoxtrm]

This is all good info to consider, but I guess I left out some basics. I am currently running Towers. I looked at Sunfire before we moved into our new house and on wall would work, the new house will not (I guess I thought I could do stands for the sunfire's if necessary).

1. I would say $3500 max on price, but since I have not heard the Axioms or EMP (Which get great reviews and liked when compared to more expensive brands) I thought I would entertain them as an option.

2. Freestanding would be the only option in my new house.

3. Also I ordered the Marantz equipment direct from Marantz in a dealer program and got them both for less than $1000 (Only reason I got them).

Any additional info is greatly appreciated.

 

[j_garcia]

That budget is for what? 5.1, 7.1, stereo only? That budget includes a sub too or sticking with current?

 

[twoxtrm]

I will be using a 5.1 setup and I am keeping my current Sub (Deftech Supercube ll).

 

[JerryLove]

1. I would say $3500 max on price, but since I have not heard the Axioms or EMP (Which get great reviews and liked when compared to more expensive brands) I thought I would entertain them as an option.

I believe that removes the ML's from contention.

2. Freestanding would be the only option in my new house.

There go the Sunfires/

3. Also I ordered the Marantz equipment direct from Marantz in a dealer program and got them both for less than $1000 (Only reason I got them).

66% off... I need to make friends with this dealer.

Any additional info is greatly appreciated.

Any speaker anyone ever reviewed is described as "better than many speakers costing far more". It's probably technically true (Bose makes sure of that), but not very useful.

I don't have experience with Axiom, though there are many here that do. I'll leave it to them.
I've heard the EMPs as setup by EMP. They were competent, but not outstanding. If I compared only to speakers in their price range, my opinion might be higher; But owning Pardigm Sigs at the time, and having just listened to Salks (admittedly, both more expensive), that is the best I can do.

If you are already running a sub and asking only about speakers; you could just about manage Salk SongTowers and matching surrounds on that budget... and that would be my personal choice in your shoes.

 

[j_garcia]

Since it sounds like you are open to ID companies, a system based off of the Ascend Sierra Tower, which should fit the budget:

Sierra Tower Bamboo Loudspeaker

Or this package, just drop the sub out and it should be under budget:

Verus Grand Tower Surround HD - Verus Family - Speakers By Family - Aperion Audio

I have to agree on the Axioms. They used to be a really good value, but their prices creeped up quite a bit and not the sound.

Salk would be another serious contender here for sure.

 

[twoxtrm]

Thanks for all the input. I will definantly look at the others mentioned. Based on the pricing on Bestbuy.com the Martins come in at $3400 (motion 40s towers, electro c2 center, and fx2 rear).

 

[tmurnin]

I am a bg fan of the Aperion Verus series, plus a great free shipping both ways policy if you don't like them.

 

[markw]

By all means listen to whatever you can. I've heard some M/L's and they had a very transparant sound. If that's what you like (I did) you should give then serious consideration, and a good, long listen.