New Speakers Best bang under $500?

[BoredSysAdmin]

EMP E55Ti
JBL Studio 190
Infinity p362
Martin Logan Motion 12

Out of these, Infinitys would be easiest to drive for your receiver (rated 93db efficiency and 8ohm), thou eventually you should consider updating it for newer model with pre-outs.
ac4l.com runs some very good deals on refurbished models.

I don't know if you could play for large parties (it all depends how loud and how many people), but if you start hearing clipping and distortion - turn the volume down right away or you will damage the speakers.

 

[blazerboy]

"Out of these, Infinitys would be easiest to drive for your receiver (rated 93db efficiency and 8ohm), thou eventually you should consider updating it for newer model with pre-outs."

By that I am assuming you mean the receiver I should update, not buy the speakers and then get new ones? lol.

You seem to be die hard on the infinity's so for your sanity i will be checking them out (hopefully they have them at fry's) as soon as possible.

 

[zieglj01]

I will add that to my lineup of listen-to's. The martin logans seem to have rave reviews. And stretching the budget to 540 isnt that big of a stretch, I can do that. Thanks for the opinion.

Question, the magnetic tweeters, are they supposed to be better than the 1 inch dome tweeters I find commonly in the budget range of speakers?

I would not try to push the Motion 12 speakers, with that Sony receiver.
The Sony specs are rated at 1 khz, and not 20 hz to 20k. And the more
speakers that you hook up, then the receiver becomes less efficient.

 

[blazerboy]

Any recomendations on a decent receiver under say 400? Preferably under 300 unless that extra 100 will be life and death. I know absolutely nothing about receivers that being said I am willing to learn and can look stuff up reviews etc, but it may be easier as the forum members here may have automatic go-to's for items such as this in the price range that have been tried and tested.

 

[gtpsuper24]

"Out of these, Infinitys would be easiest to drive for your receiver (rated 93db efficiency and 8ohm), thou eventually you should consider updating it for newer model with pre-outs."

By that I am assuming you mean the receiver I should update, not buy the speakers and then get new ones? lol.

You seem to be die hard on the infinity's so for your sanity i will be checking them out (hopefully they have them at fry's) as soon as possible.

The Infinitys have the highest efficiency and 8ohms. That means that the Infinities will play the loudest without stressing your receiver as much as the other ones. Your receiver should be fine for alittle while and shouldn't have any problems. But it is something that you should upgrade after you get the towers, when budget allows.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

By that I am assuming you mean the receiver I should update, not buy the speakers and then get new ones? lol.

You seem to be die hard on the infinity's so for your sanity i will be checking them out (hopefully they have them at fry's) as soon as possible.

I mean to say is : Speakers are much more important to sound quality than ANY other element (electronics or cables - ps: 14 gauge is fine up-to about 50ft runs - lamp wire is good too), but your AVR is pretty outdated so EVENTUALLY you might want to replace it with newer model to get more up to date features and flexibility... Plus the lack of HDMI ports will bite you sooner or later

Regarding Infinity - I haven't heard them myself, but I hear nothing but positive comments about them for this budget...

There many other better speakers, but they usually cost much more

There is one more option if you have the some skills and tools - you could try a DIY Project:
This is pretty good and easy kit:
TriTrix MTM TL Speaker Components And Cabinet Kit Pair 300-702
and there are good assembly videos

 

[zieglj01]

Look at the Yamaha 667
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V667-7-2-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B003P2V52M

Denon 1911
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR1911/DENON-AVR-1911-7.1-Home-Theater-3D-Multi-Source/Multi-Zone-Receiver/1.html

 

[blazerboy]

HDMI isnt a big deal to me as the receiver will ALWAYS be connected to my computer, got a Xonar DX (idk if u guys know what that is) but its supposed to be pretty good and to my ear it is, and prefer connecting my receiver digitally with the optic cable. (Easier to control from my pc). At this point I feel that maybe even upgrading the sound card (the source) + the infinitys (if they are cracked up to be as good as they are)...will produce higher results for cheaper then more expensive speakers running off this receiver.

 

[blazerboy]

Look at the Yamaha 667
Amazon.com: Yamaha RX-V667 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black): Electronics

Denon 1911
DENON AVR-1911 7.1 Home Theater 3D Multi-Source/Multi-Zone Receiver | Accessories4less

The Yamaha looks nice, would that be ample enough to say power the martin logans if I got them?

Figure $1k for Martin logans and the yamaha
or
$700 for a new sound card + infinity's ...maybe even toss in 300 for the center to bring it to perspective.

Which would be better?

these are based on reviews and my opinion can change when i hear them of course

 

[zieglj01]

The Yamaha looks nice, would that be ample enough to say power the martin logans if I got them?
Figure $1k for Martin logans and the yamaha
or
$700 for a new sound card + infinity's ...maybe even toss in 300 for the center to bring it to perspective.
Which would be better?
these are based on reviews and my opinion can change when i hear them of course

The Yamaha will power the Martin Logan - however, I will not promote
or guarantee party levels with that combo.

I also, do not guarantee party levels with any receiver.

As far as receiver or soundcard, that is up to you. The Infinity will out
perform and out class, the Sony speakers.

If you want to save money on a receiver - also look here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/770-WATT-DENON-AVR-3803-7-1-Surround-AV-RECEIVER-AMPLIFIER-MANUAL-REMOTE-MANUAL-/370597329911?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item5649527bf7

 

[blazerboy]

Meh as far as party levels as im concerned the sonys can hit it fine, i dont throw huge house parties, more or less bump it up to audible levels to hear it in my backyard from my room, at about 50 rating of i believe 70 on my current sony. The denon looks huge and beefy...looks really good actually. But id prefer to buy new rather than used.

Yamaha new = $300
Denon used = $315

 

[zieglj01]

Meh as far as party levels as im concerned the sonys can hit it fine, i dont throw huge house parties, more or less bump it up to audible levels to hear it in my backyard from my room, at about 50 rating of i believe 70 on my current sony. The denon looks huge and beefy...looks really good actually. But id prefer to buy new rather than used.

Yamaha new = $300
Denon used = $315

The Yamaha is nice, the on-scree GUI is nice - and it will display
volume level on the screen. I have owned low level Sony's, as well
as many other receivers. The Yamaha 667 is a nice step up, from
the Sony that you have. Good Luck

 

[kini]

Too bad, other than you shilling for Arx, no one else tested and measured them

Darn, I knew there was a reason I put you on the ignore list

Just curious. If he's on your ignore list, how did you come about to read the post

And why reply

Not defending GT but kind of strange behavior.

 

[kini]

Meh as far as party levels as im concerned the sonys can hit it fine, i dont throw huge house parties, more or less bump it up to audible levels to hear it in my backyard from my room, at about 50 rating of i believe 70 on my current sony. The denon looks huge and beefy...looks really good actually. But id prefer to buy new rather than used.

Yamaha new = $300
Denon used = $315

I would take a look at the Denon 1712. You give up the front USB port and internet apps but it uses Audessey XT whereas the "step up" 19xx models use the lesser EQ version.

That's if Audessey is something you would find useful.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Just curious. If he's on your ignore list, how did you come about to read the post

And why reply

Not defending GT but kind of strange behavior.

Did you heard saying - Curiosity killed the cat ?
I see his post and I have an option to view it or not ....
but then I saw the shilling I felt compelled to warn the OP about this....
This whole thing started here: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/78736-emp-e5ti-vs-arx-a1.html

plus threads like this one does help his case much (as far as credibility goes)
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/subwoofers/77536-axiom-subwoofer-blog.html

 

[psbfan9]

Are you looking for towers, bookshelf or no preference just good speakers?

I agree with the recommendation of the Infinity primus. The main difference between the P362 $199.00 each and the P363 $329 is price (prices from Crutchfield). They have identical specs.

I also agree with the recommendation for these, which are on sale for $250.00 a pr. right now.

EMPtek E5Ti Tower Speakers

EMP Tek E5Ti Tower Speakers

For bookshelf speakers I recommend, and own, these:

PSB - Alpha B1 - Bookshelf Speakers-Audio Advisor

 

[Matt34]

The behringer 2030p are worth a look and come in well below your budget. I still really enjoy mine and when paired with a sub can get plenty loud.

 

[blazerboy]

As of right now people seem to be leaning towards the infinitys and the yamaha and not really commenting on the others so..i may end up picking up the yamaha infinitys and a center channel/ sound card. Any recommendations on that front to anyome that knows? will me dishing out another 250 on a top of the line consumef sound card be worth it? Theysay the best speakers and system will not perform as they should if the input is also not high quality. Any comments?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Your receiver already has digital input so you don't need a expensive sound card, check if your computer already has a digital audio out and if not get a cheap card/adapter with digital out.

 

[blazerboy]

Im running digital out already and yes my asus xonar dx seems pretty ample. However this beimg a sound and not a computer forum I might be asking the wrong group of people?