out of the 3 what would you get.

[nattielight]

I am in the market for some new front's. Floor standing....
Boston Acoustics VR2's 200each.
JBL - 3-Way Dual 8" Floorstanding Speaker stadium model 200each.
JBL - 6" 3-Way Floorstanding Speaker stage model 149 each.

I will be running the onkyo 605. Currently I have a Cerwin vega Ls5 surround system. Got this receiver for christmas and am in the upgrading mood. Have some gifts to return. Fronts will be the first for me to replace for now. My 2 CV L5 fronts will be bumped to the back for surround sound.
I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

[nattielight]

Or any other comparable floor standing speakers for around this price. Just over the $400 mark has to be my limit. The options i listed are from local stores I can pick up and save the shipping.

 

[mazersteven]

Polk Audio RTi8

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28506

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=3724397&JRSource=googlebase.datafeed.POK+RTI8-BK

 

[mazersteven]

AV123 X-sls

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=94.1

x-sls encore
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=113.1

A little over budget

Swan Diva 5.1BC
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_30&products_id=47

Or right now these are $100 off

Ascend Acoustics 340
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

 

[Halon451]

Stay away from the consumer line of JBL. Just my personal opinion, having been down that road, and wasted enough time and money with little return in overall satisfaction. I'm waiting on my new AV123 Encores to come in at the moment, which I understand to be far superior for the price range.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

AV123 X-sls

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=94.1

x-sls encore
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=113.1

A little over budget

Swan Diva 5.1BC
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_30&products_id=47

Or right now these are $100 off

Ascend Acoustics 340
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

Very nice choices, Mazer is steering you down the right path. I REALLY like those x-sls Encores.

 

[furrycute]

I have auditioned both the big JBL floorstanders and the smaller JBL bookshelves. For what they cost, they sound VERY nice. I especially like the big JBL floorstanders, they just play everything you throw at them with an effortlessness unmatched by anything I have heard before (no surprise there, considering it has dual 8 inch woofers), incredible sound stage, and bass that just makes you drool.

If you have the floor space (the big JBL floor standers need room to breathe), I would definitely go with the dual 8 inch woofer JBL floor stander. Plus, these JBL floor standers are very sensitive. At 91dB sensitivity, the ones I auditioned were driven by a midrange Yamaha receiver. You definitely don't need an external amp to drive these.


As to the other choices, those from av123 (Onix Rockets, etc.), and the Swan divas. I don't know. Even though these two internet only brands are new to the scene, but in their short history, they have stirred up such complicated, convoluted controversies (do a search on these 2 brands on this forum and the avsforum, from a couple of years back, you'll know what I mean), I generally stay away from these two brands.

 

[mazersteven]

As to the other choices, those from av123 (Onix Rockets, etc.), and the Swan divas. I don't know. Even though these two internet only brands are new to the scene, but in their short history, they have stirred up such complicated, convoluted controversies (do a search on these 2 brands on this forum and the avsforum, from a couple of years back, you'll know what I mean), I generally stay away from these two brands.

And name a ID manufacture that has not done what your implying?

SVS was blamed for it here. Pete from HSU does it now.

 

[furrycute]

And name a ID manufacture that has not done what your implying?

SVS was blamed for it here. Pete from HSU does it now.

Are you kidding me? Have you seen those 100+ page Onix Rocket threads on the AVSforum from ~2003? In those threads, a few sane people who questioned the audio quality of those Onix Rockets were literally crucified by hordes of Onix Rockets die hards for questioning the supposed superiority of Onix Rockets.

To those "die hards," Onix Rockets were literally the best speakers to EVER have graced the face of this planet. I mean, give me a break!

And I don't even want to go into those later threads where it was eventually revealed that all those endless user accounts that endlessly praised Onix Rockets were all coming from the same common IP addresses.

Speaking of those Swans Divas. They came before the Onix Rockets. They were praised to be the best speakers EVER, until av123 decided to sell Onix Rockets instead. Then it was just like those Swans Divas fell off the face of the earth, no one ever bothered with them again.

I am highly critical of the ethics of companies who engage in these types of advertising practices.


In this respect, other internet direct companies such as Hsu, Ascend Acoustics, etc., have adopted a far more honest, open advertising strategy, as opposed to av123's highly inflated, questionable tactics.

As to SVS, go dig up those 100+ page threads, read them, and make your own judgement.

 

[mazersteven]

I guess everyone will have a different experience with a company. My experience, and dealings with AV123 happens to be excellent. In fact they have went out of their way to exceed my expectation. And from the incredible things I read on the AV123 forum of helping fellow members. I thing whatever happened in the past is just that, the past.

 

[furrycute]

The past?

Have you seriously read any of the more recent threads on av123's product offerings, such as the Emotiva line of preamps/amps, and their new speaker line? The same aggressive/pushy/hostile promotion strategies are being used all over again on various internet audio forums to promote their new lines, albeit to a lesser degree than before (so now instead of having 100+ page threads, you now have 30+ page threads).


Anyways, I've said my piece. The reader is encouraged to dig up those past threads and make your own judgement.

 

[nattielight]

how about the polk monitor 50 or 60's? How about those boston acoustics VR2's. Any feedback on them. I can put the cost of shipping into the actual speaker because I can pick these up at local BB. Otherwise $400 turns into $500 real quick with the shipping price.

 

[furrycute]

If you want the Polk Monitor floorstanders, go with the larger one, since the smaller floorstander wont give you as much bass. That being said, the monitor 60 probably wont hold a candle to the big JBL floorstander when it comes to bass, simply the JBL has much larger woofers.

Can you audition any of the speakers you are thinking of buying at your local dealer? That's the best way to judge if a speaker fits your listening needs.

And do take into consideration the amount of space you can devote to your speakers. The big floorstanders need considerable breathing space to sound at their best.

 

[mazersteven]

how about the polk monitor 50 or 60's?

These are not even close to the sound quality of the RTi's I linked for you.

 

[nattielight]

how would the RTi8's compare to the Boston Acoustics VR 2's? I could pick these up and save on shipping. Oh Yeah, I am going to demo them but, I like having an opinion before I do. It helps me be more open to creating my own. I base info from people who know alot about speaker and compare their opinion to how i feel they sound when I listen to them.
My wife doesn't let me spend much money on this "stuff." Funny, when she comes home from work I am going to show her the greatest deal ever from the local fleamarket...... A little white lie never hurt anyone.

 

[mazersteven]

how would the RTi8's compare to the Boston Acoustics VR 2's?

I have not auditioned the Bostons myself. But they do get a lot of recommendation in this price range. Seems both the Bostons and the Polk RTi's are always mentioned in the same threads. If you could audition both, that would be great.

 

[nattielight]

I have not auditioned the Bostons myself. But they do get a lot of recommendation in this price range. Seems both the Bostons and the Polk RTi's are always mentioned in the same threads. If you could audition both, that would be great.

That would be nice. The RTi's are out of stock in my area. All they have are the Boston's. If I am to jump on the bostons' I don't have much time. Outlet price.

 

[furrycute]

I have auditioned the VR3 and the VR2. Actually at one time I even considered purchasing a pair of the VR3's. They sound quite nice. While they are not the last word in ultimate detail and definition (none of the speakers you mentioned are), they do give you very good dynamics, and an adequate amount of bass.

For whatever reason, I always like the bigger floorstanders than the smaller floorstanders. Because of the bigger woofers, the big floorstanders don't strain as much when you crank them up, and they give you more effortless bass. The smaller floorstanders with the smaller woofers always seem to strain when playing bass heavy materials. So if you can, audition the VR3's when you go to audition the VR2's.

What volumes do you usually listen at? Quiet or loud? Those big JBL's usually sound their best when cranked up. At quiet listening levels, the Polks or the Boston Acoustics might do a better job.

 

[nattielight]

I have auditioned the VR3 and the VR2. Actually at one time I even considered purchasing a pair of the VR3's. They sound quite nice. While they are not the last word in ultimate detail and definition (none of the speakers you mentioned are), they do give you very good dynamics, and an adequate amount of bass.

For whatever reason, I always like the bigger floorstanders than the smaller floorstanders. Because of the bigger woofers, the big floorstanders don't strain as much when you crank them up, and they give you more effortless bass. The smaller floorstanders with the smaller woofers always seem to strain when playing bass heavy materials. So if you can, audition the VR3's when you go to audition the VR2's.

What volumes do you usually listen at? Quiet or loud? Those big JBL's usually sound their best when cranked up. At quiet listening levels, the Polks or the Boston Acoustics might do a better job.

Right now listening levels are low to moderate. I live in a townhouse, but looking to buy within the next year. I am getting married sometime next year. No date set yet but, I need to get all my toys that I can before we get a house. Coming soon!!!!! I am looking for the most detail and possible bass for the american dollar. Lord knows, she will be taking all mine. She already is. I will never have the ultimate system. I just would like one to rock solid and have enough detail for HT.

 

[furrycute]

Then either the large Polk RTi10 or the VR3 should do the job for the front mains.

These two choices should give you sufficient bass for most materials. Later on when you feel you need more bass, you can always opt to purchase a sub. A HSU VTF-3 is a good choice. Or if you can, a Velodyne SPL 12 is also a good choice.


Anyways, go listen to those speakers yourself. Only you can judge what's right for your ears.