Poll: Should I Upgrade? Shopping for fronts, them put my Yamaha's in back...

[Darth Mike]

OK, I need new rears but I went to audition some new fronts.... since I want a better set of fronts for 2ch purposes as well, I figure I'll put my Yamaha's in the back.

I listen to EVERYTHING... But mostly stuff like Rock, Alternative like DMB, Classic Rock, Trance, 80's, and VERY little Rap stuff from when I was younger (gotta embrace my childhood). As well, I also watch alot of movies.

I know my system is not high end, but I am happy with most of my stuff except my TV, Center, and Rears. I have used the Yamaha's as rears before and was happy so for the time being the hole burnng in my pocket says all I need is some new fronts to shut it up for a while...

So I need some good advice on fronts, I've done some reasearch and brought it down to 3 pairs.

Infinity Primus 160 - sounded nice, but the low cost makes me wonder if they are not durable or of good quality build wise.

Paradigm Atom - great SQ, but am worried about the soundstage being thin due to thier small size and whether they will take the abuse of high volume due to thier low power handling.

JBL E30 Northridge - happy with looks and SQ, but again value prices make me weary of low quality
Other - Let me know a good performing budget concious bookshelf good for what I am looking for...

 

[mike c]

how much budget are you allocating for the fronts?

you also have to consider a better sub.

 

[majorloser]

AV123 Speakers

Might want to look at the X-series x-ls speakers from Onix. $219 per pair.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1

If you want to look at a good sounding set for the money, look at the BIC Acoustechs

http://www.acoustechspeakers.com/

 

[Sheep]

Actually, the Infinity Primus 150 is a VERY nice bookshelf speaker. A diamond in the rough so to speak.

The others mentioned are alos good choices.

SheepStar

 

[billnchristy]

I have a primus center channel downstairs, with the grille off it looks like junk, but when that crappy silver hidden is ok.

It sounds pretty good, doesnt dominate or draw attention to itself, and a big improvement over my dual 4" center of old.

I have a pair of X-LS upstairs and I am in love with them.

I have ordered another pair in a limited ed. color and 3 X-CS center channels if that gives you any idea of how impressed I am.

 

[Darth Mike]

First, thanks for all the suggestions thus far.

how much budget are you allocating for the fronts?

you also have to consider a better sub.

Until I upgrade my Center, Fronts, TV, and DVD player I won't be changing my subwoofer. I live in an apartment and my listening space is ~16' x 16', @ 80hz the JBL does fine in this small space especially with the assistance of the onkyo that came with the HTiB system. Plus, my reciever has built in amplification for the onkyo and I run the JBL speaker level with it, so when I need to upgrade my bass I will also upgrade my reciever in order to have a traditional LFE output and better bass management.

I am allocating no more than $250 to a set of fronts, I cannot justify spending more when the rest of my system is not exactly top of the line.

Might want to look at the X-series x-ls speakers from Onix. $219 per pair.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1

If you want to look at a good sounding set for the money, look at the BIC Acoustechs

http://www.acoustechspeakers.com/

The Onix X-LS are very nice looking and seem of good quality I may look into those if shipping doesn't take me over my $250 cap as for $250 I can go buy the Paradigm Titans and I was VERY happy with the sound of them.

I don't like the look of the BIC Acoustech bookshelfs, and am not too into passive radiators in my main speakers and at the MSRP they are too high for my budget.

Actually, the Infinity Primus 150 is a VERY nice bookshelf speaker. A diamond in the rough so to speak.

The others mentioned are alos good choices.

SheepStar

So you're saying the 150 are better than the 160? Wierd, can you explain this or is it just one of those things that are odd but true?

I have a primus center channel downstairs, with the grille off it looks like junk, but when that crappy silver hidden is ok.

It sounds pretty good, doesnt dominate or draw attention to itself, and a big improvement over my dual 4" center of old.

I have a pair of X-LS upstairs and I am in love with them.

I have ordered another pair in a limited ed. color and 3 X-CS center channels if that gives you any idea of how impressed I am.

I'm begining to wonder about those X-LS now, two people say they are good, I wish I could audition a set before buying them.

 

[Sheep]

So you're saying the 150 are better than the 160? Wierd, can you explain this or is it just one of those things that are odd but true?

I will check my source to see if there is proof. I heard it from a reputable member so I'm sure it's accurate.

SheepStar

 

[gmichael]

I have the Primus 150's as surrounds in my main system. Also have the JBL E20's in my bedroom system. Both sound pretty good to me, but I would give the Infinity's the edge overall. Just a little more neutral IMO. The Infinity's have been highly regarded by many reviewers as a great "bang for the buck" speaker. The JBL's have not enjoyed the same reviews but I didn't hear that much of a difference. I have not heard the Paradigm Atom's so I can't tell you how they stack up. Any of them should last for years. Just turn them down if they start to distort and they may outlast you.
Do you have a budget? There are many more speakers out there besides these. In most cases you get more when you pay more. But not always.

 

[Sheep]

I am allocating no more than $250 to a set of fronts, I cannot justify spending more when the rest of my system is not exactly top of the line.

Budget has been covered

SheepStar

 

[gmichael]

Budget has been covered

SheepStar

$250 could get you a lot of Infinity's from this source. http://stores.ebay.com/THE-AUDIO-VIDEO-SOURCE_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ0QQftidZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm

 

[Darth Mike]

I will check my source to see if there is proof. I heard it from a reputable member so I'm sure it's accurate.

SheepStar

It'd be cool if I could actually find out what is better about the 150's since they are cheaper and all...

Thanks Sheep

$250 could get you a lot of Infinity's from this source. http://stores.ebay.com/THE-AUDIO-VIDEO-SOURCE_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ0QQftidZ2QQpZ2QQtZkm

I like the Primus 250 floorstanders for $189... for that price I'd grab a set of 1Modulus for my rears too, and put the Yamahas and my extra no name 12" Sub on "speakers B" in my room. Hmm... Or maybe the Beta 20 bookshelfs for $199 with a set of Primus 140s... Or a set of Primus 160s and a set of 140s and a new Center.... Damn, the possibilities are endless! I'd go over budget on most if not all those choices but it'd be worth it and it would only go over a small amount.

Good link gmichael! I'm a critical listener to a point, and the Infinity stuff isn't perfect even for the price, but not so much as to say they sound bad. I got used to how they sounded after selling so many of them and learning how far I could push them... I'm starting to tip towards going Infinity since I have logged the most time hearing them on my own music since when not selling their equipment I used the demo booth for my own purposes regularly when I used to sell HT at Circuit Shitty (city).

 

[gmichael]

It'd be cool if I could actually find out what is better about the 150's since they are cheaper and all...

Thanks Sheep


I like the Primus 250 floorstanders for $189... for that price I'd grab a set of 1Modulus for my rears too, and put the Yamahas and my extra no name 12" Sub on "speakers B" in my room. Hmm... Or maybe the Beta 20 bookshelfs for $199 with a set of Primus 140s... Or a set of Primus 160s and a set of 140s and a new Center.... Damn, the possibilities are endless! I'd go over budget on most if not all those choices but it'd be worth it and it would only go over a small amount.

Good link gmichael! I'm a critical listener to a point, and the Infinity stuff isn't perfect even for the price, but not so much as to say they sound bad. I got used to how they sounded after selling so many of them and learning how far I could push them... I'm starting to tip towards going Infinity since I have logged the most time hearing them on my own music since when not selling their equipment I used the demo booth for my own purposes regularly when I used to sell HT at Circuit Shitty (city).

If I may be so bold to suggest, how about a pair of 360's for now and save up for the rest.
The thing I don't like about the 150's or 250's is the lack of a mid-range.

 

[Darth Mike]

The reason I havn't looked into the 360s is that I always figured that in the area of cheaper speakers the one with least drivers was the best if they are up to the task, mostly due to thinking that another part of the crossover would cause more harm than good to the purity of the signal in lower end speakers, and an extra speaker would make the sound less natural. But I may look into that even though at $279 plus $84 shipping on eBay my chances are slim, also at that price range I would also be in the market for a set of Paradigm Mini Monitors for just a small amount more. The only reason I justified spending that much in my last post was because I'd be killing multiple bird with one expensive stone. Keep in mind I'm 18, for a set of speakers even $250 is quite a bit of money for me right now.

 

[JES14]

If you like the Paradigm sound, look for a deal on Titans. Should be very doable on that budget.

 

[Sheep]

It'd be cool if I could actually find out what is better about the 150's since they are cheaper and all...

Thanks Sheep

Heres some measurements from a review done by stereophile.

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/404infinity/index4.html

SheepStar

 

[billnchristy]

Shipping was 39 for my XL-S. It will put you a few bucks over, but very much worth it IMO. I have not heard the others mind you, but I have heard the XL-S compared to much more expensive bookshelves and come away looking good.

If you go over to the av123 site and ask if there is anyone near you that has a pair I am sure they will invite you over to listen, the community is very cool.

Mark said over 450 pairs went out the door in the last couple weeks so they are selling like hotcakes for an internet only deal.

 

[Darth Mike]

Heres some measurements from a review done by stereophile.

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/404infinity/index4.html

SheepStar

Well, at $220 a pair for the Paradigm Atoms I was throughly impressed with what they had to offer, and if the Primus 150s are capable of better at half the price, chances are that will be my pick. But I still can't help to wonder why the next larger model, the 160, would sound worse than its little brother.

Once again, thanks Sheep.

Shipping was 39 for my XL-S. It will put you a few bucks over, but very much worth it IMO. I have not heard the others mind you, but I have heard the XL-S compared to much more expensive bookshelves and come away looking good.

If you go over to the av123 site and ask if there is anyone near you that has a pair I am sure they will invite you over to listen, the community is very cool.

Mark said over 450 pairs went out the door in the last couple weeks so they are selling like hotcakes for an internet only deal.

Signing up to thier forum as of now.

 

[gmichael]

Well, at $220 a pair for the Paradigm Atoms I was throughly impressed with what they had to offer, and if the Primus 150s are capable of better at half the price, chances are that will be my pick. But I still can't help to wonder why the next larger model, the 160, would sound worse than its little brother.

Once again, thanks Sheep.



Signing up to thier forum as of now.

I think that because the 150's have a smaller woofer that they carry the mids better than the larger 160's. But I could be wrong, just my take on it. The 160's will give you more base, but if you are going with a sub then why worry about that? The 150's go low enough to match well with most any sub.

I don't know much about the Atoms. But people sure do rave about them. Give a listen. Let your ears tell you if they are worth the extra cash or not.

 

[Darth Mike]

Well in the next couple days I'm going to go to my old "office" (the HT dept. of Circuit City) and do some serious listening to the 150s and 160s then I'm also gonna go listen to the Atoms again at Audio Workshop, and maybe for the hell of it a couple pairs of Athenas JBLs and Klipshs at Best Buy. I'll just bring a CD-R (so they won't accuse me of stealing CD's if I lug in my case) with a bunch of favorites on it so I can make sure they are up to par with my music as I don't like the demo stuff in most stores. I'll be sure to let everyone know if I buy anything... If none of those are up to par I'll wait a couple weeks and just swing it and buy a set of XL-S since I can send them back withing 30 days if they aren't for me. Thanks to everyone for helping out a new guy to the forum so much.