Preliminary Speaker Research

[jmscott2306]

Hi guys,

I'm new to the forums, but I have a few questions about a couple of different speakers. I've tried to do quite a bit of research, both through these forums and on other websites, but there's so much information to digest.

I'm looking to buy my first set of speakers for my bedroom, with a budget of about $1000 to $1500. Preferably, I'd like floor-standing speakers.

Set-up:

Small bedroom (probably about 15' x 15')
32" TV in corner on stand...

Possibilities:

(Heard in person...)

Def Tech BP10B (or maybe BP7006)
B&W 683 or 684
Polk Audio RTi A5 or A7

(Good remarks online and in forums...)

PSB Image T65
Paradigm Studio 60
Monitor Audio RS6
DALI Ikon 6

I know that most, if not all, people recommend to audition speakers in person because speaker preferences vary so much, but I was wondering if people had general thoughts on these models. To be quite honest, I don't even know if they're all in the same "league."

My major concern right now is the Def Tech bipolar speakers versus the rest, which are monopolar. My room is cramped, and I'm not convinced that I will get the most out of bipolar speakers. Will bipolar speakers sound "okay" if not ideally placed? Moreover, say bipolar speakers are not a good choice, would the B&W or any of the others sound drastically different from each other? They're all, what I would consider, to be "quality" speakers.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jordan

 

[Exit]

If you are buying a pair of stereo loudspeakers for the front channels, you don't need to concern youself with bipoles, dipoles etc. as they are special purpose speakers for the sidewalls in surround sound setups. You just need a pair of direct radiating (standard) speakers. If you are considering moving into a surround sound system later on, it is a good idea to buy the matching center channel with the mains so they are all voice matched for smooth transitions of sound across the left, center, right speakers. You should get the center now because by the time you decide to go to surround sound the speakers you selected may no longer be available. I have no recommendations for you on the speakers you have listed but I am sure you can get something good in your budget. Others will probably provide more specific advice on your selections.

 

[Guangui]

Possibilities:

(Heard in person...)

B&W 683 or 684

(Good remarks online and in forums...)

PSB Image T65
Paradigm Studio 60
Monitor Audio RS6
DALI Ikon 6

Eliminated the Polk's from your list as they are not my cup of tea. Doesn't mean that they are bad, just that not my preference in the bunch. Same thing with Def Tech's.

What is your budget??? Studio 60 and Dali Ikon 6 are expensive compared to the others; also, IMO, better. Leaving B&W, PSB, and MA. If your budget is in the $800 to $1K per pair, those three are your best choices. My pick would be MA RS6, and a tie between PSB and B&W. If based on looks I would go with B&W. All three are more than big enough for your room size.

 

[fredk]

Put the Axiom Audio M60 in place of the Paradigm Studio 60. It is a similar sounding (clean neutral sound) speaker at less than 1/2 the price.

I personally like the sound of the Paradigm studio and Axiom lines, others don't. They are definately worth a listen though.

Since this is a bedroom, are you going to be ok with a floor standing speaker?

Fred

 

[jmscott2306]

As far as the B&W models go...

The 683s, which are, I believe $400 more than the 684, have an FST mid-range driver along with 2 bass drivers. The 684s, on the other hand, only have 2 mid-range/bass drivers. This would lead me to believe that the 683s sound better.

But...on the forums, I have seen posts where people say the 684s sound "fuller." That doesn't make sense to me. Shouldn't the 683s be the better speakers?

Any thoughts on the 683s as compared to the 684s...

 

[gokou777]

As far as the B&W models go...

The 683s, which are, I believe $400 more than the 684, have an FST mid-range driver along with 2 bass drivers. The 684s, on the other hand, only have 2 mid-range/bass drivers. This would lead me to believe that the 683s sound better.

But...on the forums, I have seen posts where people say the 684s sound "fuller." That doesn't make sense to me. Shouldn't the 683s be the better speakers?

Any thoughts on the 683s as compared to the 684s...

Well I was lucky enough, I got to hear 683 and 684 today.

Here is what I did in the store. I was listening to a classical cd on a steady volume, all I did was changing speakers.

Going from 684 to 683, I can hear clearly more high notes being played, such as the violins and pianos, but I stayed there long enough, about an hour just trying to listening to the same track. After about 30 min or so, you will realize that 683 sounded a little better, but if you are considering saving the $400. I would say 684 is definitely a great choice.

gokou

 

[jostenmeat]

and a tie between PSB and B&W. If based on looks I would go with B&W. All three are more than big enough for your room size.

Are the cosmetics greatly improved with the 68 series? The previous 600 series really left me wanting in the looks department.

The RS series of MA might've been the class leaders in cabinet looks for the money.

The T-65s are pretty darn huge. Particularly the DEPTH. Very deep. If some space was wanted between front wall boundary and speaker, they could look a bit too imposing, IMO. I own a pair of T-55s, and the size is much more typical.

Other notes for the OP. Modest room, a pair of bookshelves and sub could be the WTG here. Also, if 15 x 15, a square room is the worst possible for acoustics. In some persons opinions, getting nice speakers for these dimensions is a waste of time and money. Sorry to break that news to you. I still wish you luck though.

 

[Midcow2]

Def Tech opinion and maybe Rockets or Klipsch

Hi guys,

My major concern right now is the Def Tech bipolar speakers versus the rest, which are monopolar. My room is cramped, and I'm not convinced that I will get the most out of bipolar speakers. Will bipolar speakers sound "okay" if not ideally placed? Moreover, say bipolar speakers are not a good choice, would the B&W or any of the others sound drastically different from each other? They're all, what I would consider, to be "quality" speakers.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jordan

I have Def Tech speakers and i like the sound for both music and movies/TV. I watch and lsiten the the latter mainlly. I had BP2006s and upgraded to BP7002s in the den ( still have 2006s in the media room). I think they would work in a 15 x 15 room. If you can have them at least a foot from the front wall. The Def Tech center speakers are awesome.

You have some other good choices and if you like B & W they are also a fine speaker.

One speaker you don't have listed is the AV123 Rockets, which are nice speakers in your price range. Another to consider is Klipsch RF-63s.

If you can auditon that is best, becuase the most important aspect is that they sound good to you. .. And you will find there are some that don't like the sound of Def Techs and others that love the sound!

 

[jcPanny]

Bedroom speakers

You might consider a nice pair of bookshelf speakers or in-wall speakers + sub for the bedroom. This room is far from an ideal listening environment and the money would be better spent elsewhere. Also, floorstanders would not allow you to adjust the tweater position for listening on the bed, etc.

If you want a nice 2 channel system, put it in another room.

 

[R-Carpenter]

You may also consider a used pair of Pro Ac, Magneplanar or Sonus Faber.