speaker choice?

[Heartdog]

I've been wanting to replace my Energy Take 5 system, that is now 10 years old (already??), and upgrade to go with my new Samy lcd. I just bought some Klipsch III sattelite system at BB, and they're pretty much like the old system. A bit brighter. They sound ok, but I'm wondering if I should take them back, and get some floor speakers, and add as I go. One problem is there's no bookshelves to put them on, so I have them on my tv stand. Not the best placement. And why spend $400 just to have a similar system?

So, any suggestions? I'm trying to stay in that price range for now. My sub is good, so I figured I could get fronts and a center first, then in a few months the rears. But I have no idea what gives the best bang for the buck in separates. I had read up on the net, and found the Athena Micra 6 system was really particularly good, but alas, now they're not to be found.

 

[mazersteven]

I've been wanting to replace my Energy Take 5 system, that is now 10 years old (already??), and upgrade to go with my new Samy lcd. I just bought some Klipsch III sattelite system at BB, and they're pretty much like the old system. A bit brighter. They sound ok, but I'm wondering if I should take them back, and get some floor speakers, and add as I go. One problem is there's no bookshelves to put them on, so I have them on my tv stand. Not the best placement. And why spend $400 just to have a similar system?

So, any suggestions? I'm trying to stay in that price range for now. My sub is good, so I figured I could get fronts and a center first, then in a few months the rears. But I have no idea what gives the best bang for the buck in separates. I had read up on the net, and found the Athena Micra 6 system was really particularly good, but alas, now they're not to be found.

If your looking for a better quality bookshelf, take a look at these.

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/spkrlist.html

http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=55

 

[jcPanny]

Bookshelf speakers

I second those recommendations. You can now try the Onix(av123.com) booshelf speakers risk free. They pay the return shipping if you decide to send them back within 30 days.

 

[Heartdog]

I second those recommendations. You can now try the Onix(av123.com) booshelf speakers risk free. They pay the return shipping if you decide to send them back within 30 days.

Wow, hard to choose from those. I also just heard today, that the athena micra speakers are basically my energy take 5 system repackaged! So maybe it's a good thing I didn't buy those, too. All of these look to be a nice step up from what I've had.
I imagine it's more economical to buy a 5.1 package?

 

[zumbo]

Energy has served you well for 10 years.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC200
Energy specs:
Recommended Amplifier Power: up to 125 watts
Nominal Impedence: 8 ohms; Minimum Impedance: 4 ohms
Frequency Response: 48 Hz-20 kHz +/- 3 dB
Useable Bass Response (-10 db Anechoic): 43 Hz
Sensitivity: anechoic 88 dB; 2 speakers in a typical room 91 dB
Crossover Point: 2.6 kHz
Overall Dimensions: 13.75" tall, 8" wide, 10.5" deep
Weight: 13.2 lbs
SVS specs:
?
Ascend specs:
Typical In-Room Frequency Response 53Hz - 20kHz +/- 3dB
In-Room Sensitivity 91dB @ 1 watt / 1 meter
Frequency Response (Anechoic) 58Hz - 22kHz +/- 3dB
Sensitivity (Anechoic) 89dB @ 1 watt/ 1 meter
Average Impedance 8 ohms
Minimum Recommended Power 25 watts
Maximum Continous Power* 200 watts
X-ls specs:
Crossover: 1750Hz, 2nd order
Frequency Response: 55 Hz to 20 KHz (± 3 dB)
Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal
Efficiency: 87 dB (@ 1 watt / 1 meter)
Dimensions: 13.5" H x 8.5" W x 12.125" D
Weight: 17 lbs each; ship weight = 40 lbs (shipped in pairs)

 

[j_garcia]

No, the Micras and the .5s are not entirely similar. The .5s are wood and the Micras are plastic, though the .5s are sort of the sucessor to the .5s.

I'll third those first three recommendations.