speaker/reciever advice

[crazyd1415]

First post on here but I've been visiting the site for a while.

I am thinking of purchasing just a 2 speaker setup to listen to music. later on I would like to be able to expand it to a full surround system but even then I doubt it would be my main surround sound system. Moved into a condo not too long ago and right now I'm just listening through crappy computer speakers.

The room it will be in is about 10x15. I think the ceiling is around 10ft.

With a budget of $1000 dollars what would be the best speakers and receiver to get. If the budget was bumped up to $1500 what would be the best to get?

For the most part I listen to rock and classical. I do not care how loud the music can get, I just want the best sound.

and a question, I use to do some recording on my computer and had a presonus firebox. I also use to have some roland studio monitors. would studio monitors give a better sound? The roland's I had weren't exactly good but if I decide to just hook up my firebox and use my computer to listen to music and use studio monitors, would that be a cheaper route for me?

 

[mazersteven]

I am thinking of purchasing just a 2 speaker setup to listen to music. later on I would like to be able to expand it to a full surround system but even then I doubt it would be my main surround sound system.

With a budget of $1000 dollars what would be the best speakers and receiver to get. If the budget was bumped up to $1500 what would be the best to get?

For the most part I listen to rock and classical.
QUOTE]

Pick one

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=2.1

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=90.1

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MACHR824

 

[crazyd1415]

thanks for the links

would axiom m50 or m22 also be good choices? seem to be around the same price range as av123. well, a little cheaper.

also, I guess I should have considered 2 bookshelf plus sub and not just 2 towers.

 

[mazersteven]

thanks for the links

would axiom m50 or m22 also be good choices? seem to be around the same price range as av123. well, a little cheaper.

also, I guess I should have considered 2 bookshelf plus sub and not just 2 towers.

I have no experience with Axiom myself. They seem to get great reviews and positive talk on the forums.

Have you auditioned any speakers yourself so you can find what sounds best to you? Take your time, and have fun with this. Audition as many as you can. Then if you order internet only speakers from companies like AV123, and Axiom you'll know if you like what they sound like. Also read as may reviews and PM owners of them to get there opinions on the sound quality of the speakers. Are the bright, forward, neutral, warm.

Another speaker I recommend for music is

Polk Audio LSi9's.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/lsi9/

You can find a pre-owned pair with very little use for under $500. With 2 of these amps added, and a inexpensive receiver. For about $1000K you'll have a nice little 2-channel system.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHA500


But for a 2-channel system I do highly recommend those Mackie speakers. They are self amp'd and all you'll need is a inexpensive pre/pro, or inexpensive receiver.

http://www.emotivaaudio.com/lmc1.html

 

[emorphien]

Can't help you on monitors but I do recommend Axiom speakers. I personally own a pair of the M3Tis and they are a great pair of speakers for $300.

Other options, since you're in the $1000 range will depend on what else you need. As far as receiver (or an integrated amp) go, there are a lot of options like Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, Harman Kardon which can all be had for reasonable amounts of money or you can move up to and look at NAD, Cambridge Audio, etc. The speakers are more important than the amp though, so I'd focus on that.

To that end PSB and Focal make some great speakers. I'd look at the Focal V706 which is around $600 or the PSB Image B25 (I think $450 or s0) as well. B&W, Paradigm, Von Schweikert (VR1s through their website) can all offer you some bookshelves under that are great values without going above $600 or $700. I'd really urge that you audition whatever you can locally though.

Once you start looking at $1500 you could do some floorstander speakers or some better bookshelf speakers. Basically all the same companies again would be worth looking at. Even maybe Magnepan MMGs ($550 direct). I have a pair of Totem Rainmakers which I love, but they aren't for everyone but perhaps worth checking in to as well as Triangle if you're getting up to $1000 (The Comete ES I think can actually be found for $650 new online).

 

[Nick250]

For the most part I listen to rock and classical. I do not care how loud the music can get, I just want the best sound.

To get the speakers that are most pleasing to your ears, ones that you look foward to hearing each day you need to personally audition as many speakers as you possibly can. There is no getting around this first step. Speakers are the most important part of your system. By comparison, every other part of your system has little impact on the sound quality over speakers.

That said, there are an over whelming number of speakers in your price range, you could start by auditioning the speakers recommendations in this thread.

Nick

 

[Warpdrv]

To get the speakers that are most pleasing to your ears, ones that you look foward to hearing each day you need to personally audition as many speakers as you possibly can. There is no getting around this first step. Speakers are the most important part of your system. By comparison, every other part of your system has little impact on the sound quality over speakers.
Nick

I think this post by nick should be a sticky.....

Labeled "Which speakers to buy"

I understand budgets will vary but, It is imperative to first go out and look for speakers in your price ranges and listen... that way you can really get a feel for how speakers vary from one to the next to your own ears.

 

[emorphien]

I think this post by nick should be a sticky.....

Labeled "Which speakers to buy"

I understand budgets will vary but, It is imperative to first go out and look for speakers in your price ranges and listen... that way you can really get a feel for how speakers vary from one to the next to your own ears.

I'd really urge that you audition whatever you can locally though.

Yup, I believe every post needs to be qualified with some statement about that. Everyone hears differently, everyone likes different things, what I may like you may hate (I know a lot of people love Paradigm & B&W but I don't) so it's your ears you have to trust.

 

[Davemcc]

Looks like a good choice of receiver for $244.99. http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/details/540299007

Era Design 4, about $600 and one of the nicest speakers I've heard and worth an audition, if you can find a dealer. http://www.signalpathint.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=46

And a reasonable sub for some extension with small speakers in a small room @ $249. http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

I'm less than $100 over budget, but this would be a totally sweet little system. You could probably shave the $100 from the Era dealer with a little persuasion. I don't have experience with the stereo reciever, but I do have the Era D5 and an HSU STF-3 and feel comfortable recommending these other products by the manufacturers.

 

[Tomorrow]

You are getting really sound advice regarding speaker selection. It's what's between your ears that matters with speakers. Audition, audition, audition.

But that's sometimes difficult to do with internet only speakers. So you might want to try them with the sense that you might have to ship them back, but you get the advantage of an in-home audition. Along that line, if you can tweak your budget just a tad, I'd recommend that you research this little package which also includes a nice cd player....

Hsu STF-1 subwoofer = $249 (+$20 shipping)
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

Emotiva BPA-1 integrated amplifier = $189 (includes shipping)
http://www.emotiva.com/amplifiers.html

Denon DCM-390 CD Carousel = $349 (includes shipping)
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-tLjJdaQ1gIJ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=033DCM390

Pair of ACI Protege V 3-way (B-Stock, tremendous price...you can't tell B-Stock from new with this company) speakers = $840 (+ shipping)
http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/protegev/protegevdetail.htm

The above will provide you with some stunning music, good looks, and lots of class. Total = $1647 (unless, of course, you already have a cd player). You can hit sub-$1500 if you go with a bit cheaper model of Denon, but they tend to be a little clunky at the cheap end and don't share the Burr-Brown DAC's. Each component listed gets very high marks, if you wish to change any of the individual elements.

EDIT: If the ACI speakers interest you, move soon, because they are being discontinued. That's one reason these are marked down so much.

Also, here is the link to the ACI B-Stock Proteges....
http://www.audioc.com/specials1/specials.htm#bstock

 

[mike c]

check out Monitor Audio RS1 as well. if it costs around 700 bucks, I'd use the remaining budget to buy the best yamaha receiver that fits your budget.

 

[crazyd1415]

thanks for all the advice. I do plan on doing a lot of auditioning in the following week or two. although I am leaning towards the following set ups.

Denon DVD-757
Mackie Hr824 monitors
Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro
Hsu STF-1 sub

or

Denon DCM-390
Emotiva BPA-1 amp
Axiom M22V2
Hsu STF-1 sub

And I thought I'd go with the Denon DVD-757 because it can also play audio dvd's and sacd's and it has the Burr-Brown DAC's and I can use it later when I get a better tv.

I do have an iPod and I do have tons of songs on my computer. I know Denon and Yamaha recievers come with iPod docks. and I can run the outputs from my soundcard to the receiver. with that said is it better to get a reciever instead?

Regardless, still putting aside a few weekends to audition.

 

[mazersteven]

thanks for all the advice. I do plan on doing a lot of auditioning in the following week or two. although I am leaning towards the following set ups.

Denon DVD-757
Mackie Hr824 monitors
Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro
Hsu STF-1 sub

or

Denon DCM-390
Emotiva BPA-1 amp
Axiom M22V2
Hsu STF-1 sub

And I thought I'd go with the Denon DVD-757 because it can also play audio dvd's and sacd's and it has the Burr-Brown DAC's and I can use it later when I get a better tv.

I do have an iPod and I do have tons of songs on my computer. I know Denon and Yamaha recievers come with iPod docks. and I can run the outputs from my soundcard to the receiver. with that said is it better to get a reciever instead?

Regardless, still putting aside a few weekends to audition.

Take a look at the Oppo DVD players.

http://www.oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_index.html

Also just my personal opinion. I would do the HSU STF-2 instead of the STF-1.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html