speaker recommendation? $100-300

[peacetilence]

I'm new to the audiophile world, by no means am I looking for the best but I am interested in quality better than HTIB systems and pc speakers. I'm currently using a pair of Sennhieser 280hds with a Cmoy amp because I am unsatisfied with PC speaker sound. I'm looking for the best bookshelfs in my price range for my HTPC which is used for movies and games first and foremost and music occasionally. For a receiver I'm looking at an Onkyo TX-SR602 receiver though I'm open to any suggestions. I really want to start out with just two speakers and maybe add the full 7.1 and sub in the future. So I want speakers that sound decent alone as pair. I'm a fan of clean nutruel sound I guess you could say. Not a fan of enhancements or thumping bass.

I've been recommended the BIC DV62si by a forum member which are at a good price but I don't really want to bother sending them of to get modded for them to sound better so I decided to up my budget a bit. I've researched a little but it's difficult to find much info for speakers in this price range so I'll just throw out a few that have caught my eye, maybe someone could explain the difference between these and the BIC speakers or add any recommendation

Axiom MS3ti - I like the look of these speakers but how do they sound? They're pushing my budget limitation.

Paradigm Titan - Ugly speakers but a bit cheaper. I prefer function over form but I'd kind of like to have nice looking speakers as well as sounding.

BIC DV62si - good price, people say it sounds bright without modding and I would like to try and avoid that.

.....

So far the Axoim ones are the most appealing to me. As you can tell I'm a complete noob to this sort of thing so I appreciate any feedback. Would the ONKYO TX-SR602 + Axiom MS3ti make a good combo or is there anything better out there around my budget level?

 

[3db]

Another contender to look at is PSB Alphas or the Image B15s

I'm new to the audiophile world, by no means am I looking for the best but I am interested in quality better than HTIB systems and pc speakers. I'm currently using a pair of Sennhieser 280hds with a Cmoy amp because I am unsatisfied with PC speaker sound. I'm looking for the best bookshelfs in my price range for my HTPC which is used for movies and games first and foremost and music occasionally. For a receiver I'm looking at an Onkyo TX-SR602 receiver though I'm open to any suggestions. I really want to start out with just two speakers and maybe add the full 7.1 and sub in the future. So I want speakers that sound decent alone as pair. I'm a fan of clean nutruel sound I guess you could say. Not a fan of enhancements or thumping bass.

I've been recommended the BIC DV62si by a forum member which are at a good price but I don't really want to bother sending them of to get modded for them to sound better so I decided to up my budget a bit. I've researched a little but it's difficult to find much info for speakers in this price range so I'll just throw out a few that have caught my eye, maybe someone could explain the difference between these and the BIC speakers or add any recommendation

Axiom MS3ti - I like the look of these speakers but how do they sound? They're pushing my budget limitation.

Paradigm Titan - Ugly speakers but a bit cheaper. I prefer function over form but I'd kind of like to have nice looking speakers as well as sounding.

BIC DV62si - good price, people say it sounds bright without modding and I would like to try and avoid that.

.....

So far the Axoim ones are the most appealing to me. As you can tell I'm a complete noob to this sort of thing so I appreciate any feedback. Would the ONKYO TX-SR602 + Axiom MS3ti make a good combo or is there anything better out there around my budget level?

PSB is little more layed back in their presentation. with a very smooth high end, nice mids and good tight bottom. They won't do bass and screw it up with harmonics of the fundamental as some speakers do. Give them an audition

 

[MacManNM]

Why don't you just get a set of BIC DV62's from Ed Frias with the mod already done. It will sound the best out of all of them, and still be quite cheaper. Just my opinion.

 

[jcPanny]

Axiom bookshelf speakers

Axiom offers their M2i and M3ti bookshel speakers for $280 and $300 respectively. These would make a great start to your HT. With these or any other bookshelf speakers, you should consider a subwoofer to fill in the low end.

 

[jaxvon]

At that range, you can buy the heavily modified DV62 speakers from Ed for $250 plus shipping. They have an amazing range of sound for a bookshelf.

 

[patnshan]

At that range, you can buy the heavily modified DV62 speakers from Ed for $250 plus shipping. They have an amazing range of sound for a bookshelf.

I agree. I am personally looking at those mod'd BIC's, the ascend 170's, JM lab chorus, phasetech teatro, or the axiom M3's if I choose to go with bookshelves in the front. I can listen to the JM's and phasetech's in a store, the others I'd have to order and take a chance I have heard nothing bad about any of the above speakers. The EFE's are highly touted if you take a look at some other forums.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[j_garcia]

For $300, you could get THREE pairs of Athena AS-B1s from www.audioadvisor.com . Good midrange, highs are a bit crisp, decent bass but they are cheap (last year's models). IMO, better than the M3 or Titan in terms of midrange. I haven't heard the BICs.

I would definitley take a look at the Ascend CBM-170 as well. Again, not real pretty, but sound great.

The M3Ti has great midrange, but lacks decent bass. Highs are a tad bright, but not annoying.

Titans are decent, but not a very musical speaker, IMO.

 

[Snap]

I agree. I am personally looking at those mod'd BIC's, the ascend 170's, JM lab chorus, phasetech teatro, or the axiom M3's if I choose to go with bookshelves in the front. I can listen to the JM's and phasetech's in a store, the others I'd have to order and take a chance I have heard nothing bad about any of the above speakers. The EFE's are highly touted if you take a look at some other forums.

Good luck,

Pat

Phase Tech is an extreamly good line. Also check out Energy they too are great sounding speakers with a decent price point.

PAT- Going to have to jump bro if you are wanting the Teatro. Phase tech stopped making them a few months ago, and what is left is what is left. Kind of ticked off about that cause they are AWESOME and the price is very hard to beat! They are on close out right now from Phase Tech dealers. A dumb move by Phase Tech if you ask me.

Edit: J Garcia mentioned Athena....forgot about them.

 

[j_garcia]

Athena is a division of API, which also makes Energy and Mirage.

 

[runninkyle17]

There have been a lot of good recommendation so far and my vote goes to the modified BIC's; however, if you are looking for a whole set of speakers I can strongly recommend the Fluance AV-HTB's. I just bought a set of four (minus the center) off of Brian on this forum and frankly they are amazing for the money. The two front speakers are what really set them apart from the other budget speakers I have heard, the highs are not bright at all (they seem a little more laid back which to me makes them sound more natural), the mids are also warm and quick (no distortion at all even when they get cranked up), the lows from the front speakers are not at all harsh (the 6.5" woofers do a great job and sound very tight). You can get the whole set of five speakers for $250 shipped or you can shop around and probably find some for much cheaper than that. Brian gave me a heck of a deal ($140 shipped for the set of four!!!).

Anyway, I will say that the center speaker in the set is I guess the weakest part of the set. I have read a few reviews and the center speaker seems to be too forward. From what I have read the center is well designed, but it just may be designed for larger rooms possibly. If you have an equalizer on your receiver you might be able to tweak the center channel settings to make it more laid back (I think the Onkyo 602 does have a EQ in it). If you are on a strict budget these speakers are really amazing. Yes the BIC62's are probably better bookshelf speakers and if you only need two speakers than I would definately go with the BIC62's. The Acoustech HT-65 speakers are nice also, but you probably can only get the two mains for under $300.

Have fun with your decision!

 

[mazersteven]

I'm new to the audiophile world, by no means am I looking for the best but I am interested in quality better than HTIB systems and pc speakers. I'm currently using a pair of Sennhieser 280hds with a Cmoy amp because I am unsatisfied with PC speaker sound. I'm looking for the best bookshelfs in my price range for my HTPC which is used for movies and games first and foremost and music occasionally. For a receiver I'm looking at an Onkyo TX-SR602 receiver though I'm open to any suggestions. I really want to start out with just two speakers and maybe add the full 7.1 and sub in the future. So I want speakers that sound decent alone as pair. I'm a fan of clean nutruel sound I guess you could say. Not a fan of enhancements or thumping bass.

I've been recommended the BIC DV62si by a forum member which are at a good price but I don't really want to bother sending them of to get modded for them to sound better so I decided to up my budget a bit. I've researched a little but it's difficult to find much info for speakers in this price range so I'll just throw out a few that have caught my eye, maybe someone could explain the difference between these and the BIC speakers or add any recommendation

Axiom MS3ti - I like the look of these speakers but how do they sound? They're pushing my budget limitation.

Paradigm Titan - Ugly speakers but a bit cheaper. I prefer function over form but I'd kind of like to have nice looking speakers as well as sounding.

BIC DV62si - good price, people say it sounds bright without modding and I would like to try and avoid that.

.....

So far the Axoim ones are the most appealing to me. As you can tell I'm a complete noob to this sort of thing so I appreciate any feedback. Would the ONKYO TX-SR602 + Axiom MS3ti make a good combo or is there anything better out there around my budget level?

www.svsubwoofers.com

Pre-order prices below.

Sales start on or about Thanksgiving day (24 November 2005):

Full 7.1 package (6 SBS-01 mains, SCS-01 center channel, plus PB10-ISD subwoofer): $999*

Full 5.1 package (4 SBS-01 mains, SCS-01 center channel, plus PB10-ISD subwoofer): $899

5.0 Channel package (same as above, but without the PB10-ISD subwoofer: $549*

2.0 channel package (stereo pair, no subwoofer): $210


Or www.paradigm.com

I like the Mini Monitors ($399), but if they are to much look here,

http://www.paradigm.com/Website/News/Downloads/US_Systems_Brochure_05.pdf

 

[t3031999]

Another cheaper option is the Sony SS speaker line, the mf550 has very good sound for $100/pair. I personally think they sound better than most BICs, but that's just my opinion.

 

[jcPanny]

Ray is doing a <$300 bookshelf shoutout which will include the Axioms and Bics amoung others. You might consider waiting for the results later this week.