Suggestions for floor standing speakers on a budget!

[gd4890]

I just bought a new plasma TV and a Onkyo TX-SR604 reciever. Now I am looking to purchase speakers and be done with it! I have a budget of about $400 (could go up a bit if necassary). Rather than purchasing an entire surround sound setup on that budget, I was thinking I would start with two nice floorstanding speakers, and purchase the satellites later. I will be using the speakers for about 40% music, 20% TV, 20% movies. Thanks for the help!

 

[mazersteven]

Welcome to Audioholics.

What type of music do you listen to?

Do they have to be floorstanding speakers?

 

[abboudc]

I just bought a new plasma TV and a Onkyo TX-SR604 reciever. Now I am looking to purchase speakers and be done with it! I have a budget of about $400 (could go up a bit if necassary). Rather than purchasing an entire surround sound setup on that budget, I was thinking I would start with two nice floorstanding speakers, and purchase the satellites later. I will be using the speakers for about 40% music, 20% TV, 20% movies. Thanks for the help!

Mordaunt Short 908's - $549

or Mordaunt Short MS914 - $299

AV123 X-MTM - $449

or the AV123 X-SLS $299

 

[gd4890]

Welcome to Audioholics.

What type of music do you listen to?

Do they have to be floorstanding speakers?

I listen to a variety of music, mostly Jazz and Classic Rock. They do not necessarily have to be floorstanding, I was actually looking at Intimus 532-LR if I were to go bookshelf. However, I would prefer to go with floorstanding due to the logistics of the room.

 

[mazersteven]

Holiday Special 2: $100 off 1 pair of our award-winning CMT-340 SE.*

This is the lowest price we have ever offered on our acclaimed 340 SE and this discount still qualifies for our package price discounting. *Note: Discount valid on 1 pair of 340 SE per customer. Not valid with any other discounts or specials.
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

AV123 x-mtm Tower
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=105.1

Swan Diva 5.1BC
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_30&products_id=47

 

[Seth=L]

Boston Acoustics VR2s

I had a chance to listen to these speakers before they went out of local stores and they sounded wonderful even at full retail they are a bargain. But you can get them for much less now that they have been discontinued. They are very efficient and even loaded, making them a perfect match for the TX-SR604. They are a bit forward sounding, but not harsh or overly bright, and the bass is very good making the absense of a subwoofer less known.

IMO, you won't find a better sounding speaker for the money. Of course you will have to decide that for yourself, as everyone's listening tastes are quite different. You can see that the speakers look great on paper, and to me they sound just as great as their specifications imply if not better.

For reference, I listened to the VR2s powered by an Integra DTR-5.8 which is the same as the TX-SR605, the successor to the TX-SR604 and the sound was phenomenal. I really can't say enough about those speakers, so I will stop.

Edit: I refuse to stop, I was using some good CD recordings to listen to them, so they might not be so forgiving with poor source material.

 

[mazersteven]

Polk Audio RTi8

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28506

 

[Seth=L]

Polk Audio RTi8

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=28506

Another good power match, probably a little more laid back than the Boston Acoustic VR2. They probably won't match the VR2s in detail, but I bet it's close (never had a chance to listen to them in the same room).

 

[LA Venga]

I'm in the same boat as the original poster. I have a nice Samsung TV, and I've pretty much narrowed down my receiver selection to the Onkyo 605. But I'd like to build my speaker collection in pieces, so I can spend a bit more on each part (mains, center, sub, etc.) Current budget is $400-$500 tops, and I'd like to get at least the mains and maybe the sub.

To test out various options, I stopped in at my local Tweeter. There, they were running a special on Polk Audio RTi-10s. $479 a pair, with a free Polk Audio subwoofer (I believe it's the PSW 10 but am not sure). The speakers sounded excellent, but then again I am currently using a $199 Sony stereo that was a present in high school which does not even connect to my TV.

I keep reading excellent things about the Ascend 340s and the PSB T45s, but also good reports on the RTi10s. If anyone can gauge that Tweeter deal, much appreciated.

And if it weren't complicated already, my room setup is in flux. I'm currently in a one bedroom apartment but am getting ready to move in a few months to a house or townhouse.

I'd also like to thank all the regulars on this board. There is so much horsecrap advice floating around on the Net, and in big box stores, and these forums are the complete opposite. I have been reading for the last two months, and the threads and thoughts--on everything from receivers to cabling to HDDVD sales--are continually helpful without being condescending. Muchas gracias.

 

[mazersteven]

To test out various options, I stopped in at my local Tweeter. There, they were running a special on Polk Audio RTi-10s. $479 a pair, with a free Polk Audio subwoofer (I believe it's the PSW 10 but am not sure).

Excellent deal. I would grab them myself.

 

[3db]

Try and audition these if you can;

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Alpha-Series/Alpha-T1-Tower.

or

http://www.athenaspeakers.com/v2/speakertypes.php?ident=Floorstanding

 

[rnatalli]

Great suggestions so far. I'll also throw in Monitor Audio Bronze as they can be had for $400 with a little searching.

 

[gd4890]

How about the PSB Image T45? Has anyone listened to these speakers? They've gotten generally good reviews and it looks like you can get them online for $500/pair.

 

[matcouthon]

Klipsch synergy F2

I recently bought Klipsch F2 (2 Floors)+KC2(1 Center)+KS2(2 surrounds)+Ksub12 woofer all for an amazing $1500 from HHGREGG on thanksgiving. I am running them wit Onkyo 605 and love them. I was searching for F2 deals for you and they are for $600 (pair) at HHGREGG. You can audition them at Bestbuy also. I will suggest you listen to them first. Some people think that the horns are too direct for their ears. Good luck in your search.

 

[Sheep]

Am I the only one that spotted the 40% plus 20% plus 20%?

I assume you meant 60% music?

SheepStar

 

[matcouthon]

Is this in response to my post? If yes, please clarify what you mean by %?

 

[Rico]

Excellent deal. I would grab them myself.

Only one click away
http://www.onecall.com/PromotionDetails.aspx?PromotionID=1655

 

[gd4890]

Am I the only one that spotted the 40% plus 20% plus 20%?

I assume you meant 60% music?

SheepStar

yes, I meant 60% music, sorry about that.

 

[Jacksmyname]

Mirage OMNI 350, $300/pair on closeout:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=12000&i=653OMN350&search=Mirage+VENDORID653&searchdisplay=Mirage&tp=185