Tower selection in sub 500 range decision

[myke]

Im trying to decide on some towers but are unsure what to get. Looking for something in the 500 or below range and will add a sub later. I cant decide. It seems like the more reviews and posts I read I become more confused. I asked this on another forum too but since this is audioholics and all the great reviews you guys do I figured you can steer me in the right direction.

I am liking these polks because I have had experience with the brand in the past (cant remember model), they are 8 ohm (same as my amp) and seem like the power range is alot higher. Alot of good reviews too.

newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290015

However, I have read good things about the EMP e5ti and at the intro price of 400 bucks a pair It seems like a good deal. It says the msrp is 700+. not alot of reviews yet, but the ones I have seen are good.

emptek.com/e5ti.php

Given the specs of these which one would you go for? or would you recommend something totally different?

 

[Matt34]

The EMP, Infinity P362 or Polk M70 would be good choices. The Polks are going to require a little more amplification though. I have had both the Polks and Infinity speakers but not at the same time, I liked the mid-range and highs of the infinity's better. Bass output would have to go to the M70.

 

[shadyJ]

To that list I would add the BIC Acoustech PL-89 speakers and the Elemental Designs A6 6T6 towers.

 

[WmAx]

P362 bass can be improved radically by adding in heavy acoustical dampening. The P362 as a tuned in 100Hz bass peak; that is reduced by using heavy acoustical dampening.

-Chris

 

[myke]

To that list I would add the BIC-Acoustech-PL-89-Speakers-Set-of-2 or Elemental Designs A6 6T6 towers

Aw man! youre confusing me even more. The BIC have Recommended power: 10 to 250 watts per channel RMS, 600 watts peak power?

Decisions decisions? Im not sure what brand to get. All of them are in my price range.

 

[sokrman14]

EMP

I think these may be your best speaker in that range.

 

[lsiberian]

P362 bass can be improved radically by adding in heavy acoustical dampening. The P362 as a tuned in 100Hz bass peak; that is reduced by using heavy acoustical dampening.

-Chris

Along with some concrete, oak and the addition of a JL Audio 8w7-3.

But seriously I think this would be an easy way to get a high quality speaker.

Even using a 10 dollar roll of fiber from home depot would be a huge upgrade from the dampening they have.

 

[shadyJ]

You don't have to pay attention to the recommended power on the BIC Acoustechs. They will take anything and rock hard with it, they have a 98 db sensitivity. They will get very loud, even with a weak amp. They are quite a bit more powerful than the other speakers mentioned, something to consider if you have a modest amp or large room.

 

[griffinconst]

I heard those EMP towers at the GTG. I'm not sure they can be beat for $400. They had a good sound with plenty of bass. The high end had a bit of sizzle but you might like that. The fit and finish was very good as well. The gloss black had a bit of grain to it so it wasn't shiney solid black like a piano.

 

[griffinconst]

You don't have to pay attention to the recommended power on the BIC Acoustechs. They will take anything and rock hard with it, they have a 98 db sensitivity. They will get very loud, even with a weak amp. They are quite a bit more powerful than the other speakers mentioned, something to consider if you have a modest amp or large room.

98db sensitivity? Those must have horns huh?

 

[Matt34]

98db sensitivity? Those must have horns huh?

They are and if they are in anyway similar to the older HT-75, I would pass on them completely. They did not compare favorably to the P362 or AV123 x-sls. They sounded hollow in the midrange and lacked any real bass compared to the other two.

 

[shadyJ]

They are and if they are in anyway similar to the older HT-75, I would pass on them completely. They did not compare favorably to the P362 or AV123 x-sls. They sounded hollow in the midrange and lacked any real bass compared to the other two.

I don't know about midrange, but it seems unlikely they would lack bass, what with two 8" woofers. I have not heard them so I can't say for sure.

 

[myke]

They are and if they are in anyway similar to the older HT-75, I would pass on them completely. They did not compare favorably to the P362 or AV123 x-sls. They sounded hollow in the midrange and lacked any real bass compared to the other two.

I am not to sure on the horns as well. The power sounds good but the last time I owned a speaker with a horn was around 1990's. That doesnt mean they arent good. Im just not to sure if I would like it.

 

[griffinconst]

If you try something from Aperion, they pay return shipping if you don't like them. I really liked the 6T but they should sound good at $1400 a pair. They had em on special at the GTG for $1050.
I think The speaker Company also pays shipping both ways for a no quibble in home audition.
The EMP's are shipped free but you catch the return if you no likey.
Let us know what you decide.

 

[exerciseguy]

ac4l.com has the KEF IQ5 for $449.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Does anyone have any input on the Acoustech PL-76's? They are only $350 shipped from Overstock and a matching center channel is a very affordable $130 or so. 96db sensitivity and 30Hz freq response sound too good to be true at that price range.

 

[shadyJ]

I haven't heard them personally. Here is a thread in another forum which discusses them. You will have to skip ahead in the thread a lot because I believe the PL-76 and PL-89 were introduced in late 2008.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

I haven't heard them personally. Here is a thread in another forum which discusses them. You will have to skip ahead in the thread a lot because I believe the PL-76 and PL-89 were introduced in late 2008.

Thanks. I am also considering the Infinity Primus P362's if I can get them for the same price range. 3 way to cover full range of sound with overlap.

 

[shadyJ]

The Primus speakers are terrific, I have a pair of p362s myself. Fry's used to have them on sale occasionally for $100 to $130, but I haven't seen that sale in awhile, so they may not be doing that anymore. If you do a Google search, you can get them for $200 a piece and free shipping from a a couple places, and it is still a great bargain at that price.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

I tried haggling with manager at Fry's since they only had 1 pair left and I believe they are discontinued but he would only come down 10%. I don't mind paying $400 for a pair but half of that is a steal that is tugging on my mind, hah. I listened to my friend's Polk 60's tonight, to me they sounded great so the Infinity's can only be better.