Tower Speaker Comparison

[WorldLeader]

Ok, I'm trying to test my luck as a first-time buyer of "real" stereo speakers and I am in need of advise. I have seen some pretty good deals online and I wanted to share some of my prospects with you. I don't want to spend more than $1000 dollars, if I can. I live in a smaller town that doesn't have many hi-fi shops, so ordering online doesn't phase me.

From what I've heard, Axiom towers have very nice mid to high range, but lack bass. I could always add a hsu sub, but that = more green stuff.

JBL is also high on my list, due to their competitive specs and prices, but I'm not sure which sub-brand is the best.

The Ascend CMT 340SE looks like a nice speaker as well for stereo, but it's a bit smaller and doesn't have the well-roundedness as a full tower.

Before I show you my prospects, please note that my room is about 20x20, with sloped ceilings. I am also in need of a receiver, but that is a different topic. I AM USING THIS FOR AUDIO. I listen to a wide range of music, though mostly alt-rock and DMB type stuff. On occation I might listen to some accoustic stuff and some classical music as well. I'm not ready to build a HT setup, not enough dough anyways.. (or a big TV)



OK, here are my potential choices. Please help me sort them by what you think will give me the most satifaction. I'm not an audiophile and I don't live in a vaccum, so whatever will play loud and clean will float my boat (well, not exactly... you get the idea)


JBL S312 Studio Series

This speaker has a 1' tweeter, 4" mid poly-plas cone, and a 12" woofer. 250 watts. How much better are these old Studio Series speakers over the current Northridge Series?


JBL Northridge E100

This looks like a nice speaker as well, with the 3/4" tweeter, 4" mid-range and the dual 10" woofers. How would this stack up to the S312? I can find them for similar prices, so which one is better? 250 watts as well.


Axiom M50 Tower

These are a little more expensive than the JBLs, and would probably require a sub for what I would need. 200 watts, 1" tweeter, dual 6.5" woofers. I've heard that these have a natural sound, is this true? How do these stack up against the JBLs?


Ascend CMT 340 SE

While these aren't true towers, they are similar in specs to the Axioms. 1" SEAS tweeter, dual 6.5" woofers. Need a sub as well. 240 watts.


Any recomendations or user testimonials are welcome!

Thanks in advance.

 

[AverageJoe]

I've heard those JBL's (the Studio series), and I think they are very impressive.

Your timing might be pretty good. An AH member may be selling his JBL towers soon (He just bought some ACI's). Keep an eye on the For Sale section.

 

[jcPanny]

Floorstanders

I am not familiar with the JBL studio series but definately cross the Northridge Series off your list. I would also consider the 3-way Axiom M60's over the M50's for closer perfromance to their flagship M80 model.
If you are at a dealer, look for the Paradigm Monitor series tower speaker in your price range.

Here is another option, Onix Ref 1.5's on B-Stock for $650 from AV123.com. These speakers were origionally $1500. I have the bookshelf version and would recommend them.
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=stock&product=77.1

FYI, the JBL Studio and Ascend models you listed are large bookshelfs and not tower speakers so clarify what you are looking for.

 

[WorldLeader]

FYI, the JBL Studio and Ascend models you listed are large bookshelfs and not tower speakers so clarify what you are looking for.

Actually the JBL Studio is 42" Tall, not quite a bookshelf... The Ascend is a bookshelf though, only around 21" tall.

Your timing might be pretty good. An AH member may be selling his JBL towers soon (He just bought some ACI's). Keep an eye on the For Sale section.

Really? Cool!

Any more suggestions?

 

[ggunnell]

The B&W DM603 S3 won Stereophile's 2005 Budget Component of the Year Award: http://www.stereophile.com/features/1205poty/index8.html
Read the full review here: http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/805bw/index.html