Trying to choose front towers

[Bun-Bun]

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V661

The receiver is more then enough for me feature wise (so far) and have been more than happy with it. But I am not against buying a dedicated amp for the towers.

Currently I have a pair of Klipsch RF-62's here for auditioning. I plan to take them back next week. I love them for movies and find I am not really missing having a sub at the moment. I love my Klipsch promedia 5.1 computer speakers and thought I would start there for home speakers. But I am finding these towers to be lacking something for music. I can't really describe it. I have heard these towers described as having poor transient response. Not sure if that is what I am hearing or not. They just make music sound kinda dull.

I like bass. But I prefer to get as much of it from fronts as much as possible as opposed to sub. For reference in my car I have Memphis 6.5" Mids with 1" Titanium tweeters up front and four 10" Memphis subs in a 7 cu. ft. enclosure tuned to 32 hz. I crossover this setup at 60hz. For the most part I like it but I could get more bass from my mids.

Music is my main objective with these speakers. HT wise I actually dont care for much more then my Klipsch Promedia's or Logitech computer speakers. But musically I definitely want more hence I am focusing on a pair of Towers right now. I am not afraid to spend money to get what I want either though within reason. For example Klipsch RF-7's seem a little redicuously priced. I am also considering the RF-82's. Once I have my towers picked I will build the rest of the system later from that.

Locally I can audition

Polk
Energy
Focal
Cerwin Vega
PSB
Klipsch
B&W (maybe, my favorite dealer just went out of buisness)

Any suggestions on what I should look at?

 

[markw]

Listen to everything that's available.

But listen to the two front mains only. No center, no subwoofer.

Also, use music you're familiar with as your source for testing.

Once you've found these, go for the matching center and surrounds if you wish.

Any good subwoofer can mate with any other speakers so you can go for another brand. In fact, I'd go for one of the manufacturer's that specialize in subs.

 

[Bun-Bun]

I currently have no stand alone HT speakers so whatever I bring home to audtition will be solely just front towers. For movies and such I will still use my Logitech Z-680's for the sub/center/surrounds.

I was more looking for any advice on is there anything in particular that is good for music generally and what is good for the value and what is good to stay away from.

And for sub I may even just build my own as well. I designed and built the enclosure that is in my car and am not afraid to do it again for in my home. Most important thing to me right now is to find the towers I want.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

On your list my Favorites are PSB and Energy. B&W is overpriced and not always have best quality sound...

Bring your own CD or a compilation.
Most Polk's and Cerwin Vega's are bottom of the barrel..

Checkout AH deals section, sholling posted great deal for Infinity Primus P363 speakers at $158/ea shipped

 

[davidtwotrees]

Did you state your budget?
You cannot spend enough on your front speakers.
I think $2k is the magic number for new, good sound. IMHO.
I think $1k is the magic number for used good sound. IMHO.
Take that for what its worth.
I am sure there are good sounding speakers for less than I quoted.
You cannot spend enough on your front speakers.
Most want it NOW, and will spend what they have on hand and get less.
If you can't afford good speakers then save up for quality.

 

[Bun-Bun]

On your list my Favorites are PSB and Energy. B&W is overpriced and not always have best quality sound...

Bring your own CD or a compilation.
Most Polk's and Cerwin Vega's are bottom of the barrel..

Checkout AH deals section, sholling posted great deal for Infinity Primus P363 speakers at $158/ea shipped

My impressions of polk vs energy have been in favor of the polk. That said I haven't tried the higher end energy speakers yet. I shall seek out some more Energy speakers to compare.

PSB are at my other favorite retailer here. I shall give them more time. I found another B&W dealer local to me that I will check out as well.

And I will need to make a compliation CD to take to stores. Though I prefer to take speakers home to try here. If a retailer does not want to accomodate this then they don't deserve my buisness IMO.

Did you state your budget?
You cannot spend enough on your front speakers.
I think $2k is the magic number for new, good sound. IMHO.
I think $1k is the magic number for used good sound. IMHO.
Take that for what its worth.
I am sure there are good sounding speakers for less than I quoted.
You cannot spend enough on your front speakers.
Most want it NOW, and will spend what they have on hand and get less.
If you can't afford good speakers then save up for quality.

From my first post "I am not afraid to spend money to get what I want either though within reason." which I shall clarify. If I find what I want and it costs $4k for a pair then I will wait to save up for them and/or hunt for deals on them find them used etc. As long as there is justification for the price. I am not an audiophile so to speak and will not spend $60k on speaker cables. But at the same time I am willing to save up for what it is that I want (when I figure out exactly what that is). I am happy with my logitec and klipsch for movies. I just want something better for music and will upgrade the rest from there. In the mean time my car stereo is more then enough to hold me over till I have the towers I want.

However with so much selection out there it is easy to get lost amongst it all. And with people on the sales floor just looking to make money... I come hear for advice. Otherwise I could easily waste the next two months of my free time audition every thing in this city lol.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

My impressions of polk vs energy have been in favor of the polk. That said I haven't tried the higher end energy speakers yet. I shall seek out some more Energy speakers to compare.

I'm not saying ALL Polk are trash - I for example liked LSi series a lot, too bad they are too expensive.

Energy are producing some very low budget crap, but I was referring to their higher series - RF towers and partially to CF

There is one speaker company which I'd recommend for you even without auditioning its Ascend Acoustics. They do offer 30 days guarantee

 

[Bun-Bun]

The polks tried were the RTi A9's. I like the Klipsch RF-62's more I think. Can't remember which energy's I tried but they were definitely not their higher end stuff (might have been the CF-50's actually).

I have never seen the Polk LSi line before. Look's... different.

Ascend Audio is new to me. No floor standing speakers? CMT-340 is there top end one? Definitely need a sub with that not?

 

[DenPureSound]

Head over to Dennis Murphy's Philharmonic Audio - Phil 2's for $2K per Pair.

philharmonicaudio.com

Now your listening to some fine Planars, and RAAL Ribbon Tweeters, and Dennis designed the Xovers.

Dennis designed a lot of the Xovers for SALK speakers.

 

[zieglj01]

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V661
Music is my main objective with these speakers. I am focusing on a pair of Towers right now. I am not afraid to spend money to get what I want either though within reason.
Locally I can audition
Polk
Energy
Focal
Cerwin Vega
PSB
Klipsch
B&W (maybe, my favorite dealer just went out of buisness)

Check out the Focal, and the PSB speakers.

 

[dad311]

I have a pair of Klipsch RF-63s, outstanding sound with lots of bass. I do not need a sub(but I have two) I would like to own a pair of RF-7s, but I dont think it would be a much of a upgrade for me.

You might try to find a used pair of RF-63 or even RF-83 (if your room is big enough). Great speakers and if used maybe a great price.

Checkout criagslist, audiogon and the Klipsch forum for used speakers. There is nothing wrong with used speakers if they have been taken care of.

 

[BufordTJustice]

Self-serving post.

You MAY wanna check out the new ARX A5's that are coming out. They sound fantastic on music.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/76001-arx-a5-tower-prototypes.html

I have the prototypes in my living room and they are supremely musical.

Projected std price after GB closes is $799 per pair.

Next gen ARX planar magnetic tweeter, dedicated midrange w/ multiple copper shorting rings and a true phase plug, 3 ARX midwoofers with XBL2/splitgap motors, and a crossover network personally designed by Jon Lane.

 

[Bun-Bun]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I shall check everything out.

I found another dealer local that carries Paradigm and listened to some Studio and Monitor line speakers. Now having listened to them I can say I think what I don't like about the Klipsch is the imaging. And I definitly like the Monitor 11's and are considering them now.

 

[whitey019]

If you have opportunity....check out Paradigm.....especially the Studio line.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I have never seen the Polk LSi line before. Look's... different.

Ascend Audio is new to me. No floor standing speakers? CMT-340 is there top end one? Definitely need a sub with that not?

Sierra-1 is technically the top end one, but it a bookshelf

There is heavy stand which makes CMT-340 into full towers, but you don't have to use it, as along as the tweeters are at ear level you could use any stands.

Regarding sub - Until recently I also thought that sub is not needed, but then I got one very recently I realized how wrong I was... Good sub will make world of difference for HT.

If you like neutral ,accurate and precise sound I strongly rec you to check out Ascend Audio and consider getting Rythmic Subwoofer.

 

[Bun-Bun]

Just auditioned some PSB and Focal's. Definitely do not like the Focal's and PSB are iffy. I like the imaging of them but I like how the Klipsch musically sound more. Focal I found way to bright but the deal break was they couldn't hold up on the low end, everything just broke apart. PSB I think the woofers were just too small as everything they had on display was 5.25".

I am liking what I hear about Ascend Audio but the idea of a bookshelf sized front speaker makes me think I am not going to get the bass performance out of them I want. I prefer to crossover pretty low around 60hz when using a sub.

Would ascend audio need more power? or is 90w RMS from my receiver enough?

So of what I auditioned it is between Klipsch and Paradigm. Still need to try some more polk and energy though.

 

[Bun-Bun]

Self-serving post.

You MAY wanna check out the new ARX A5's that are coming out. They sound fantastic on music.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/76001-arx-a5-tower-prototypes.html

I have the prototypes in my living room and they are supremely musical.

Projected std price after GB closes is $799 per pair.

Next gen ARX planar magnetic tweeter, dedicated midrange w/ multiple copper shorting rings and a true phase plug, 3 ARX midwoofers with XBL2/splitgap motors, and a crossover network personally designed by Jon Lane.

I definitely would like to audition those. They look promising.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I am liking what I hear about Ascend Audio but the idea of a bookshelf sized front speaker makes me think I am not going to get the bass performance out of them I want. I prefer to crossover pretty low around 60hz when using a sub.

Would ascend audio need more power? or is 90w RMS from my receiver enough?

So of what I auditioned it is between Klipsch and Paradigm. Still need to try some more polk and energy though.

Klipsch are very bright and in your face - it's actually makes them excellent speakers for HT, however a lot of people get annoyed by exactly same things.
But, there a lot of people whom like Klipsch sound - including me

But, at the time tSc TST2 was a steal and I couldn't let it pass. Lets just hope your sub can keep up with them

About
CMT-340 - No need to worry your typical 90w/wpc avr will able to play them very loudly. Regarding bass - they are rater at -3db at 48hz - you should no problems crossing them at 60 hz.

 

[timoteo]

I would highly recommend either SALK or PHILHARMONICS. BOth of those speakers represent some of the best sound for your money. Specially with the ribbon tweeters. Do yourself a favor & look into those two. At least look.

The Philharmonics have a unique shape but will give you that very full sound without a sub like you want!

The Salks may not have the low end as much but will have great mids & highs.

Im really confused as to why you want your mains to do all tha bass & no sub. With a good sub it lets your towers do what they do best & it does what it does best. Easier on your receiver too. Im not trying to change your mind if you really dont want a sub. Just want to make sure your making an educated decision.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would recommend the Philharmonic 2 speakers for $2,000/pair.

One of the best tweeters in the world - RAAL ribbon.

Excellent Neo8 planar dipole midrange.

Both tweeter & midrange are open back.

Very good woofer for clean bass down to 30-35hz.

I'd say this speaker is worth more than the listed price.

I highly recommend this speaker.