What is a good deal on speakers, and where do I find them?

[ParadigmDawg]

I find it inpossible to listen to anything at a big box store. Go find a few high end stores and listen to their speakers to find out what you like. Then maybe we can help find that sound for less money or maybe you will decide that you need a bigger budget.

 

[Tex-amp]

Do you have a receiver or is that part of the $600?

 

[JJMP50]

I've never been a fan of Sony's speakers, but a buddy of mine has some "higher end" Sony towers that he got somewhere and they actually sound pretty decent. They aren't like the ones you've listed though, the are tall and slender and look like DefTechs.

I'd actually take a look at the Yamaha NS line of speakers, as they got good reviews in the bookshelf shootout here.

Oddly enough I was sitting in my Dentist's office listening to the jazz feed that was playing on the waiting room stereo (comcast cable feed) and was so impressed by the sound of the bookshelf speakers he had mounded on the wall that I had to see what they were. I thought they would be some older Paradigm or PSB models but was I suprised when they turned out to be a pair of Sony bookshelves. Maybe it was just the room......

 

[BWG707]

I totally agree with djano1, for H.T. a sub will help much more than surrounds. From my experience you really don't need to spend very much on surrounds. I would alot the majority of your budget on fronts (mains) and a sub. Next inline would be the center then lastly the surrounds. Take your time and read as much as you can about general speaker knowlege and Hi Fi sound this will give you a basic understanding of what kind of speakers there are and what the different speakers sound like. You might want to start with learning some speaker terminology to be able to understand what some of the reviewers are talking about. It took me a good 9 mo. of research before I bought my last pair of speakers. There are so many choices nowadays. Good luck.

 

[Chopper Greg]

Do you have a receiver or is that part of the $600?

I already found a nice deal on a reciever - a little more capable than I needed, but it was on closeout, but should last me more than 5 yrs.

 

[lsiberian]

I already found a nice deal on a reciever - a little more capable than I needed, but it was on closeout.

My recommended setup for 600 dollars

3 pairs of Behringer 2030p monitors.

1 Dayton 12" Sub 120

I don't see much competing with those on that budget.

 

[Chopper Greg]

I think I have a line on what is going to work for my room-

A decient 5.1 speaker system to handle the majority of the work front and rear, and a pair of in ceiling speakers to do side souround duty.

I'm thinking I would kind of like to use some towers ( perhaps even some shorter ones ) for the front L&R as bookshelves would be a little out of place there, but those real skinny ones would just look totaly out of place.

 

[j_garcia]

You are going to have a hard time finding a decent set of towers plus the rest of the speakers you listed within your budget IMO.

 

[Chopper Greg]

You are going to have a hard time finding a decent set of towers plus the rest of the speakers you listed within your budget IMO.

I'm starting to figure that - You can be sure that I'm trying to follow every lead to factory refurbished / minor cosmetic damage / open box / closeout / display model that are being sold at a discount that I can find.

The kicker is that I no nothing about various speaker brands and that's making it more difficult to judge whether or not it's a decent deal or not.

I see factory refurbished Polk Monitor 60's going for ~$200 ( pair ) on e-bay, and even though I think they look slightly odd for some reason I have considered them, because I have heard that Polk is supposed to make decent speakers.

 

[j_garcia]

I'm starting to figure that - You can be sure that I'm trying to follow every lead to factory refurbished / minor cosmetic damage / open box / closeout / display model that are being sold at a discount that I can find.

The kicker is that I no nothing about various speaker brands and that's making it more difficult to judge whether or not it's a decent deal or not.

I see factory refurbished Polk Monitor 60's going for ~$200 ( pair ) on e-bay, and even though I think they look slightly odd for some reason I have considered them, because I have heard that Polk is supposed to make decent speakers.

Polk does make decent speakers and refurbs/last year's model, etc... can be great deals. It is good that you are doing the research up front because you will end up with something better in the long run.

 

[Chopper Greg]

Polk does make decent speakers and refurbs/last year's model, etc... can be great deals. It is good that you are doing the research up front because you will end up with something better in the long run.

Ok, so let me ask you this, what should refurbished Polk Monitor 60's cost ( for that matter even the Monitor 40's ) ?

I'm not adverse to buying them from their e-bay store, but I need to have an idea what my upper bid should be.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I'm going back to the Ascends. Here is some B-Stock for $499. These, used as mains will likely be with you for a very long time as you slowly build up the system. I would rather see you start with a very good 2.0 system and add on from there. Believe me, a good 2.0 will out perform a cheap 7.1.
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=9CM34SBM2BS&Category_Code=BSTOCK

 

[3db]

I'm starting to figure that - You can be sure that I'm trying to follow every lead to factory refurbished / minor cosmetic damage / open box / closeout / display model that are being sold at a discount that I can find.

The kicker is that I no nothing about various speaker brands and that's making it more difficult to judge whether or not it's a decent deal or not.

I see factory refurbished Polk Monitor 60's going for ~$200 ( pair ) on e-bay, and even though I think they look slightly odd for some reason I have considered them, because I have heard that Polk is supposed to make decent speakers.

PSB just revamped their Image series line of speakers. Find a PSB dealer that is close to you and find out from him what deals you can get on the previous generation line...B15 or B25... Very solid performing speakers.

 

[Tex-amp]

I already found a nice deal on a reciever - a little more capable than I needed, but it was on closeout, but should last me more than 5 yrs.

Look at Inifinty Beta 20s at Tiger Direct, they have in pairs and singles, and the Dayton sub from partsexpress already mentioned. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4170069&csid=_22

 

[j_garcia]

$129 for those Betas is a good deal.

I agree with Dawg, but even a better 2.1 or 3.1 setup would take you a lot further than trying to squeeze in a full 7.1 setup for $600 unless you are OK with some of the ideas we presented earlier. I can't say what refurb Polks should be, but the Monitors should be pretty cheap. Look for around 50-60% off retail.

 

[Soundman]

The SVS system would be a good place to start. You could also get the 5.0 set for $569 and add your own budget sub for under $200 when time permits.

You could also consider these and also add your own sub.

That's a crazy, sweet deal on those MS's, IMO! http://www.ac4l.com/make-a-store/item/MORDMS300SYSLV/MORDAUNT-SHORT/MS300-5-Piece-Speaker-Package-Silver/1.html

 

[lsiberian]

I do think getting the best pair of speakers to start is the way to go.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I like that too....

PSB just revamped their Image series line of speakers. Find a PSB dealer that is close to you and find out from him what deals you can get on the previous generation line...B15 or B25... Very solid performing speakers.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That is a good deal but he would like to have towers. The Ascends would get him an awesome main set up and have decent bass response as he slowly adds to it.

$129 for those Betas is a good deal.

I agree with Dawg, but even a better 2.1 or 3.1 setup would take you a lot further than trying to squeeze in a full 7.1 setup for $600 unless you are OK with some of the ideas we presented earlier. I can't say what refurb Polks should be, but the Monitors should be pretty cheap. Look for around 50-60% off retail.

 

[Chopper Greg]

I think my list is starting to narrow down.

What about the Infinity Primus line - any good ???
http://www.theaudiovideosource.com/InfinityPrimus.html