Recommendations for < $500/pr speakers
Jesse Silver
Greetings fellow audiophiles. I am a student on a fairly low budget,
but even so, I wish to put together a system that I can listen to. I
have a poor digital source (sony carousel) but hope to upgrade this to
a mid-level Rotel, NAD, or similar in the near future. My
amplification is a Rotel RA-985BX integrated amp which I love, but my
speakers are 10 year-old JBL junkers. I am looking to spend around
$500 for the pair and am most interested in "detail" and accuracy,
rather than punch or false low-end. I also understand that $500 is a
fraction of what many of you spend on cable, but this I have to
accept. I have heard the Wilson Grand-Slams and love them, but I've
added it to my list of "Things to Buy" after my Feadship... those of
you who know yachts will understand... ANYWAY, what speakers might
you recommend. I mainly listen to music such as Sting, Dave Matthew
Band, Eagles, Toad the Wet Sprocket, but often listen to vocalists,
both male and female. What should I get? B&W DM302's? a used pair of
B&W 805's, some type of Energy... I'm open to suggestion and welcome
any and all comments. Thank you in advance.
-Jesse Silver
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
please change your address books to: je...@sweetdude.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LunaGroup
Hello Jesse:
I would audition the NHT Super Ones, all of the Mordaunt-Short's up to
$500/pr (this would include about 4 models.) Or, if you're handy, I'd
buy the Radio Shack in-wall speakers that use the mono-pole Linaeum
tweeter and 6.5" woofer (on sale for $70 each) and build some sealed
enclosures for 'em. Those tweeters are excellent sounding and are
very transparent.
Sincerely,
Neil Blanchard
Martin Bauer
Jesse Silver (PUCK) wrote:
> a mid-level Rotel, NAD, or similar in the near future. My
> amplification is a Rotel RA-985BX integrated amp which I love, but my
One of my frinds was very happy with a mating of Boston Acoustics
speakers (second model from the bottom I think) and Rotel
equipment. Our dealer really got that one right.Paradigms are also
very nice and inexpensive.
> $500 for the pair and am most interested in "detail" and accuracy,
> rather than punch or false low-end. I also understand that $500
While you dont want false boomy bass, it doesn't hurt to have a bit of
a rise in frequency response at the bottom to make up for the speaker
not being full range. This gives the speaker a more balanced feel.
I've never heard a pair of B&W's I liked. Too much treble. Though this
was a long time ago, I heard one of their inexpensive mini-monitors
once, and they had boomy bass as well. Might have been set up.
Martin
Mike Ford
In article <6ih3q6$s35$1...@agate.berkeley.edu>, Jesse Silver
<jsil...@emerald.tufts.edu> (PUCK) wrote:
> Greetings fellow audiophiles. I am a student on a fairly low budget,
> but even so, I wish to put together a system that I can listen to. I
> have a poor digital source (sony carousel) but hope to upgrade this to
> a mid-level Rotel, NAD, or similar in the near future. My
> amplification is a Rotel RA-985BX integrated amp which I love, but my
> speakers are 10 year-old JBL junkers. I am looking to spend around
> $500 for the pair and am most interested in "detail" and accuracy,
$500 if you are willing to postpone bass (for a subwoofer perhaps
later), and especially if you don't mind buying used will get you
quite a lot of sound. Signet SL260, Clements, B&W, Kef, NHT, and
others have very good sound in this price range. If you hunt even
fairly full range good sounding speakers like the Klipsch Forte show
up for $500. You might also consider builing one of the kit speakers
offered by many.
Paul Barrow
>In article <6ih3q6$s35$1...@agate.berkeley.edu>, Jesse Silver
><jsil...@emerald.tufts.edu> (PUCK) wrote:
>
>> speakers are 10 year-old JBL junkers. I am looking to spend around
>> $500 for the pair and am most interested in "detail" and accuracy,
I would encourage to audition B&W DM series and PSB Century series. Both
range from $250 up and are very high quality for the price.
Paul
bar...@usa.net
Curtis L. Coleman
Jesse Silver (PUCK) wrote:
>
My amplification is a Rotel RA-985BX integrated amp which I love, but my
> $500 for the pair and am most interested in "detail" and accuracy,
I'm open to suggestion and welcome
> any and all comments. Thank you in advance.
>
Magnepan MMGs. They have decent bass (down to 50 Hz)and are great on
acoustic instruments and vocals. They are not suited for pounding rock &
roll. They are $500 including shipping direct from Magnepan and have a
60 day trial period. You can return them within the 60 days if you are
not satisfied. Your Rotel should be robust enough to power them.
AVance15
Just recently I was in thee same boat. I had heard B&W several times and never
was that impressed. Anyway, I had my mind made up to buy the NHT SuperOne. I
had planned a trip to my nearest NHT dealer in order to buy them, but first I
had to stop by my Audioquest dealer to buy some new interconnects. While I was
here I was talking with the sales person that I usualy buy gear from and told
him what I was up to. He promptly gave me a pair of B&W DM302's to take with me
so that I could A/B the pair in my home. I got home and did the A/B and was
astonished! You could not have told me I would EVER prefer a pair of B&W's to
the NHT's but I did. It just sounded more natural and to my surprise it had a
little more detail in the treble. So I returned the NHT's and went back and
purchased the B&W's. I have a sub so the B&W's were the ticket. If I didnt have
the sub, I probably would have bought the NHT's. Try the B&W DM302. it's
$250/pair. SuperOne is $380/pair.You cant lose either way. Also, B&W is rated
91db efficiency, NHT around 87 or so.
Marc Yun
I personally have never been too impressed by the lower-end B&Ws. a
friend of mine has one of the DM600 series (around $700 i think) and
it does not sound musical to my ears at all - somewhat boomy,
unarticulate bass, lean lower midrange, tinny treble, etc. it may have
partly been the Rotel electronics at fault, but I attribute the
majority of the sonic deficiencies to the speakers. i haven't heard
the DM302 though, so perhaps it sounds better than its more-expensive
cousin.
My personal favorite speaker on-the-cheap has to be the Fried Beta VI,
around $400 retail i think. it is incredibly musical and coherent, and
plays powerfully for such a small speaker. i haven't bought one yet,
but have auditioned it several times and will probably buy a pair in
the near future. The NHTs are not bad, but i think they tend to sound
a little lean in the lower midrange. not that the Fried is super-rich,
but it is very smooth and satisfying.
One of the best things about the Fried is that it sounds good with
less-expensive electronics, but benefits fully from higher-end gear. I
heard it at a dealer with some so-so Onkyo gear in a terrible
arrangement, and it still mangaged to bring Holst Planets alive; it
really made beautiful music. At the same time, I believe one audio
reviewer used the Beta with a $2800 Rotel amp, Audible Illusions
preamp, and the $10000 Altis Reference DAC, and reported getting
superbly realistic sound. All from a $400 speaker! if your tastes are
in classical/acoustic music, then the Fried may just be your
ticket. definitely give it a try...
regards,
marc
p.s. anyone familiar with the Fried know of anything better in this
price range? let me know!
In article <6inroq$4...@MAX-F.GRAPHICS.CORNELL.EDU>, avan...@aol.com
Sami Kukkonen
Jesse Silver <jsil...@emerald.tufts.edu> (PUCK) writes:
> $500 for the pair and am most interested in "detail" and accuracy,
> rather than punch or false low-end.
My main system is built around electrostatic speakers and when I
was shopping for a cheap bedroom system I found NHT SuperOnes
to be a very satisfactory choice for someone used to typical
panel sound (nicely detailed but no serious bass).
A pair costs $350 so you also buy nice stands (I bought NHT stands)
and still stay below $500.
--
Everything in this article is factual, and any resemblance to actual persons,
places or organizations living, dead or drunk, is purely intentional.
Chris M.
I've noticed that the people here have been favorable to the B&W's and the
NHT's. I like the B&W Matrix series, but that is out of your requested
price range. The 600 series is alright, but you can do MUCH better. I
personally have spent a lot of time with the NHTs (2.9's to be specific).
The problem here is that while the SuperOne's are great speakers, they don't
compare to the 1.5's. The whole line of Focused Imaged Geometry speakers
are great! This speaker is very "detailed" and "accurate" while at the same
time is very musical. You're not going to get extremely deep bass, but
since you listen to DMB, Sting, and Toad I don't think that you'll need it
right off. But, moving forward, pairing the 1.5's with a (relatively
inexpensive) SW2Pi sub will give you everything you need.
You can get the 1.5's for about $550 (ouside your range of < $500) but the
extra money spent is WELL worth it! Give them a try, I don't think that
you'll be disappointed.
Check www.nhthifi.com for more details.
Jesse Silver (PUCK) wrote in message <6ih3q6$s35$1...@agate.berkeley.edu>...
>speakers are 10 year-old JBL junkers. I am looking to spend around
>$500 for the pair and am most interested in "detail" and accuracy,
walter moyle iii
You seem very know knowledgeable for
one who is looking for such a low priced set
of speakers. I believe I have the answer to
your question though.
Because of the very low commision paid
to sales people these speakers will never be
recommended to you.
They are DCM's. Stereo review current
issue tested a bookshelf model. It was good
and honest review. DCM also has very low
priced floor standing in your range. I know
of nothing in its price range that can touch it.
Personaly I own $3800 set of Infinitys but
If I were on a budget I would get get over the
snob appeal of speakers and be smart----
do yourself a favor..bring one of your cds
to any store and test the DCM spkrs.
Never forget the 'point of diminishing returns'
Just a guy who knows a little bit-----
From Tim in Germantown, Maryland
Jonathan Russell
For speakers under $500.00 I would do one of the following. Please keep
in mind that if you buy bookshelf/monitors, you must factor in a good
set of stands. The quality/weight of stands can make a significant
difference.
1) Find a used pair of Vandersteen 1Cs. Nice speaker for the money.
In my opinion it may be the best floor standing speaker in ts price
range.
this next recommendation won't be too popular.
2) Try the Polk RT5 or RT7, both with stands. Spend at least $100.00 on
metal stands and fill them with sand. The RT7 has more bass. Try
listening to these speakers before you discount them due to brand name
impressions. Polk RTs don't have the audiophile name like B&W, etc (I
have B&W matrix speakers myself) but in this price range they will
surprise you. I use a pair of RT7s on stands with an old Scott tube
setup. I use a pair of RT5s in my workout room. You could also check
out this month's Stereophile which reviews the RT5 (I had both of my RTs
long before this review).
Jonathan Russell
Wayne D3
I have gone through the Spica TC50's, 60's, Magnepan SMG's, Sequerra
7's, and Cambridge Ensambles over the past 7 or 8 years. Each has its
own strengths and weaknesses. Some are superior overall to others,
IMO.
Also IMO, the best speaker in this range overall is the Sound Dynamics
SD 300TI. It has an exceptionally smooth tonal balance, reasonably
good bass extension (into the lower 40's), and an unfatiguing sound.
Another contender might be the Vandersteen 1 in its various
incarnations, but I am not sure it will be as revealing as the Sound
Dymanics. Harry Pearson and others were absolutely right on this one.
I have owned my pair for nearly four years and listen to it on all
types of music with pleasure.
Happy Listening
Wayne
Andre Jean Quintal
Hi RAHE !
In <$500 a pair loudspeakers, there is not that much
to get exited about.
1/ A model I mentioned earlier here is the TDL Nucleus,
a smallish ordinary looking black box with unusually
articulate and detailed sound, average dispersion,
low coloration, limited bas extension, yet very transparent,
and more than acceptable on cheap electronics.
The TDL NUCLEUS street price is around C$250 a pair [plus taxes].
You might consider adding a subwoofer later on.
This then becomes an unusually "competent" match.
2/ Two models that are enjoying out of the ordinary
commercial success are the CAMBRIDGE AUDIO models
"SIX" [a two way US$129 each acoustic suspension],
and the "TOWER III" [a US$599 / pair, VERY successful].
Though beneath "audiophile" status, to some, a whole lot of people
owe their discovery of better - sound - on - a - budget
to Henry Kloss designs [AR, KLH, Advent].
Cambridge Audio can be reached at 1-800-FOR-HIFI
or through their website.
Though I'd go for the TDL NUCLEUS personally, in that price range,
the "SIX" will definitely "take on" most competition.
3/ The B&W 602 and 601 (is it 600?): I think B&W should reconsider
the production of these two models which try to accomplish
too much ..., falling below B&W standards, whose earlier smallish
"entry level" models were far more interesting.
It gets "real" interesting, though, with the B&W #603,
which I think of as one true "long term satisfaction" model...
If you care, stretch your budget and get these!
4/ You may find MISSION 732 (discontinued,
but there may be a pair for you somewhere: VERY, VERY good design,
original retail was C$550, cleared arount C$300 / pair):
these would give the competition a serious run. Should
be re-introduced, as far as I'm concerned.
5/ NHT ? I have not heard their most recent models.
My impression was one of "too distant" from the orchestra,
but very clean. Could be a smart move, too. You should plan
a listening session before you buy. [I like to sit 5 to 10
rows from the orchestra, slightly towards the cellos].
6/ You are shopping the threshold !
Each $100 per pair you add will bring a whole lot more
to the overall performance of your sound system.
It's your move !
All the Best !
Andre Jean Quintal
Michael R. Clements
Jonathan Russell wrote:
> 2) Try the Polk RT5 or RT7, both with stands. Spend at least $100.00 on
> metal stands and fill them with sand. The RT7 has more bass. Try
> listening to these speakers before you discount them due to brand name
> impressions. Polk RTs don't have the audiophile name like B&W, etc (I
> have B&W matrix speakers myself) but in this price range they will
> surprise you. I use a pair of RT7s on stands with an old Scott tube
> setup. I use a pair of RT5s in my workout room. You could also check
> out this month's Stereophile which reviews the RT5 (I had both of my RTs
> long before this review).
I would strongly second that motion on the Polks. I don't know why so
many audiophiles love to snub the Polks, but I believe this is an
example of the shortcomings of sighted listening. I've got an old pair
of SDA 2 speakers that have "fooled" one reputable high end audio
dealer and several other audiophiles into commenting on how great they
sounded. I say "fooled" because their pleasure turned to revulsion
upon discovering they had kissed the frog, thinking it was a princess!
Several years ago when I was a starving college student I was really
sold on getting some Klipsch speakers. I actually bought some for
about $700 with a 30-day money back trial period. My friend convinced
me to listen to some Polk Audio, ADS and Boston Acoustics in the same
price range. None of them "cranked" as loud as the Klipsch, but all
three of them blew the doors off the Klipsch in clarity and sound
quality. I ended up buying the Polk Audio 10B because they had the
most realistic timbre for acoustic instruments. They seemed best able
to reproduce all the harmonics that make acoustic instruments sound
different from each other.
Then I discovered another neat thing about Polks. I upgraded to the
SDA 2 about 18 months later and they credited me the entire purchase
price of my 10B. What made this even more amazing is that they were
two completely different dealers. Apparently, back in 1986 Polk had a
program where you could upgrade your speakers at any time at any
dealer and they would credit you the entire purchase price. I don't
know whether they still have this program.
The one problem with the bigger Polks is the SDA effect. It doesn't
sound right and it requires a common grounded amplifier. I disabled
the SDA effect on my 2s with a very simple modification to the
crossovers. Just disconnect the second (SDA) crossover network in each
speaker from the SDA cable inputs at the back of the speaker, put it
in parallel with the input signal leads and reverse the +/- leads to
reinvert the phase back to normal. This turns them into normal
speakers, which improves the imagery, resolution and power handing,
and no longer requires a common grounded amp.
Chris Younkman
I have had good experiences with speakers from Mission in your price
range. Everyone seems to have heard of the 731, so I won't bother you
with details on that. I did for some time own a pair of Mission 732's
which offer better low end down to about 50 Hz. They are very smooth,
good for vocals, with an agreeably forward presentation. They have a
certain coloration in the upper midrange that is particularly apparent
when compared to my Stratus Minis, but it does not call attention to
itself during normal listening. The NAD 314 (35 Wpc) I used with them
offered plenty of headroom.
My impression of the B&W 601's was that they lacked conviction--they
didn't seem to be making any music with my dealer's 60-watt Rotel
integrated. The 602's open up quite a bit (with their higher efficiency)
but are warm to a fault, and are very chubby in the mid-bass.
If you can swing some Minis, though, you will not regret the extra cost.
Chris Younkman
Oberlin College
Charles
Jesse Silver (PUCK) wrote:
> Greetings fellow audiophiles. I am a student on a fairly low budget,
> but even so, I wish to put together a system that I can listen to. I
> have a poor digital source (sony carousel) but hope to upgrade this to
> a mid-level Rotel, NAD, or similar in the near future. My
> amplification is a Rotel RA-985BX integrated amp which I love, but my
> speakers are 10 year-old JBL junkers. I am looking to spend around
> $500 for the pair and am most interested in "detail" and accuracy,
> rather than punch or false low-end. I also understand that $500 is a
> fraction of what many of you spend on cable, but this I have to
> accept. I have heard the Wilson Grand-Slams and love them, but I've
> added it to my list of "Things to Buy" after my Feadship... those of
> you who know yachts will understand... ANYWAY, what speakers might
> you recommend. I mainly listen to music such as Sting, Dave Matthew
> Band, Eagles, Toad the Wet Sprocket, but often listen to vocalists,
> both male and female. What should I get? B&W DM302's? a used pair of
> B&W 805's, some type of Energy... I'm open to suggestion and welcome
> any and all comments. Thank you in advance.
[quoted text deleted -- deb]
Here are a couple which I think will be great for around 500 bucks.
If you want precision and detail, the NHT's 1.1 will be the best
choice. They are bookshelves which retail for 550. Note that the
NHTs tend to be very precise, to the point that what is on the cd is
what you get. Hence, if the recordings are bad, oh well.
If you want detail, but less precision, try the Tannoy M3. These are
small floorstanders with great bass extension. Not as precise as the
NHTs, but you'll get a more spacious sound and more bass.
Jason
PLEASE reply to: jyh...@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Bart Bartholomy
Greetings...
I have enjoyed the Mission 731Pro's for about a
year now on my secondary system. Good speed and
great detail especially considering the
whopping $249.00 price. I think it is the best
budget bookshelf out there and have used it as
the basis for several "budget systems" for
friends and co-workers getting interested in our
hobby. You can get them via the Audio Adviser
catalog or web-site. They also have the
niftiest stands I have ever seen... they look
like they are balanced on large micrometers!
Need to contact Mission for these, though.
For what its worth: system 2 = carver CM 1090
integrated amp, rega planet, Mission 731Pros.
BTW, this speaker even made a Class D Sterophile
rating.
Regards,
Bart
If it is stupid but it works,
it wasn't stupid