I need direction on my speaker purchase!!

[Lord Nikon]

I am just getting started and my budget is not very large for main speakers, but I still would like some help.

My budget is between $400-$600 total, So far I have looked at a few speakers which I would consider candidates. All suggestions on main speakers in this price range, and opinions on the speakers I have listed below that I am looking in to are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Fluance SM-938 Three-way floor-standing loudspeakers
http://www.fluance.com/fluansmblac.html

Polk Audio R30 Two-way floor-standing loudspeakers
http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php?category=3&speaker=180

Polk Audio R50 Three-speaker, two-way floor-standing loudspeakers
http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php?category=3&speaker=179

Yamaha NS-555 Three way, 4-speaker, floor-standing loudspeakers
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/HXseries/NS_555.htm

Yamaha NS-777 Three way, 4-speaker floor-standing loudspeakers
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/HXseries/NS_777.htm

[This Guy]

I personally would stay away from Yamaha, although their new NS series doesn't look too bad, but I can't get over the thought they're spending more on the speaker cabinents then the actuall drivers and crossover components. Go to a specialized audio shop, not best buy or circuit city. Look at brands such as Paradigm, Boston, Energy, Klipsch, Mirage, Wharfedale, Athena, and possibly the newer JBL's. Do you already have a receiver, is this for a home theatre ste up or just stereo? The total is for a pair of speakers right, not the whole ht system? Give me some more info.

-Joey

[Lord Nikon]

I have a receiver, which will be upgraded around the same time I buy these speakers. Of course the receivers will need to be narrowed down too. On that list is the Marantz SR4400, SR5400, and Harman Kardon AVR230. There is a Onkyo receiver that I am also looking in to but I do not recall the model right now.

For the speakers, and to answer some of your questions. I am in search of speakers for Home Theatre, and will be used for music once in a while. Yes, the price range I gave you is just for the main speakers. Not subs, surround sound speakrs or anything else. One single pair of speakers. :) I understand my options are limited in this price range, but I know my research and others help will get my the best bang for the buck.

If you could perhaps recommend some models and such. If you feel floorstanding speakers are not the way to go, and I need bookshelves let me know. I plan to complete a 6.1 system and refuse to go with a Home Theatre in a Box.

[F1]

...
If you could perhaps recommend some models and such. If you feel floorstanding speakers are not the way to go, and I need bookshelves let me know. I plan to complete a 6.1 system and refuse to go with a Home Theatre in a Box.

I feel with your price range you are better off with bookshelf mains. I recommend Polk RTi series (RTi6 or RTi38 or even RTi4 if your room is not so big) rather than R series floorstanders you mentioned. Just compared them yourself I'm sure the RTi6 or 38 will be better sounding than R30 or R50. Don't worry about the bass as subwoofer will take care of it much better. Good luck.

[PmR]

I think you should consider the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170. They do seem to outperform my Paradigm studio40/v2's for both music and HT. They take up little space and can actually be wall-mounted. One pair for $328 USD. They have a new center out, CMT-340c which I will be getting later which is also supposed to represent a significant advance in their product line. You could probably got all three for close to $600 USD shipped.

[manek]

if you can audition and procure the PSB 4T or the B&W 603.S3...its worth it.

Both very good speakers with matching HT sets to upgrade later too.

Jamo also has very good E855 speakers with a HT set for later.

[cashlz]

Lord Nikon, I think I was in a very similar situation in that I wanted to build a system and not waste money on a HTIB, but also I didn't have big bucks to drop either. The first speakers I bought were the Polk RTi38's. I got them from the crutchfield outlet for I think it was $250 or so. I have never been disappointed with my choice and especially now that my system is complete I am really satisfied with these speakers. (For what that's worth)

[This Guy]

You got plenty of money for a good start. Along with the other reccomendations, I'd look at the floorstanding Wharfedale and Athena speakers in your price range as well. I like your receiver choice (I have an SR-5200 and can handle anything). I'm a little more into DIY speakers so I'm not completely sur of what is all out there.

-Joey

[Lord Nikon]

Wow, the CBM-170's seem like an amazing deal. 70+ positive reviews is a large amount. Whats stopping me from buying them? Nothing haha! I guess I better start looking at subwoofer options. My budget still limited will allow me to probably spend $299 on a subwoofer. Which will probably put me out of Velodyne range. This website you have here is so informative, it is just great.

[This Guy]

If you could possibly bump your budget up for the sub, you will be more satisfied. Here's what I would reccomend for a budget sub.

Adire Rava http://adireaudio.com/home_audio/loudspeakers/exact_series/rava.htm

HSU VTF-2 or the STF series. http://www.hsuresearch.com/

Dayton Titanic kit: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=13710832&St=3986&St2=36049461&St3=-28592875&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=167006&DID=7

If you are willing to do DIY, you could make a really awesome sub. You don't even have to make your own box. Here's an idea that works well.

This woofer http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=13710832&St=3986&St2=36049461&St3=-28592875&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=120479&DID=7

In this box.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=13710832&St=3986&St2=36049461&St3=-28592875&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=9385&DID=7

and this amp

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7

That'll go lower and louder then any of the previous pre-made choices. Your choice. If you can make your own box you can shave about $70-80 off the total cost.

-Joey

[PmR]

Wow, the CBM-170's seem like an amazing deal. 70+ positive reviews is a large amount. Whats stopping me from buying them? Nothing haha! I guess I better start looking at subwoofer options. My budget still limited will allow me to probably spend $299 on a subwoofer. Which will probably put me out of Velodyne range. This website you have here is so informative, it is just great.

Yes, silly me, a sub would probably be better use of your money than a center, especially if you mainly want to play music. A center and surrounds can be added later. The only thing to keep in mind is that when you want your center, get one that matches your main as this will save you a lot of headache regarding parametric equalization of your main and centers.

In terms of subs in the $300 range, some good suggestions have already been put down. Don't be afraid to consider the used market. A good place to look is www.audiogon.com. It is a site mainly populated by audiophiles who sell used equipment when upgrading. They probably take great care of their equipment so it is a little less risky than buying off Ebay in that regard.

At the lower price range, there can usually be some good deals found on the lower end Velodynes, Paradigms and Adire Ravas. The STF series (especially the STF-2) from HSU is also a good one which offers lots of oomph at the expense of a few rarely used features.

Ascend acoustics actually sells packages of their speakers including various choices from HSU through some sort of a partnership.

There are no worries about matching your mains to your sub. Just choose the best sub you can find in your price range.

[Lord Nikon]

Well I currenlty have an older Technics Home Theatre System that I purchased in 1997. It has a 6.5" ported sub hahand a center. So I technically will not be without, just not well matched.

[midficollege]

I recently was going through the same dilemma as you, and ended up going with Acoustic Energy Aegis III speakers, which I got used for 375.
I was debating between:
the Athena AS-F2s, for 600,
the Sapphire Audio towers, for 650,
the Klipsch RF-15s,
the Infinity Alpha 40s, for 700,
the PSB Image 4T,
the JML Chorus for 700.
etc.
I was less than pleased with the Paradigm when I heard them, side-by-side with the JML, but many people like them.

In the end, it was the Acoustic Energy that stole my heart. They can be found new for 700 in the even better (Evo) series or for less as demos, and have great bass extension (to 33hz at +/-3db). The JML Chorus probably came in second place, though I did not hear it with as nice a front end. The AEs were heard with Roksan integrated, whereas the JML were heard with all NAD equipment. Finally, if you can find a place to try them near you, check out the Triangle Zerius 202s, from France. I have still not gotten the chance to hear these speakers, but they can be found used well within your price range, and have gotten rave reviews from the audiophiles with whom I've speaken. If spending less is better for you, you could pick up ADS L810 speakers used for 150-300, which are very high quality and would leave you with more money to spend on your front end.

Whatever you decide, buy the speakers that leave you breathless and speechless after playing your favorite recording on them, from the little details that you have never heard before, to the sheer power of the climax. Good luck in your journey, and just enjoy the music.