Best LOOKING full size speaker for <$1000

[Tarheel_]

My neighbor has a modest sized HT in a huge sized room. He now wants to add floor standing speakers to help fill the room and look cool. But, get this, he is going after looks and not necessary quality of sound.

His criteria:
- new or used
- must be non-black in color
- bigger in size the better
- semi easy to drive (my advise)
- no need for matching center - 2 channel only

He will be driving them with a mid-level Marantz receiver.

I know this is a against the grain here, but i'm his only go to guy and i have no clue what to recommend.

[Ajani]

You could show him the Zu Audio Omen:

http://omen.zuaudio.com/

Looks pretty sweet, is big and costs $1K at the introductory price

http://www.hifi-listening.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/zu-omen-loudspeakers.jpg

He could get either the Blue or Red versions

[Ajani]

Another big, funky, high sensitivity option at $1K is the Tekton Lore:

http://www.tektondesign.com/images/Home_06.jpg

http://www.tektondesign.com/lore.html

[Hyfi]

I can't seem to find the Monsoon Flat Panels anywhere but they looked cool. There is a pic here
http://www.questforsound.com/speakers.htm
halfway down

Also the Ushers look nice
http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/v-series/v-602

These AADs are a little out of price range but I have heard them and they kick nicely.
http://www.questforsound.com/speakers/spkrs_aad_E48.htm

[blackraven]

How about these PSB's-

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMT5&variation=EACHE

Or a pair of Monitor Audio RX6's in Rosenut-


http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/products/silver-rx/rx6/finishes

http://www.audiophileliquidator.net/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=73&products_id=11639

[basite]

Wharfedale Diamond 10.5 or 10.7's...

they even sound damn nice too :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Tarheel_]

Fantastic options...i didn't realize $1k could buy some much speaker. I'm gonna show him all on the this thread and go from there. Hopefully more will chime in.

thanks and i'll let you know which way he goes in the next few weeks. Plus, after i get them setup, maybe a review is in order.

[Poultrygeist]

The neat thing about the Zu Omens is you can drive them with whatever you've got. They sound sweet with 2 watts or 200 watts. Just amazing speakers.

[02audionoob]

Is this $1k per speaker or $1k total speaker budget?

[Tarheel_]

Is this $1k per speaker or $1k total speaker budget?

$1k total for a pair of floor standing speakers. I should have been clear on that.

[02audionoob]

If it's really about looks as much as sound, you might want to check out the Polk RTi series (http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/rtia/#rtia5).

[Mr Peabody]

I'd also add the Klipsch Reference series, like the RF62, some find the copper color drivers pretty cool. I'm not a good judge of what looks good.

You might also consider the Cerwin Vega CLS-12

[02audionoob]

The Cerwin Vega CLS series is a great idea, considering the criteria. Big. Good value. Efficient. Some might even say they look good...to each his own.

[budgetaudio76]

one vote for Klipsch KG 5.5 for big sound and the pair i have comes in walnut veneer.

They are tremendous even with a 30 wpc rms ht receiver. Though its a harmon kardon so its no surprise they can pound with it. Fairly efficient speakers...

[basite]

here a picture of the wharfedale Diamond 10.7's...

http://www.harrowaudiohifi.co.uk/products/h63wh114.gif

I bought a pair of Diamond 10.2's (biggest monitors of the line), for my attic home theatre system (thread following :) ). They go for €300, and have no right to sound SO good...

also, for the price, the finish is absolutely superb and they are IMHO very good looking...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Tarheel_]

I found these as well...wonder what they look like in person?

EMP Tek E55Ti = $795 pair + FREE shipping..are you kidding me?

http://www.emptek.com/images/E55Ti_RedBurl_Large.jpg

[Ajani]

I found these as well...wonder what they look like in person?

EMP Tek E55Ti = $795 pair + FREE shipping..are you kidding me?

http://www.emptek.com/images/E55Ti_RedBurl_Large.jpg

I have to assume those things sound like crap, since they look like a $5K pair of speakers!!!!

Those things have amazing visual appeal for a sub $1K product...

[Tarheel_]

I have to assume those things sound like crap, since they look like a $5K pair of speakers!!!!

Those things have amazing visual appeal for a sub $1K product...

One would believe they sound like crap, but i found a few reviews from audioholics.com. Depending on your impression of them, they seem to like the sound and did a $1k speaker shootout with other well know brands. This speaker did well and i believe won the contest...or came in 2nd.

Here's one of them...
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/emp-tek-e55ti-first-look

[Ajani]

One would believe they sound like crap, but i found a few reviews from audioholics.com. Depending on your impression of them, they seem to like the sound and did a $1k speaker shootout with other well know brands. This speaker did well and i believe won the contest...or came in 2nd.

Here's one of them...
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/emp-tek-e55ti-first-look

I checked out the reviews and their smaller floorstander won 2009 product of the year from Audioholics... best of all it sells for just $500

[Tarheel_]

I checked out the reviews and their smaller floorstander won 2009 product of the year from Audioholics... best of all it sells for just $500

one of the great parts of being involved in forums like this...is finding those gems. This list is full of them. Cannot wait for him to decide and me to hear them.

Heck, someone from this post my find a speaker for themselves, after all, Christmas is around the corner. I can just see some new floor standers under my tree.

[audio amateur]

You don't need new floorstanders! Be happy with what you have:)

[Ajani]

one of the great parts of being involved in forums like this...is finding those gems. This list is full of them. Cannot wait for him to decide and me to hear them.

Heck, someone from this post my find a speaker for themselves, after all, Christmas is around the corner. I can just see some new floor standers under my tree.

If you want new floorstanders I'd suggest waiting for next year January's release of the Revel Performa Series 3... I suspect that would be a more appropriate replacement than any of the speakers in this thread :)

[JoeE SP9]

I found these as well...wonder what they look like in person?

EMP Tek E55Ti = $795 pair + FREE shipping..are you kidding me?

http://www.emptek.com/images/E55Ti_RedBurl_Large.jpg

They might be worth investigating. They look really good. They've gotten good reviews. They look really good! The price is very reasonable.

Not only that, they appear to be mirror imaged! :thumbsup:
Me likum spikes on outrigger feet!:thumbsup:

[Tarheel_]

You don't need new floorstanders! Be happy with what you have:)


LOL...i wouldn't replace the Revel F30s, they anchor my basement HT. I could use a pair upstairs in my living room where i have 2 in walls with not much volume.

[Tarheel_]

If you want new floorstanders I'd suggest waiting for next year January's release of the Revel Performa Series 3... I suspect that would be a more appropriate replacement than any of the speakers in this thread :)


Wasn't aware they are up for a new series...i'd love to have a pair of F52s for the living room, but at $4k used, it will be a while...

[Ajani]

Wasn't aware they are up for a new series...i'd love to have a pair of F52s for the living room, but at $4k used, it will be a while...

Yep, the first products in the line were introduced in 2004... So they will be 7 years old when they are replaced next year... Anyway the new line is supposed to look like the Ultima 2 line, so a rather nice visual upgrade... I assume there will be more tech borrowed from the Ultima 2 line than just looks...

[Ajani]

How could I possibly forget these:

http://www.musicdirect.com/shared/images/products/large/afocal716vliwa_pair.jpg

I would probably buy those Focal 714V's just for the looks...