Best Bang for the Buck Speakers?

[topspeed]

I will add my personals steals here too

1. Apogee Stage for 900$ (needs real equipment)
2. Apogee Caliper Signature 600$ (needs real equipment)
3. Magnepan MMG (does not need high power, but loves current)
4. Magnepan MG12 (does not need high power, but loves current)
5. VMPS 626 1600$ + options
6.Magnepan MG1.6 (does not need high power, but loves current)


-Flo

Uhhh...I thought Apogee was out of business? Have they been resurrected?

Jasmit,
Most people compare the Studio's with the 700's. FWIW, I agree that that the 20v3 is a better speaker than the 705, but then I don't particularly care for the 700's at all, and I'm a B&W owner!

Shokhead,
Of course people are going to include speakers they own. Why would any of us overspend if we didn't have to? That said, the more involved you become with this hobby, the more you become enlightened to brands such as the RGA's AN's or the Opera and Ellis' that Dave speaks so highly of. Note that I didn't include my own B&W CDM 7NT'S on my list. This is not only because they are out of production, but also because I feel the VR2's are far better than the succeeding, but inferior IMO, 704's.

Beckman,
Rule #2: No used speakers. Of course, these are also under the $2k limit when new .

[thepogue]

nOrh 3.0 for $195.00 shipped!!! great lil speaker..

Peace, Pogue

[thepogue]

Here's FYI a link...I've heard (and own) the 3.0 and 4.0's...and consiter them a great buy for the sound and presentation...just plain fun speaks!! BTW if you go to thier web page and hunt around a bit...you'll see a picture I jokingly posted here around five or six years ago...It was a spoof company named "smOre"...it was kinda cute.

Peace, Pogue


http://www.norh.com/

[dennymack]

...or is it an architects lamp?
Gotta love the designers with the courage to try a new form, as long as they take the time to test it and see that there is more than mere form.
I look forward to hearing from you as too how it sounds.
Dennymack

nOrh 3.0 for $195.00 shipped!!! great lil speaker..

Peace, Pogue

[dennymack]

I've been looking at speakers in my price range lately, which means around $300-450. I thought the Paradigm focus had the nicest sound. Monitor Audio was nice, Boston and B&W both weren't to my taste, but obviously not bad sounding.
I'm sure that many of the models mentioned here outplay the Paradigm Focus, but for many of us spending any money on non-essentials is a stretch, and three bills is a luxury. (Now I know that some of you are scratching your heads, wondering what non-essentials I'm talking about. Speakers. Yes, apparently some people with whom we share checking accounts think of speakers as non-survival items. So misguided, but so hard to correct.)
For three hundred I could really enjoy music, even without a sub. Of course I would want to add a sub later, but for now...
My question is this, for all you experienced folks:
I have some old infinity sm152's, full size monitors with big woofers. Can I replace them with a more modern, well thought out speaker that will do everything that they do for around 3 bills. I have heard many lovely small speakers for that price, but cheap subs sound awful, and I do like to hear the low end.
I guess I should start another thread on this, but since you all have your budget thinking caps on, I'm asking.
...Also, as a newbie to your forum, I complement y'all on your civility and knowledge.
Dennymack

[topspeed]

My question is this, for all you experienced folks:
I have some old infinity sm152's, full size monitors with big woofers. Can I replace them with a more modern, well thought out speaker that will do everything that they do for around 3 bills. I have heard many lovely small speakers for that price, but cheap subs sound awful, and I do like to hear the low end.
I guess I should start another thread on this, but since you all have your budget thinking caps on, I'm asking.
...Also, as a newbie to your forum, I complement y'all on your civility and knowledge.
Dennymack

Welcome to the forum!

There are plenty of great suggestions in this thread that fit your budget. Straight up, it's going to be extremely challenging to recover accurate, deep, bass at your budget and nearly impossible with a monitor of any kind. It's simply a matter of physics; monitors have small drivers and you need to push a lot of air for serious bass.

Consider this; the most dynamic monitor I've heard is the Von Schweikert VR1, a speaker with a 13" footprint that is measured to 40hz (-3dB). For a monitor, that's pretty freakin' good. It's also a $1200 speaker. You can buy floorstanders in your price range that will play low, they just won't play accurately.

Audition some of the speakers mentioned in this thread and see if any tickle your fancy. There are plenty of suggestions under $300, including some enticing DIY projects. If you can turn a screwdriver and handle a soldering iron, you can build a AR.com by EFE or perhaps the Dayton BR-1.

Hope this helps.

[HarmonicsReview]

I have an objective review of Bose Companion 3 on my blog where you can compare it with other speakers that I have reviewed. It is interesting to look at.

Check out my objective review at:
http://harmonicsreview.wordpress.com/
I'll be posting more reviews soon.

[blackraven]

I have an objective review of Bose Companion 3 on my blog where you can compare it with other speakers that I have reviewed. It is interesting to look at.

Check out my objective review at:
http://harmonicsreview.wordpress.com/
I'll be posting more reviews soon.

Ok, I'll bite out of shear curiosity since you appear to be advertising your speakers and are probably trolling. Whats the cost for them?

[HarmonicsReview]

Ok, I'll bite out of shear curiosity since you appear to be advertising your speakers and are probably trolling. Whats the cost for them?

I am DIYer and I have created the blog as a hobby, plus it helps people like you to make a better decision. So be thankful!
I am not advertising anything, and my home made speakers on my blog are not for sale, so if you want something like those, you have to make you own! However, if you decided to do so, I might be able to help, and I will do it for free!