HT Speakers about $1200-1400

[rileychris]

Just wondering what you folks recommend for HT speakers for around $1200-1400? About to upgrade my receiver (leaning towards Yamaha 1400) and I thought I might just go ahead and update my speakers as well. I am also considering just buying 2 higher quality floor standing speakers, but then would want to stay around $1000 for the pair. Interested to hear your thoughts...

[stuartlittle]

That price range is perfect for a full Orb Audio Mod2 system. It's got a real full sound and crisp, detailed imaging, so you won't miss the floorstanders. They have a home trial/MBG, too. Other recommendations...I hears a $1500 Axiom system recently that sounded really good, and people around here seem to like the Energy speakers. I think the Orbs give you more performance and style, for less money.

[manek]

try B&W 300 series or 600 series.....pretty safe bet.

manek.

[TinHere]

Check out the Rocket's by Onix at AV123.com. Excellent value and a great company to do business with.

Happy hunting.

[rileychris]

The rockets look nice. Is that website the only place that sells them? I was also wondering why they aren't listed on thsi site anywhere? Is Onix teh brand and Rocket the model? Anyone got experience with these?

[92135011]

If you add the price of stands to your HT, you probably wont be able to get any B&W stuff. Maybe give Energy stuff a try. The Take 5+1 is pretty good for the money I hear.

[rileychris]

If you add the price of stands to your HT, you probably wont be able to get any B&W stuff. Maybe give Energy stuff a try. The Take 5+1 is pretty good for the money I hear.

I need to buy extra stands for B&W floorstanding speakers?

[TinHere]

The rockets look nice. Is that website the only place that sells them? I was also wondering why they aren't listed on thsi site anywhere? Is Onix teh brand and Rocket the model? Anyone got experience with these?

The Rocket brand is sold internet direct only, as is the Reference line also by Onix. They also have ELT's [Extremely Luscious Home Theater] and the Tykes. People have been requesting that they be listed in the review section for quite awhile, but so far it hasn't happened. They have a lush midrange, tight bass, and detailed non-fatiguing highs. The build quality is exceptional. Mark Schifter, the owner, is now making cabinets for other companies in his new factory. He is an extraordinary individual born into the business [related to Marantz] who was one of the developers of Audio Alchemy and Genesis speakers. He also has developed the Perpetual Technologies gear that is also sold on the AV123.com web site. He now offers SOCS [Speaker Only Correction Software] for the PT gear, and is almost ready to release RCS [Room Correction Software]. When I first found AV123 I knew here was a man that cared about audio reproduction more than I ever would, and his technical advances have borne that out. He is special and so are his products and his company. If you have questions they are very responsive via phone, e-mail, or their forum.

Some owners open their homes for auditions. Try http://www.audioenvy.com/ If nobody near you is listed you can post at the AV123.com forum and maybe find someone to accomodate you. There are plenty of comparison threads there you can find with a search. These are the real deal, and the direct only business model allows for price/performance that b&m shops can't really compete with. They offer a 30 day no questions asked return policy, but the buyer does pay shipping costs. The good news is they are seldom returned, and allow in home auditions with your gear so what you hear is what you get.

Here's a review of the Rocket's:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...rs-8-2003.html

I have a Rocket #2 package [750/200/300] and have been delighted with the products and the company.

Edit: Here's a review of the ELT's if you want 5.1 for your budget.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...rs-3-2004.html

[92135011]

1200 bux probably wont get you 5 channel HT if you looking at BW floorstanders. The cheapest one is 602.5, which I IMO isnt even as good as 601 in terms of sound.

[rileychris]

I think I am going to keep using my current surrounds and just get two nice floorstanding speakers. So I am basically looking at a pair of Axiom M80's, B7W 604 S3's, Av123's Rockets, Polk RTi and LSi Towers, and any others I hear good things about in the $800 - $1400 price range. Thansk for all your help. Keep it coming guys.

[Woochifer]

I would expand the list to include standmounts because most of the floorstanding models I've heard in this price range have issues with cabinet resonance and less effective imaging compared to the equivalent standmounted models. The one big advantage that floorstanders have is their bass extension. Most other advantages go to the standmounts. Personally, I would go with floorstanders only if you know that you won't eventually add a subwoofer.

As for suggestions, it would depend on the type of sound you're looking for. The mail order speakers get a lot of hype on this board, and from having bought a mail order subwoofer, I know first hand about how good a value they can be. But, understand that it is a risk because you're basically paying for the speakers up front in order to listen to them. The shipping charges are on your dime both ways, so it can be a lot more of an expensive audition than going through a retail store. Your main speakers are about as subjective a decision as you can make in audio, and the best thing to do is a lot of listening to figure out what's out there.

As for retail brands, B&W's a very good option. Others include Paradigm's Studio series, Energy's C-series, Klipsch's RF series, Vandersteen, PSB, Boston Acoustics, JBL, Infinity, KEF, Dynaudio, Magnepan, and Monitor Audio, among others. I don't necessarily like all of these companies' products, but at least they all produce a full lineup of home theater speakers (i.e. different center and surround speaker options), and you'll get a good range of different sound characteristics. Take your time in picking out the best options for you. And when you got the best options tabbed, arrange to borrow them and try them out at home. Some speakers like the Dynaudios and Magneplanars are more difficult to drive, and could give a HT receiver trouble, and your room acoustics could be very different from the dealer's demo room, so it's important that you try the whole thing at home first before committing the big bucks.