New Speaker Requirements

[Billiam62]

Music Direct offers a 30 day trial. I would check to be sure if that is true with close out models. Hearing them in your room first would be good.

Excellent. I am really leaning towards the Focal 705v or 706v at this point. After seeing the cost to get a wooden book case with doors to fill in that gap it might be easier just to stick with the original plan to use a front ported or no ported speaker. I have to go locate the AC outlets in that room too before I commit to anything. Will do that this weekend.

Do you know if Music Direct has a showroom which would allow me to go in to pick them up and buy them? I live about 3 hours from Chicago right now.

[Billiam62]

I have to admit I don't know if I want to buy speakers that are 16 years old regardless of how good they sound or their condition. I seem to recall that older speakers often times can have their sound change (as JM has pointed out) and worse, start to see physical deterioration of the cones, especially the woofer and also the foam inside the box. I don't think I would even consider buying anything over 8 to 10 years old at this point.

[JohnMichael]

I have to admit I don't know if I want to buy speakers that are 16 years old regardless of how good they sound or their condition. I seem to recall that older speakers often times can have their sound change (as JM has pointed out) and worse, start to see physical deterioration of the cones, especially the woofer and also the foam inside the box. I don't think I would even consider buying anything over 8 to 10 years old at this point.

Materials do deteriorate. Spiders and suspensions can age. Crossover components values can change. Adhesives can weaken and who wants to receive a speaker where the magnet has separated from the woofer. Worst case scenario but things that can happen with older speakers.

[Billiam62]

Just curious. I noticed a local store has the Infinity Primus bookshelves on sale. I used to believe Infinity speakers are bright but some reviews of these seemed to indicate the entire Primus line is warm sounding.

Are these speakers any good if they are discounted from the regular price? Will they even be in the same ball park as the Focal 705v?

[JohnMichael]

Just curious. I noticed a local store has the Infinity Primus bookshelves on sale. I used to believe Infinity speakers are bright but some reviews of these seemed to indicate the entire Primus line is warm sounding.

Are these speakers any good if they are discounted from the regular price? Will they even be in the same ball park as the Focal 705v?

This is purely speculation on my part but owning a speaker with a metal coned mid/woofer and woofer you will not have the midrange warmth of the Focal's.

[blackraven]

I bought a pair of the Primus 160's for my daughter. They are good for a cheap budget system or HT but if you are wanting quality sound, look elsewhere. It is the only speaker that I have when hooked to my reference system where the sound only mildly improved. I would rather have a pair of the well regarded cheap Pioneer bookshelfs.

Pioneer SP-BS22-LR loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

Go with the Focal's or the Monitor Audio's and be done with it. Music Direct and Audio Advisor have 30 day return policy's.

[Billiam62]

I was just curious. I recall hearing Infinity in the 80's and thought they sounded too much like Klipsch speakers. Most likely it will be the Focal or possibly the MA's.

[JohnMichael]

Excellent. I am really leaning towards the Focal 705v or 706v at this point. After seeing the cost to get a wooden book case with doors to fill in that gap it might be easier just to stick with the original plan to use a front ported or no ported speaker. I have to go locate the AC outlets in that room too before I commit to anything. Will do that this weekend.

Do you know if Music Direct has a showroom which would allow me to go in to pick them up and buy them? I live about 3 hours from Chicago right now.

Yes they have a showroom. I was invited to visit when I was in Chicago. Sadly I was a distance from them. Nice folks to deal with and they take good care of their customers.