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  1. #1
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    Best floor speakers for less than $1,000 pair?

    I am in the process of building a home theater system, but will be only buying the receiver, woofer, and floor speakers for now. In a few months I will be buying the center, woofer, and surrounds to complete the system.

    I have been looking at speakers from B&W and Paradigm. Since I am a total newbie, I really have not had much guidance on what other brands to explore. I was originally looking at the Paradigms, but a ton of people talk about how they are "too bright" and harsh on the ears. In the future, the system will be used mostly for TV, DVD etc and sometimes CD's.

    Can anyone recommend a great pair of floor speakers for under $1,000. The room is pretty large so I will be needing something moderately powerful.

    In case it makes any difference I will be using an Onkyo 705.

  2. #2
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    If your looking for a great floor stander for under $1k you wont find it, but you can find some good speakers for under $1K.

    Here's a few.

    Monitor Audio S6 for $999 at http://www.saturday audio.com I think the S6's are on sale for less, also consider the B6 and B8
    PSB Image T55 for $949 also at saturday audio onsale for $699
    and PSB Image T45 for $799 onsale for $499
    Call saturday audio, they will tell you what they think of each speaker and how they compare. I've ordered from them before and they have been very helpful and accomodating.
    Sometimes they have an item in stock that is listed as out of stock on their web site.

    B&W 684's for $1100
    NHT Classic 4's can be found online at discount stores for $1100
    Infinity Beta 50's for around $600
    Last edited by blackraven; 04-23-2008 at 11:45 AM.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  3. #3
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Strong list of contenders from Blackie...I'd add the KEF Q7's. I have used them in a secondary system for several years now and they do alot well without having any glaring faults. I like 'em enough that I haven't been tempted to upgrade which is saying something.
    So, I broke into the palace
    With a sponge and a rusty spanner
    She said : "Eh, I know you, and you cannot sing"
    I said : "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

  4. #4
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Here's another possiblity if your open to planar speakers. The Magnepan MMG's for about
    $550 and a mirage S8 sub. for about $350 would be an excellent combo. Or you could try and find a used pair of magnepan MG12's on audiogon for under $1K, they retail for $1,100. You still need a sub with the MG12's but you could get by without one for a while. You could probably find a used pair of MMG's for $300 since many peolpe move up to the larger magnepans or find that they dont like the planar sound.

    www.magnepan.com
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  5. #5
    BooBs are elitist jerks shokhead's Avatar
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    Then again all the above might suck after you listen to them. Gold to you might me somebody's pile of crap.
    Look & Listen

  6. #6
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Very true, especially when it comes to audio!
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  7. #7
    Ajani
    Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by blackraven
    If your looking for a great floor stander for under $1k you wont find it, but you can find some good speakers for under $1K.

    Here's a few.

    Monitor Audio S6 for $999 at http://www.saturday audio.com I think the S6's are on sale for less, also consider the B6 and B8
    PSB Image T55 for $949 also at saturday audio onsale for $699
    and PSB Image T45 for $799 onsale for $499
    Call saturday audio, they will tell you what they think of each speaker and how they compare. I've ordered from them before and they have been very helpful and accomodating.
    Sometimes they have an item in stock that is listed as out of stock on their web site.

    B&W 684's for $1100
    NHT Classic 4's can be found online at discount stores for $1100
    Infinity Beta 50's for around $600
    All good suggestions - however the Monitor Audio S6 is the old model (prior to 2005),,, the new one is the RS6 which retails for $999.... so you really should only consider buying the S6 if you can get it for substantially less than $999... otherwise just get the RS6....

  8. #8
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    Thanks AJANI!

    If I get the above speakers that people are recommending to me.....would they go well with the Onkyo 705? Would the Onkyo 705 be able to push these speakers and the sub (Paradigm PS-1200) enough or do I need to get an amp?

  9. #9
    BooBs are elitist jerks shokhead's Avatar
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    The sub will push it's self. Carpet, no carpet, drapes, windows, furniture all will make speakers sound different. It's hard to say yes or no to will this sound good with this. Go someplace that sells your receiver or one in the same ratings and listen to some speakers. Or try something like axiom speakers that you can return. I bet if you e-mail axiom with the size of your room, type of receiver and carpet or none and stuff like that they will suggest speakers. They are pretty helpful.
    Look & Listen

  10. #10
    Ajani
    Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by crash32
    Thanks AJANI!

    If I get the above speakers that people are recommending to me.....would they go well with the Onkyo 705? Would the Onkyo 705 be able to push these speakers and the sub (Paradigm PS-1200) enough or do I need to get an amp?
    The Onkyo should have more than enough power to handle The Monitor Audio RS6 or even the PSB Image T55.... Both speakers have good sensitivity (meaning they don't need a lot of power to play loud)....

    So my suggestion is to go out and audition them and pick whichever one you think sounds best...

  11. #11
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    Used Vandersteen 2ce Signatures can be had for that money ...

    That'll be your best bet, I think, of all the options listed thus far.

    You would have to spend a lot more $$$ to better those.

  12. #12
    Forum Regular aevans's Avatar
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