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high-quality stereo speakers

S

Seraphim974

Gawd
Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Messages
928
so i am completely abandoning the whole surround sound deal since i will be moving out soon and it is a pain to setup surround speakers, im too lazy. I also opted not to get a soundstorm board. so i will want just some extremely loud (non-pc?) speakers that are full size, left and right, and i will worry about a sub later. These will probably be 3-ways since they will be the only speakers, unless they only need midrange and tweeters if i am planning on getting a sub.(or can i just omit the sub and get the 3-ways?) well what brand should i get and what are some good amps for 2 channels that would kick arse? i immediately thought Bose at first like it was a given but it seems that this is not the case. they also need to be shielded. my budget is decent but i will not pay 1K for a set with amp. maybe 400-500.
 
If you got a couple of free hours and some simple hand tools, these are a great bargain.
Add one of
these sub kits and you will end up with a very nice $500 speaker system that will kick the crap out of many systems that cost twice as much.
 
Originally posted by X86Dude
If you got a couple of free hours and some simple hand tools, these are a great bargain.
Add one of
these sub kits and you will end up with a very nice $500 speaker system that will kick the crap out of many systems that cost twice as much.
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cool, ill check those out! spare time is exactly what i have :)
 
Regarding recievers: Denon, Harmon Kardon, Marantz, Onkyo and Yamaha are good names. You should spend the most part on good speakers, and leave a smaller part of your budget for the amplification.

If you are entirely set on getting away from surround, you might try an integrated amp of some kind. Generally, integrated amps are like receivers, except without digital capabilities or a radio tuner section. This frees up more of the manufacturing budget towards better components elsewhere, and might get you more for your 2-channel money.
 
Ebay often has good deals on used Paradigm speakers, of which the Titans, Micros, Atoms and Mini Monitors are ideal for computer and music applications (and can be a better deal than even assembling your own).
 
If you are entirely set on getting away from surround, you might try an integrated amp of some kind. Generally, integrated amps are like receivers, except without digital capabilities or a radio tuner section. This frees up more of the manufacturing budget towards better components elsewhere, and might get you more for your 2-channel money.
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Integrated or a preamp/amp config is kind of out of the question. Integrated amps today are replaced with receivers. The integrated amps that are still made today are for the highend 2 channel audio boys, the boys that want the cleanest, purest, non-digital sound. He will have a hell of a time finding one within his budget.
 
I have never heard these, or any other AV123 speakers. I have heard nothing but praise regarding the sound and beauty of the cabinetry, however. If you go to www.Audioenvy.com, you might be able to arrange an audition in a home of your area.

AV123

Rocket by Onix ELT-1 LRS
Satellite (pr.) $249.00 1 $249.00

Rocket ELT-1 SW-10 Subwoofer B-Stock $200.00 1 $200.00

Comments & Special Shipping Instructions

Subtotal: $449.00
Shipping & Handling
Ground $66.00
$216.00

Total: $515.00
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You might also consider a pair of CBM-170's from www.ascendacoustics.com. They are rediculously well reviewed. I also happen to own a pair, and quite enjoy them. I do not mind, but thier black vinyl veneered appearance is more homely than the Stained wood veneered cabinets on the ELT speaks from AV123. They ship for ~$335. I know that they do package deals with Hsu subwoofers. Call them up and ask for a quote on a package with a STF-1 or STF-2. Depending on your needs, you might be able to get by with a STF-1.

Refurbished Onkyo TX-8211 Stereo receiver

++ Product Detail ++

Why save the best stuff for home theater? Every model in Onkyo's receiver line, starting with the TX-8211, utilizes high-current, low-impedance amplifier design for superior performance. Made for music fans who appreciate great sound, this is no ordinary stereo receiver.
A look inside reveals Onkyo's attention to detail in every aspect of construction. The transformer: oversized and shielded for maximum power capacity and stability, and minimum hum. The filter capacitor: oversized for clean sound during your music's most demanding dynamic peaks. The cast aluminum heat sink: oversized for efficient heat dissipation, and thus longer life from your receiver. Discrete outputs: designed to run cooler, and to keep your music cleaner, under high-volume, low-impedance conditions. Anti-resonant chassis and aluminum front panel: highly rigid to fight distortion-causing resonance.

So how does it sound? In a word: impressive. The TX-8211 drives 50 clean, muscular watts to each of your stereo speakers. Connect up to 4 audio source components (CD-R, cassette, etc.). When you want to listen to radio, use the 30 AM/FM presets or direct access tuning to jump right to desired stations. Get ready for super-clean Onkyo sound!


Key Features:

50 watts x 2 (stereo) into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD
direct access tuning
30 AM/FM presets
4 audio inputs (including phono)
rotary bass and treble controls
remote control
headphone jack
front-panel switching for two pairs of main speakers
anti-resonant aluminum front panel
high-current, low-impedance amplifier design
oversized power transformer, filter capacitors, and heat sink
FM sensitivity 11.2 dBf
17-1/8"W x 5-15/16"H x 14-1/4"D
Features

Discrete output stage circuits: For high current, low impedance drive (minimum 4 ohms with A or B speakers, 8 ohms with A and B speakers selected), this receiver has discrete output stage circuits.
Transformer and Heat sink: This receiver has a large power transformer, oversized isolated transformer, and heavy duty extruded heat sink.
Sleep function: Using the remote only, you can select from 90 - 10 minutes in 10 minute increment.
Tape Monitor: The Tape 2 input functions as a monitor loop.
Tuner features:

30 AM/FM presets, grouped into 3 groups (A, B and C) - Preset scan allows you to scan presets in a group
Direct frequency tuning (available from receiver only)
2-Mode APR (Automatic Precision Reception): When receiving FM stations, this system automatically sets the gain of the RF section to distant (DX) or Local and set reception to stereo or mono based on the strength of the signal being received.
Tone controls:

Rotary bass, treble and balance controls on the receiver
Selective Tone Control button: On receiver only, when pressed low and high frequencies are boosted (much like a loudness button)
Remote Control Functions

The supplied wireless remote is a unified model that controls this unit and compatible Onkyo CD players. Since it does not have a numeric keypad, you cannot directly access tracks or tuner presets by using this remote, but you can cycle through tuner groups and presets.
Inputs and Outputs

Front panel:

Headphone jack: Standard headphone jack
Rear panel:

Antenna inputs: Spring clip inputs for AM and 75 or 300 ohm FM antenna
Phono input: RCA stereo jacks
CD input: RCA stereo jacks
Tape 1 input/output: RCA stereo jacks
Tape 2 (tape monitor) input/output: RCA stereo jacks
Speaker outputs: Spring clip connectors for two pairs of loudspeakers (A and B); minimum impedance for A or B is 4 ohms and 8 ohms for A and B
Remote control jacks: Two 1/8" jacks for compatible Onkyo cassette decks and CD players
AC outlets: Two switched AC outlets, maximum total 120W 1Amp

Your Price:
$112.95
Free Ground Shipping Available!
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Comments, questions, personal attacks...?
 
Comments, questions, personal attacks...?
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Nice. I'm personally a little leary of refurbed good stereo gear but $113 for a good Onkyo receiver is one of those "how wrong can you go?" deals. If $500 is the high end of your budget I'd definitely take a chance with a refurb receiver to open up my speaker budget. And I'd take a chance with a refurb Onkyo or Denon before buying a $100 KLH or Yamaha "500 watt" tuner at Best Buy.



Ebay often has good deals on used Paradigm speakers, of which the Titans, Micros, Atoms and Mini Monitors are ideal for computer and music applications (and can be a better deal than even assembling your own).
Click to expand...

A second vote for Paradigm. I have the Mini Monitors and love them.

I would strongly recommend listening to any speaker before buying, so hit your local stereo shops before you bid at eBay. I paid $370 for my Mini Monitors at a local dealer and consider it one of the best deals I've ever made. The quality for the money is fantastic.



BHD
 
That Altec Lansing is crazy expensive but those Paradigm Titans look like what i'll probably get. I'll have to take a look at SoundWorld to test them out.

that Onkyo receiver also looks tasty but i already have a 5.1 DD 450Watt Sony system. Is there any sense in getting a different receiver? There are some stupid Sony quirks about the one i have now that kind of makes me pissed but is it worth it to get a brand new receiver?
 
Comments, questions, personal attacks...?
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Nice. I'm personally a little leary of refurbed good stereo gear but $113 for a good Onkyo receiver is one of those "how wrong can you go?" deals.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the exact same thing.
At that price how can you go wrong?




There are some stupid Sony quirks about the one i have now that kind of makes me pissed but is it worth it to get a brand new receiver?
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Aint that always the case with Sony stuff? :p
 
Oh. Sorry. I didn't know that you already had amplification. Paradoxically enough, if you are annoyed at your current reciever, you should absolutely get the best speakers that you can right now.

Later, when feeling more rich, you should get a GOOD amp. Perhaps you can even use your current reciever as a pre-amp later? Sink all your money into speakers. Maybe save $10-20 for wiring of some kind.

For myself, with a busy schedule and lack of soldering skills, I'm not interested in building my own speakers. I'm still cheap, however. I hate paying retail markup. The next best thing is to go with one of the internet direct speaker brands. My impressions are that two of the best Internet brands right now are Ascend Acoustics and AV123. If you are truely interested, try to line up some auditions. Look at www.ascendforum.com , www.audioenvy , or http://forum.av123.com/ . See if anybody is offering auditions in your area. If you are in the DC area, you could even come by my house and listen to my Ascend CBM-170.
 
Comments, questions, personal attacks...?
Click to expand...
I was not attacking, just wanted to inform.

Rocket by Onix ELT-1 LRS
Satellite (pr.) $249.00 1 $249.00
Click to expand...
I don't think this will be a good choice for a 2-channel system. The ELT's are designed to work each other in a surround sound system. The satellites are made to be used with the center, which does the job of picking up dialog.

CBM-170's
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I have a feeling you'll like these guys the best. Alot of people do complain about the looks though.
 
Originally posted by PoorGuyInNeed
I was not attacking, just wanted to inform.
Click to expand...

It wasn't aimed at you. I'm sorry if It seemed so. I meant it as a weird sort of dry wit. It's a bad habit of mine. It is not always conducive to clear communication in online conversation.

Yes, I like the Ascend speakers. I like them lots. Other people find them too bright. MY wife thinks they are ugly, but she didn't thinkg that the wood from the ELT would "match" so I got a pair of CBM-170. The point is that circumstances and tastes do vary. You should see/hear speakers before you buy them. If at all possible, you should audition them in your own home, with your own equipment, with your own ears. Only then can you truely judge what is the right fit for YOU. bleh. You all knoew this anyway though, I'm sure.
 
Comments, questions, personal attacks...?
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My personal attacks are: You have poor taste, your suggestions are crap and you're stoopid.

My question is: why are you so stoopid?

My comment is: Damn, you're a stoopid bastard!
:D :D

I'd personally pick up some Paradigm, Definitive Technology, NHT or several other brands over the ascend and Onix speakers, but since I haven't heard the latter two I can't make a "definitive" judgement.
 
I don't see how you can consider taking one brand over another if you never heard one of them yet.

As for me, I rather take MBL, Boston Acoustic, and Onix over Paradigm, Definitive Technology, or NHT. Sorry Ascend's, you just don't match my hardwood floor:(. Has more of a studio look to it.
 
Gimme a set of Dunlavy speakers over anything else anyday. Too bad they stopped producing speakers before I could afford a set.


Those things were pure audio sex when hooked up to a good amplifier. Damn near flat response curve...*drool*
 
I don't see how you can consider taking one brand over another if you never heard one of them yet.
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Er, because I've heard the entire range of Defintive, NHT and paradigm speakers over a period of years, and they have all kicked serious ass and can be found for excellent prices used.

I certainly wouldn't take any Boston Acoustics speakers I've heard over comparable models from Paradigm, NHT or Definitive, no way in hell. And this is coming from someone who owned BA's in the past.
Therefore, if Onix lovers prefer BA to Paradigm, I have few reservations about not hearing them regardless of the finish.
 
I can say the same thing, I owned Defintive and heard NHT and I wouldn't take them, no way in hell, over Bostons or Ascends.

On a side note, when you look at highend speaker shootout you almost never see any of those speakers you mention on it. This doesn't mean one is better then the other. But it does give you a hint on why people talk about Ascends and Onix more then the others.
 
On a side note, when you look at highend speaker shootout you almost never see any of those speakers you mention on it. This doesn't mean one is better then the other. But it does give you a hint on why people talk about Ascends and Onix more then the others.
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That's a good justification if I've ever heard one!
You know they have a lot of highend speaker wire shootouts too, don't you?
Highend tube amps, too.
Hell, you'll see people raving about actively shielded speaker wire.
Does that mean it's good? Absolutely not.

I've seen relatively few highend speaker shootouts comparing their sets to, say, a quality pair of studio monitors.
Indeed, I'm willing to bet that most audiophile publishers would rate studio monitors rather poorly relative to their favorite brand in a blind test, largely because the studio monitors would be too accurate (response characteristics too linear).

And last time I recall seeing a "high-end" speaker shootout in print, I didn't recall seeing a Boston or Onix product in it, but I did see a pair of Definitives and some Paradigm Reference floorstanders.
Admittedly this was in a magazine, not online, which may be less prestigious, somehow.

Now I'm not going to be a snob and suggest that because I didn't see a pair of Onix or BA's in a printed shootout that they're somehow crap. That would be foolish, not every reviewer can review every speaker or even review more than half a dozen brands at one time, and I'm sure the Onix products are fine quality.
However, I will suggest that reviewers with actual testing equipment who make judgements based on both subjective enjoyment and objective measurements have about four billion times more credibility than some jackass who makes insane claims about how colorful his new speakerwire made his Rockets sound on an audiophile messageboard populated by yokels who think DSD is higher resolution than 24/192 DVD-A at high frequencies based on nothing but anecdotal marketing snippets.

edit: note that I'm a big fan of E-stats
 
"Denon, Harmon Kardon, Marantz, Onkyo and Yamaha are good names"


Regarding those receivers, very good names, although Denon and Marantz are the best of the bunch, also some people like Pioneer Elites. Yamaha tends to be a bit bright, as does rotel and onyko. Denon would be my choice but if you have more cash there are also much nicer alternatives.
 
"I'd personally pick up some Paradigm, Definitive Technology,..."


Paradigm = good

Def Tech = overpriced and aimed to impress newbs, bose style advertising.


If you wanna look at some alternatives, klipsch has a very live, vivid type of sound with alot of detail, you could also look at some axiom bookshelves which have great imaging for the price.
 
Def Tech = overpriced and aimed to impress newbs, bose style advertising.
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I and the editors of Stereo Review (who would undoubtedly call you a noob, with more justification) disagree, but not everyone likes bipolar systems.

I would personally take some Paradigm Reference speakers over Definitive's of the same price (they are relatively expensive), but I wouldn't touch a Klipsch speaker outside of their reference series at all.
Tweaky @ the high-end horn loaders make my ears scream, and I wouldn't call it "detail".

Indeed, I'd take Martin-Logans over any of the above, but wishes and horses and so forth.
 
who ever said reference line LOL. they have other speakers that are better for music that arent in the reference line, keep living in a dream world though :) I never said they were the best - just a different approach, not everyone likes a vivid live sound performance - I guess you fall into that category.
 
Tannoy Mx2 , I forgot to mention are excellent bookshelves for the price, sounding better than some b&W 602's which cost a hell of a lot more. Although they lacked bass , they made up for it in everything else, for the price You must audition these babies.All you would need is a pretty good musical sub for the low end. My friend got them a couple months ago, and I'm convinced, running them off of some denon seperates I was very impressed with the sound.
 
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