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Best speakers for around $800 new

gjposner

gjposner

Well-Known Member
I am in the market for some speakers. I have around 800 to spend on a decent set. I was looking into Paradigm Monitor 7's the current gen, but other than that it seems my price range may be a little low. 800 is quite a lot, but I know you all, there are some speaker deals out there that I dont know about. Help a brother out! Bi-amp preferred as I am getting an Onkyo 708 at some point and it can bi-amp straight from the receiver, but this is not necessary.

I am interested in this kit though:

http://parts-express.com/cbt36/

Gimme your thoughts! I am quite interested to get the kit when it comes out not only because of the styling, but because I know the dayton midranges and I know they are quite nice for their price. I am expecting the kit to be in the range of 500 bucks, but I have no idea... The just look so nice ha ha!

Thanks!
 
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What a trip. Hard to believe they'd only be $500, with 18 mids and 72 (!) tweeters. Say a third of the price is in the crossovers, and a third in the mids - the 72 tweeters would be $2.30 a pop? I'd love to hear a pair.
 
Obankenobi said:
What a trip. Hard to believe they'd only be $500, with 18 mids and 72 (!) tweeters. Say a third of the price is in the crossovers, and a third in the mids - the 72 tweeters would be $2.30 a pop? I'd love to hear a pair.
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500 is a simple guess, rough estimate if nothing more. The tweeters are custom, so I have no idea. The 3.5inch drivers are like 17 a piece. I hope they are only 500... I do not want to pay much more.. Who knows though. I have been waiting for these since like December when they were first previewed. I have never heard them though.
 
New, eh?

Don't get me wrong, I love new stuff, but as far as speakers go you can get some pretty good speakers for $800, give or take, on the used market. OTOH, shipping used stuff like speakers can be somewhat problematic.
 
whoaru99 said:
New, eh?

Don't get me wrong, I love new stuff, but as far as speakers go you can get some pretty good speakers for $800, give or take, on the used market. OTOH, shipping used stuff like speakers can be somewhat problematic.
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The reason I want new is just to have it, and I know that sounds quite outrageous, but I would love to own some new shiny equipment for once. I have only bought used up until now with fairly good accuracy, there are just not good deals/ good enough speakers in my area that I would want to spend money on. I am also concerned about looks, and while I know those are superficial I would like to own a nice sounding pair of speakers that also looks quite nice. I can understand some circumstances, but I am kind of tired of the crappy looking, but good sounding speakers. I have people over all the time and I am always playing music. I get more compliments for my CV LS-12's than my original Marantz HE-10's that sound amazing. The issue is that the Marantz LOOK old, their cabinets are mint, but it is obvious their age. I would like something more modern to replace my CV's because good vintage deals, for me at least, are hard to find.
 
Actually, I wasn't implying older, vintage speakers. But, to your point, sometimes nice stuff just isn't around your local area when you're in the market.

Case in point, I picked a pair of decent, although not mint/like new, Paradigm Studio 100s for $650, and a pair of Thiel CS3.6 for $800(?). Considering new prices are ~$2500 and ~$3900, respectively, neither were exactly a steal but considering a new costs for similar speakers that's not bad, IMHO. And, both are a somewhat more modern looking speaker, being more of a tower style rather than the traditional short, squat appearance of many older models.

But, again, it was merely a suggestion. I certainly do understand wanting new. It's just that after having these, to get brand new speakers with considerably better performance, IMHO, one is looking at some really serious $$.
 
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whoaru99 said:
Actually, I wasn't implying older, vintage speakers. But, to your point, sometimes nice stuff just isn't around your local area when you're in the market.

Case in point, I picked a pair of decent, although not mint/like new, Paradigm Studio 100s for $650. Not a steal, but considering a new pair is ~$2500, that's not bad.
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wow... I want deals like that in my area... very jealous AKer here ha ha! I can understand as well, but there is really nothing good in my area. People are selling crap at high prices or newer stuff at not that good of a deal. Also most "deals" are physically too far for me to get. Like there were a pair of Carver Amazings that needed a bit of work with a velodyne sub for $650. Amazing price, but sold in less than 20 minutes from posting to pick-up, the house was an hour from me, so while deals do come up, unless I have some way of seeing into the future most slip away because of my location, hence why I am looking to buy new...

Like here is a decent pair of speakers, I just think they are over-priced: http://lakeland.craigslist.org/ele/2431205789.html Also it is almost 2 hours each way for me...
 
Those PE speakers are pretty interesting, although the mids alone are going to be around $650.00. I figure the tweeters will be in roughly the same price range. My guess is 3k by the time you add cross-overs and building materials.
 
Caseworker said:
Those PE speakers are pretty interesting, although the mids alone are going to be around $650.00. I figure the tweeters will be in roughly the same price range. My guess is 3k by the time you add cross-overs and building materials.
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Reality sucks... One can only hope :) Any thoughts on a decent set of speakers for 800 or less though? I am not opposed to building them myself, but it would not be my first choice.
 
whoaru99 said:
New, eh?

Don't get me wrong, I love new stuff, but as far as speakers go you can get some pretty good speakers for $800, give or take, on the used market. OTOH, shipping used stuff like speakers can be somewhat problematic.
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Agreed. That's the route I would go, used for sure. Much higher quality for the same amount of money.

Going to be searching out a pair of vintage JBLs pretty soon myself...but no hurry at all.

1. Research and find the exact model(s) what you want. Know the bottom price in regular and in minty condition.
2. Don't be in a hurry, really take your time, take years to find it if need be. (Some things have taken me 5 years to get. And I'm glad I waited!!!!! Really good things come to those who have patients and wait for the right one.)
3. Find great ones, 'like new' condition, for a very good special price!
4. Then when you finally find them, 'buy them immediately' before someone else gets them. Get email correspondence going ...and a lot of it. He has a quality product, you want it, feel each other out and seek the truth. And work together. It works.

Shipping: Ugh. Tell the seller 'EXACTLY' how to package your item(s), exactly how to label them, OVER INSURE THEM, and tell them what company you want to ship it with. Pay extra - to have it done 'your exact way to your specifications'. Then everything usually ends up well. Your chances of getting damaged equipment is extremely reduced 'when you control it'. Let them pack/wrap/and ship it their way and it's a 50/50 gamble at best. You have to play a very active roll in shipping it your way so there is no damage.

That's the system I've been using for years...and it works for me, 90% of the time. And if it don't, no problem...it's 'over insured'.
 
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According to Don Keele, the "tweeters" in his original CBTs are "full range" speakers designed for a laptop computer and are not all that expensive. I heard his last year and they're very impressive.
 
butch4695 said:
I can vouch for these first hand . http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html. I`ve had mine for about a year and a half and love them . I was kind of like you in wanting something new so I started looking around and came across these and never looked back . They even have a 30 day return policy if you don`t like them .Here is a good review . http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0907/ascend_acoustic_sierra_1.htm. Good luck with your hunt .
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I friend of mine has these hook to to a older HK 660pm amp. I have the same amp and am considering getting those same speakers. They are very, very impressive. I also have been checking out and listening to alot the the Mirage newer last 2 years old speaker, and they are also very, very good.

The thing I like about the ones you posted and the Mirage's is that they seems to play well in all kinds of room shape and sizes, and placment not a big issue, like alot of newer speakers, in most situations I've heard them in. Check out the Mirages also, I think they are very underated.
 
gjposner said:
I am in the market for some speakers. I have around 800 to spend on a decent set. I was looking into Paradigm Monitor 7's the current gen, but other than that it seems my price range may be a little low. 800 is quite a lot, but I know you all, there are some speaker deals out there that I dont know about. Help a brother out! Bi-amp preferred as I am getting an Onkyo 708 at some point and it can bi-amp straight from the receiver, but this is not necessary.
Thanks!
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It depends on what you're looking for in a speaker, but I'll plug Tekton Design speakers if you are looking for new at that pricepoint.
The M-Lore (Mini Lore) looks like a good speaker under your budget, I've never heard them. I own a pair of Lores and at $1000 I think they're a tremendous value. Very efficient and an easy load, I drive mine with a 4-watt SET amp and they play great. Should be an easy load for your receiver, although they're not designed for that I suppose.
Eric Alexander is a great guy and should be able to answer any questions.

Of course there are many other options as well.

http://www.tektondesign.com/products.html
 
bluesky said:
Agreed. That's the route I would go, used for sure. Much higher quality for the same amount of money.

Going to be searching out a pair of vintage JBLs pretty soon myself...but no hurry at all.

1. Research and find the exact model(s) what you want. Know the bottom price in regular and in minty condition.
2. Don't be in a hurry, really take your time, take years to find it if need be. (Some things have taken me 5 years to get. And I'm glad I waited!!!!! Really good things come to those who have patients and wait for the right one.)
3. Find great ones, 'like new' condition, for a very good special price!
4. Then when you finally find them, 'buy them immediately' before someone else gets them. Get email correspondence going ...and a lot of it. He has a quality product, you want it, feel each other out and seek the truth. And work together. It works.

Shipping: Ugh. Tell the seller 'EXACTLY' how to package your item(s), exactly how to label them, OVER INSURE THEM, and tell them what company you want to ship it with. Pay extra - to have it done 'your exact way to your specifications'. Then everything usually ends up well. Your chances of getting damaged equipment is extremely reduced 'when you control it'. Let them pack/wrap/and ship it their way and it's a 50/50 gamble at best. You have to play a very active roll in shipping it your way so there is no damage.

That's the system I've been using for years...and it works for me, 90% of the time. And if it don't, no problem...it's 'over insured'.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips! I have been looking for quite some time now, not 5 years, but a good 2, a few deals here and there but nothing Audiophile quality or anywhere near it.
 
RayW said:
According to Don Keele, the "tweeters" in his original CBTs are "full range" speakers designed for a laptop computer and are not all that expensive. I heard his last year and they're very impressive.
Click to expand...

really?? That is quite interesting. How, if designed for laptops which has crappy sound at best can they sound so good?
 
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