Best speakers for around $800 new

[gjposner]

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.

I have had my fair share of run-ins with Mirage equipment and found them a bit lack luster in my room, given, I am completely blaming the room as one speaker would point towards a hallway and the other a corner... But, especially with their small form factor, they really did not suit my needs unfortunately. I would love to score some B&W equipment or even some ESS Heils, but who knows.

The speakers seem a bit pricey no? It makes me feel like there is something that I can see going on there to make them worth that much. These speakers need to perform all types of duties from 2 channel records up to "dorm theater" Would those small speakers still fit the bill? Definitely seems they would work for 2 channel, but something also screams "you could build it yourself for a third of the price" Call me crazy, but that's the vibe I am getting from them..

 

[voltcontrol]

Wow, you better have a huge freak*n room for those speakers.

 

[RayW]

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

They don't have to try to play bass. In a laptop they'll be asked to play the whole spectrum and people inevitably try to get real bass out of them when it's just not there. In the CBT they're operating in their comfort zone. And some laptops do sound better than others. I'm guessing these are the better ones.

 

[mace]

Have you looked at the NHT Classic 3's? They are right at the top of your budget, 375. each. A really well rounded speaker, but they are sealed, so in a med to large room you may need a sub. I have built several of the P.E. designs out there, MarkK's 225's, Modula MT etc. and the NHT's definitely hold their own.

 

[gjposner]

Wow, you better have a huge freak*n room for those speakers.

The max distance between the speakers is a whopping 6.7 feet.. The stand with my equipment is in the corner, and without unwiring everything to get rid of the weight, that girl ain't moving ha ha. Think of a 8x8 room with only three walls, one has a window which is directly off to your left. Couch is on one wall, tv and audio equipment on the other. TT and records under the window. There is not much other way to set it up either unfortunately

 

[gjposner]

Have you looked at the NHT Classic 3's? They are right at the top of your budget, 375. each. A really well rounded speaker, but they are sealed, so in a med to large room you may need a sub. I have built several of the P.E. designs out there, MarkK's 225's, Modula MT etc. and the NHT's definitely hold their own.

Subs I have laying around, those are easy to come by in my area. I have actually listened to those exact NHT's. I liked them, but I have never heard them in my room, which is acoustically garbage. I would need stands as well, but those are fairly cheap. I truly wish there was a way to like rent nice speakers to try them in my room for a day or 2 then rinse and repeat as necessary..

 

[DON73]

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'.[/QUOTE]





This is exactly what I do but getting a seller to do it your way can be difficult.
Now I tell them if they don't follow my directions for packing and the speakers get damaged I won't pay return shipping and I won't file a claim with the shipping co. AND I buy everything with a credit card. A disputed charge has gotten full refunds for me and the item is still in my home.

 

[thedelihaus]

First, let me say those Parts Express speakers would be a fantastic project to build.

I'm totally supportive of you going after this project.

However, I can't see them being only $500.


I have been looking at replacing some of the larger speakers I own- my listening areas are just too small to really accommodate most of what I have.


These are the speakers I've focused on:

Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1:

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html

NHT Classic Three:

http://www.nhthifi.com/Three?sc=12&category=1210

Swan D 2.1SE+:

http://www.swanspeaker.com/products/products.aspx?cid=4&sid=0&pid=54



Note that the Swans can be hard to place, while the NHTs and Ascends are much more forgiving.

 

[jimfet]

Check out Audio advisor online. They are always running some good deals on speakers. They even carry the NHT's as mentioned above. I have always had good service with them.