My Home Stereo System. Decisions, decisions.

[RockstarZero]

I've been very happy with these SB A52 tower speakers since the day they were GIVEN TO ME FOR FREE! Well sorta, I helped a friend move and he told me to keep these. I've had them for almost 10 years now, I know very little about them and they still sound great. I'm sure they aren't the greatest speakers, but these things are loud all the way around and I've heard and seen a lot of systems over the years.

I bought an Optimus "receiver" from the thrift store for $30. I honestly didn't think it would work, but the 50 watts supplied gets the job done and the old pioneer tower head unit was an eyesore. So I replaced it...

Not sure if 50w is appropriate for these but the ohms rating match up perfectly. I'm wondering if they could sound even better with a little more power and a quality equalizer.

Anyway, here's the dilemma. I picked up two Kicker PA Style speakers from an overstock store recently and now I have to choose between the two, even though I know I'll miss these someday. I can't put a pair in the garage I don't own and both pairs sound good enough to me I can't tell what is the better set! I just know I have two too many and I could "pay it forward" and hook my friend up with a solid deal! On second thought, the Technics Produce better lows and the Kickers produce better mids and highs. Plus, for some odd reason, I prefer he look and size and sound of the TP2s over the Technics. Maybe I've got a bunch of wax in my ears and aren't hearing clearly but I'm just not sure what to do!

As I said, a good friend would like the Technics, although I got them for free, I don't know what a fair price or trade would be. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Or am I making the wrong decision entirely?

Help me out and post your vote below. Only 3 honest votes per person please.

Thanks

C

 

[mark warren]

I would just run both sets of speakers through that system!

 

[Gibsonian]

Keep what sounds best or sell them all and buy better, your call. You don't need us, although we're here for ya!

 

[daveg3588]

Welcome to the rocky road. Its up to you and your ears what you want to hear. Its all about the music.

 

[stereofanboy]

Technics speakers of that era are typically pretty low quality. The fact that yours have dome tweeters means they are nicer than most of them.

Where are you getting Kicker? I thought I could see MTX in the picture.

 

[Nightwisher]

I'd go with the Technics if you were to keep either, however better speakers are plentiful for not much dough. I have a pair of Technics SB-CR55s which are several models down out of the same era from the pair you have (with one 10" woofer and a cone tweeter) which sound pretty good for what they are. Really my only gripe with them is the harshness of the tweeter. Otherwise, they are very lively and fun speakers to listen to.

The Technics SB-A32 seems to get listed for around $250 on EBay and that's the next model down, so that's a start. That being said, I wouldn't pay that much for them and your friend likely would like a discount. Can't find a pair of yours on EBay though. (Granted, I searched quick.)

If your friend really wants the Technics, I would sell those to him, sell the others and buy something much better. Having an interested buyer in those Technics would go a long way in my decision making, IMHO.

 

[gdmoore28]

Well, the MTX speakers are PA speakers. Having been an MTX Pro rep at one time, I've heard them. Very forward and heavy in the mid range, just as they should be for SR. But I'm betting the Technics speakers are much better at hifi. As others have noted, it just depends on your tastes. Some people actually prefer the SR sound profile. My personal preference, having never even heard them, would be the Technics.

 

[Gibsonian]

Yep, guessing the MTX would need a PA sub to fill out the bottom end.