• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Putting the finishing touch on my budget $3,000 system. Which speakers?

sqlsavior said:
I have stands! Now I need speakers!

I guess I need to explain in detail my room so people understand why I’m looking for stand sitters. I have a small room and furniture close to the piece my gear is in. The stands are only a few inches wide once you get past the bottom of the stands. Floor standers will not working in the space.
Click to expand...
 
I could see that this would buy you a bit of space, though just a tiny bit. Maybe in a very small room though just a bit of extra room to swing an elbow is really welcome though... I solve the "space issue" by putting my speakers onto of record cabinets. Probably less than ideal from an acoustic perspective as the speakers aren't as far from the wall this way as is probably ideal. Still, I have a vague notion that even without ideal placement or room treatments that my listening space sounds pretty good... I'm OK with believing that too, even if it really is a delusion...
 
twitch54 said:
and have you had a chance to actually audition any ?
Click to expand...

Not of these listed. Hence why I’m asking here.
I’m considering ordering some that I can return easily so I can hear them but... many need break in time so even going this route isn’t optimal.
 
34dean said:
I’ve built my budget system and one piece remains to be found, speakers.
Here is my set up:

Adcom GFA545 Power Amp
AP Holman Pre Amp
Musical Fidelity V90-DAC
Onkyo C-7030 CD Player
Kenwood KD550 Turntable (New AT cart)
Polk Audio PSW505 Subwoofer

Leaves me around $1,200 for speakers. Here are a few on my consideration list:

Quad S2
Wharfedale Linton
KEF LS50
ADS L910
Elac UB5

I need stand-sitters as I do not have room for floors.

I’d appreciate input and suggestions to finish off my system. Thank you!
Click to expand...


I'd say speakers are more important then the rest of the system (although the rest has to be up to snuff to drive them) so they should be the first item on your list,
but none on your list would make my final cut, and I own LS-50s. (they're great at what they do, don't misunderstand)
gotta have floorstanders. Hell, most won't take up any more space then stand mount and stands.


focal makes fantastic speakers,
Magnepan would be at or near my top, otherwise I'm a vintage infinity kind of guy.
 
I’d love to make the Maggies work but my wife will castrate me. I’m looking for a larger bookshelf that punches above its size and weight.
Read great things about the S2’s and I found a good deal on a pair. Also have heard from many that the UB5’s are suoridingly good for only $500.
 
34dean said:
I’d love to make the Maggies work but my wife will castrate me. I’m looking for a larger bookshelf that punches above its size and weight.
Read great things about the S2’s and I found a good deal on a pair. Also have heard from many that the UB5’s are suoridingly good for only $500.
Click to expand...
The Jamos might not really fit with what you're looking for as they're discontinued and might only be available on the used market, so not returnable. You might however find an incredible deal on these things and they are a kind of larger bookshelf speaker (they have really satisfying, punchy bass with their 6.5" woofer), though as I said, in order to sound really large you might need to pair them with more wattage. I haven't head them, but I hear a lot of good things about the Klipsch RM600 speakers, which are larger bookshelfs and are very efficient so probably can pack a lot of punch with the amplification that you have...
 
34dean said:
All except the L910’s. A large bookshelf is fine.
Click to expand...
I seem to remember you starting a similar thread looking for a subwoofer....going on and on for about 20 pages, ignoring most people that responded along the way.

Anyways, with the weak subwoofer in this system, I would not go for anything big as the subwoofer wont even keep up.

Why not just use the JBL studio 530 that you have?

$1200 is a decent budget that could get speakers that will easily outclass and outperform your sub.
 
z-adamson said:
I seem to remember you starting a similar thread looking for a subwoofer....going on and on for about 20 pages, ignoring most people that responded along the way.

Anyways, with the weak subwoofer in this system, I would not go for anything big as the subwoofer wont even keep up.

Why not just use the JBL studio 530 that you have?

$1200 is a decent budget that could get speakers that will easily outclass and outperform your sub.
Click to expand...

Ok, so you don’t approve of my sucky sub.
Any positive recommendations on speakers? If I didn’t want to upgrade from the Studio 530’s, I wouldn’t have posted this thread.
 
34dean said:
Ok, so you don’t approve of my sucky sub.
Any positive recommendations on speakers? If I didn’t want to upgrade from the Studio 530’s, I wouldn’t have posted this thread.
Click to expand...
It's not about approval. You missed the point.

Considering the quick "likes" I got, it looks like I am not alone here.

With your pricepoint of $1200 and your sub, you would be better off dumping the sub and getting a pair of speakers that can stand on their own without that sub, which by the way should be thoroughly outclassed unless you overspend big time on what you get. A nice set of speakers like that used with a sub would call for a sub upgrade.

You could also....

Keep the Studio 530s and the sub

OR

Replace the 530s with $1200 speakers that should render the sub useless, keep the sub in there for peace of mind and have an extra set of 530s laying around.

I know which way I would NOT be going...
 
z-adamson said:
It's not about approval. You missed the point.

Considering the quick "likes" I got, it looks like I am not alone here.

With your pricepoint of $1200 and your sub, you would be better off dumping the sub and getting a pair of speakers that can stand on their own without that sub, which by the way should be thoroughly outclassed unless you overspend big time on what you get. A nice set of speakers like that used with a sub would call for a sub upgrade.

You could also....

Keep the Studio 530s and the sub

OR

Replace the 530s with $1200 speakers that should render the sub useless, keep the sub in there for peace of mind and have an extra set of 530s laying around.

I know which way I would NOT be going...
Click to expand...

ok so...
1. My sub sucks according to 3 people now (who knows, could be 5 in an hour or so!)
2. I have choices

Cool.
 
34dean said:
ok so...
1. My sub sucks according to 3 people now (who knows, could be 5 in an hour or so!)
2. I have choices

Cool.
Click to expand...
1) Being outclassed by the kinds of full range speakers you are looking at does not = sucks. You are deflecting with exaggerations.

2) There are always choices. You are stating the obvious.

3) You are now doing the same thing you did for 20 pages in your other thread....asking for honest input, getting honest input, going in circles and acting in immature fashion.
 
z-adamson said:
1) Being outclassed by the kinds of full range speakers you are looking at does not = sucks. You are deflecting with exaggerations.

2) There are always choices. You are stating the obvious.

3) You are now doing the same thing you did for 20 pages in your other thread....asking for honest input, getting honest input, going in circles and acting in immature fashion.
Click to expand...

You’re 100% correct. Thanks so much for the excellent input.
 
Aaron Hayman said:
The Jamos might not really fit with what you're looking for as they're discontinued and might only be available on the used market, so not returnable. You might however find an incredible deal on these things and they are a kind of larger bookshelf speaker (they have really satisfying, punchy bass with their 6.5" woofer), though as I said, in order to sound really large you might need to pair them with more wattage. I haven't head them, but I hear a lot of good things about the Klipsch RM600 speakers, which are larger bookshelfs and are very efficient so probably can pack a lot of punch with the amplification that you have...
Click to expand...

Thank you for the input and suggestion. I will research those Klipsch.
 
34dean said:
ok so...
1. My sub sucks according to 3 people now (who knows, could be 5 in an hour or so!)
2. I have choices

Cool.
Click to expand...
Every thread you start about looking for gear turns out to be such a crap shoot. You ask for recommendations, don't give enough information and then get testy when people give you advice and recommendations that you don't like.

As been mentioned speakers are the base of a system everything else is there to compliment the speakers. You have decent speakers with the 530's, why do you want to change them?

Is there a weakness that you don't like and what is it?
Where are you putting them? A picture would help everyone see why you can't have floor standers but for some reason can accommodate stands.
Different speakers with bad placement and room won't be better than what you have.
What are you looking for in speakers? All speakers have compromises and as such they all have strengths and weaknesses.
What kind of music do you listen to should also be a determining factor.

I know you are going to go about this the same way you have done with your turntable and sub purchases, but realize that being curt won't help help you.
 
34dean said:
ok so...
1. My sub sucks according to 3 people now (who knows, could be 5 in an hour or so!)
2. I have choices

Cool.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll make it 4 .......

on a serious note , I like Elac(for the $$) and having heard the KEF 50's but once thought they we very good
 
Standmounts I haven't heard personally but always wanted to try in my system: Klipsch RP-600M, Harberth P3ESR and ProAc Tablette 50/10. (all different from each other obviously)
If patient you can find either below your budget.

I have the Epos K5 in a secondary system and I think they are quite good. These aren't the classic Epos type and are now being phased out as Epos transferred ownership from Creek. They are dynamic and enjoyable and have good WAF. The Epos K1 used to retail for about $800 and I think they can be had new for half that.

I don't have that much experience or patience and there was a time when alot of bookshelf speakers came in and out of my system... until I heard PMC.
I had the PMC DB1i and now have the twenty.21
They do some things really great.. they have a great balance between detailed and smooth, very good imaging and nice bass for their size. They retailed for $2K but you can find around or under $1K I believe
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom