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Speaker pairing (Disclaimer: total n0ob)

jar_1967

New Member
I'm considering either an Onkyo TX-4500 mkii or Yamaha CR-1020 and I'm looking for speaker pairing suggestions. I admit to being the newest of newbies, but I've read enough here to say that you don't have to include the disclaimer about sound being personal ... I get that. I'm asking for YOUR preferences as a starting point. Or your advice ... or random comments ... whatever. : - )

There is so much great accumulated experience on this site. I'm trying to learn.
 
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Would help to know room size, musical preference, and budget.
Good questions!
Building a new house and this will be in a kind of main room maybe 30' x 40' with vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors. Will rarely play at very high volume.
Fairly eclectic listening ranging from Miles Davis and Bill Evans through Neil Young and Bob Dylan to The Replacements, Prince, REM.
Starting budget would probably max out around $500-$600 per pair. My preference would be to find something significantly lower than that and maybe upgrade down the line and include this set in a system I put together for my daughter.
Thank you!
 
Good questions!
Building a new house and this will be in a kind of main room maybe 30' x 40' with vaulted ceilings and hardwood floors. Will rarely play at very high volume.
Fairly eclectic listening ranging from Miles Davis and Bill Evans through Neil Young and Bob Dylan to The Replacements, Prince, REM.
Starting budget would probably max out around $500-$600 per pair. My preference would be to find something significantly lower than that and maybe upgrade down the line and include this set in a system I put together for my daughter.
Thank you!
Oh, and I would consider shelf units and adding a sub, but maybe that wouldn't be enough in a room this size? I was kind of picturing some nice looking floor standers.
 
This is the sort of request we get here pretty much every day, and I mention this all the time:

There have been literally thousands of speaker manufacturers, most of which made excellent products. We could go on all day on models to look for. Most of them will work fine with the receivers you've mentioned. But rather than look for a specific model or brand, take a look first at what's available in your area on your favorite classified sites or apps. Then you can research them, or come back here and ask, once you find some speakers that seem interesting. We don't know what's available in your area, so we can only make rough recommendations for fairly well known brands. But if you find a decent looking pair of speakers, there's a good chance that some of us here have some knowledge or experience with them.

Speaking generally, most brands that are known for their electronics are not known for their speakers. Examples are Sony, Technics, JVC, Mitsubishi, Kenwood and Sansui. But every rule has its exceptions, and all of these brands made at least a few decent models. I specifically excluded Yamaha and Pioneer from that list, not because they didn't make some crappy speakers (they did) but because they made a higher percentage of good speakers relative to the crap, compared with the above brands.
 
This is the sort of request we get here pretty much every day, and I mention this all the time:

There have been literally thousands of speaker manufacturers, most of which made excellent products. We could go on all day on models to look for. Most of them will work fine with the receivers you've mentioned. But rather than look for a specific model or brand, take a look first at what's available in your area on your favorite classified sites or apps. Then you can research them, or come back here and ask, once you find some speakers that seem interesting. We don't know what's available in your area, so we can only make rough recommendations for fairly well known brands. But if you find a decent looking pair of speakers, there's a good chance that some of us here have some knowledge or experience with them.

Speaking generally, most brands that are known for their electronics are not known for their speakers. Examples are Sony, Technics, JVC, Mitsubishi, Kenwood and Sansui. But every rule has its exceptions, and all of these brands made at least a few decent models. I specifically excluded Yamaha and Pioneer from that list, not because they didn't make some crappy speakers (they did) but because they made a higher percentage of good speakers relative to the crap, compared with the above brands.

Appreciate the advice re: companies known for electronics versus speakers. Thanks.

And I hear you, really. It's kind of like saying, "I live in the central US, what kind of car should I drive?" I'm just learning to navigate the local classifieds/thrifts/estate sales, etc. I recently let a Martin Logan subwoofer and Revel speakers slip through my fingers and watch them go for ridiculously low prices because I didn't come here in time and ask about them. Did my research later (just to punish myself). So ... I intend to come back periodically with specific make/model questions. And I'm doing a lot of reading. I guess I just thought it would be helpful to be aware of some of the more available quality lines to keep my eyes open for.

P.S. Since I posted I found a pair of Fisher KS-1s (look in good condition but untested) I can probably get for $50-$60. Are they worth it at that price to just take a chance or are they so old that they'll probably need major work even if they look good externally?
 
Most Fisher speakers aren't particularly good. IMO they're not worth the price or the effort.

You didn't list a location, but here are some good brands, in no particular order, that are fairly common in the used market on the east coast. Your location may differ. Note that purchasing a pair of speakers made by one of these companies doesn't guarantee that it will be good, but you'll have a much better chance than just picking at random. Note that some of these companies are no longer in business, but as long as the drivers are working and original, getting them back to 100% shouldn't be difficult. Some speakers use foam (the "surround") around the woofers and/or midranges which can decay as it ages. Replacing this is possible and fairly inexpensive to do yourself. If this has occurred, the speaker should only be played a at low volume to test, ideally with the driver parallel to the floor.

Still in business:

JBL
Klipsch
Polk
Definitive
Infinity
ELAC
Jamo
KEF
Cerwin Vega
Mission
Energy
Tannoy
Boston Acoustics

Out of business:

Pinnacle
Epicure/EPI
Genesis Physics (beware; there's another brand that calls itself Genesis, with a script logo, that is total garbage)
Cambridge Soundworks
Allison

Technically still in business but not really the same company:

Acoustic Research
Advent
KLH
 
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Most Fisher speakers aren't particularly good. IMO they're not worth the price or the effort.

You didn't list a location, but here are some good brands, in no particular order, that are fairly common in the used market on the east coast. Your location may differ. Note that purchasing a pair of speakers made by one of these companies doesn't guarantee that it will be good, but you'll have a much better chance than just picking at random. Note that some of these companies are no longer in business, but as long as the drivers are working and original, getting them back to 100% shouldn't be difficult. Some speakers use foam (the "surround") around the woofers and/or midranges which can decay as it ages. Replacing this is possible and fairly inexpensive to do yourself. If this has occurred, the speaker should only be played a at low volume to test, ideally with the driver parallel to the floor.

Still in business:

JBL
Klipsch
Polk
Definitive
Infinity
ELAC
Jamo
KEF
Cerwin Vega
Mission
Energy
Tannoy
Boston Acoustics

Out of business:

Pinnacle
Epicure/EPI
Genesis Physics (beware; there's another brand that calls itself Genesis, with a script logo, that is total garbage)
Cambridge Soundworks
Allison

Technically still in business but not really the same company:

Acoustic Research
Advent
KLH
Thank you ... this is exactly the kind of start I was looking for. Someone who knows what they’re talking about providing a jumping off point for my own research.

This is one of the best things about AK ... people giving generously of their knowledge and experience.
 
This is the sort of request we get here pretty much every day, and I mention this all the time:
There have been literally thousands of speaker manufacturers, most of which made excellent products. We could go on all day on models to look for. Most of them will work fine with the receivers you've mentioned.
I agree.
I'll add that we also get lots of questions like "I have a pair of Brand X speakers - what amp should I buy?" Although there are some amps and speakers that require due consideration when looking for partnering equipment (amps with extremely low power outputs for example) they are the exception and for the most part any speakers will go with any amp, and vice versa.
 
I agree.
I'll add that we also get lots of questions like "I have a pair of Brand X speakers - what amp should I buy?" Although there are some amps and speakers that require due consideration when looking for partnering equipment (amps with extremely low power outputs for example) they are the exception and for the most part any speakers will go with any amp, and vice versa.
Got it. Going forward I’ll try to ask about reputation/quality of specific speaker makes/models. Thank you.
 
Welcome to the AK forum @jar_1967.
You are definitely in the correct place if you're seeking knowledge and assistance.

Judging from your age I assume that you've heard some good tunes in the past? Do you have any any recollection of the brand(s) of speakers that you have heard and liked? If you can post a general location in your profile, or in this thread, members will be better able to assist you with your search. It is also possible that a member near you has exactly what you need at a reasonable price?
Best of luck with your search!
 
Welcome to the AK forum @jar_1967.
You are definitely in the correct place if you're seeking knowledge and assistance.

Judging from your age I assume that you've heard some good tunes in the past? Do you have any any recollection of the brand(s) of speakers that you have heard and liked? If you can post a general location in your profile, or in this thread, members will be better able to assist you with your search. It is also possible that a member near you has exactly what you need at a reasonable price?
Best of luck with your search!

Hey Doctorolds, you’ve put your finger on the issue. I’m fairly deep into music. Socially, prior to the past year or so (and hopefully again soon) - seeing live music is the thing I’d choose to do over almost anything. So Marshall or Peavey? Sure.

I listen to music all the time and I know what I like. However, I’ve almost always listened on crap equipment. Whatever I could afford at the time. I never really knew what recorded music COULD sound like. I remember a frat house in college that had a pair of refrigerator-sized Klipsch speakers my ears might still be ringing from. And yes, I’ve heard or Advent, Infiniti, etc., etc. ... but mainly just as names from car stereo commercials when I was younger. My father-in-law had a more discerning ear. Through him I learned about Denon, Yamaha, Velodyne, Mission, JBL.

I’m located in St. Louis, MO. I like to see good live music in small venues. I’m done with stadiums and arenas. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m seeking authenticity (whatever that means - I suppose we each have a definition). I want to HEAR what the musicians put into the music. I guess I’m trying to reproduce the live experience?

HEY! I see what you did there! Are you a therapist?
 
Hey Doctorolds, you’ve put your finger on the issue. I’m fairly deep into music. Socially, prior to the past year or so (and hopefully again soon) - seeing live music is the thing I’d choose to do over almost anything. So Marshall or Peavey? Sure.

I listen to music all the time and I know what I like. However, I’ve almost always listened on crap equipment. Whatever I could afford at the time. I never really knew what recorded music COULD sound like. I remember a frat house in college that had a pair of refrigerator-sized Klipsch speakers my ears might still be ringing from. And yes, I’ve heard or Advent, Infiniti, etc., etc. ... but mainly just as names from car stereo commercials when I was younger. My father-in-law had a more discerning ear. Through him I learned about Denon, Yamaha, Velodyne, Mission, JBL.

I’m located in St. Louis, MO. I like to see good live music in small venues. I’m done with stadiums and arenas. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m seeking authenticity (whatever that means - I suppose we each have a definition). I want to HEAR what the musicians put into the music. I guess I’m trying to reproduce the live experience?

HEY! I see what you did there! Are you a therapist?
New disclaimer: the whiskey might typing now. ;)
 
I should say one or two other things. I’m not being disingenuous. I grew up solidly middle class. The only reason my wife and I are able to build a house with the room I described is from a small inheritance we got from her dad after caring for him for many years. It fulfills a dream we didn’t think we’d ever realize. It’s in his memory that we want to fill it with music that would meet his expectations. He could always pick out songs that had an ineffable quality (in any genre) that he simply called “soul”.

I never intended to go this deep, but here we are.
 
I should say one or two other things. I’m not being disingenuous. I grew up solidly middle class. The only reason my wife and I are able to build a house with the room I described is from a small inheritance we got from her dad after caring for him for many years. It fulfills a dream we didn’t think we’d ever realize. It’s in his memory that we want to fill it with music that would meet his expectations. He could always pick out songs that had an ineffable quality (in any genre) that he simply called “soul”.

I never intended to go this deep, but here we are.
We were talking about speakers, right?
 
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