Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories (DBT-Free Forum) › Trying to get into high-end speakers -- weary of shams/non-hifi companies
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Trying to get into high-end speakers -- weary of shams/non-hifi companies - Page 2

post #16 of 24
3/10/08 at 12:21pm
By the way, I bought allmost everything I own second hand so I can second some of the post above as well.
Reply
post #17 of 24
3/10/08 at 12:31pm
I've had really great experiences with Wharfedale, Monitor Audio, and just recently Energy. Definitely check out Wharfedale Diamond 9 series and Energy RC series - both incredible values for the money. Have fun and enjoy the new sounds!
Reply
post #18 of 24
3/10/08 at 1:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Melchior View Post
I was about to recommend some Magnepan MMG's to start off with, as they have a nice 2 month full money back trial period and are a great deal at 500 dollars new. You did mention you wanted the speakers to have "weight" to them, and while I think that they have great overall sound quality you will not get the same "impact" you do from cone drivers.
Add a small sub and he can still stay in his pricerange and have a great setup right there.
Reply
post #19 of 24
3/10/08 at 1:42pm
Go to av123.com It is an online AV company based in Colorado with excellent products. Their forum is very friendly and informative...not alot of BS. The owner of the company will often post in the forums. I have my whole AV system from them. There are many owners about the US and you can probably set up a home audition too. The local get to gethers are perfect. Good Luck.
Reply
post #20 of 24
3/10/08 at 2:34pm
I echo a few companies, especially the AV123.COM (X-series) recommendation.

Also recommend Dynaudio, used. Never owned, but have heard at least 3 different models. Good bass, dynamic, pretty musical.

I also like (and own) Totem, best to get used otherwise not realy in your budget. I have the Rainmakers, they go down into the 40's for bass, and are very musical. BTW, they use a lot of Dynaudio drivers in their speakers.

Next up: Silverline Audio. Hmm, another one with Dynaudio drivers Easy to drive, pretty high sensitivity, musical and good bass as well. I own their slimline floorstandig Preludes (I got mine for <$1K new, though they list for more). If you can catch a pair used, you might reach your $750 point. But they go fairly quickly when available used.

And lastly, Energy and Athena Technologies. Even their "lesser" models sound pretty good, and companies like Audio Advisor have good deals on them.
Reply
post #21 of 24
3/10/08 at 3:59pm
Best Bookshelfs for Under $300 - Audioholics Home Theater Forums

imagine that

audioholics is a good community with a lot of friendly people, i prefer it to avs because it feels tighter knit. Basically, just go searching through threads and eventually you start to pick up on names and models. its really the same as when you started off with headphones except there's 10 times more selection and variability. audioholics themselves also have some reviews of speakers that i found very helpful just starting out.

and i second the av123 suggestions, there's a reason why they're so popular in the various forums.
Reply
post #22 of 24
3/10/08 at 5:16pm
I've heard DIY kits are good bang for the buck.
Reply
post #23 of 24
3/10/08 at 9:41pm
I would want to know about your room as well. Smaller rooms probably means smaller speakers which all things being equal gives you a break cost-wise.

Also be wary of dealer's listening rooms if the dimensions are not like yours. Smaller rooms with more nearly equal dimensions get more pronounced standing waves.

This site allows you to determine the problem frequencies if you measure your room dimensions.

[Room Mode / Standing Wave Calculator :: MarkTAW.com

If you are going to have to deal with a major low frequency standing wave yoy don't want a speaker with a peak in this region. However such a speaker may be fine in a different room.

I always thought bookshlef speakers with a subwoofer seemed like a good idea. I do not use this in my main system but have had small, cheap systems set up this way. Usually the subwoofer has an adjustable output which can help get the bass response up, without getting hammered by room resonances.
Reply
post #24 of 24
3/11/08 at 11:42am
Great calculator, thanks for that!

I have a nice speaker setup as it is, but I see myself upgrading in the future. That said I'll likely build something from a kit because I enjoy working with this stuff and you get a hell of a lot for the money.

Remember the old saying, if you want something done right, do it yourself!!

Seriously, even the low-budget kits I've heard sounded quite accurate and sweet. IMO.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories (DBT-Free Forum) › Trying to get into high-end speakers -- weary of shams/non-hifi companies