Best speakers for $500?

Do you already have an amplifier, or are you looking for active speakers? 

I think you will need a phono stage for that turntable. Can't just plug powered speakers directly up to it. And if you plan on listening to other devices (cd player, computer), a 2 channel receiver or integrated amp with a built in phono stage and passive speakers may make more sense. You can get a factory refurbished and warrantied HK 3390 directly from Harman Kardon off Ebay.  

Then you don't need powered monitors. You would be paying extra for electronics/amplification. Get passive speakers with your budget. Maybe the Kef iQ30. They are on close out from Kef because of a newer model. Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE are a good deal; Internet direct vendor that has better pricing that most brick and mortar store speakers at full MSRP.  You aren't going to find active speakers for $500 that equal the SQ of these and other passives that are good values at that price. 

Hit submit too soon. Also checkout Monitor Audio Bronze BX-2, NHT Classic Three, and PSB Image B5 speakers. Paradigm if you can demo them locally (not easy to buy online).  Focal Chorus or B&W 600 series, but you'd have to go with a smaller driver speaker.

http://new.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-era-design-5-maple-mint-2012-10-06-speakers-98103

they look in good condition... it's an option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfetan44 

 

Those Kef iQ30 look good. Would a Yamaha RX-V420 work well? (my receiver)

Sure. Your receiver will power them well. Isn't it rated close to 100 watts per channel? Probably get more than loud enough for you unless you are trying to blast your ear drums or fill a very large room 

And certainly you might find something you like better at around $500-$600 for passive speakers of this size if you could demo a lot of different speakers. But those compete well in that class and are just heavily discounted for close out. Definitely one of the deals of the moment if you are buying speakers in this price range unheard off the Internet. 

Fry's has Infinity Primus 363 speakers on sale (last I checked) for $109 a piece. That would leave reasonable money for a Sub. 

Pioneer has gotten some excellent reviews in that price range of late as well. 

I'm not a vinyl person, so I can't tell you. Ask these guys over at AVS in the 2 channel audio forum. They are often giving advice about turntables for getting into the vinyl hobby. 

However, I do now that some of them caution about getting into vinyl unless you already have vinyl or have plenty of disposable income. It's an expensive hobby. If you put the cost of that turntable towards a better pair of speakers, you could have equal or better sound from lossless music files or CDs that you can play through your receiver vs. vinyl with the cheaper speakers. And CDs are cheaper than new or mint condition records. Then of course you don't have the digital copies of your records to use with other devices, such as mp3 players.