Looking for cheap floor standing speakers

[bg4533]

I am looking for a pair of cheap floor standing speakers that can be powered by the Sonic Impact T-Amp. They are for the bedroom of my apartment (~10'x14'). I hope to be moving into a bigger place in about 9 months so the room will be a bit bigger then, but probably not much. I am currently using Logitech Z-640 computer speakers, but they sound like complete crap when compared to my headphones. I probably use speakers less than 10% of the time, but I figure if I can spend ~$1000 on headphone stuff I can at least spend a hundred or two on speakers.

I would prefer something that is well balanced and warm sounding. I like bass, but hate the boomy sub of my Z640s. Towers seem like a good idea since I have no where to mount or set bookshelfs. Space is limited, but I always seem to make room for new toys

I already have the T-Amp, but still need a power supply for it. My budget for the speakers is ~$150. I want something that will be easily powered now, but will grow with me a bit too. Since I am in an apartment with a roomate I can't really turn the speakers up very loud now anyway.

I was looking at Polk R30s at $120/pair, but I don't think they are the best choice. I am currently looking at Wharfedale Crystal 40s at $150/pair. Any thing else I should look into? I probably will be buying based on suggestions here without auditioning. I am currently looking at Stereo Trading Outlet, any other good places to get speakers?

Thanks.

 

[tennisets]

If you can swing $200 for the Missino M73 at The Stereo Trading Outlet, I would highly reccommend those, based on my experience with the M71s and on comments I've read regarding the M73. Read what I said about the M71s in the $100 for speakers thread on the first page of the cables, accessories, speakers forum.

 

[bg4533]

Thanks for the response. I was looking at the M73s, but they are a little out of my price range. about $240 shipped. Is the extra money worth it over the Crystal 40s? How will these perform is a small room? Am I insane to want the T-Amp to power them?

 

[bg4533]

Also, these speakers will need to be backed up almost right against the wall if that matters (a few inches out depending on depth). They can probably have a foot or two to each side of them.

 

[uzziah]

paradigm atoms

check ebay

get bookshelves in your price range, the price/performance ratio will be higher

get cinder blocks from home depot and put the bookshelves on them

 

[tennisets]

I actually agree with uzziah, bookshelves for that money will be better than floorstanders albeit with not as much bass (though probably not all that good bass anyway). Check Audiogon to try and find a good deal on something. Also, if you're using the speakers that close to the front wall, you might try to find a front ported or sealed design as opposed to rear ported, a rear ported speaker will not work properly that close to the wall.

 

[bg4533]

How far out would a rear ported speaker need to work properly? Could the Mission M73 produce bass as well as the Crystal 40?

 

[tennisets]

Well, at least a couple feet from the front wall to the front baffle of the loudspeaker is generally reccommended. I have mine 26" from the front and sound is good. Closer than that and bass starts to overwhelm the rest of the music and gets sloppy and bloated, the soundstage starts to shrink, and imaging takes a hit as well. I'd probably have my speakers a little farther out if I could, but that would be a little bit of an inconvenience due to the way my room is set up.

 

[bg4533]

Another thing that is very important to me is performance at low levels. I want to have decent performance at volumes that can barely be heard outside of my room. Bookshelf speakers are looking like they might be a better idea.

How bad would speaker stands made out of wood be?

 

[tennisets]

Would should be fine, I would think. As long as the speaker is stable you should be okay.