2. speakers
  3. 1285655066

Good Sound under $500

Hello All,
I'll get to the point, I'm downsizing and looking for a good sounding, inexpensive speaker to hold me over until I can get a pair of Proac 1sc or the newer D1. I presently have an Arcam AVR300, Oppo BDP83, Totem Hawks, Totem Signature 1 Center, HSU VTF2 sub. The Totem Hawks and Signature are going to waste because I live in a duplex and we share a common wall in our living rooms which happens to be 13x18x8. I've always felt the Hawks had a little more bass than I needed, I'm not a bass hound. But I do like a good solid detailed bass, The Hawks's bass is a little overwhelming and not very detailed. I went to a local audio store and listened to the Usher Tiny Dancer BE-718, an amazing sounding speaker but out of my budget now or in the future but it's sound was more of what I am looking for. Definitely different than the Hawks.

I'm looking for a decent stand mounted Speaker with clarity, imaging, and decent bass down to about 60 or 70 hz. The sub can handle the rest if needed. Is the size I quoted above for my living room considered small or medium?

Some I've been thinking about are:
Epos els3
ERA D4/D5
PSB Image B6
Silverline Minuets (too small?)

To name a few. I've been reading the forums for the last month or so, this is where I decided on the Proac's but I have to wait till some come up for sale. Plus I will need a center channel speaker for these present and future speakers.

I listen to 50/50 movies/music, my musical tastes are Dave Matthews, Eric Clapton, acoustic guitar, blues, female vocals like Sarah Mclaclan, Bonnie Rait, etc.

I'm open to suggestions folks and thanks for your help.
denon53

Showing 7 responses by denon53

denon53 OP
66 posts
 
Thank's Jeff and Dcrugby, I owned some paradigms studio 20's years ago. I believe back then I was using a NAD 973 receiver and I wasn't all that impressed with the 20's. I've also had in the past NHT's with a denon receiver and ran some Triangle Titus 202's with this Arcam. I loved the clarity of the Triangles but alittle thin on the bottom end. Jeff you feel the Tablettes sound better with SS than the 1sc? And here I was pretty sold on the 1sc's, oh well better to know that now than later. thanks. Maybe a better questioin would have been, what speakers sound great with Solid State?

Thanks,
Bruce
denon53 OP
66 posts
 
Hello Jndean, I would also consider the Cometes if I can find a pair. I heard they had the bass that the Titus's lacked.
denon53 OP
66 posts
 
Ok, how about we up he anti. Let's raise the $ amount to 1500 or less? If any of you have listened to speakers using the Arcam AVR300, I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks,
Bruce
denon53 OP
66 posts
 
Thanks JP, I would love to hear a set of the NHT's but I can't seem to find anyone who sells them in the San jose, Ca. area. I'm amazed that there aren't many higher end audio stores here in the Bay Area. I may have to go to San Francisco find a decent store. Go Figure!

JP, do the NHT classic 3's have good solid, detailed bass to them?

thanks,
Bruce
denon53 OP
66 posts
 
JP, I know NHT's shop is in Benicia, never been there though. I'll keep my eye out for a used pair. Thank you for the input. You as well manoterror, I would like to hear a pair of maggies, I've heard a lot of good things about them over the years. Cdc, I've read on here and in reviews that the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 is a much better speaker than the CBM-170, so knowing me I would be more tempted to get the latter. Thanks for the input.
denon53 OP
66 posts
 
Thanks JP, I'm with you, I don't want a speaker that is too fussy with it's placement. I really don't want speakers sitting in the middle of my living room. Thanks Cdc, you've sparked my curiosity of the purpose of a phase plug. This is why I enjoy audiogon's forums, they help me advance my knowledge of the reproduction of music.

Bruce
denon53 OP
66 posts
 
Hello all, sorry I was gone for a few days. Many great suggestions since I've been gone. During my journey, I picked up another pair of Titus 202's, like I had before. I'm now thinking about swapping out my HSU sub for a REL T3 or T2 not sure which yet.

New problem, I just noticed that one of my Totem Hawks is missing the little Red Dot that is normally at the top of the tweeter, It must have slid off while I moved them into the other room. Does this little Red Dot really make a difference in the sound?
More to discover