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I need 'decent' speakers for my cheap system

First, I should probably admit that I still have most of the 'hi-fi' gear that I acquired in the early '80s - which means, of course, that I do not have anything that would be considered 'hi-fi' these days.

Now, to try and make a long story short - I just purchased an almost-new Rotel RA 1070 and RCD 1070 for a VERY attractive price. I was actually looking around for a used Creek integrated amp and a quality CD player, but a friend-of-a-friend was willing to sell this Rotel stuff CHEAP.

So, now I'm looking to replace my old JBLs. I'll need a tuner and some other stuff too but new speakers are first.

I have spousal approval to spend $1K on speakers, which I can probably stretch to $1200 or so. I am hoping to buy a used pair of loudspeakers that will stay with us when I do (eventually) upgrade the amp and CD player. I realize that some of you will say that I should have bought a higher quality amp/source and went for better speakers later - but there is no going back for me now...

I listen to classic rock, blues, and some jazz in my carpeted living room (approx 18X20). I would prefer floorstanding models, but I will audition anything.

What are the most appropriate used loudspeakers in my price range? What about 'affordable' cables?

I would appreciate any assistance!
ekistler_sj

Showing 2 responses by nrenter

nrenter's avatar
nrenter
768 posts
 

I'll jump on the Vandersteen bandwagon as well. Even if you pay full list price for the 2Ce Sigs, you will still have your self one hell of a bargain.

About 2 months ago, I auditioned the Vandersteen 2Ce (not the Sigs). At that point, I really didn't know a thing about the Vandersteen line. The imaging was excellent, the bass was full and satisfying, the high end was properly placed. There was something magical about the Vandersteen / Rogue / Sony setup I was listening to. As I would listen with my eyes closed, I could feel my pupils darting back and forth "looking" at the soundstage.

When the dealer asked me what I thought, I told him my nitpicks, and my praises. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking, "For a $6k speaker, they sound pretty good." It wasn't until I got home and started to research to what I had listened did I discover the cost of the components.

And mind you, these wern't the Sig line.

If you find a pair of the 2Ce Sigs for under $1k, snatch them up and dance a jig.
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
768 posts
 
Sogood51, I have to disagree on one of your points...there are plenty of (what I consider) reasonably priced speakers out there. The Vandersteen, Theil, and Dunlavy lines are perfect examples. You can spend less than $1000.00 or more than $10,000.00 (a stupid amount IMHO). However, each of these lines (no matter the price) use 1st order crossovers, are time and phase aligned, and will basically not be out-classed by any hardware you match with them.

I'm not a believer that expensive hardware automatically sounds better than inexpensive hardware. Also, I'm not the type of person to attempt to acquire the last 5% of audio nirvana with a cost-no-object fervor. I guess that's where I draw the line.

However, I don't believe that you can emphasize the following enough: Always take your room size, layout and flexability of speaker placement into account first. I have B&W Nautilus 805s driven with Rotel hardware. Until I have a better physical space for my toys, I have no desire to upgrade. Well, I have a desire....but I can't justify it.
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