Speakers, Speakers, Speakers

[Louie]

I am ready for something new. I've Sony speakers since 2000 when I purchased my first HTIB. I've replaced the reciever (and I am looking into a new reciever also), but I am ready for a good set of speakers.

Some have suggested that I wait till I graduate college, but I live at home so its not like they will get trashed.

My room is 11.5' x 14' so I do not need anything huge.

I've been looking at Infinity and Polk, but am open to other suggestions. Budget I'd like to stay at $400-$500, if possible. If not I am not opposed to buying speakers a pair at a time.

[Frank Z]

Try to audition the Polk Rti6's, I think you'll be impressed.

[I 8 Piglet]

Ill give Polk a I am happy with mine. Although I do have my eye on the Axiom m22s.

[chlngr1970]

Would this be 450-500 for a 5.1 type setup? Or, would you be into the idea of maybe picking up a good Pair now, then later getting another good pair, and so on...

This is how I will be updating my speakers when I get to that point...

If not, I have heard lots of good things about Axiom speakers.

j

[Louie]

I have 5.1 right now. So I'd like to keep it 5.1 or got to 6.1. The only thing is I have my rears mounted to my wall so I guess size could be an issue there.

[snipsnapsappy]

If you want to get 5.1 for only $500, it would be better to get a good pair of speakers, such as the Axiom M2's or M22's ($255-400, prices include shipping and tax, www.axiomaudio.com). And then, when you get some more money, buy the center, the surrounds, and then a subwoofer.

Since you already own a HTIB, it would not be wise to buy another HTIB speaker set. It is time for you to go for some nice speakers from a great speaker company (Sony is not a great speaker company, it is a great TV and DVD Player company). For the price range of $400-500, there really is not much better in that range than Axiom.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by Louie

I have 5.1 right now. So I'd like to keep it 5.1 or got to 6.1. The only thing is I have my rears mounted to my wall so I guess size could be an issue there.

Louie, and this is coming from a guy born in Bethel Park...just outside of P-Burgh....worry about the front 3 first, then the Sub, then the rears. If I was doing it with limited funds, that's how I'd attack it. So, spend your 500 clams on a decent pair of fronts. Save up and move onto the center (matching). Save up again , and move on to a good sub and finally get some rears. Sounds like an ongoing project, but the rewards are worth it my friend.

Wait a minute....did I just agree with Snip except for buying the Sub before the rears ??? Damn...those Axiom owners make us B&W owners look like we spent our money foolishly!

(I hate when those bang-for-the-buck speakers come out AFTER I spent my hard earned cash!!)

[Louie]

So Axiom is a pretty safe bet? Does Infinity even compare?

Yeah I don't mind chipping away at it. Would I still be able to use my old speakers with the new ones?

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Louie, and this is coming from a guy born in Bethel Park...just outside of P-Burgh....

Used to have a girlfriend that lived in Bethel, its really nice up there.

[brian]

Axioms are nice. I've pretty much done what Iguana and snippy suggested above -- I purchased my front speakers first (The Axiom M22ti's) last august, bought a sub in january, the center soon after. (I still haven't gotten proper surrounds) It's been pretty satisfying. As for the Infinity speakers, I've never done a direct comparison. I made the mistake of purchasing Klipsch speakers earlier on -- they were fine for movies, but I hated their musical quality. The Axioms have left me happy with both movies and music. When paired with a nice sub (Hsu stf-2 in my case), they really shine.

[RobotOnAToilet]

I hear Onkyo has a good HTIB, complete 6.1 with 6.1 reciever for around $500. Might want to check that out. The speakers are a bit big, but every review I have seen says it is the best HTIB you can buy for under $1000 let alone for $500.

You might also want to check out Paradigm, Mirage, and Energy (and their various sub companies). A bit more pricy but you do get what you pay for. The cheapest B&W speakers you can buy are probably better than anything you have ever heard in your life.

My recomendation to anyone buying speakers is stay away from big chains and box stores at all costs. Buy from the hole in the wall place. Just make sure they are authorized dealers though so you can get your warranty. You might need it, like 1 in 10 products are defective or become defective, it is just the nature of these high performance beasts. But if your product is defective, don't blaim the company until you get your second and it is defective too.

Anyway, at these hole in the wall places, you can find great deals. Every speaker has a MSRP, and it is just that, suggested. Big box stores like Best Buy, tend to come as close to this as possible. For example, a speaker with a MSRP of $500 is bought from the speaker company for half that price, sometime even less. So when you see a sticker on a speaker, the price is always negotiable. At big box stores, this is hard to do, they have a profit margine in mind, and have enough customers so that if you don't buy it at its list price, some other sucker will. A smaller place will be more than happy to cut a deal. In fact, that is how they do business. You see the sticker, ask for 20% off it, they go in the back and pretend to pout and say "deal" because that is still way more than they paid for it.

Anyway, my three pieces of advice are to (1) visit as many places as possible, many stores sell completely different lines of products. You might be able to find some great speakers at one store you can't find at the others. (2)Listen to as many different speakers as possible, even if they are out of your price range, it will give you appreciation as to what sounds good for you and what you like. (3) Never settle for the sticker price, in speakers, the price is always negotiable and the MSRP is always set very high so that stores can offer "deals".

[snipsnapsappy]

Paradigm and Energy are all excellent companies. However, I think Mirages' Omni series makes a very strange sounding speaker and would not recommend it. It has very unnatural imaging for music and dialogue. Axioms surround speakers are much more effective with sound dispersion while still sounding direct as well.

The one thing I do not like about Paradigm and Energy (as well as countless other brands) is that they have different lines of speakers at varying prices.

Paradigm, for example, has:
Cinema
Performance
Monitor
Studio

Energy has:
Encore
XL
Conniseur
Veritas

Axiom, however, only has one line. And it is thier best. The interesting thing is that Axioms compare to the Energy Veritas and Paradigm Studio lines at a much lower price. Most people, when they ask what Axiom speakers sound like, they are recommended to find a dealer near them with Paradigm Studio speakers to make a comparison to see if they like thier sound. They are a great speaker for the cost conscious customer.

[Version]

Axoims are very nice, I don't think they are as nice as Energy Veritas though.

Another really good bang for buck deal is Athena. They are made by API [of Mirage and Energy fame] and are excellent speakers very comparable to the Axoim lines.

Inifinity is also a nice speaker. Erickson consumer, who makes Harmon Kardon and JBL own Infinity and they make a reasonable product for the price, although I would recommend the Athena Audition line personally.

[Louie]

I am gonna check out a place in Pittsburgh called Digital Visions. My girlfriend's dad just did a whole setup (TV, Speakers etc) so I am going to see what I can do from them. I really want some better speakers than these Sony, because just looking at them now (I was 16 and giddy to get it, esp to show it off to my friends).

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by Louie

I am gonna check out a place in Pittsburgh called Digital Visions. My girlfriend's dad just did a whole setup (TV, Speakers etc) so I am going to see what I can do from them. I really want some better speakers than these Sony, because just looking at them now (I was 16 and giddy to get it, esp to show it off to my friends).

Well their website leaves a lot to be desired , but if I'm not mistaken, the pics look like Paradigm speakers. So you'll at least be able to listen to them.

And if it's not too much to ask, could you pick me up a case of Iron City?

Thanks!

[Louie]

Well it kinda ummm sucks.

What about Infinity Entra Speakers?

I was putzing around CC tonight and they had a pair for $50 on clearance. Just curious on Infinity...

[snipsnapsappy]

At that price go for it. They will not be that much better than the Sony's, if at all, but for that price try them out, if they don't work out then take them back.

However, I really would recommend buying a nicer set of speakers for a little more money and slowly building a great HT. You will likely feel buyers remorse again soon and want new speakers again. I feel that buying within your budget, but choosing a great product is better than making compromises that will eventually add up to the same price as if you just bought a great product at the beginning.

But those Infinity speakers may really impress you, I have never heard them, but they may be nice.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by Louie

Well it kinda ummm sucks.

Are you refering to my comments? About the website or the beer?

If you mean the beer - I was kiding...that stuff tastes like panther piss. If you meant the website....well, they do have a phone # - you could call to see what brands they carry

[incubus0]

If you decide against the upgrading slowly thing, the Cambridge SoundWorks MovieWorks 108 Home Theater Speaker System will not disappoint.

[Louie]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Are you refering to my comments? About the website or the beer?

If you mean the beer - I was kiding...that stuff tastes like panther piss. If you meant the website....well, they do have a phone # - you could call to see what brands they carry

I meant the web site...lol Dont know never had the beer!