Good HT speaker setup for < $1000?

amnesiac 2.0 · 10-20-2003, 10:22 AM

I'll be moving into a new place soon and I'm scouting out a good set of home theater speakers.

Granted, I know that what works for one person doesn't work for another so I'll mention what I *DO* like.

- Richer, deeper sound over brighter sound. (I.e. I love Boston Acoustics, JBL, and Energy but hate Klipsch)
- Neutral tone is good (I currently have Rogers studio monitors and love them, but want something with bigger range)

Here are speaker sets i have researched to be good bangs for the buck. My budget is < $1000 WITHOUT subwoofer (I have a JBL PB-12 -- if someone can give me a good reason to get a new sub, I'll do that)

- Fluance
- Axiom
- Paradigm
- Mirage
- Onkyo
- Ascend
- Hometheater Direct

Also, this store called Magnolia Hi-Fi just opened up nearby and they have sales on the following:

- Definitive
- M&K
- Sonus faber

Recommendations?

zippyjuan · 10-21-2003, 01:00 AM

Listen to them wherever possible. The brands you list are all pretty good, but they all will have a different sound. When it comes to audio, different people like diferent things. Also listen to them at the same place if possible- it is impossible to remember sound other than if it was good or bad so make comparisons. Take some music you like so you know how it is supposed to sound. If it is for a theater set-up I would pay attention to the center speaker- I have had a few center channels and if they don't sound very good, it throws the whole set-up off. It will also need to be as identical as possible to the other front speakers so that sounds will move seamlessly across the soundstage- like a car driving across or a person crossing a room while talking. I didn't like Kilpsh either- way too brite for my taste. You are on the right track by looking at quality speakers. You will probably have them for a while so it is important to take the time to find something you will like. I had my first set of good speakers for about twelve years- and I upgraded everything else a couple of times. You can also fnd reviews by consumers at www.audioreview.com to narrow your list a bit, but listening is the most important thing.

amnesiac 2.0 · 10-21-2003, 01:10 AM

I think it's pretty much down to the Axioms vs. the Rocket ELT.

Edging a bit towards the Axioms for asthetics but am hearing many many good things about the rockets as well.

zippyjuan · 10-21-2003, 03:18 PM

I haven't listened to the Rockets, but they use the same tweeter (a Vifa ring radiating tweeter often found on much more expensive speakers) as my Polk Lsi series (which are just a bit outside your budget). They produce some amazingly clear and undistorted highs. Check them out if you can.

10-20-2003, 10:22 AM	#1
amnesiac 2.0 Ensign Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 27	Good HT speaker setup for < $1000? I'll be moving into a new place soon and I'm scouting out a good set of home theater speakers. Granted, I know that what works for one person doesn't work for another so I'll mention what I DO like. - Richer, deeper sound over brighter sound. (I.e. I love Boston Acoustics, JBL, and Energy but hate Klipsch) - Neutral tone is good (I currently have Rogers studio monitors and love them, but want something with bigger range) Here are speaker sets i have researched to be good bangs for the buck. My budget is < $1000 WITHOUT subwoofer (I have a JBL PB-12 -- if someone can give me a good reason to get a new sub, I'll do that) - Fluance - Axiom - Paradigm - Mirage - Onkyo - Ascend - Hometheater Direct Also, this store called Magnolia Hi-Fi just opened up nearby and they have sales on the following: - Definitive - M&K - Sonus faber Recommendations?

10-21-2003, 01:00 AM	#2
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	Listen to them wherever possible. The brands you list are all pretty good, but they all will have a different sound. When it comes to audio, different people like diferent things. Also listen to them at the same place if possible- it is impossible to remember sound other than if it was good or bad so make comparisons. Take some music you like so you know how it is supposed to sound. If it is for a theater set-up I would pay attention to the center speaker- I have had a few center channels and if they don't sound very good, it throws the whole set-up off. It will also need to be as identical as possible to the other front speakers so that sounds will move seamlessly across the soundstage- like a car driving across or a person crossing a room while talking. I didn't like Kilpsh either- way too brite for my taste. You are on the right track by looking at quality speakers. You will probably have them for a while so it is important to take the time to find something you will like. I had my first set of good speakers for about twelve years- and I upgraded everything else a couple of times. You can also fnd reviews by consumers at www.audioreview.com to narrow your list a bit, but listening is the most important thing. __________________ I add new pictures to my photo gallery pretty regularly. You can see them here if you are interested: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-21-2003, 01:10 AM	#3
amnesiac 2.0 Ensign Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 27	I think it's pretty much down to the Axioms vs. the Rocket ELT. Edging a bit towards the Axioms for asthetics but am hearing many many good things about the rockets as well.

10-21-2003, 03:18 PM	#4
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	I haven't listened to the Rockets, but they use the same tweeter (a Vifa ring radiating tweeter often found on much more expensive speakers) as my Polk Lsi series (which are just a bit outside your budget). They produce some amazingly clear and undistorted highs. Check them out if you can.

User Name
Password
Remember Me?