Buying Main speakers

rajatQ2 · 10-12-2004, 12:43 PM

I am buying a new pair of Main Speakers. I have some extra cash, and the ones that I have now, i'd like to kick back and make them rear speakers, or put them in my room. They're not too large.

So, here is my dilemma. I really yearn for a pair of Tower speakers, but i don't want to spend much over $500. want speakers now, especially since its almost winter, and movie season...

So, I really like Cambridge Soundworks, every good pair of speakers i own is from them.

Here's what i'm looking at:

Link: Newton T100 Towers

There is also a similar pair of those towers in the clearance section, CS Tower II.

But, here is the dilemma. Should i spend $500 on those, which i'll use almost exclusively for watching movies, or should i spend about $200 on these:

Link: The Surround Speaker 5.1

The second ones are MUCH smaller (As can you can tell from the price) and far less sophisticated.

What i've got so far is a JVC 100x4 amp, with 5.1 and DTS decoding, 2 soundworks bookshelf speakers as the front speakers, a soundworks center channel speaker, and a 50 watt subwoofer.

So, question is, is it worth all that extra money to get some towers?

Apex · 10-12-2004, 04:36 PM

In general, for HT, it's better to buy a good set of bookshelves and a nice subwoofer.

zippyjuan · 10-12-2004, 11:18 PM

I would probably go with replacing your front speakers and move your present speakers to the back. Do you have a center channel speaker or do you need one of those too for 5.1? That should be as close as possible to your fronts. I actually used to have a set of those surround speakers and I was disappointed in them. I used to have a Movie Works II set from them but I have since upgraded everything. The satellite front speakers are great and I still kept them - right now they are connected to my computer. That would be a nice set-up to have four of those and a sub. I haven't heard the Newtons, but they are supposed to be very good. My current set-up is bookshelves and a sub (different brand than CSW). Less obtrusive than towers, but people like different things.

If you like CSW, you may also look at their E-Bay listings. They are usually re-furbs (or just customer returns) although you do get a shorter exchange period if you buy there. CSW has a generous exchange program on their regular merchandise. The EBay prices can be a fair bit lower too. That is where I picked up mine.

Agent Plissken · 10-13-2004, 05:22 AM

I am no expert by any means but I just got a couple of these, and I like them... JBL E90 Dual 8" each. $228 each, shipped right now on pricegrabber! For each I paid $299 + tax at Best Buy.
If you wanna save a couple hundred, I was also looking at these JBL E80 which are dual 6" instead of 8". They are $179 shipped on pricegrabber. What do you other guys think about the JBLs (for the money you audiophiles! he is on a budjet.)

IrishSS · 10-13-2004, 03:10 PM

I know you said you liked CS... but, if you're open to other manufacturers, I'd highly recommend these JBL's:

I have a pair of them and a 12" sub to go along with it. Fantastic speakers and for $199 each with free shipping from Best Price Audio Video, it's hard to go wrong for $400. These things kicks some serious ass watching movies.

http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/p...ry=1841&Show=A

rajatQ2 · 10-13-2004, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyjuan

The EBay prices can be a fair bit lower too. That is where I picked up mine.

Good call!! I found a pair of tight bookshelf speakers on there, and i think that is my plan for now. Thanks guys!

Also, a subwoofer upgrade in the near future.

rajatQ2 · 10-14-2004, 03:15 PM

Yeee Haww! Check out what i got.

Good call one the ebay, zippy. $399 a pair, refurbs for $240.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5724766935

ray · 10-14-2004, 03:45 PM

I also have the M80s. Excellent speakers!

zippyjuan · 10-14-2004, 11:14 PM

Congratulations! You will probably like those. Let us know how they sound! They really look nice (I see that the auction was in mahogany finish)!

10-12-2004, 12:43 PM	#1
rajatQ2 Commander Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: boston, ma Posts: 1,020	Buying Main speakers I am buying a new pair of Main Speakers. I have some extra cash, and the ones that I have now, i'd like to kick back and make them rear speakers, or put them in my room. They're not too large. So, here is my dilemma. I really yearn for a pair of Tower speakers, but i don't want to spend much over $500. want speakers now, especially since its almost winter, and movie season... So, I really like Cambridge Soundworks, every good pair of speakers i own is from them. Here's what i'm looking at: Link: Newton T100 Towers There is also a similar pair of those towers in the clearance section, CS Tower II. But, here is the dilemma. Should i spend $500 on those, which i'll use almost exclusively for watching movies, or should i spend about $200 on these: Link: The Surround Speaker 5.1 The second ones are MUCH smaller (As can you can tell from the price) and far less sophisticated. What i've got so far is a JVC 100x4 amp, with 5.1 and DTS decoding, 2 soundworks bookshelf speakers as the front speakers, a soundworks center channel speaker, and a 50 watt subwoofer. So, question is, is it worth all that extra money to get some towers? __________________ Find some free Comcast or Verizon on-demand movies to watch at home tonight: www.movie-cat.tv

10-12-2004, 04:36 PM	#2
Apex Can you hear me now? Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Here Posts: 5,506	In general, for HT, it's better to buy a good set of bookshelves and a nice subwoofer. __________________ The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance - it is the illusion of knowledge. Daniel J. Boorstin (1914 - )

10-12-2004, 11:18 PM	#3
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	I would probably go with replacing your front speakers and move your present speakers to the back. Do you have a center channel speaker or do you need one of those too for 5.1? That should be as close as possible to your fronts. I actually used to have a set of those surround speakers and I was disappointed in them. I used to have a Movie Works II set from them but I have since upgraded everything. The satellite front speakers are great and I still kept them - right now they are connected to my computer. That would be a nice set-up to have four of those and a sub. I haven't heard the Newtons, but they are supposed to be very good. My current set-up is bookshelves and a sub (different brand than CSW). Less obtrusive than towers, but people like different things. If you like CSW, you may also look at their E-Bay listings. They are usually re-furbs (or just customer returns) although you do get a shorter exchange period if you buy there. CSW has a generous exchange program on their regular merchandise. The EBay prices can be a fair bit lower too. That is where I picked up mine. __________________ I add new pictures to my photo gallery pretty regularly. You can see them here if you are interested: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz

10-13-2004, 05:22 AM	#4
Agent Plissken Commander Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Montgomery Posts: 1,264	I am no expert by any means but I just got a couple of these, and I like them... JBL E90 Dual 8" each. $228 each, shipped right now on pricegrabber! For each I paid $299 + tax at Best Buy. If you wanna save a couple hundred, I was also looking at these JBL E80 which are dual 6" instead of 8". They are $179 shipped on pricegrabber. What do you other guys think about the JBLs (for the money you audiophiles! he is on a budjet.) __________________ Dyin' ain't much of a living, boy

10-13-2004, 03:10 PM	#5
IrishSS Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: NoVa Posts: 2,644	I know you said you liked CS... but, if you're open to other manufacturers, I'd highly recommend these JBL's: I have a pair of them and a 12" sub to go along with it. Fantastic speakers and for $199 each with free shipping from Best Price Audio Video, it's hard to go wrong for $400. These things kicks some serious ass watching movies. http://www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com/p...ry=1841&Show=A __________________ Spigs, you MFR#1N!

10-14-2004, 03:15 PM	#7
rajatQ2 Commander Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: boston, ma Posts: 1,020	Yeee Haww! Check out what i got. Good call one the ebay, zippy. $399 a pair, refurbs for $240. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5724766935

10-14-2004, 03:45 PM	#8
ray captain awesome Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,054	I also have the M80s. Excellent speakers!

10-14-2004, 11:14 PM	#9
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	Congratulations! You will probably like those. Let us know how they sound! They really look nice (I see that the auction was in mahogany finish)!

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