Be forwarned...I apologize for the length of this post.

So I'm looking to redo my bedroom/movie room :p and want to go with something a little bit better in SQ than my Logitech Z-5500 speakers. Frankly they suck, but they work well for the computer.

A bit about my room. It's about 14x20x8. It has a side office type room thats competely open to my bedroom. So my room looks like a reverse L.

The TV and receiver is going to be on on the far side of the long end of the room and the bed is on the back end. A leather couch/love seat is in front of the bed....or about 10-12' from the TV and speakers. This is where I'll mainly be.

The room is drywall with hardwood floors. I just bought a Onkyo 605 receiver rated at 85watts at 8ohm.

I'm mainly going to be music, but will also be dedicating about 25-30% of the listening to movies and games.

Basically, what I'm asking is whats the best floorstanding speakers for less than 600 bucks? I work at Circuit City, so I know what crap sounds like. We, however, also only have a circuit city, best buy and tweeter around here within a 40-50 mile radius. Hardly any smaller or higher end companies to preview the better stuff.

I also like the Polk Monitor 70's we have, and the Boston HS460's. But I would like something in the middle. The Polk's have incredible bass response and yet a smooth sound, but the tweeters seem almost too laid back. The Bostons on the other hand, have incredible clarity, but I think the highs or just a little bright, or maybe just harsher than I would like.

Now I can get the Polk monitor 70's for 200 a peice, so that also swayed my opinion.

However, I am wondering what people think of some of the other online brands. I read reviews and it seems to be mixed on some, and its hard deciphering prices with everyone wanting a different configuration.

I was thinking about getting the JBL L890's, the JBL L880's, the JBL Venue Stadium series or the Infinity Beta 50's. I'm really leaning toward the L series because I heard some good things. However, has anyone used them? The whole horn tweeter 4-way design makes me hesitant though. I don't mind sharpness, but there is a point where it can be too harsh. Anyone own these? How about the Stadiums? The speakers look nice but they don't list the crossover slopes. 18db?

As for internet brands, I'm mainly talking about:

Home Theater Direct (Level 2 and 3): I was mainly wondering if I should splurge and spend 799 for a set of online floorstandings. Has anyone heard the Level 3's and can give me an idea of sound? If so, has anyone been able to compare them to the Level 2's? Or can anyone give me an opinion on those?

PSB

Elemental Designs

How about any others?

Basically, are the HTD L3's worth the 800 they ask? Are the L890's worth the money (I can get those for about 600 a pair), and if not, what is better for the same price.

Thanks for the time,

Dave

If you use the search function you'll find plenty of other threads asking about "best speakers for $xx" in every price range you can think of, especially the lower price ranges like your $600. In every case you'll find pretty much the same recommendations so you might as well look those up. Swan Diva from theaudioinsider.com will be frequently recommended, as will the lower priced offerings from AV123. eD is getting a lot of raves lately so they're surely worth checking out. Ascend is also highly recommended. Internet Direct is probably a good choice for you since you said you have very few good stores near you, or even used stuff on Audiogon.

As for your room, with hardwood floors and drywall you'll definitely want to research room treatments. Almost any good speakers might come off sounding a bit harsh or at least messy in a room like that unless you have a lot of soft furniture to deaden the sound. Plenty of info on the web and on this forum and audioholics about treatment options. Carpets on the floor is a good start, plus some sort of panels on the first reflection points, possibly some corner bass trapping, etc.

Haven't personally heard most of the speakers you asked about so I can't comment on them...

Basically, are the HTD L3's worth the 800 they ask?Haven't heard them, but they have a 30-day return policy so you can try them out for yourself.Are the L890's worth the money (I can get those for about 600 a pair), and if not, what is better for the same price.Why not decide for yourself by listening to them at the place where you can get them for $600?

The only reason I ask is becuase most pricing questions are not in my criteria. They either want to know the best set for xxx dollars with a sub, or for something with a center and florrstanding. I understand there are a lot of threads, but its hard to weed out exactly the thread I need. I did find one with, but with only one reply.

As far as the JBL';s are cncerned, I can get the deal through a manufacturer pricing, there is no local store that carries them anywhere in my area. Most can get them, but for a higher price, and without being able to demo them anyway.

Hey there,

Ok, I may be starting to sound like a broken record here, but the guys in the link below are great, and I've become a returning customer to them. Check out these and see what you think.

www.saturdayaudio.com

Click on the Deals button and check out the Monitor Audio Bronze B4's (B6's are sold out) and the PSB T45 and T55. T55's are $629, but usually when I'm on a budget, seeing something only 30 bucks more usually gets bought;)

Hope this helps!

:)

Mirage Omni 350s are $600/pr speakers and a steal at that price, but can currently be had for half price at Vanns!

Ok, after getting to hear some speakers, and seeing what's out there, I narrowed down the selections:

Infinity Beta 50: So far this tops my list. For 500 bucks I only really heard good things to say about them, and never really saw any bad/negative reviews. If I go this way I already am halfway there to getting a good center channel.

Swan Diva 5.1BC: Again, only heard good things about them. And for 550 right now, they seem like a steal. The only thing not really doing it for me is the fact the midrange is a 2" soft dome speaker.

JBL L890: I like these speakers, but a 4 way design with the crossover at 20,000 hertz? Come on!

HTD Level 3: These I were originally going to go with, until I could not find any reviews either negative or positive. They seem like a decient setup, but again, I don't know if I want the hassle of trying them out and then having to ship them back if I don't like it. However, I heard ribbon tweeters before and loved them, so I'm in the air.

Paradigm monitor 7: Again, I like the way the mini monitors sound...however for the price they didn't really appeal to me...especially in the upper end. I'm sure the highs are going to sound similiar with the floorstanders.

So all in all, any opinions to the selections? I'm honestly about to flip a coin between the 2 favorites I took...the Beta 50's and the Level 3's (which are outside of the price range I was looking at.)

Just seeing if anyone wants to laugh, I'm not sure if all those speakers can be put in the same price/performance bracket. Or if one is alot better/worse than the others, etc. Just trying to get opinions before I pull the trigger.

My friend just got the Monitor Audio 550's from Vanns for $400/pair -- half price. I checked them out yesterday and they are fabulous for the price.

Goto http://www.aperionaudio.com and see what they have to offer. Just as good as any of the other brands you mentioned, maybe better.

You can get PSB T55 for $629.00 pair from www.saturdayaudio.com. They are $29.00 over your budget, but well worth it at this price, actually well worth it at $800.00+. Just don't buy beer for a week, and there is your $29.00.