Hello, I would like your guys' advice on which bookshelf speakers to buy (Polk vs Klipsch)

So I am looking to not spend that much on speakers. I am going to be upgrading from the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks III.

At the moment, I only want a 2.1 system, and have more or less decided on which subwoofer to get (I heard the "Emotiva" brand 10" sub is great for music).

My usage will mainly be Blu-ray movies and listening to CDs or FLAC files.

I have went to a Visions electronics store and did a hearing test for a few bookshelfs; The Polk Audio TSi100's, 200's, Soundstage brand, KEF C1 series, and the JBL Night Life.

I ended up buying the TSi100's, but had Visions hold it for me. It was pretty good in my ears and definitely a better sound than the HKSSIII's (the bass on these bookshelfs alone were slightly better than the Harmon's, but I know by getting the Emotiva sub, it should be even better--especially for music.

However, I saw these on Amazon by Klipsch, which aren't available anywhere in stores in my city, but judging by the customers, they are very satisfied just looking at the rating. Likewise, other Amazon users who got the TSi100's were very happy.

I do however, like the styling for both but from the pictures, the Klipsch WB 14 Icons look slightly nicer, the sleek black and cherry wood. Very slick and very upscale looking. It's also going to be more expensive than what I have paid for the TSi100's.

Here are the Klipschs:

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-WB-14-Furniture-Grade-Bookshelf-Cabernet/dp/B001CDX7D6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1339729373&sr=8-2&keywords=klipsch+wb14+icon

Here are my TSi100's:

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-TSi100-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00192KF12/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1339729746&sr=1-1&keywords=tsi+100s

Also, this is the sub I'm getting:

http://home-subwoofers-review.toptenreviews.com/emotiva-ultra-series-review.html

With shipping, I'm looking at spending $320 for the Klipsch, versus the $200 I spent for the Polks.

Eventually, I will be adding rear speakers (just two) of either models (depending on which I end up getting).


So which would yield better quality judging from physical dimensions, materials, weight and the frequency range.

Thanks a ton guys!

Hello zieglj01,

Thanks for your reply!

I didn't mention in my initial post, but I don't want speakers that are too massive. I actually was dead set on getting the TSi200s. but it would be too large in my room.

Now, I just did a search on Newegg for some Polk Monitor series, and the Monitor30 and Monitor40 came up. I did a double take--both series looks like the TSi100 and 200, respectively.

Is the M30 better than the TSi100 in regards to mid-range and highs?


Another question, does the continuous/peak watts of a speaker/channel, ultimately affect sound quality or just affects the "loudness"?

And, do speaker wires affect sound/midrange, if they were either super cheap or very expensive?

Thanks again!

Oh my, I just stumbled upon these Martin Logans (never heard of him, but apparently is respected:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/speaker-and-subwoofer-reviews/martin-logan-motion-lx16-review/2/


This review says the LX16s sounds dynamic and great for music (sounds like a band playing live in his room).

Music would be my priority, as I assume if it's good for music, it has to be good for movies as well. So how are these? They look sleek as heck, possibly even better than the Klipschs.

I noticed that shortly after posting. I was looking for Monitor series on Amazon, and one reviewer brought this up:

http://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-Diamond-Blackwood-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B003B8U9TU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1339783353&sr=1-1&keywords=wharfedale+diamond+10.1

Stereophile gave it a very good review, and music is excellent on it.


My main concern with the Diamond 10.1, and the recommendations is...is there a center channel that is in the same series or timbre matched? I would buy a center just so the 3 fronts are all "the same".



Speaking of Cambridge, Visions Electronics has the S30 which could save me on shipping costs. I also went to your Amazon link-- the one reviewer compared it to his Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s, and it seems the Cambridge S30 is more or less equal, and both are excellent for music.

I'll be honest, I didn't test the Cambridge at the store as they had it set up with a mini CD player, and wasn't lined up with the "main" demo area with the JBLs, Polks, etc, so I immediately wrote them off.

However, I still like the style of the Diamonds quite a bit.

Sw

Thanks for the links!

I think I will try out the S30's next week, but I'm more set on the Diamonds now.

What brand/model of receiver should I purchase if I plan on getting 4 S30's or 4 Diamonds, with one of the suggested subs, like the Lavasub, along with a center speaker?

Okay, how would you rate build quality? Should they last 5+ years? I'm definitely getting this or a Lavasub

Thanks zieglj01, much appreciated

Back to the Cambridge speakers, are there 2 versions of the S30 with different crossovers?

Also guys, I just found out Polk, Cambridge and Wharfedale's speakers are assembled in China (the ones I am deciding between), and that has me slightly weary and worried. Are the Energy RC-10s made in US or the UK?

So I am dead set on the Emotiva Sub, so let's get that out of the way.

Cambridge goes to 20 Hz (same as my Soundsticks from Harmon Kardon). Not sure if it's a bad thing or not....

Is the Arx A1b speakers, made in the USA? I have officially put a pass on Wharfedale Diamonds. Equal to Cambridge, yet almost 2x as expensive!

Is it important to get speakers with "bi-amp"? Does this make the sound louder without losing quality or distorting?

Thanks again guys, very helpful!
Edited by BestInTheWorld - 6/16/12 at 1:40am

I have now narrowed it down to the Mordaunt Short Carnival 2's, which is "the same" as Cambridge's S30, only better looking IMO:

http://www.amazon.com/Mordaunt-Short-Carnival-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B003ZW2A6C/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

or

ARX A1B

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?p=arx-a1b-monitor-loudspeaker&products_id=65&osCsid=9079f7c4a98ec1a5ceb8c340a66fcfce



Now, both are very good for music from what I've read, like imaging and large sound staging... but overall, which would be better for music, to get that feeling of "being there"? These would serve as my two front left and right channels, along with the Emotiva 10 Sub.

Darn, I meant 20 Khz.

True, I've wanted to open up my options, cause I haven't a clue but I am definitely not keeping the TSi100. It sounded better than the Soundsticks III, but felt I could do better, and think i have. I also cannot go to a store to test out the Arx or Mordaunts, as there are none here in the city.

I am leaning towards the Mordaunts, but if the planar tweeter of the Arx is better than a normal 1" tweeter, I would go with the Arx A1b.

I am VERY close to deciding, but glad I came down to these 2

Oh darn, but I forgot to ask, is the front ported Carnival 2s better than a rear ported speaker like the Arx A1?

The speakers will be placed on 3 foot stands (give or take half a foot), being placed 5-6 feet apart. They will NOT be close to a wall, but kind of in the center of the room. Probably about 2 feet away from the back wall, left and right walls.

You know what guys?, I'm going to go with the Energy RC10s, only because it's soundstage is bigger than the Cambridge/Mordaunts and reviews for music playback is very positive/"wow" factor. Is Amazon a good place to order from? I'm in Canada, so I want to order from a reliable and good online store, and I have never ordered anything online that's close to this size and cost

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00550VM66/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new