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Looking for new speakers under $400

post #1 of 40
12/15/12 at 6:21am
Thread Starter 
I'm looking for new speakers under 400 shipped for a 15×15×8 room. Music to movie ratio is 80/20.
Currently have an hk avr 1700 and looking into getting an hsu vtf2-mk4 soon.

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post #2 of 40
12/15/12 at 6:24am
Amazons deal of the day is JBL speakers looks like some decent prices, you could check that out. I don't know anything about JBL speakers but thought I would let you know.
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post #3 of 40
12/15/12 at 6:33am
I would recommend looking at the def tech studio monitors. The sm450 is a great deal on newegg right now. The newer sm45 may fit in your price range too.
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post #4 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:00am
Thread Starter 
I've been looking ar wharfedale diamond 10.1 bookshelfs what do you guys think of those? Would they be enough for a 15x15 room?

I'm also really thinking about getting wharfedale evo2-20s as I've seen them for $480. Even though theyre outside my budget I think that would be the best bang for my buck?

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post #5 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:10am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bjaurelio View Post

I would recommend looking at the def tech studio monitors. The sm450 is a great deal on newegg right now. The newer sm45 may fit in your price range too.

Wow the sm450 are only 279.99 anybody have first hand experience with those??

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post #6 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:23am
IMO the sound quality of the Wharfedale speakers would be far better.

I would advise you to go with the Diamond 10.2 or EVO 2-20 speakers.

The Klipsch SUB12-HG is only $300 and is a pretty capable subwoofer.
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post #7 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman View Post

IMO the sound quality of the Wharfedale speakers would be far better.

I would advise you to go with the Diamond 10.2 or EVO 2-20 speakers.

The Klipsch SUB12-HG is only $300 and is a pretty capable subwoofer.

Price difference between the diamond 10.2 and the Evo2-20 is about 30. So evo 2-20 would be ideal I assume?



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post #8 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:32am
In case you want to save money on the sub, the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus is on sale for $499 shipped. It's comparable to the VTF-2 MK4.
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post #9 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:32am
ARX from audio insider

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post #10 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:36am
It's really just a question of whether you prefer floorstanding or bookshelf speakers.

Either one will give you solid bass to the 40-50 Hz range, and the subwoofer will be set to operate below 50 Hz, so take your pick.
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post #11 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:42am
I have the sm450 and that speaker is an outstanding speaker for around 200 bucks. Btw, I got mine from new egg for almost exactly 200 bucks. Good enough at the low end that for music , I don't feel a sub is necessary. For HT, you will want a sub!
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post #12 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:46am
Thread Starter 
I prefer bookshelf. So I think ill go with the diamond 10.2 tonight from musicdirect for 449.99.

I'm coming from an h100 on the subwoofer side what do you guys recommend under $500?

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post #13 of 40
12/15/12 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by slickmastajay View Post

Wow the sm450 are only 279.99 anybody have first hand experience with those??
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I have experience with the 350s, which I love. The difference is the 450 users a bigger midrange driver. Both are incredible deals right now, but it sounds like you're looking at some other good deals closer to the top of your price range, though I don't have any experience with wharfedale to make a comparison.
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post #14 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by slickmastajay View Post

I prefer bookshelf. So I think ill go with the diamond 10.2 tonight from musicdirect for 449.99.
I'm coming from an h100 on the subwoofer side what do you guys recommend under $500?

The Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus IS the best deal on a subwoofer for $500 right now.
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post #15 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by slickmastajay View Post

I prefer bookshelf. So I think ill go with the diamond 10.2 tonight from musicdirect for 449.99.
I'm coming from an h100 on the subwoofer side what do you guys recommend under $500?

The Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus IS the best deal on a subwoofer for $500 right now.

I can't afford it right now but for my next paycheck in two weeks? I doubt the outlaw would still be on sale?

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post #16 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman View Post

IMO the sound quality of the Wharfedale speakers would be far better.
I would advise you to go with the Diamond 10.2 or EVO 2-20 speakers.
The Klipsch SUB12-HG is only $300 and is a pretty capable subwoofer.

I was under the impression that the Klipsch RW-12d is the best sub to get for $300. I know it seems to regularly hit that price on Newegg.
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post #17 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarsianMan View Post

I was under the impression that the Klipsch RW-12d is the best sub to get for $300. I know it seems to regularly hit that price on Newegg.

That would be subjective, and would also be based on bias and some nit-picking.smile.gif
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post #18 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:23am
Are you looking for a 5.1 or a 2.1/3.1?
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post #19 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

That would be subjective, and would also be based on bias and some nit-picking.smile.gif

I should have realized that there was no "right" answer. Out of curiosity (since I did end up buying it) what would the nit-picking be? Just curious to get a more balanced view of my equipment.
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post #20 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarsianMan View Post

I should have realized that there was no "right" answer. Out of curiosity (since I did end up buying it) what would the nit-picking be? Just curious to get a more balanced view of my equipment.

Things like:
the company (ID, or non ID)
lowest frequency
spl per certain frequencies
has it been measured
who did, or did not measure it

Nothing wrong with owning what you have, as long as you like and enjoy it.
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post #21 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:43am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarsianMan View Post

Are you looking for a 5.1 or a 2.1/3.1?

Currently 2.1 and upgrading to 5.1 in the future.

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Edited by slickmastajay - 12/15/12 at 8:49am
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post #22 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:45am
I know this is off topic: but outlaw's ecommerce page is horrible. Their "more specials" page doesn't link to product pages, and their product pages don't link to cart pages nor give prices.

On topic: I remain a fan of the Primus 363 in this price range. Behringer 2030p bookshelves as well. The Pioneers that have been recently lauded are in this range too.
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post #23 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

Nothing wrong with owning what you have, as long as you like and enjoy it.

I am quite happy with the sub; truth be told, living in a second-story apartment I'm afraid to even turn it up to really see what it can do. I just like knowing what more knowledgeable people think of that specific sub (both good and bad).

It's really the Pioneer L(C)R that I am not completely sold on and wondering if I can do better for the OP's budget of $400.
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post #24 of 40
12/15/12 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 
What kind of wiring do you think I would need for the diamond 10.2?
What awg would be best if im going to using 7.5ft at most for length of the wires?
Would I need bannana plugs?

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post #25 of 40
12/15/12 at 12:14pm
Wouldn't the Paradigm Atoms fit in this discussion?
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post #26 of 40
12/15/12 at 3:33pm
I went with 12awg all around, I didn't mess around.

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post #27 of 40
12/15/12 at 3:46pm
If you do go with the Diamond 10.2's, I think you will be very happy with your choice. They are truly nice bookshelf speakers. WRT to speaker wire, 16 gauge Oxygen Free Copper wire from Monoprice will suffice. The OFC designation insures you are getting pure copper and not CCA, Copper Clad Alumuinum. Please see link.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023903&p_id=2749&seq=1&format=2

But Monoprice is so reasonably priced, you can also get 14 or 12 gauge for just a few dollars more in a 50' spool. I think 50' ers are the smallest they come in so might as well get the thicker gauge in case something changes down the road and you need to make a longer run. Finally, if you plan on moving the speakers around a lot looking for the ideal room placement, Bananas are nice for ease of hooking and unhooking. If not, bare wire through the hole in the binding post will work just as well. Enjoy your new speakers.
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post #28 of 40
12/15/12 at 8:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paraneer View Post

If you do go with the Diamond 10.2's, I think you will be very happy with your choice. They are truly nice bookshelf speakers. WRT to speaker wire, 16 gauge Oxygen Free Copper wire from Monoprice will suffice. The OFC designation insures you are getting pure copper and not CCA, Copper Clad Alumuinum. Please see link.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023903&p_id=2749&seq=1&format=2

But Monoprice is so reasonably priced, you can also get 14 or 12 gauge for just a few dollars more in a 50' spool. I think 50' ers are the smallest they come in so might as well get the thicker gauge in case something changes down the road and you need to make a longer run. Finally, if you plan on moving the speakers around a lot looking for the ideal room placement, Bananas are nice for ease of hooking and unhooking. If not, bare wire through the hole in the binding post will work just as well. Enjoy your new speakers.

Thanks for the response! I did end up purchasing the diamond 10.2s and got free 2 day shipping so I should be receiving them Wednesday.

As for speaker wiring I managed to find a 50ft spool of 16awg rca speaker wire on clearance for $6 would that be good enough or should I still go with monoprice?
I didn't go with monoprice initially because the shipping to my house is about $8.50 for 3-5days ground shipping.

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post #29 of 40
12/15/12 at 9:58pm
Congrats on the Diamond 10.2's. The RCA stuff is CCA, Copper Clad Aluminum, and personally I would not use it, even for short runs. So is the GE Pro wire found at Home Depot, Lowes, Targets, etc. Speaker wire doesn't have to be expensive but it should at least be pure copper.

Even with shipping charges, I still suggest Monoprice because it is quality pure copper wire at a good price. But if you cannot wait for Monoprice because you will have your speakers in two days, I would suggest the Rocketfish 16 gauge wire at Best Buy. It is pure copper and I believe it comes in 30 foot spools. Should be about the same price as Monoprice wire plus the shipping charge. Good luck.
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post #30 of 40
12/15/12 at 10:13pm
Isn't CCA kind of like turkey bacon?
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