Help With Floor Standing Speakers

It has been a very long time since my last posting and am in need of a little assistance. I am in the market for a new set of floor standing speakers as my current speakers are about 15 years old and are a pair of crap sonys at the time it seemed like a good purchase.

My budget is about 1200$ total for the pair which I could stretch to maybe 1500$ pending on the wife approval factor.

My current system includes a Pioneer Elite SC-05 Receiver and a Mach 5 Audio IXL 15 Sub. A JBL S-Center and a pair of Klipsch surrounds. I'm in the military so my listning room is always changing shape size flooring etc.

I listen to about 70% Movies and 30% Music with a wide variety of music Nickleback, Frank Sanatra, Skrillex. Jay-Z, My Darkest Days, Theory of a Deadman to name a few.

Given my sub I dont think the low end of the spectrum is a big concern for my floor standing speakers but the mids and highs are. I have looked at a few spekaers in my price range but am looking for more suggestions. There are so many different speaker manufactors out there. I don't know much about B&W nor Energy Speakers but like most am unable to audition most speakers out there. I may be able to go to a local BB Magnolia Home Theater to listen to some Energy or Definitive Technology speakers. Below are a few I have looked at but am open to more suggestions.


Polk RTi A7
Polk RIT A9
Klipsch RF-82 (apparently extremly bright)
HTD Level 3
Wharfdale (which seem to be impossible to get here in the states)
Cerwin Vega XLS-15
EMP Tek E55Ti With E56Ci Center
Swan Diva 6.2 with Diva 5.2C Center

Edit: Added a the EMP and Swan diva to the list
Thank You for the assistance.
Edited by dp3dp - 2/21/13 at 12:55pm

Weazy and flickhtguru Thank You for the assist Weazy and flickhtguru. For the price these apparently are amazing, and am under budget enough to match with a 5.2c center channel speaker. Nice!

The focals look like a very nice option as well. The one thing I do not like about the swans are the finish, the wife would likely approve a black speaker over a wood color finish.

All Thank You for the Assistance. I think everyone has an instance with an internet retailer or brick and mortar store that temporaily goes mentally insane on customer service. Although, it seems every time I got to BB my customer service expierence is always mind boggaling. As I've read through all of your recommendations I think I've narrowed it down to a couple which I will list below. I have decided to get a center channel speaker as well. As I dive neck deep into this i am mroe the over whelemed. I will not have a seperate amp to power them and will be using my Pioner Elite SC-05 to power them which is listed at 130W at 8 ohm per channel. So I'm trying to undertsand how that will effect these speakers as all of the listed spekaers bellow are 6 ohm except for the foclas. So the list is below along with some comments, thoughts comments and critisim are welcome.

Swan Diva 6.2 + Center $1088 6 ohm 200W
I have read really good reviews on these speakers the only cencern is the finish its brown. I'm also interesed on how these compare to the Arx A5.

EMP Tek E55Ti + Center $1245 6 ohm 200W
I guess I'm in the "old" mind set bigger is better more speakers is better. Ive also read good reviews on these but have some issues in the mid range which along with the highs are my biggest needs ebcause I have a dedicated "nice" subwoofer.

Focals 814V or 716V or 714V not really sure Ive seen what seems like the same model or close to it

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-4917-focal-chorus-714v-tower-speakers-pr.aspx

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/FOCAL814V/FOCAL-Chorus-814V-716v-Dual-6-Floorstanding-Speakers-Gloss-Black-Pair/1.html#!specifications

Well after doing a lot of reading I think I am going to order the EMP Tek E55tis with matching large center. While the Focal's look like a great option the A4L situation brings a little concern to the table as you are not dealing directly with the compant, and it is ovbiously "old stock". Based on many reviews of both speakers either is ovbiously a great choice.

Additionally, I am looking at doing some DIY speaker wire, what size braided sheeth do I need for 12 AWG wire? Lookins at the Techflex PET sheething.

Any recommendations on a 3 or stereo channel amp to run the EMPs on?

ousooner thanks for the comments, that was part of the plan as well having the ability to test out the EMPs and if I did not like them I could go with the focal's.I was planning on ordering the wire from monoprice just the standard wire not the in-wall application or should I get the in-wall? What size techflex did you go with to cover the 12AWG Wire 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" I was looking through some of the posts but got lost in the sauce when looking for the specific size used but saw the cable pants idea which I liked.

Can I get a little input on if my Pioneer Elite SC-05 will be enough power for the EMP TEK E55ti's or should I get a sepearte amp? the SC-05 is rated at 130W @ 8ohms. Thank You

Well just pulled the trigger on the E55ti's E56Ci Center and E5Bi book shelfs with wall mounts. Daren over at EMP was nice enough to give me a military discount. I would love to do business with these guys again.