AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Speakers › Recommendations on speakers
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Recommendations on speakers

post #1 of 20
1/19/08 at 5:25pm
Thread Starter 
First off, I'm not new to audio. I admit that I work at Best Buy and know more than most salespeople there when it comes to home theater, however, I'm looking for the more experienced to advise me. I am getting speakers soon. I sold my Bose AM10 a while ago ($390 is what I paid, not bad for a small bedroom) and I have a lower end Yamaha receiver (5840, 100 wpc) that will eventually get replaced, but not now.

I'm looking at tower speakers. With my BB/Magnolia discount, I've been looking mostly at Def-Tech since I demoed them. Specifically the BP7004 and BP7002, although I'd consider the non-powered BP-10s. I pay roughly 50% of retail of anything in BB/Magnolia. I will use these for 75% movies, 25% music (mp3 compressed music from my computer with y-cable, mind you). I also demoed all the typical BB/Magnolia brands like Vienna Acoustics, Martin Logan, Klipsch, etc. None of them matched the warmer/laid back (some may say colored) sound of the Def-Techs that I like. I've never been a fan of Klipsch. I don't like thunderous bass unless it's a movie. I prefer good mids and mid bass where most sound seems to lie, but I also want detailed highs. (Can you really have everything in a speaker?)

I'm planning to build a 2.0 or 2.1 system for now and add the center later on. My budget is about $1200 for the towers.

I have not ruled out not using my BB discount and going with other brands. I've looked at the Rocket RS760, Energy, Elemental Design ($500 for towers like that seems too good to be true), Paradigm (I like the Studios) etc. that all seemed to be mentioned here quite often.

Now here I am, asking a question that has been answered a thousand times. My room is small (10x12) and it will eventually get moved. So, AVS members, let's hear the suggestions. Thank you in advance.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 20
1/19/08 at 5:27pm
Those BP-10's with a nice subwoofer would make for an excellent start.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 20
1/19/08 at 5:32pm
Thread Starter 
Would you go for the BP-10s as opposed to a powered BP7002/4? I liked the idea of not using a sub initially to save a small bit of space. The BP-10s do have a 6 1/2" driver as opposed to the single or dual BP7002/4 drivers which are 5 1/4". That would definitely affect the mids. Not to mention I can probably order the BP-10s for $500 for the pair.

I also just took a look at the PSB Image T65 towers, which seem like a speaker I may be interested in.

Also, I'm located in Minnesota and will be in the Minneapolis/Rochester area frequently to demo any speakers recommended here.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 20
1/19/08 at 6:08pm
I'm not a fan of towers with built in subs for HT. IMO you can achieve better performance from the BP-10's with separate subs then the 7000 series speakers.

You could purchase two Supercubes with your discount or an SVS.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 20
1/19/08 at 6:27pm
Thread Starter 
The thing that worries me about the BP-10 is the lack of forward facing drivers. It has only one forward facing 6 1/2" driver. Would that be detrimental to the overall sound stage?
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 20
1/20/08 at 12:02am
If you like deftech and want to spend $1200, with a 45% or so discount you would get the bp7002's. In most rooms, you would not need another subwoofer with that. IMO, the 7002 are the strength of that line in terms of bang for the buck.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 20
1/20/08 at 7:48am
Thread Starter 
I am leaning towards the 7002s due to the discount I can get on such speakers.

Anyone else have any input on other speakers I should look at and demo? Like I've stated before, I'm also interested in if the Rocket 760s or PSB Image series would fit what I am planning to do as well.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 20
1/20/08 at 5:09pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone?
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 20
1/21/08 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 
Bueller....Bueller...
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 20
1/21/08 at 8:32pm
As a PSB T45 and B25 owner, if price is a great concern, you cannot do better than these two models. Before people start jumping, YES YOU CAN DO BETTER, BUT AT A HIGHER PRICE.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 20
1/21/08 at 11:30pm
Try Acculine speakers. You will love the sound. The tweeter is outstanding and is great for movies. The price is also excellent for their tower speaker. You will want a sub however. Also consider AV123. They several lines to choose from. The new Encore line are great value and sound.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 20
1/22/08 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
I demoed the Paradigm Monitors and was less than impressed. I did like the Studio series though, but about $500 out of my price range. I'll stop and demo the PSB next time I'm in Minneapolis.

I hear good things about AV123, but I'm weary of an ID company and speakers. The Rockets also seem slightly less efficient than others.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 20
1/22/08 at 5:49pm
That's amazing. Even getting a fat discount on the stuff your store sells, you still choose to listen to other speakers to perhaps buy them instead. Good for you. Definitive is way overpriced in the first place. Your discount almost brings them down to about the price they should be normally. Good luck on your search. You will find that there are speakers that can achieve seamless sound-stage without being bipolar and have way better built cabinets. Oh and if you can't tell, I hate Best Buy. Shame on you for working there.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 20
1/22/08 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Audio View Post

Definitive is way overpriced in the first place. Your discount almost brings them down to about the price they should be normally.

I wouldn't say that. Definitive Technology speakers are a very good product.

Overpriced? What isn't overpriced these days?
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 20
1/22/08 at 6:07pm
What do you think of the Martin Logan? I agree a sub is a nice way to go especially for HT.

I also like the Studios and would save $500 to get them.

Don't rush it.Audition all that you can afford and even what you can't . At the end of the day it comes down to what you hear sounding good.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 20
1/22/08 at 6:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Codes20 View Post

I demoed the Paradigm Monitors and was less than impressed. I did like the Studio series though, but about $500 out of my price range. I'll stop and demo the PSB next time I'm in Minneapolis.

I hear good things about AV123, but I'm weary of an ID company and speakers. The Rockets also seem slightly less efficient than others.

I don't see how you can go wrong with ID. Your cost is less even if you pay shipping. I was like you but I had Acculine and AV123 speakers and both companies are great to work with and have outstanding products. I was considering Deftech bookshelfs. The cost to buy two fronts and a center from BB would be $800. I bought three speakers from Acculine for $589 shipped. I could have gotten a similar price from AV123. There really isn't much to lose.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 20
1/22/08 at 6:42pm
If you dont like thunderous bass then why are you considering the def techs7000 series? With built in subs what else would you expect? If you turn off their subs they sound like cheap speakers but thats my .02


But for movies the 7002's sound friggen sweet, but your going to get thunderous bass...
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 20
1/22/08 at 7:03pm
Thread Starter 
1) BB is a part time job while in college. It's no where near what I want to do. It pays decent and the discount is very nice. I have a BA criminology and working on a BS in cell and molecular biology and who knows what I plan to do for a job after.

2) Def-Techs seem to be priced about right, but the markup is 50%. Same with most speakers. I choose to demo other speakers because I know how much is out there and I'm trying to get good all around speakers for the money. I like the bipolar design for home theater, but for music, I feel it may be detrimental. The subs in the 7002s are not thunderous and I would most likely run them full range with speakerwire and not even have the subs halfway up and cross them over at 70Hz or so, I've demoed them about 3 separate times running different AVRs and switching back and forth of what Magnolia has to offer (Vienna, ML, Klipsch Ref, etc.) Def-tech shined in warmth and depth of sound, which is what I like.

3) I liked the Martin Logans for music, but I feel they done have the spaciousness needed for movies, of which the speakers I buy will see 75%. They seem to be a music speaker and others shine better for home theater.

4) I'm not opposed with internet direct companies, I just dislike how I cannot audition them and must go through the hassle to order them blind. I'm the type of person who researches quite a bit before I buy anything. What is Acculine's website?

FYI, I accidentally asked the girlfriend what color speakers she likes because she may have to live with them eventually, she likes the light wood color, I prefer black or a dark wood color. Now I see why there's so many WAF threads here.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 20
1/22/08 at 7:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Codes20 View Post

1) BB is a part time job while in college. It's no where near what I want to do. It pays decent and the discount is very nice. I have a BA criminology and working on a BS in cell and molecular biology and who knows what I plan to do for a job after.

2) Def-Techs seem to be priced about right, but the markup is 50%. Same with most speakers. I choose to demo other speakers because I know how much is out there and I'm trying to get good all around speakers for the money. I like the bipolar design for home theater, but for music, I feel it may be detrimental. The subs in the 7002s are not thunderous and I would most likely run them full range with speakerwire and not even have the subs halfway up and cross them over at 70Hz or so, I've demoed them about 3 separate times running different AVRs and switching back and forth of what Magnolia has to offer (Vienna, ML, Klipsch Ref, etc.) Def-tech shined in warmth and depth of sound, which is what I like.

3) I liked the Martin Logans for music, but I feel they done have the spaciousness needed for movies, of which the speakers I buy will see 75%. They seem to be a music speaker and others shine better for home theater.

4) I'm not opposed with internet direct companies, I just dislike how I cannot audition them and must go through the hassle to order them blind. I'm the type of person who researches quite a bit before I buy anything. What is Acculine's website?

FYI, I accidentally asked the girlfriend what color speakers she likes because she may have to live with them eventually, she likes the light wood color, I prefer black or a dark wood color. Now I see why there's so many WAF threads here.


I hear ya man, i also work at best buy. I have demoed the same speakers on about 15 different serious occasions with my buddy (who also works at best buy). We have brought all the demo material we can find. Now what we found is that the Def techs are in fact excellent sounding towers, but they seem to be to laid back with the vocals, almost drown out. But they make phenominal towers for HT, just IMO they seriouslly lack for MOST music, but really shine on various artists.

They Klipsch RF-82's we like alot, but they are very forward, and can be straining on the ears when listened for to long. Also very good in HT when paired with a nice sub.


What we liked the best for music were the Vienna Mozart Grands. Just overall had the best clarity by far. Some decent low end extension as well, very tight and accurate bass by itself. But when used for HT...it was pretty disappointing.

The ML sound iffy if that. They just dont do it for me. The electrostats are just to finicky with positioning, and when not in the sweet spot, they sound like junk.

I guess what we came to find is that from what magnolia has to offer there is just no good HT/Music speaker as a whole. But that is totally our opinion, and alot of people would disagree, but we all make our own decisions. So what my buddy is going to do is get a pair of Viennas for 2 channel music listening since he loves his music, and just swtich back and forth between it for music and his existing Klipsch speakers for HT use. For him, it was his best option, for me personally i would rather find a more well rounded speaker to suit both music and HT needs. I personally own some Swan Diva 5.1s and i like them alot, so i can vouch for them, and i imagine most other ID companies to be just as good.

P.S. what receiver were you using when you demoed everything???
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 20
1/22/08 at 7:38pm
Thread Starter 
Various receivers. Mostly the Denon and Yamaha because I don't really like the Pioneers. Specifically the 3808, 4308, and the VX3800, because after all, they are the better ones Magnolia has.

I did noticed that vocal issue with movies, but with the correct center, it's easily rectified.

I will hopefully demo the PSB Image T65 soon. I'm headed that way this weekend. There's also some specialty shops in Rochester, MN. There's not as many HT shops as I thought there would be since Rochester is home to IBM and the Mayo Clinic. Anyone here look at PSB or have PSB before?


EDIT: The receiver powering the Paradigms I listened to was a Sony ES3300. I personally hate the sound the Sony receivers put out. Another forum I frequent, a member stated that is why the Paradigms were lackluster, especially in the tweeter.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Speakers

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Speakers › Recommendations on speakers