[Collman]

Hi, I'm setting up my first stereo setup and I'm having some trouble deciding which speakers to get.

First of all, I live in Argentina, so my choices are both, limited and expensive. I also don't know much about Audio so please forgive any mistake I might make.

Regarding amplifier I've to choose between a Sansui A80, a Pioneer A 202 and some other vintage stuff. The room I'm intending to use this setup is 2.8 m x 3.5 m, so it's not really big.


I'm currently considering 4 speakers:

Klipsch B3

Klipsch RB-10

Mission M71

and Polk RTi A1


Polks cost about 50% more than the other 3 options (which costs almost the same), so I would like to avoid them unless they are really worth it.

I think the B3 tops the RB-10 for a stereo setup because of the bigger woofer. And I've also heard that the impedance of the Polks goes down to about 2 Ohms depending on the source of the sound and how long you've been using them.

I haven't really heard much about the Mission M71 except for some pretty good reviews I've read in the internet, and since it has a medium-sized woofer it may be a good option.


So, my question is, which ones would you buy?

 

[quadriverfalls]



Quote:
So, my question is, which ones would you buy?

I would buy the ones that sounded the best to me. To just post a poll trying to get reactions on which speaker someone else would feel is superior, is not the way to do it IMHO. Each of us hear things differently. And, while I may prefer one brand on your list, someone else another, that doesn't mean YOU will like the way they sound and perform. Especially with speakers as varied as the ones you list.


The Klipsch use a horn loaded tweeter. You will either love them or hate them. The Polks will sound diabolically oposite of the Klipsch on the high end. The Missions, probably somewhere in between. But still, each speaker will have it's own sonic signature that is unique. Untill you actually LISTEN to them, you won't be able to determine which one YOU will prefer.


If you can't audition them, then I would personally buy something that I could audition first regardless of what brand it is.

 

[Collman]

First of all, thanks for your reply.

I know I should hear them all, but I'm afraid I'll overlook (overhear?) some detail that I'll notice when I bring them home. For example, some people in a local forum told me what I said earlier about the Polks and that because of that they might damage my receiver, so that's a pretty big deal and I didn't find it in any review.

Also I wanted to know if I the woofer would be too small in the RB-10, and wanted to hear some personal opinions regarding that.

All this would be very helpful specially since I can't hear the Polks nor the B3 without going very much out of my way.

The Poll was a dumb idea I thought might attract some people, and that's it.

I hope I've expressed myself correctly.

 

[mbyrnes]

If you listen to say, 12 speakers, One or two will stand out as favorites. 2-3 more will sound OK and the others you will not like at all. Price may have no relevance on what sounds best, but usually the more expensive, the better they will sound. This doesn't mean the speaker at half the cost won't be your choice sonically.


Trust me, most speakers under $5,000 are a compromised design. Something was sacrificed for one of a hundred reasons to make a price bracket. Where the designers chose to go with limitations makes every speaker different.


You will not find your perfect speaker. You can get 85-90% of the way there if you put in the effort. You must listen and let your ears tell you. Taking notes will help you find speakers to do 2nd and 3rd auditions and eliminating at least half right away.


This should be FUN!

 

[quadriverfalls]



Quote:
You can get 85-90% of the way there if you put in the effort. You must listen and let your ears tell you. Taking notes will help you find speakers to do 2nd and 3rd auditions and eliminating at least half right away.


This should be FUN!

Ahmen brother. Not that what I personally did is for everyone, but I selected three CD's which I knew like the back of my hand. One a classical four piece violin and piano concerto, a jazz sampler that featured all kinds of instruments as well as both male and female vocals and an all time favorite Rock CD. I used these same three CD's on every one of my audition sessions. I also kept a detailed journal of every single audition session.


One of my very first auditions were the Klipsch RF-7's. At that time, their flagship towers. I absolutely loved them (and almost stopped right there and bought them). I wrote in my journal about the detailed high end and bass slam along with the super dynamics. Long story, many auditions and nearly six months later, I went back with the same reference material in hand to audition them a second time (they were in my final four). This time with a DVD movie sound track in tote as well to check integration with (and listen to) subs. Now understand.... these were the exact same speakers I had auditioned earlier. They were in the exact same spot in the showroom and connected to the very same receiver. All I can say is about ten minutes in and barely through the first movement on a Mozart Violin Concerto.... I nearly ran from the store because my ears were in such severe pain from the super high end treble energy from the horn tweeters. Needless to say, I never got to the DVD or sub auditions with them.


The moral of the story.... over time and many speaker auditions, I had learned what type of sound that not only pleased, but moved me. If I had listened to all of the internet fans and reviews of the Klipsch RF-7's at that time (the main reasone they were on my audition list to start with), it more than likely skewed my first audition due to the subconscious feeling that they were one of the best speakers available in the price category and had such a loyal following, I knew they were SUPPOSED to sound and be great. But, they ended up NOT being great to me once I learned what I like and enjoy. Had I bought them there on the spot like I almost did.... I would have been sorely disappointed down the road (most likely) and been doing it all over again.


My other three final auditions went much better. So much so, that I've enjoyed my AUDES Blues based HT/Music system for over eight years now. It still brings a smile to my face whether watching Saving Private Ryan, U-571 or spinning up a TELARC rendition of Beethoven's Ninth or Viena Teng and her sultry voice singing just to me while I sip on an Old Bushmills on the rocks.


Sure, I drove many, MANY miles during my auditions. Even traveling to other cities that had shops that carried brands that weren't available locally. Even doing "road trips" with the entire family in tow. I would audition speakers all day while they did the zoo circuit, museums or like most women like to do.... shopped. We would then all meet up for dinner and spend the night and drive back home the next morning. Did I spend a fair amount of coin during this audition phase? Sure, probably several hundred dollars (not counting the shopping which the women seem to do no matter where they are). But for me, it was money will spent in that I learned a LOT about not only what I liked, but audio and HT in general. The money I "invested" in the journey to find the speakers that were right for me.... I've saved many times over because I've never once had the "itch" to upgrade or change anything about what I have.


So, like I said.... to each his own. But I DO at least encourage you to audition as much as you can. It's not only fun, but you leard a lot.