[abajetta2]

The room these speakers are in is in a older house, plaster walls, average carpet, about 15'x12'. Im running the speakers off a Denon AVR-E300 with audyssey and i noticed ever since i got these speakers regardless of placement and running audyessey multiple times that these speakers just sound kind of "thin" i guess would be the best way to describe these. No depth to male voices, pianos, guitar strings etc. I had the pioneers crossed over at 80hz and they sounded very thin in the areas mentioned, overall sound was nice but was just lacking in areas with noticable gaps in the frequency range, so i am currently running them Full pass with LFE+Main setting on, which made them sound alot more to my liking but just still lacking. The speakers are also about 8" away from the back wall, not sure if this is enough space or no? As far as movies go I seem to get the sound im looking for when the center channel is on, good depth to dialouge(not thin sounding like the towers) and such which doesn't makes sense for the dual 4" woofers to be producing better midrange unless its because of a different crossover. But either way for stereo music that doesnt help me very much.I also am running a SVS PB-1000 for the low end. Do i need to try a different type of placement or just a new set of towers?

 

[Transmaniacon]

The Pioneers are good entry level speakers, but from what you are describing it sounds like you need a different speaker. I would recommend investing in a good pair of bookshelves. Since you already have a great sub, you won't gain anything by having towers over bookshelves.


What kind of budget do you have for this? Remember you can also sell your current speakers.

 

[Elihawk]

The Pioneers are a good speaker...for the price! however, I came to the same conclsuion as you after having set of the bookshelf speakers at my house for just under 30 days, before they were returned to Best Buy. I just couldn't make them sound good in my room. But plan on spending more (at least 2X) if you want better quality...

 

[mark62]

If you replace the towers, you should also replace the center with a matching center for the new towers...

 

[abajetta2]

Yeah sorry, i forgot to mention my budget, and yes i will also be replacing the center. Im not audiophile by any means, but i know when something is lacking. While these are a great speaker for the price, they just dont live up to the hype and seem fairly gutless, no depth or warmth as some might call it. I dont want to spend a lot on speakers, im looking at spending about $500 for just the front L/R channels, center will come later. Was looking at polk monitor 75t's, HTD Level 2, various klipsch and bic acoustech's and also just the venturi line(dv64/dv84)... so many choices i just dont know which ones will give me the sound im looking for.

 

[mark62]

The HTD's are very good for the price, I own them..


I had the first gen. pioneers and they didn't cut it for me either...

 

[Transmaniacon]

With $500, I would recommend the Monitor Audio RX-1. They make fantastic speakers, and this model is at closeout prices because it is being replaced by an updated version. I would consider these speakers in a tier above the ones you were looking at, this is a good chance to make that jump while the prices are low. They are bookshelves and I would recommend them, when paired with the PB-1000 they will sound the same as towers and you can get a lot nicer bookshelf for $500 than you can a tower.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/Monitor-Audio-Silver-RX-1-2-way-Compact-Loudspeakers/productinfo/MRSRX1/

 

[abajetta2]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mark62  /t/1517273/looking-to-replace-my-pioneer-fs-52-towers-suggestions#post_24343228


The HTD's are very good for the price, I own them..


I had the first gen. pioneers and they didn't cut it for me either...

What is the difference in sound between the two? Do the HTD's seem like they would fit the sound im looking for?

 

[abajetta2]

And also $500 isnt necessarily my limit, id be willing to spend a little more if i had to, just wanted to stick around that price.

 

[mark62]



Quote:
Originally Posted by abajetta2  /t/1517273/looking-to-replace-my-pioneer-fs-52-towers-suggestions#post_24343266


What is the difference in sound between the two? Do the HTD's seem like they would fit the sound im looking for?

The HTD's Are not thin sounding, they are better built, better parts..etc..

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by abajetta2  /t/1517273/looking-to-replace-my-pioneer-fs-52-towers-suggestions#post_24343284


And also $500 isnt necessarily my limit, id be willing to spend a little more if i had to, just wanted to stick around that price.

For L/R speakers on that budget - my preference is the Monitor Audio Silver RX-1

on close-out > or the JBL Studio 530, which is a real nice/good one
http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio-530-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B00622STI0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1392147078&sr=8-2&keywords=jbl+studio+530


Add your center channel later

 

[abajetta2]

Now you got me thinkin about bookshelf speakers now, just not too sure im fond of the look, but not throwing the idea out. Also looking at HTD Level 3 bookshelves, or HSU HB-1 MK2's as well...i would need stands too and would end up about the price of towers.... any other tower or bookshelf suggestions? I like a full sound especially in the vocal area, but dont want a flat/dull sounding speaker, i like a little sparkle to the highs.

 

[crazyrob425]

If you are now looking at bookshelves you'd be admist if you didn't think about the
Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE BOOKSHELF MONITOR
Ascent Acoustics CMT-340 SE MINI-TOWER MONITOR


With a quality subwoofer handling bass you will have plenty of lower end even with bookshelf speakers

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by abajetta2  /t/1517273/looking-to-replace-my-pioneer-fs-52-towers-suggestions#post_24346925


Now you got me thinkin about bookshelf speakers now, just not too sure im fond of the look, but not throwing the idea out. Also looking at HTD Level 3 bookshelves, or HSU HB-1 MK2's as well...i would need stands too and would end up about the price of towers.... any other tower or bookshelf suggestions? I like a full sound especially in the vocal area, but dont want a flat/dull sounding speaker, i like a little sparkle to the highs.

That is why I like the JBL - smooth with good detail and definition - and not dull > stands are worth it.


I will take a good quality bookshelf with stands, over lesser quality - not as well built towers. >> The

Pioneer towers fall short of the JBL in both build and sound quality.


HTD is nice - and better than Pioneer - I still prefer the JBL over HTD


Also, there are other nice options in this thread. Enjoy the search and adventure.

 

[abajetta2]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01  /t/1517273/looking-to-replace-my-pioneer-fs-52-towers-suggestions#post_24347915


That is why I like the JBL - smooth with good detail and definition - and not dull > stands are worth it.


I will take a good quality bookshelf with stands, over lesser quality - not as well built towers. >> The

Pioneer towers fall short of the JBL in both build and sound quality.


HTD is nice - and better than Pioneer - I still prefer the JBL over HTD


Also, there are other nice options in this thread. Enjoy the search and adventure.

Thanks, ive been really looking at those JBL's...they have them available locally so it will be nice to actually hear them, and the look of them is actually really growing on me.

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by abajetta2  /t/1517273/looking-to-replace-my-pioneer-fs-52-towers-suggestions#post_24348021


Thanks, ive been really looking at those JBL's...they have them available locally so it will be nice to actually hear them, and the look of them is actually really growing on me.

They look better in person - you can get an idea of their sound from a demo


However the best demo, is an in-home trial period.

 

[abajetta2]

Have you heard the htd speakers first hand? If so, how do they compare to the jbl 530's?

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by abajetta2  /t/1517273/looking-to-replace-my-pioneer-fs-52-towers-suggestions#post_24349198


Have you heard the htd speakers first hand? If so, how do they compare to the jbl 530's?

Yes, I have owned the Level Two and Level Three and the Flat Panel.


The Studio 530 for me is a clear step up - more smooth, clean/clear and transparent, with

better sound-stage and imaging > plus higher resolution with detail, definition and depth.

 

[abajetta2]

Picked up the 530's today after work for $474. After hooking them up, right pff the bat I noticed how seamlessly they blended with my subwoofer compared to the pioneer towers. I was scared going to a small speaker with only one 5.25" woofer but not anymore, the bass these things produce is very suprising and much more abundant in the frequencies that are really important compared to the pioneers, i even ran them with the subwoofer off and they still sounded great.They dont play quite as low as the pioneers but that doesnt matter because I have a sub, but the overall bass output from 40hz up is surprisingly more than the towers. Like you said, these things sound nice and full and just after listening to a few songs and movie trailers the difference is night and day. Im hearing things is songs I have never heard before and they just sound amazing. I cant get over how good they blend with the sub and how complete the soundstage sounds now.The salesman also showed me some klipsch rb-81 bookshelves with the 8" woofer and ribbon which were on sale super cheap @ $249 a pop, but I just didn't think they sounded as good. Too bright as most people say and I felt my ears being drawn away from the music and movies whenever there was a high pitched tone, very distracting sound is the best way to put it. They also jisy sounded too busy like each sound wasnt as defined. Man im happy! sitting on top of the pioneers for now untill I get stands and sell the towers. Svs pb1000 on the right, denon avr e300 runnin the show and a 60" samsing f7100 for my viewing pleasure

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by abajetta2  /t/1517273/looking-to-replace-my-pioneer-fs-52-towers-suggestions#post_24350295


Picked up the 530's today after work for $474. After hooking them up, right pff the bat I noticed how seamlessly they blended with my subwoofer compared to the pioneer towers. I was scared going to a small speaker with only one 5.25" woofer but not anymore, the bass these things produce is very suprising and much more abundant in the frequencies that are really important compared to the pioneers, i even ran them with the subwoofer off and they still sounded great.They dont play quite as low as the pioneers but that doesnt matter because I have a sub, but the overall bass output from 40hz up is surprisingly more than the towers. http://www.nhthifi.com/

Yes, they have real good bass for their size, better than a lot of 6" bookshelf speakers.


They are real nice for horn-loaded speakers - with no blaring nasal horn sound.


All in all, one of the best deals around - continue to enjoy