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Need Advice

567 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Ryan Statz, Sep 12, 2019

Stansh

Discussion Starter · Sep 3, 2019

Hi, All

I'd like some speaker advice.
Until a couple of days ago I had a 15 years old Sony shelf system - model mhc-gx45 with 2 speakers and sub. Kinda basic, old and not too good sounding but I'm not an audiophile and it worked.
Recently I decided that it was time to upgrade it and finally I ended up with a Yamaha receiver rx-v483.

So last friday it arrived. I had no other speakers so I connected the avr to the old Sony speakers from the shelf system (speaker model ss-rg440) and thought I'll get some new speakers in the next few days. But so far I've been listening to those and they actually sound very nice. Much better than the original system sounded.

Ideally I'd like to end up with a 2 speaker setup, or as a worst case scenario if I absolutely have to get a sub do a 2.1 setup. Basically I just want to end up with a nice sounding stereo system. And if I am buying replacement speakers I'd like them to be bookshelf and inexpensive. Up to $200 / pair.

So here's the question from a non audiophile perspective: Should I replace these speakers with something else? I understand that these are far from best but will I get anything better in my price range? I was thinking about some entry level Sony/Polk/Yamaha as a possible replacement. And that makes me think that if I do - I might end up with more or less the same sound quality but with no bass and then I'll have to buy a separate sub.

Any thoughts? Ideas?

Reactions: 1

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

cocrh

· #2 · Sep 3, 2019

A few good ones that would sound nice and you could probably live without a sub for a bit.

Elac B6.2 but they are around $299 a pair. During sales they are sometimes half price at Best Buy and other places so if you can wait for a sale they would be great.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/elac-d...VgdlkCh1XcQJ4EAQYASABEgJazvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

These Boston Acoustic A26's are very nice sounding too and are buy one get one 1/2 off.
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...eaker-gloss-black-each/1.html#!specifications

gajCA

· #3 · Sep 3, 2019

Stansh said:
Hi, All

I'd like some speaker advice.
Until a couple of days ago I had a 15 years old Sony shelf system - model mhc-gx45 with 2 speakers and sub. Kinda basic, old and not too good sounding but I'm not an audiophile and it worked.
Recently I decided that it was time to upgrade it and finally I ended up with a Yamaha receiver rx-v483.

So last friday it arrived. I had no other speakers so I connected the avr to the old Sony speakers from the shelf system (speaker model ss-rg440) and thought I'll get some new speakers in the next few days. But so far I've been listening to those and they actually sound very nice. Much better than the original system sounded.

Ideally I'd like to end up with a 2 speaker setup, or as a worst case scenario if I absolutely have to get a sub do a 2.1 setup. Basically I just want to end up with a nice sounding stereo system. And if I am buying replacement speakers I'd like them to be bookshelf and inexpensive. Up to $200 / pair.

So here's the question from a non audiophile perspective: Should I replace these speakers with something else? I understand that these are far from best but will I get anything better in my price range? I was thinking about some entry level Sony/Polk/Yamaha as a possible replacement. And that makes me think that if I do - I might end up with more or less the same sound quality but with no bass and then I'll have to buy a separate sub.

Any thoughts? Ideas?

Your safest bet at the moment are the Elac Debut 5.2s at just $200 and $10/box returns within 60 days.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_970DB52/ELAC-Debut-2-0-B5-2.html?tp=396

smithsabom

· #4 · Sep 3, 2019

ELACS are good , no doubt.

but it is nice to have options

don't forget about the sony core bookshelves ( 149/pr) at BB
NHT super one (104 each at Amazon)

budget friendly consideration: Yamaha NS-6490 from parts express (129/pr)

JBL arena B15 ( 199/pr at amazon)

and also to consider: if you step up the budget a little (50%), the ascend acoustics CBM-170 can do well w/o a sub...

See less See more

zieglj01

· #5 · Sep 3, 2019

cocrh said:
These Boston Acoustic A26's are very nice sounding too and are buy one get one 1/2 off.
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...eaker-gloss-black-each/1.html#!specifications

This ^^^ the Boston A26

MRAYB

· #6 · Sep 3, 2019

Where are you located? Are you open to Craigslist? Good deals to be had if you can watch and be ready to go if something pops up. Welcome, and good luck to ya.

gajCA

· #7 · Sep 3, 2019

cocrh said:
A few good ones that would sound nice and you could probably live without a sub for a bit.

Elac B6.2 but they are around $299 a pair. During sales they are sometimes half price at Best Buy and other places so if you can wait for a sale they would be great.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/elac-d...VgdlkCh1XcQJ4EAQYASABEgJazvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

These Boston Acoustic A26's are very nice sounding too and are buy one get one 1/2 off.
https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...eaker-gloss-black-each/1.html#!specifications

I think the A26 are a very safe bet also as long as the OP understands that there essentially is no returns as there is a $10 percent restocking fee and the OP would have to pay full shipping both ways, (not the discounted shipping rate shown on the invoice).

And that Boston Acoustics is out of business so should something fail a year from now, (unlikely), no warranty is my guess.

MIX_MASTER_ICE

· #8 · Sep 3, 2019

Frys.com still shows the JBL Arena 130 available for $120/shipped for a pair. That's a good deal on some very decent speakers for your system.

https://www.frys.com/product/8435128

Reactions: 1

gtgray

· #9 · Sep 4, 2019

The Infinity Reference R162 Refurbised is $175 a pair at Harman shipped. That is a ver nice 6.5 bookshelf, the 5.25 R152 Refurbed pair is even less.

iceatola

· #10 · Sep 4, 2019 (Edited)

I would buy a pair of Polk S15 or S20 bookshelf speakers.
If you are not really a bass head then no need for a sub because they sound fantastic with deep bass overall.

iceatola

· #11 · Sep 4, 2019

gajCA said:
I think the A26 are a very safe bet also as long as the OP understands that there essentially is no returns as there is a $10 percent restocking fee and the OP would have to pay full shipping both ways, (not the discounted shipping rate shown on the invoice).

And that Boston Acoustics is out of business so should something fail a year from now, (unlikely), no warranty is my guess.

When did they go out of business? Did this happen recently?

Stansh

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 4, 2019

Thanks for all the suggestions.
The main question is whether or not I will notice a real difference with any of these cheaper speakers? I was thinking that mine will sound like crap and then I'll have no choice but to look for something better but they are not bad at all, so that kinda surprised me.

zieglj01

· #13 · Sep 4, 2019

Stansh said:
Thanks for all the suggestions.
The main question is whether or not I will notice a real difference with any of these cheaper speakers? I was thinking that mine will sound like crap and then I'll have no choice but to look for something better but they are not bad at all, so that kinda surprised me.

Yes, you really should hear a difference provided that your ears are not filled with wax .... Infinity and Boston are not cheap speakers, they are just being sold for a cheap price --- if you do not wish to spend money, then continue with what you have

Reactions: 1

gajCA

· #14 · Sep 4, 2019

iceatola said:
When did they go out of business? Did this happen recently?

June 2018.

Looks like A4L smartly bought up a lot of their inventory.

I never heard a BA speaker I didn't like and still have Voyagers outside that are the best outdoor speakers I ever had.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy BA speakers even without warranty protection.

Reactions: 1

pase22

· #15 · Sep 4, 2019

Stansh said:
Hi, All

I'd like some speaker advice.
Until a couple of days ago I had a 15 years old Sony shelf system - model mhc-gx45 with 2 speakers and sub. Kinda basic, old and not too good sounding but I'm not an audiophile and it worked.
Recently I decided that it was time to upgrade it and finally I ended up with a Yamaha receiver rx-v483.

So last friday it arrived. I had no other speakers so I connected the avr to the old Sony speakers from the shelf system (speaker model ss-rg440) and thought I'll get some new speakers in the next few days. But so far I've been listening to those and they actually sound very nice. Much better than the original system sounded.

Ideally I'd like to end up with a 2 speaker setup, or as a worst case scenario if I absolutely have to get a sub do a 2.1 setup. Basically I just want to end up with a nice sounding stereo system. And if I am buying replacement speakers I'd like them to be bookshelf and inexpensive. Up to $200 / pair.

So here's the question from a non audiophile perspective: Should I replace these speakers with something else? I understand that these are far from best but will I get anything better in my price range? I was thinking about some entry level Sony/Polk/Yamaha as a possible replacement. And that makes me think that if I do - I might end up with more or less the same sound quality but with no bass and then I'll have to buy a separate sub.

Any thoughts? Ideas?

Crutchfield has a speaker compare app that allows you to listen to many different speakers. Here are excellent speakers in your price range.
https://www.crutchfield.com/speakercompare/
Cambridge Audio SX-50
Polk Audio RTi A1
JBL Stage A130
Slightly above $200
PSB Alpha P3
Wharfedale Diamond 220
Polk S15
A sub should be added with any of these.

Stansh

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 12, 2019

I found used polk rtia3 for 150 and rtia1 for around 100. I'm leaning towards the 3s just based on a bigger size. What do you think? Good choice or I should keep looking?

zieglj01

· #17 · Sep 12, 2019

Stansh said:
I found used polk rtia3 for 150 and rtia1 for around 100. I'm leaning towards the 3s just based on a bigger size. What do you think? Good choice or I should keep looking?

Not a bad choice

Ryan Statz

· #18 · Sep 12, 2019 (Edited)

Stansh said:
I found used polk rtia3 for 150 and rtia1 for around 100. I'm leaning towards the 3s just based on a bigger size. What do you think? Good choice or I should keep looking?

I have both. A3's are nice.

edit: that is not to say that the A1's aren't also nice. I had them as my mains until I couldn't pass up on a deal for the A3's.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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