[StuartRob]

My wife is 'buying' me new speakers for my birthday. The old speakers are Infinity rs325's which still sound good, but I haven't really looked into new speakers since I bought them 10 years ago. I went to best buy and auditioned the JBL E80's and Kilpsch SF-2's I liked both of them and am having a hard time deciding what to do. I have about $1200 to spend and am trying to figure out the best configuration. I was thinking JBL E80's or 90's for fronts E30's for rears and the ec35 for the center until I saw all the rave reviews for svs subs, which would put me over budget. The E250p seemed like a decent sub, but since this is probably the last time I'll get to buy speaker for a long time I want to get something that I will not regret. I can probably stretch the budget if necessary. I haven't been to involved in my system for a long time and don't really know what's out there and so any help would be appreciated.
The system will go in a large (30x15) room with an Adcom pre-amp and amp (5.1)

[Brian Elwood]

The only think I can add is when I demo'd Kilpsch they sounded rather tinnie for music. What are you using the speakers for 50/50 movies/music? 20/80?

BTW - the rave reviews for SVS are 100% warranted and I would skim off a little on speakers to get an SVS. Reason is that you will need less base in the speakers - HOWEVER.

although I've CERTAINLY not an expert myself

If you went with the E80s ($300?) and the E30s ($180?) you could get the new SVS coming out ($400?) with ease.

OR - move your current Infinity's to the back for surrounds - buy some BETTER fronts and get a bigger SVS (just thinking out loud) .

As you can - like a moth drawn to light I have fallen in love with my SVS.

also - the E250p is about $475? hmmmmm there is a $400 SVS coming out later this month I think.!



Don't forget to tell your wife you love her VERY much.

[DorianBryant]

The E250 can be had for $200 at Deal-Stop. The EC35 can be had for 169 delivered from there as well. I have JBL S38II's, EC35, N26's, N24's, and a Dayton 10" sub. I paid $725 delivered. MSRP is $1,700. Look at Deal-Stop, J&R, etc.

[StuartRob]

It's hard to say how much the system will be used and for what purpose. I am guessing that it would be more T.V./movies than music, but the room is unfinished and in the basement and so it might end up completely different than the current plan. At bestpriceaudio.com the jbls are $180 each for e80's, $240 each for e90's and the e250p is $215. I want the svs sub but I also don't want front speakers that will sound small just so that I can get a better sub. I wouldn't mind using the Infinitys for rears but since I'm married I think it would work out better to have all of the speakers match.

Stu

[cabreau]

Get an SVS if you can get it for $400. Take the rest of your money and you could get a decent Paradigm surround setup. 4 - Atoms, and a CC-170 sound great and it should run you about $800-900 for all five speakers. NOT BAD. I've owned those exact speakers and loved them. When I upgraded to 7.1, I put my Atoms in back for surround duty and now have the Studio 20's in the front with a CC-470 for the center.

[StuartRob]

Thanks for the advice. I haven't listened to paradigm and so I'll try to find some here in UT. I think I can manage to get an svs-pc25-31 or 20-39 and still have $1000 or so for the rest of the speakers. Just need to shmooze a little.

[Girish]

Harmanaudio is auctioning Infinity intermezzo's for about $1200-1400 on ebay these days.

[mackie]

I don't know best buy's return policy on speakers, but I recommend trying out what you want to buy at home before purchasing. I owned Klipsch speakers - ksf 8.5 - in the past and loved'em until I moved into my home. They liked the smaller room in my apartment better than the family room in my house. They weren't at all small sounding.

[Paul.G]

I can't say anything about Kilpsch since I've never owned anything from them... but I love my JBL E90's! I also have a center similar to the EC35 (the S-Center II) and I can't say enough good things about it. I got it like two years ago for something like $130 and it sounds awesome in movies.

I would say go with them, and surrounds, and the new SVS cube sub coming out at the end of the month!