Accurate speakers for $200-500 (1 Viewer)

[john ingram]

Im looking for a pair or two of smaller speakers and a matching center channel. I want something high end but i dont want to pay more than $300-500 for the set. I dont want to build the boxes myself because this is actually for a older lady. Doesnt need to be real bassy. Just needs to sound good and be really accurate/flat. At this point i just talked her out of bose which she pronounced bos-ie. lol

$500 is my highest price but you could name things around that range as well.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Craig Chase]

Some ideas...
1.Ascend 170's across the front. (Ascend.com)
2.Rocket ELT's and an ELT CSE center channel. (AV123.com)
3.Axiom M3's across the front (Axiom.com)

Those are all internet direct with in home trials..

 

[Marty M]

I suggest you take a listen to Paradigm, either the Performance or Monitor series of speakers. There are several combinations that would fit your budget.

 

[Jean D]

I dont know if Fluance is accurate/falt or not, but they sound great for the price and is worth checking out.

 

[CurtisSC]

The proper websites for Ascend and Axiom would be:
www.ascendacoustics.com and www.axiomaudio.com. Craig got www.av123.com right.

Great companies to deal with, and they have great products.

 

[Craig Chase]

Now THAT is funny... My computer takes me to the correct sites when I type those in (someday I will figure out how computers work)... Curtis, you are right... those are the "full" names... I will definitely be one of those guys who appreciates talking computers...

 

[Craig Chase]

Hey... If you try Rocket.com ... You actually will get a company that makes Rocket Propulsion Sytems... Very cool site...

Yes, I am in the office, bored, waiting for a return call...

 

[Allen_N]

I agree with those three suggestions as well. They will give you the best performance for something in that price range.

 

[CurtisSC]

hehehehe...the axiom.com domain is actually for sale.

 

[Ronneil Camara]

Some guys here also have Swan Speakers by theaudioinsider.com. Also internet direct selling.

I am planning to buy these speakers as recommended by those guys but actually, I have never heard them yet.

 

[Craig Chase]

Axiom.com is for sale ? We need to get Ajax involved... we could buy it and have ALL sorts of fun...

John Ingram... This is what is known as a thread hijack.. IF you want your thread back, just ask, we are benevolent hijackers...

 

[Craig Chase]

Ronneil... Good call. I should have mentioned Swan... (ok... Theaudioinsider.com ... I thought putting that now would keep me from typing Swan.com) ... I am waiting a review pair... and have not heard them, but they are also worth a good look...

 

[Dan Halchak]

All the suggestions above are really good.

I would also throw into the ring the B&W DM602 S3s. I think they would work just as well as the ones listed above.

 

[DavidCooper]

Yep..the Swan 2.1's are for sure worth a look. You will be amazed how nice they sound...and the price for the black cherry faux finish is a steal.

 

[Tyson Wetzel]

Energy C-3's, $500/ pair, worth every penny.

 

[Chris Quinn]

If you're wanting something more Bose sized check into RAD Micros.

Also here is a link to a list of small speakers on another board.

 

[Leo Kerr]

and don't forget NHT... you can still often find NHT SuperOnes for reasonable rates. SuperZeros are also quite nice, albiet don't go as low.

Leo

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

I would second the Swans Diva 2.1s at around $300 and the 4.1s at around $500. Very neutral, accurate w/out sounding bright/harsh. I love my 4.1/2.1/C3 setup.

 

[Doug Z]

While we are on the topic of swans, why is there no reviews of the 2.1 in magazines like audiophile or stereo review, etc? There a couple of reviews but if they get such great raves in the forums why don't these people put it up against the big names like B&W, or are they afraid the $300 2.1's will put a hurting on them. I personally am going to get the swan's myself but I would love to see on paper the comparisons and the reviews.

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

Most magazines of those sorts advertise gear from the brands that can afford to advertise in their magazine. You will rarely see any magazine review of an internet direct company because they can't afford to advertise in these magazines.