Main speakers < $2000 pair (1 Viewer)

hendricksonET · Nov 15, 2005

Hey, I'm finishing up my HT room and am wanting to upgrade my main speakers. I'm looking to spend less then $2000 on the pair for now. My receiver is a HK AVR 430. I like the sound of Canton Karat's, but in my area I don't have a lot to compare them to other then speakers at best buy.

Does anyone have any suggestions on some other speakers that I might want to look into?

Thanks!

Nhan_H · Nov 15, 2005

You might want to check out some Rocket RS850s from AV123.com:

http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=50.1

They also have some other deals going on that may save you more money:

http://www.av123.com/specials.php

Others to checkout:

ACI offers some really solid speakers, as well:

http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/essencev/essencev.htm

hendricksonET · Nov 15, 2005

I was doing some more research and found some B&W 703's. I might be able to kick out an extra $1k if I can see a difference between the $2k and $3k speakers.

Thoughts?

Garrett Lundy · Nov 15, 2005

Paradigm Studios and PSB Stratus

rob-h · Nov 15, 2005

Are you sticking with your current center or going with a new one as well?

hendricksonET · Nov 15, 2005

Probably upgrade that while I'm at it

I've always heard good things about the Rockets and Paradigms, but I've never been able to hear them in person. I might have to make a road trip this weekend if there is a dealer near.

hendricksonET · Nov 15, 2005

Well lucky me, there is a Paradigm dealer not more then 5 miles from my house. Never even knew

John Garcia · Nov 15, 2005

No offense, but I think some of the speakers mentioned, like the Studios and 705s, are a bit out of the league of the 430. They'll work, but they'd be better suited to something with more power. Speakers make the biggest difference in sound, but if you don't have enough real power to drive them, then they aren't going to make as big of an improvement. If you're talking in that price range, you might consider adding an amp, at least for the mains, to the mix as well.

hendricksonET · Nov 15, 2005

As I was looking I did think of that. I'm going to check out the Paradigm's today. I see that the studio's price range is between $1,200 and $1,600 online. Which was a few hundred less then I was thinking to spend, and a bunch less then I might have spent on the B&W's.

So this brings up another question. Anyone have any suggestions on amps for the Paradigms? Maybe in the price range of under $1,500?

John Garcia · Nov 15, 2005

https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/index.html

The 755 might work well for you.

AlanZ · Nov 15, 2005

Like John, I've had all sorts of Paradigms....most recently the studio/100s. I'd second his recommendation of the Outlaw amps....the only other suggestion I'd have would be Parasound. I did like that combination, as well. If going new sets you back too far, try and find a used one. I know that Outlaw's warranty is transferrable, but not sure about Parasound.

SethH · Nov 16, 2005

B&W makes very good speakers. If you're going to have a good sub you might look at the 805's instead of the 703's. They would retail at $2500/pair and you could probably get them for closer to $2k.

hendricksonET · Nov 16, 2005

The oulaw amps seem to be very reasonably priced for the power your getting. The H/K has 7.1/6.1/5.1, so I might think about going with the 7 channel 770. I know that I usually dont even use more then 5.1 for now, but every so often you get the Dolby Digital EX movies.

Thanks for the advice, I think I might need to cut back on other people's x-mas presents and just buy a whole set of paradigms. I will just give people movie tickets to my new HT

Dan Driscoll · Nov 17, 2005

I'm going to go 'off the radar' and suggest you look at the Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signatures. Personal preference is a major factor, particularly in speaker selection, but IMO the Vandys blow away every other speaker mentioned in this thread. The list price is $1550 new, so they are well within your budget.

The 2Ce Sigs will also benefit from a good power amp and I would suggest looking at the used market. There are a lot of very good used multi channel amps available in your price range. The Rotel RMB-1098 is good and you should also check for a Parasound HCA-2205. Another very good option is the Sherbourn 5/1500A, which beat out both the Rotel and Parasound in my system, although it was close.

Stephen Hopkins · Nov 17, 2005

The Audio Insider has just introduced a new line of Swans speakers. The 6.2s would fit your budget w/ plenty of room to spair for additional ampliication. $1300 for the 6.2s and a couple of Outlaw 2200 Monoblock amps at $325 each would be a killer combo. The receiver could handle the amplification for center and surrounds as you add them.

hendricksonET · Nov 17, 2005

I'll take a look at those. I wish that I could find a store that carries some of these brands. It's hard to know if I like them until I hear them.

Adding to the Paradigm discussion. I was looking around and saw the Monitor line. Does anyone know any differences between the studio's and the monitors?

Scott_N · Nov 19, 2005

I think a pair of Von Schweikert VR-1's as your mains and their LCR-15 as a CC would be great for HT and music.

steve:)g · Nov 19, 2005

I have monitor audio mains. The silver or gold series would be nice

AlanZ · Nov 19, 2005

Monitor Audio

Shervin_Sabri · Nov 20, 2005

I second the Swan 6.2 suggestion....absolutely killer speakers for the price! Different tastes for different people, but I was able to audition many speakers before my purchase around this time last year....axiom M60ti, Rockets 750, Paradigm Studios, B&W704s, etc....I ended up with the swans:

avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=534264&highlight=swan

best advice: if you can audition a few before, you are better off....but Swans are absolute steals at this price range, specially the new 6.2s

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