$800 budget: 5 new speakers? (1 Viewer)

[ThomasL]

Kieran, what type of speakers are you looking for? What constraints do you have in terms of placement - i.e. bookshelves, "towers"? Since you're in California, I'd say you should also give the Cambridge Soundworks Newton series a listen. I think the Newton M80 bookshelf speaker should be $300/pair as are the S300 surrounds - throw in a MC300 for a center speaker and you have $800. Other options listed also sound good. I'd say there are probably a lot of choices and what you pick will depend on what you're looking for in terms of size constraints, decor, and listening breakdown (music vs. movies). For example, if you tend to listen to a lot of 2 channel music, then spending a little more on a nice set of fronts may be a better choice.

good luck,


--tom

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

You might want to take a look at the higer end fluance stuff. You can get their SM-938 mains for $270 a pair, 2 sets of their AV-BP2 Bipoles for surrounds and back surrounds, and their MV-670C center, all for $500. This leaves $300 for a sub. You could either go DIY, find something used, or go w/ the JBL PB10 from J&R for like $280 + free shipping.

 

[Brian Burgoyne]

Dahlquist QX6 got a great review from Soundstage. Do a google search and read it. Also look at audioshop website for pictures and more information. Marc H is great to work with and can give you a good deal with the exchange rate and shipping included.

 

[Kieran Coghlan]

Stephen Hopkins:
I already have a great sub, just got a SVS 2039pci.
Thomas L:
I am sort of thinking bookshelf speakers would be best, although I'm not oppposed to towers for any reason (other than price).
I'm about 50/50% for music vs. HT on my system. I don't really want to sacrifice either for one or the other. But if I had to choose, I'd say HT performance is more important to me than music performance.

 

[Chris Tsutsui]

Those Mackies are pretty neat, but then again there are DIY speaker kits like the GR-Research AV-3 which for $320 you can get a frequency response of +/-1.25 db (anechoic) with a 3 db down point to 40 Hz. (Now that's cheap)
If you like the mackies, check out the JBL studio monitor, the LSR 32. I saw those on ebay go for around $800
If I had $800, I'd consider some DIY kits and buy the enclosure as well. This way all you have to do is assemble the crossovers and install the drivers and you're set. You don't have to cut any wood if you buy the panels or pre-assembled enlosures.

 

[BryanZ]

They do have a different look to them. I think of it more as a jet engine type. For something more traditional, the Ascend Acoustics 22-2000 system (5 CBM-170s) goes for $799 with free shpping.

 

[Ben M]

I must agree with Bryan's post. For $800 for five speaker you can't beat 5 CBM-170s from Ascend Acoustics. IMHO, even at several $1000 you can't beat the CBM-170s.

 

[Kieran Coghlan]

Those Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's do look nice. VERY flat from 80Hz on up. (WOW!) I was hoping to find something with good extension down to the 50Hz range or so, though. The price is right, however. Are there any sites with good (i.e. detailed/critical) reviews of these speakers?

Thanks,

 

[BryanZ]

If I'm not mistaken, The $ensible $ound is supposed to be doing a review of them. You will also find one at www.cheaphometheater.com or several reviews at www.audioreview.com.