Advice please: 6 speakers under $1K (1 Viewer)

[Monte Fisher]

I want to replace all 6 of my speakers (left-center-right/front-rear (not subwoofer)).
I am not on the sort of budget many here are -- e.g. I read this morning "any front speakers for less than $2500 involve too many compromises" -- I have to compromise! -- but I do like to crank up the volume (current front L/R are these huge old Pioneer "bookshelf" speakers with 12" woofers, which are able to get loud enough, albeit w/o the best quality...) -- suggestions, total cost no more than $1K, please?
BTW, receiver is Sony STR-DE1075, sources include DVD, LD, CD, LPs....
Thanks!

 

[Tyson]

I would say that the nOrh ceramic 4.0's would work quite nicely for your budget. The don't do bass, but all you gotta do is hook up the old bookshelves (with their 12 inch woofers) to the sub out & only send them

 

[Brian Fellmeth]

Tyson's idea is a good one, but you would have to come up with an amplifier channel to use your old speaker as a sub. Any old amp or receiver would do- garage sale special or something from the attic.

 

[aaron campbell]

How about 3 pairs of Paradigm mini monitors, 2 pair shielded.

 

[Norm Strong]

How about $260. 1pr Technics LX-30 and 2pr Technics LX10.
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Norm Strong ([email protected])

 

[Chuck C]

ataboy norm! (sarcasm)
Polk RT55i's are on sale at crutchfield for $400 right now, that oughta give you a nice start.
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Chuck
http://www.hometheaterinsider.com

 

[Rick Radford]

Monte,
Check out this site .
I've been quite pleased with the speakers I ordered from them. You can mix and match as you see fit.
For some good pricing, check with Marc here .
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--RR

 

[Brett DiMichele]

Front Stage L/R: Acoustic Research Hi-Res AR9 Pair $550.00
www.bestpriceaudiovideo.com
Surround L/R: Acoustic Research Hi-Res AR15 Pair $209.00
www.audiovideoman.com
Center Channel: Acoustic Research Hi-Res AR4C $159.00
www.audiovideoman.com
$918.00 less Shipping And Handling.. A good sub will run
you another $400-900.00 depending on what you go with. I
would say AR's subs are nice but the Freq Response might not
be low enough for you.. Thier Hi-Res powered 12 only goes
down to 22Hz.
I honestly do not think you will get a better sounding setup
than this. Everything uses the exact same drivers,crossovers
and cabinent design for 100% matched Timbre and Tonal match.
For music or HT this system will sound equaly good at either
task. The sensitivity is high on all Hi-Res components thus
you won't need a gazillion jiggawatts to power the combo.
A good true 100 watts per channel with drive them cleanly
all day long.
I have the AR9's and I for one love the quality,style,size,
workmanship and the clean vibrant house filling sound they
produce!
I know the price is a little higher than you aimed for but
it is worth every cent.. And those prices are far below what
Crutchfield and other A/V shops sell the Hi-Res line for.
Even if you paid full retail the AR9's would be $999.00 for
the pair and they would still be worth every single cent.
Do i work for AR? No... Do I wish I did? Yes! What a product
but it's no wonder, Considering they invented the Acoustic
Suspension speaker decades before half of these companies
came into existance!
Good luck with whatever you purchase!
------------------
Brett DiMichele
Certified Audio Nut
My Home Theater Site!
[email protected]

 

[Monte Fisher]

Thanks for the suggestions so far!
Sorry about my lack of clarity -- by "(not subwoofer)" I meant I don't feel the need to replace that; I do have one.
The nOhrs look (on the website) interesting (actually, they look bizarre, but alot of people in this forum seem to like them) -- have to see if anyone sells them so I can listen (or are they by-internet-only?)
Paradigm's site seems to be non-responsive....
(Ah, AR's ... I remember buying my first stereo in 1974 including a pair of AR3a's, which at the time were the cat's meow ... sold a year later to buy an old Alfa Romeo (http://www.lukefisher.com/alfa/) ... sold a year later to return to college....)

 

[John Gates]

Monty,
nOrh speakers are only sold factory-direct. If you could let us know where you are, perhaps there is an owner nearby who'd be willing to do an inhome demo for you.
I will also vouch for the nOrh 4.0's. They are amazing speakers.
John

 

[Brett DiMichele]

Monte,
It's a shame you had to sell the AR3a's most of the 60's
and 70's vintage AR gear is regarded by the owners to be
irreplaceable. Many of these guys have newer sets of high
end speakers (insert name brand here) and say that they
still can't compare to thier 30 year old AR's.. That has
to say something. Also the fact that most old AR's still
bring a grand on ebay shows how in demand the old sets
still are!
AR had a good rep and they still do. It's a shame everyone
recommends companies like nOrh who without a doubt makes
a great (albeit wierd looking) speaker, yet doesn't or has
not heard of or heard AR's top of the line in person.
As I said before I don't think you can go horribly wrong
with any speaker from Paradigm,Klipsch,B&W,nOhr,Def Tech
and many of the others that we KNOW are quality.
Again good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Ron Reda]

Rick, you beat me to it!!!
Monte, definitely check out some Axioms. I got 5 speakers (floor standing fronts, bookshelf surrounds and a center) delivered for well under $1K. They are inexpensive and are an excellent value.
Regards,
Ron

 

[Mike-H]

I also recently purchased an Axiom package from Marc at Audioshop (see link in Rick's post). I have M22Ti's for the mains, QS4's for the surounds, a VP100 center, and an EP175 sub. This is my first 5.1 system so I don't have anything to compare them to, but I like them. I spent just over $1100 delivered.