hunt continues: speakers for $300 (1 Viewer)

[Talal]

AS the hunt for my room's stereo continues...

I need some advice on speakers.

My budget is $300, and for that, I've basically found a pair of JBL S38s. Is this the best I can do?

THe system will mostly just be used for music...

I'm gonna pair it with a NAD 350 amp and marantz cd player.

So, whaddya all say?

PS.. the speakers will later be used as rear surrounds in a comng soon HT for the home...

 

[JohnKings]

Jalal:

If you like forward sounding speakers, I highly recommend Paradigm Mini Monitors. I really think that these speakers may be one of the best bargains going. Great detail for th price rang and suprisingly deep bass for a bookshelf speaker. That said, I have also heard that Axiom makes an excellent speakers in this price range.

John

 

[Kirk Gunn]

Also check out the Energy e:XL line the XL 16's are a great "bang for the buck".
www.energy-speakers.com

 

[Tom Grooms]

I would look in the used market in that dollar range. You should be able to find some Infintiy RS3's or some Polk RT35's . I have put systems together for friends using both of these loudspeakers and they sound great. A lot of Bang for your Buck.
$0.02

 

[Phil M]

Even though I have not heard these, they still may be worth a listen as you can do so in-home for 30 days, FREE. They will even cover the return postage, so you're not out anything but the experience. Here is alink to a thread I posted earlier which has 4-5 professional reviews.(scroll down about half way for links)
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=51433
The older model, Edge Audio 502D can be had at Amazon.com for 299.88, with free shipping, plus you can usually find a $20-$30 off coupon. I think you'll have to pay them return postage though. You can also just go through aperionaudio.com and get the newer 512D delivered for 378.00.
If you check audioasylum, they have picked up some pretty good reviews there too.
I've ordered (3) of the 512D's that I'm going to put head-to-head with my Paradigm Studio 40's.
Good luck!
Phil

 

[Daniel T]

I would check out the Axiom M3tis. I have a pair of them and they sound great. You can find them at www.axiomaudio.com. They list them for $275 a pair which includes shipping. Or give Marc a call at http://www.audioshop.on.ca/axiom.htm. His prices are listed in Canadian dollars so your US dollars will go a long way. Good luck with the speakers you choose.

 

[DwightK]

Another option if available in your area is Phase Technology speakers. Not real common around here in HTF as they aren't sold on the net and don't have many distributors but the company makes the soft dome tweeters used in many speakers. Price is right as well. For 300 should be able to find 2 PC1's or 2 Teatro 6.1's which would do you well.

 

[John Garcia]

I would look in the used market in that dollar range. You should be able to find some Infintiy RS3's or some Polk RT35's

In that price range, these two speakers don't stack up to the Paradigm Mini Monitors, so I'll give the Minis another vote. Easily one of the best speakers at this price point (and the reason why I bought them), though they MSRP for $350, they will be worth it.

Energy e:xl's aluminum tweeters are far too bright for my taste.

 

[Todd Durham]

another vote for the energy e:xl 16's...i have them in front and back and they sound great...

 

[Terry Flink]

For a few dollars more....nOrh 4.0 in ceramic. Amazing speakers at a great price. Check out www.norh.com and www.harmonicdiscord.com

 

[Talal]

wowza...

the suggestions are all over the place...

So.. you think the mini monitors are better than the S38s?

I'm going to try to get a listen sometime this weekend...

 

[EricHaas]

Paradigm Mini-Monitors. I rate them over all JBL's I've heard. YMMV of course.

 

[TedO]

I to have been building my HT on a budget.

My advice is to shop and shop hard to get the most bang for your buck.

I would rather buy a used set of high end speakers then to buy something lesser because it was cheap.

With Ebay, uBid and all the classified sections on all the forums there are some GREAT deals on new and used quality equipment.

Example:

1)I bought my Samson S1000 off of Ebay as a manufacture's refurb. Lowest price on the internet was $399, I paid $300. Yes it has some scratches on the case but powers my SVS sub just like a new one and in the bottom of the cabinet you can't see any of the scratchs anyway.

2) I bought a NEW Aura center channel speaker selling for $180+ on ubid for $44 and that included shipping.

Point being, don't let your budget control your buying decisions, let your tastes and likes do that.

 

[EricHaas]

Ted:
Absolutely! Used speakers are a great idea when you are on a tight budget. Why have budget sound when you don't have to? I strongly recommend checking here as well:
www.audiogon.com

 

[DonnyD]

I heard the JBL S38 and the Paradigm side by side.. Both were great sounding with the edge going to the JBL for HT with their strong midrange. Music was quite a bit better on the JBL too. The Mini's were a little muddy in comparison regardless of where we placed them. These were demo-ed on Yamaha and Denon receivers and on a McIntosh preamp and amp. Of course the MC made everything better. The Yam sounded much better on both speakers than the Denon. IMHO I must add........

Either of these will do a good job for you in HT especially with a good sub handling the low end.

 

[JerryW]

$300? That can be done, easily.
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...8IL10C&o=p&a=0
The Infinity IL10s are the best speakers I've ever heard for under $500, period. They're simply incredible for music.

 

[DougO]

Go buy the Axiom M22tiSE blems for $320 delivered from axiomaudio.com. I saw Marc of Audioshop selling a demo pair of the M22ti's for US$270.

 

[Kevin L K]

Let's not forget Ascend Acoustic's CBM-170 for $359 a pair.I realize this is slightly above your budget Talal but it is the best speaker for the money PERIOD(IMHO)
FREE shipping also.
http://www.ascendacoustics.com
Happy Hunting

 

[AjayM]

Link Removed, you should be able to get them right around $300.
Andrew