Wher to buy??? (1 Viewer)

[JimHaskell]

What are some good on-line stores to shop for HT speakers? I'm upgrading, and I want to comparison shop. Thanks for any links or info you can provide!

Jim

P.S. I was about to shop at Best Buy until I started browsing this forum. I understand their prices are higher than they should be.

They do have 0% financing for 3 years, and $150 gift card for spending over $999. So they are still attractive to me, but I'd like to do better if I can.

Thanks

 

[Elinor]

I don't recommend shopping for speakers online. The airline tickets to go hear them just get too expensive. Try local stores.

Actually, I recommend shopping in "high end" audio stores. You'll get to listen to much better speakers, and they only keep the good stuff to sell "used."

 

[MikeyWeitz]

Depends on what brand of speaker you want to buy.

I looked long and hard for my Jbls and wound up getting the E80 mains for $358 shipped for the pair from bhphoto.com

Bought my ec35 center for $150 from electronics-expo.com (bought at their B&M).

Decide what you want, then do some searches (froggle.com google.com) etc to find the best (don't forget about shipping).

 

[Elinor]

How do you know if it's "the best" if you don't listen to it before you buy it?

Or are you saying you do listen, just buy it from somewhere cheaper?

 

[MikeyWeitz]

I am saying demo all you are interested in, then shop online for the best price (and reliable-sometimes-authorized if need be) online vendor.

I went with JBL over Fluance for that reason. Had a certain price range, onlya few decent manufactures were in that range. Went to demo Infinity primus 250;s, hated them (even for $99 ea.), listened to the JBL's, liked them A LOT, shopped online for the best price (able to get a pair Delivered from online, authorized vendor) for less the bestbuy was selling 1 speaker before tax for.

 

[Nhan_H]

Why do you have to buy airline tickets to listen to online speakers?

Also, I agree with listening to before buying, but I don't think he can afford a 5.1 package at a high end store. From the looks of his first post, he's looking to spend about $1000.

 

[John S]

My suggestion.. Decide on the speakers you want, then price shop them on the internet. Then decide if the price is good taking into account Sales Tax -vs- Shipping.


best of luck....

 

[David Bikeman]

Demo'ing in a store (even boutique's) is of little value to me. I need to demo in my home with my equipment and this is what internet direct is best at. If they don't work for me, I'm only out the cost of shipping two speakers back. That's a small price to pay for the ability to audition speakers in my home. Many high end boutiques won't allow in home on mid-fi gear without a lot of hassle. I don't need the hassle.
If the speakers work, then order the rest of the set-up. Ascend and AV123 will still give the package price once you've made up your mind. That's what works for me. YMMV.

David

 

[RyanJE]

If you want to demo in Home try out Aperion and Axiom. They let you demo at home and return free if you dont likem. They also offer more bang for your buck since they are internet direct.

 

[David Bikeman]

I have read although I can't speak from personal experience that Axiom will not allow you to get package pricing unless you order the entire package at one time. This makes auditions much more expensive since you have to return more than two or three speakers.
I haven't heard what Aperion policy is.

David

 

[RyanJE]

Also, I havent heard these myself but they get super reviews. There the Ventriliquist by Hsu at Hsuresearch.com
Id recommend the STF-3 If you have a medium to large room. Ive heard this sub and it sounds amazing. Sorry about the satellites though. But for under 1000 this seems to be a great matched deal..

 

[RyanJE]

I believe Aperion is totally free returns, but search there policys on their site, You should be able to find it.

Also I own Fluance speakers...so if you have any questions.

What kinda budget you workin with?

 

[Mitch_J]

Aperion does indeed allow you to return for free if you don't like their speaker after 30 days. Also there is no shipping or sales tax. A 10 year transferrable warrenty and 3 year warrenty on their amps. Very good customer service and simply "Good People" over there.

www.aperionaudio.com

 

[David Bikeman]

"Aperion does indeed allow you to return for free if you don't like their speaker after 30 days."

That is one serious trial offer. My hats off to Aperion.


David

 

[Eric:F]

Jim,
you didn't say your budget.
if you can afford it, check out Jim Salk:
http://www.salksound.com/htshome.html
i chose the HTS-MTMs for my front 3 channels and the quality for the price is way beyond what's available from bricks and mortar.
world class drivers, custom crossovers, beautiful cabinets and a $ back guaranty.
Jim is a pleasure to work with and keeps you posted every step of the way.
best,
eric