shopping for music speakers

[khanhhuynh4u]

hey guy im look for new speaker just for musics so could you guy give me a list of some good musical speaker i should look at

some from 200-350 price range and some from 350-500 and some from 500-700

what im looking for are clarity, quality sound, good vocal sounds, mostly im going to listen to classical and piano, and some vocal such as norah jones, josh groban, etc... im not looking for the really expensive high end but ones that are best for that price range....

also if you have any recommendation on receivers and cd player please give your opinion...what im using now is onkyo 8211 receiver and polk RTi4 but im not fully happy yet so im looking for a better system....thanks in advance

[malikarshad]

There is a general opinion here that Polk LSi is very musical.
Look at LSi7 and LSi9 with a sub is a killer combo or go Polk vintage SDA's

Denon DVD-2900 is a very good all around player. U can easily get it from $400-$550.

[lomic]

If you really want all the things you listed, you'll need at least the LSi7. Along with that you'd unfortunately also need a decent amplifier cause I don't think that 50wx2 Onkyo will cut it, unless you're ok with keeping the volume pretty low.

Overall cost for this is probably looking at the $800 range, but I don't think you'll really be happy with anything less.

[2+2]

Ditto the two advice above re LSi....I listen to alot of classical and LSis floor me with a good recording....

[jdhdiggs]

If you're not stuck on just polk, MMG's at $550 shipped to your door are about as good as I've heard for that type of music, assuming you have very good amplification of course.

The LSi's are better all around if you want to listen to rock and the like or don't have room.

[khanhhuynh4u]

any others recommendation? like from NHT, B&W, Epos, Paradigm, PSB???

how about cd players what name should i look for?

[VR3]

CDP -

Cambridge Audio
AMC
NAD

[dragon1952]

The Paradigm Studio 40's used are in your $500-$700 range. To sound best though they also would require better amplification. They would fit your description though.

[gregure]

To achieve the kind of sound you're going for with that type of music, you will need excellent speakers and good amplification.
Personally, I think you should keep saving to get something you're really happy w/ that you can sit and listen to with no regrets, rather than buy speakers now, and amps later, and not be satisfied for a long while. The system you have is decent enough that you should be able to live w/ it a bit longer. A couple of suggestions for systems below:

Mains:
1. Lsi 7's ($700/pr)
2. Lsi 9's ($900/pr)
3. Martin Logan Montage's ($1500/pr)
4. Vienna Acoustics Mozart's ($2500/pr)
Preamp: B&K PT5
Amp: B&K 125.2 or 200.2
Sub (Optional): Martin Logan Grotto, SVS PB 12 Ultra (when if finally comes out) or an HSU

These systems would cost you somewhere around $2500 to $6000 depending on your choices. I know it's obviously higher than your current budget, but I believe a system such as listed above would give you no regrets whatsoever, and excellent sound quality.

Realistically, the music you mentioned needs a higher priced speaker to sound good, because in my opinion, metal dome tweeters just cannot do this kind of music justice. My ears have grown very tired of metal domes, and ring radiator, soft dome or thin film are the only way to go these days, but you have to pay for it. Hope it gives you an idea of what a really nice system would cost.

[dragon1952]

Boy, this is getting expensive. He started out looking for speakers under $700 and we're up to $2500-$6000 already! Do I hear $7000! :D

[VR3]

Def Tech BP10B 300-450 + S

;)

Def Tech BP30 - 600-700 + S

(EBAY)

Their not for the lazy at heart, require alot of work, but once you got them setup...WOW...

And I also recomend the B&K PT5 and the ST 125.2

[dkg999]

Magnepan MMG's, the $550 entry level pair. Invest in some good stands, a decent amplifier, and wow! Other than that, a used set of Dynaudio 50 or 52, and a really good amplifier.

[khanhhuynh4u]

lol thanks alot for all the opinions guys but i dont think i could afford anything more than $1000 for now since im in college but one day ill own something that nice but for now im still on a tight budget....

ill guess im going to start saving about 100 bucks a month and starts from there but....about how much should i save to get something that's begins in the high ends system?? should i go digital also?? worth it??

what im worrying most is spending that much money and not getting what i wanted...with the RTi4 right now i still feels empty somehow, so do you guys think it should help if i added an onkyo M282 amplifier to the onkyo 8211 reciever, will it makes it clearer or just louder??

im just beginning to take music seriously so any help or suggestion from you guys are greatly appreciated.

[dragon1952]

what im worrying most is spending that much money and not getting what i wanted.

Welcome to the club, buddy.....you have just begun the journey. :cool:

[scottnbnj]

bring a wide variety of your own tunes with you when you demo.

)

[Loud & Clear]

I'm a one-trick pony here. Vintage Polks, with upgraded tweets if not coming with Peerless; bang for the buck, and neato factor, is outstanding. Good luck.

[gregure]

Your current RTi 4's would undoubtedly sound better w/ more amplification. Try to find something nice, maybe a used amp, or a couple of monos from Outlawaudio.com.
Better amplification always makes a speaker sound better, no matter which type. If you want to go LSi, tho, you really should save up a couple thousand to run them on something good. Again, the B&K two-channel PT5 and matching amp would be a great choice. Warm sound, and best performance at that price.

[khanhhuynh4u]

ok ill think ill stop spending after getting a good amp and start saving...im not a very good shopper at getting great deals but someone knows any good amp that i should look at? or any know any used amp that are a pretty good deal? i got all my stuff at fry's electronic and their stuff are not good with music choices but hey im beginning here but thanks guys for all the help....lastly i got the speakers for 260 and receiver for 150 so i guess an amp shouldnt go over 300 or so since its not even considered mid-end yet lol so no one recommend me an amp thats a 1000 buck or so....I CANT AFFORD IT!! haha

[khanhhuynh4u]

oohh sorry for the add on but is the onkyo 8211 a good receiver for the RTi 4 or does it need something a little better...i mean i dont listen to it very loud but does a little nicer improvement make it better? also where to shop online to shop for the amps? i saw alot but crutfield and vanns seem most reliable to me...

[MacLeod]

Originally posted by khanhhuynh4u

what im worrying most is spending that much money and not getting what i wanted


This is why you need to do one of the best thing in audio; go to different shops and play with all the wonderful toys! :D

[gregure]

Not sure of the ratings on the Onk 8411 but a good 100 wpc stereo receiver from Onkyo, Denon or HK would be a good price-friendly starting point.