Find me a speaker....

[RuSsMaN]

Uncle Charlie and I are digging out all these old, some modded, some HIGHLY modded, some stock - tube mono's from the 50's and 60's. His Gallo Ref 3's are fairly demanding - so we are looking for a speaker to listen to on Saturday nights, with these vintage, low(er) powered amps.

Criteria?

Reasonably priced - under $250/pair if possible

Not high-tone, obviously, but something listenable - that we can use as a reference to compare these different amps to each other

SOLID down to 35-40Hz (pretty much full range)

90db or better 1w/1m - 92-95 would be GREAT

Slim, small to medium floorstander

What's out there? I've been looking for JBL HLS series and the like. Anyone spot any gruntball deals lately, new, refurb, or used?

Cheers,
Russ

[Zero]

This is when distance becomes a problem; If you were closer, the T90E's would be offered up. Will keep my eye out on the 'gon for ya .

[RuSsMaN]

Yeah, the T90e's didn't dig quite low enough.

[Loud & Clear]

Charlie Von Pimplenuts, Cleatus' brother?

[VR3]

Definitive Tech BP8B (Used)

Solid down to 30hz or so ;) - You could try the BP8, it has the textile dome from Vifa with a Vifa midbass... not sure about its performance though...

But it is the only speaker I know of in that price range that meets all of your criteria...hmm

It needs space from the back wall, you know this already - but it has a transmission line tuning in the rear which makes it need breathing room, and then it has the bipolar design...

And if you do decide to get these, make sure they are pointed straight at you, tilted up till the tweeters are ear level - unless they are already ear level with you.

BP8b specs
The BP 8B is an extraordinary full-range bipolar loudspeaker which offers award-winning sonic performance superior to competitors' systems selling for twice its price and more. The BP 8B 's taller cabinet and cast basket drivers deliver even more extended bass response than the BP 6B. Its exquisite, jewel-like piano-gloss black or natural oak finish complements the finest home furnishings, and its sleek, ultra-compact design takes up only 1/2 sq. ft. of floor space.

BP 8B Specifications:
Dimensions: 7" W x 11" D x 38" H
Frequency Response: 22 Hz — 30 kHz
Rec. Assoc. Amplification: 20 — 200 Watts/channel
Efficiency: 91 dB
Nominal Impedance: 4 — 8 ohms
Drivers: Two 25 mm pure aluminum dome tweeters; two 14 cm mineral-filled homopolymer-coned, cast-magnesium basket bass/midranges.
Finish: Jewel-like piano black lacquer or golden cherry with wraparound black grill cloth (optional white cloth available separately).
Weight: 46 lbs. Speakers are supplied with an optional spiking kit.
Retail: $399.00 ea.

Here is a review on the BP8 (Vifa drivers) - http://www.definitivetech.com/reviews/BP8SR.pdf - the BP8B will have more bass, but will be brighter than the BP8

[steveinaz]

AS-F1 Athena, @ 93dB 1 watt, and all the rest, you can't go wrong. Plus, I WANT YOU to hear them. I think these speaks were built for tubes....

[RuSsMaN]

Chas Von Pimplestein.

How much do the Athena's go for?

[jdhdiggs]

Quite a bit out of your price range but full return within 30days (including shipping, not that you'd need that) demo period, nothing to lose. Check out HTD.com. Based in Plano.

[stam4p5]

I have seen the AS-F1's sell brand new on Ebay for $225+ship per pair. They are also at this site (http://www.thepricebuster.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=4448733) for about $260/pair. Best Buy has them at $300/pair. I think they are the best bang-for-the-buck speakers in this price range.

[steveinaz]

With AS-F2's going for $399/pr the AS-F1 should be well within your price requirement.

None on ebay today--at least so far...

[RuSsMaN]

Home Theater Direct is in Plano? I've been recommending them for years, I had no idea.

How low does the Athena go Steve?

[jdhdiggs]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Home Theater Direct is in Plano? I've been recommending them for years, I had no idea.

Sorry, I've never seen you do that once so I didn't know, found out about them through AVS and thought I'd share...

Edit: I see three posts in four years. Sorry I missed all the recommendations.. :rolleyes:

[steveinaz]

$304/pr at Best Buy--NEW. $280/pr at Abes of Maine. They usually ebay at about $175/pr in excellent cond.

40-20kHz +/-3dB
36Hz down 6dB

[danger boy]

I just bought a pair of Athena bookshelf speakers for my computer rig. Wow.. the imaging and detail in the highs is quite impressive.

I haven't heard many of the other Athena's.. mostly just their bookshelf ones. Price on most Athenas seem pretty resonable.

[dkg999]

It might not go low enough, but I picked up a pair of EPOS ELS-3 for $249 and they are one sweet little monitor. I plan to eventually power them with a small tube pre and amp. I listened to them on tube gear and they just totally disappeared and the sound floated in the air! Probably not the best heavy rock speaker, but pretty neat for its price point.

[steveinaz]

It's a shame NOT to go the AS-F2 @ $399/pr, but they are quite a bit bigger. From your description, you want something as slim as possible.

[Tour2ma]

Haven't heard this model KEF, but I've been watching these for awhile.

At 91 dB/W/m and down to 42 Hz, these are close to what you're spec'ing...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14993&item=5765470652&rd=1

I have data on 5 pair. Winning bid range has been $210 to $280. Sales tax (8.25%) will be added, but delivery would be free via "T2ma Express".

[RuSsMaN]

Originally posted by jdhdiggs
Sorry, I've never seen you do that once so I didn't know, found out about them through AVS and thought I'd share...

Edit: I see three posts in four years. Sorry I missed all the recommendations.. :rolleyes:

I never said I only recommended them here. I actually was suprised they were in Plano, and appreciated the info. Bozo list +1.

Really looking for floorstanders, I've been eyeballing some KEF's, lots to choose from apparently at this price. Going to look at some Genesis towers this afternoon.

Cheers,
Russ

[steveinaz]

What, are you afraid you might like the Athena? According to everyone around here Athena's ARE grunt. Listen to them, go ahead, I dare you.....

[RuSsMaN]

All I asked was how low the Athena's play down to Steve, never said they were grunt.

[dorokusai]

Kef.

[Jstas]

Russ, check out these JBL's on special for like $270. They are a little light on your 91 dB sensitivity spec but dig down to 33 Hz.JBL Northridge E100BA (http://ww3.onecall.com/PID_20882.htm)

http://im1.onecall.com/Image%5fProducts%2fjbl%2fe100%5fba%2ejpg

[Jstas]

Even better, Klipsh Synergy FS2

http://ww3.onecall.com/PID_26609.htm

http://im1.onecall.com/Image%5fProducts%2fklipsch%2fsf2%2ejpg

If you get it today with the "Today's Best Price" feature, they will be $199.88 at 96 dB sensitivity and digging down to 35 Hz, you can't beat that with a stick!

[Jstas]

Both of those two I listed, those prices are for each, not pairs but the special prices listed by the site put them right around your $300 mark.

Oops! Sorry! I could have sworn it was $300 bucks for a pair not $250. Anyway, those are still good buys for those speakers might be worth blowing an extra 50 bucks on them.

[Jstas]

Here is a KLH 265T rated down to 30Hz but no publication of sensitivity.

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=klh265t&store=&catid=4161

90 bucks.

[steveinaz]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
All I asked was how low the Athena's play down to Steve, never said they were grunt.

I know brotha, I was just messin around.

[Jstas]

Here is a JBL E80, 91 dB sensitivity but digs down to 38 Hz. $180 each with limited quantities though.

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=jble80&showspecs=1&catid=4159&store=

[Jstas]

Here ya go, for $109.99 each, AR VP600's. Good down to 35 Hz but only 90 dB efficiency.

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=arvp600&store=&catid=4127

[Jstas]

Here ya go, doesn't get any more grunt than this!

Cerwin Vega LS-10, good down to 35Hz with a 95 dB sensitivity rate! Best of all, $140 each.

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=cerls10&store=&catid=4146







I'm done for now though. It's hard to find cheap towers that meet your specs and fall in the price range. You might be able to find these same models super cheap on eBay too.

[shack]

They don't go as low as you would like but may be a very listenable speaker...Mission m73i...

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/42557629003d61402740ac10033a05c0/Product/View/2239