What are the best 2-channel beginner audiophile speakers

[suppiluliumas]

I am undecided. These would be within my budget (eventually anyway) RTi6, Monitor 40, and r50. Does RTi make a big difference vs the Monitor or the R series to the beginner?

[BaggedLancer]

the "best" speakers is personal preference. Every speaker has it's ups and downs, just listen to them all and decide for yourself the "best".

[ben62670]

KEX pointed this site out to him. This IS Polk Audio on Ebay.
http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct_Home-Audio_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ153926419QQftidZ2QQtZ km

reposted

"I just checked out the Ebay store, and those R30 are a steal.
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/s...rstanding/r30/
I have never heard them, but $100 BIN a pair
Thats 400% off retail from Polk
I would start another post if the R30s are to your taste. $140 with shipping anywhere US via FedEx ground is cheap!
Silk tweeters"

What do you guys think of the R30.
I know the guy wants a Ferrari at Chevette prices, but I think he may do fairly well here.

Thanks
Ben

[suppiluliumas]

I know always comes down to personal preference, but the problem is that I can listen only to the monitor 40s at CC. They don't carry anything beyond the monitor series and currently do not have the r50s. No other stores carry Polk around here (Mpls), at least that I am aware of. I would like some opinions.

[suppiluliumas]

I know the guy wants a Ferrari at Chevette prices

I know I want Chevette prices but I am looking at something a bit more modest than a Ferrari... more like a Volvo or BMW. Something nice (not cheap, but neither gaudy). Well built and good performance at the lowest price is my aim.

Regards,

King of the Hittite Empire

[ben62670]

beginner audiophile speakers, and monitors is an oxymoron. The monitor series is the bottom of the line speaker. It was designed for people on a budget that are into decent HT. I would not consider them beginner audiophile speakers at all, or even musical at all. The RTIs are a good compromise for HT, and casual music listening. The LSI's I would say are a great value in the HiFi market. If you go Monitors for music I can almost guaranty that you would not be satisfied. The RTI's have much nicer drivers than the monitors, and if you want to upgrade in the future monitors, and RTI's are not a good timber match. RTI's, and LSI's play together much nicer. Have you looked at the cherry R30's? Read any reviews?

[suppiluliumas]

I've looked at the r30s but the r50s are only $10 more each and have a second 6.5" driver. Are the r towers a good investment or would they grow old fast?

[heiney9]

good performance .

Regards,

King of the Hittite Empire

This is a very subjective subject. A little more discussion is needed and YOU really need to try and hear some different brands for yourself. What are you trying to accomplish, what kind of music do you listen to, what are you room dimensions and placement options, what typical volume will you listen at. Form over function or form = function or function over form, what have you owned in the past and what did and didn't you like about it?, etc., etc., etc.

My suggestion start with a pair of Polk SDA CRS's. or a pair of LSi 9's. But that's more what I like, because I have no idea what your end goal is or preferences are.

H9

[suppiluliumas]

I want something that will perform well in a small/average living room (12x15 or so) or in a bedroom perhaps slightly smaller. I want the speakers to function as well as they can within the form of my room(s).

I don't think that I can go any higher than RTi6... bookshelf is preferred.

[ben62670]

I want something that will perform well in a small/average living room (12x15 or so) or in a bedroom perhaps slightly smaller. I want the speakers to function as well as they can within the form of my room(s).

I don't think that I can go any higher than RTi6... bookshelf is preferred.

I think the RTI6 book shelf would be a great start;)
I have listened to a bunch of speakers under a $1000 over the years, some lots more, and the RTI's are a real good bang for the buck speaker.

[heiney9]

You seem to be looking at the Monitor series and the RTi series, the RTi is a slightly better line as they use better cabinets and drivers. With the RTiA line coming out replacing the RTi line you should be able to get some killer deals on closeouts.

Also remember to set aside a $150-200 for a nice sturdy set of speaker stands if you go with a bookshelf model. Preferably stand that are fillable with sand or shot are the best.

H9

[suppiluliumas]

As for its use, I will them for movies when I watch them but more for music. I'm a classical fan (it's actually concert music... classical is just one era... probably the wrong place talk about that) and little of a lot of things, e.g. Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, U2, Instrumental, and (I'm not afraid to admit it) ABBA (I can't do the first B backwards), some other older artists, very few contemporary.

[suppiluliumas]

Can I actually put a bookshelf on a bookshelf/shelf?

[AndyGwis]

Get some used LSi7s and a decent integrated amp or stereo receiver. HK 3480 and LSi7s could be had for like $400 - $450 combined if you shop around.

Or, get on craigslist locally and check out what speakers they have available. I've found some great stuff locally on CL before.

[stangjason]

I would look out for deals on the RTi4, RTi6, and RTi8 because they are fairly reasonable on several sights. Keep a watch out on frys.com, onecall.com, crutchfield, and ebay for some good deals on them.

I really think you'd be happy any of those but my only experience is with what I've got: 2 pair of RTi8, fxi3, and CSi5. If the RTi8 or fxi3 are an indicator of how good the rti4 or rti6 sound then you won't be disappointed.

[suppiluliumas]

Thanks guys. I would only go LSi if they $300 for the pair. I know that asking for an Aston Martin for the price of a Camry but that's my budget. probably look for RTi4/6

Thanks again,

King of the Hittite Empire

[capecodder]

Thanks guys. I would only go LSi if they $300 for the pair. I know that asking for an Aston Martin for the price of a Camry but that's my budget. probably look for RTi4/6

Thanks again,

King of the Hittite Empire

I would second heiny9's reference to the CRS (or CRS+ even more) which might be had used for $300 if you could find a pair. They are my main speakers, I love them, and they have the SDA feature which is highly regarded around these parts. (You would also have a cool factor to impress your friends and neighbors since no one else will probably have a pair:cool:)

Personally, I would buy a clean pair of used far before I would buy entry level grades of any speaker for anything close to retail. But then all my equipment is second hand at pennies on the dollar. I will also admit to having never heard the RTi series.

Just saw your other post about speakers for classical listening. The CRS line produces a fabulous soundstage and should be very good for those purposes as well.

[suppiluliumas]

Where is the best place to look for CRS online/in person?

[stangjason]

I should have mentioned before buying my RTi series stuff for six months I had some R series speakers (CSR, R300, and R150). I loved the sound of the R series speakers except I felt something was missing so when I got my RTi series I realized that the R series though as good sounding as they were they were just too small for my room and didn't give me the same soundstage as the RTi series did.

[capecodder]

Where is the best place to look for CRS online/in person?

Sorry for assuming something you probably don't know. The CRS speakers are vintage from the mid-late '80's and sold for around $900 back then so you know they were the real deal. They are the "bookshelf" version of the SDA line although they work best on stands. (Mine are in the "shelf" for WAF reasons and sound great). No longer made and can only be got used. They come up on eBay from time to time and I believe a few members here may have a set for sale. Price I don't know.

Go to polksda.com and look at the pics of the various models to familiarize yourself with the vintage lines. Not to steer you too far away but the vintage Model 7 speakers are also very well received here as well. Can frequently be had for $100 to $150. I now have 3 pairs....

[suppiluliumas]

Thanks, I'll keep my eyes open for the older sets. Any guidelines about buying old/used sets?

[capecodder]

Thanks, I'll keep my eyes open for the older sets. Any guidelines about buying old/used sets?

Obviously visual/physical condition and try to audition if possible. Get a sense whether the owner is an audio enthusiest or a "crank em up at the frat party animal".

[suppiluliumas]

Know any trusted sellers?

[Midnite Mick]

delete.....just saw the budget

[capecodder]

Know any trusted sellers?

If you post in the Vintage section and ask around you may find some. You will probably get some good feedback as to who is trustworthy. Most are, especially with any track record.

As tactfully as I can be... don't start 10 threads or so at the same time and swamp the forum with 100 questions. Take your time, digest the info, do a little web searching and you will be fine. The vultures won't descend quite as fast to pick the flesh from a newbie.

Welcome to the forum btw:).

[McLoki]

For a good starter speaker on a budget - this is my choice hands down....

On Ebay... (http://cgi.ebay.com/AWESOME-POLK-AUDIO-SERIES-10-STUDIO-MONITOR-SPEAKERS_W0QQitemZ320198079753QQihZ011QQcategoryZ3 2861QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Another e-bay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Pair-of-Polk-Floor-Standing-Monitor-10-Speakers_W0QQitemZ160192207833QQihZ006QQcategoryZ1 4993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

On Audiogon (http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?spkrfull&1202090760)

While they are nowhere near Gods gift to two channel listening, but they will make listening to music fun and may be some of the best you find for under $200. (much better than the current R or Monitor series in my opinion.)

Michael

[Yashu]

PSB Alpha B1s all the way. There is no way to get more for your money.

[rskarvan]

Perhaps a set of Polk RT25i's. Very highly regarded bookshelf speaker. Inexpensive too.

Ebay Auction Item No. 190185010843

[mhardy6647]

Pair of Monitor 7As would be quite high on my list of "beginner audiophile speakers"...

[Shizelbs]

Scour audiogon. That and craigslist. Read and read and read and educate yourself to find the best deal you just can't help resist. For example, I have a pair of speakers I snagged for $400 that I doubt I'd want to replace with anything costing several times more. There are deals out there, you just have to be ready for them and know what they look like.

[Shizelbs]

Pair of Monitor 7As would be quite high on my list of "beginner audiophile speakers"...

As they are on mine.

[fatchowmein]

I have both the RTi6 and R50. I prefer the RTi6. Either can be bought at a Fry's sale for around $99 lately.

Good luck!

[wallstreet]

Can I actually put a bookshelf on a bookshelf/shelf?

LOL, sure you can. I have my RTI6's high up on my bookshelves in the family room. It's not as ideal as having them at ear level, but I just use them for background music and HT or serious listening. They're a nice beginner speaker though. And certainly a speaker you can leverage down the road in your home theater. Matched with a good sub, these speakers do an admirable job.

[Lasareath]

Pair of Monitor 7As would be quite high on my list of "beginner audiophile speakers"...

MRH, I have to agree with you 100%

My Cousin just moved out of her parent's house and got her first apartment.

So I wanted to get her a house warming gift and I heard she did not have a pair of speakers. So I found a pair of 7A with peerless tweeters and they were in mint condition.

She absolutely loves them!

I think the 7 & 10's would make a perfect first pair of speakers.

But as per the ones in upstate NY, Please don't bid on those, I intend to bid and I never loose on eBay ;)

Thank You!

Lasareath

[zingo]

I agree. A nice pair of Monitors would be hard to beat. Just search your local craigslist, have a budget in mind, and you will end up with something good.

[BaggedLancer]

MRH, I have to agree with you 100%

My Cousin just moved out of her parent's house and got her first apartment.

So I wanted to get her a house warming gift and I heard she did not have a pair of speakers. So I found a pair of 7A with peerless tweeters and they were in mint condition.

She absolutely loves them!

I think the 7 & 10's would make a perfect first pair of speakers.

But as per the ones in upstate NY, Please don't bid on those, I intend to bid and I never loose on eBay ;)

Thank You!

Lasareath

I'm running the price up so high on those because you said that....I hope you have an empty credit card ready!