Best inexpensive floorstanders for mostly 2 channel?

[c_corie]

Heres what i have, and/or have gone through:

Currently have/had:

-Polk Monitor 30s with PSW12 sub

-Boston Acoustics HS450s

-old Technics SBT200 towers (I rediscovered from the basement today)

-Bose Acoustimas 3 (going to girlfriend)

-Bose 301 newest series (just sold them)

It looks like the KEF IQ5 series towers are on sale, but I don't quite have the extra money, but if they're that great a deal and a large step up from what I have I'd go for it, any other ideas in the sub $450 range?

[MillerLiteScott]

SDA 2B's

RTA 11T's TL's

Even SDA 1C's

[ben62670]

What MLS said. Take your time, and get a good deal.
Where are you located?
Ben

[c_corie]

Im located in CT. And i know this is a polk forum but i think i may like more "british sounding" speakers, cause I do enjoy every b&w i've heard, they're just a bit expensive and.....the cheaper ones are a little uglyish.

[ben62670]

I was in Windham CT, but....
There are a few guys in your area.
Ben

[George Grand]

AR-9, 9ls, or 90. The 9's and 9ls that were manufactured in the 70's, not the stuff from the 90's. You can find them pretty cheap on the used market, especially up there where you're at. Prepare to give up some floorspace.

[Lawrence Grand]

Don't know how much you're planning to spend, but if you like the british sound (I do, too), I'd recommend you audition JM Lab Focal. They're French. They'll knock your socks off.

[c_corie]

looking to spend less then $450, and wouldn't mind off brand or strange stuff, just want it to sound pretty good and look nice as well.

[fbm211]

Here you go, try to get these.You might need to fix em up but thats part of the fun. http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1980s-POLK-AUDIO-RTA-12B-FLOOR-SPEAKERS-SPEAKER_W0QQitemZ270269765529QQihZ017QQcategoryZ50 597QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[markmarc]

New:
AV123 Onix x-sls $439 pair is a killer value for new mini tower.

[reeltrouble1]

I would get some Polk SDA speakers.

RT1

[lakesailor]

SDA 2B's

RTA 11T's TL's

Even SDA 1C's


I second the RTA 11T suggestion. For the money they go for these days they are a great buy !

[c_corie]

As an update I found Monitor 11s and replaced the fuses, and now they are working for a grand total of......$23!

[danger boy]

you're set then.. get yourself a big beefy amp.. and enjoy!

[ohskigod]

Vandersteen 2c , there were many subsequent and more expensive upgraded versions, but the original 2c can be had for under 400 last I checked, and it was one of the sweetest sounding speakers I owned. miss them to this day.

I own the AR9's of which George speak. keep in mind foam condition is an issue...but sonically if you found one in excellent shape for like 800 or so its satill a performance bargain. (downside is that you need a beefy amp to get the best out of them. (or biamp with 2 good amps)

of course, the reccomendations above are good. I know the Polk SDA 1c was mentioned but dont be afraid of the 1B either. they will run a little cheaper than the C in the used market (just gotta make sure you have common ground amplification stable to 4 ohms. another of those speakers that I have owned and miss....not to mention they really were a crowd favorite. some of my friends rate them as there favorite speakers of the ones I have owned (and thats alot :D)

hunt the used market and see what comes up if your on a tight budget......its the best way to get bang for the buck.

[ohskigod]

Doh, didnt see you got Mon 11's. for that price, your on friggen easy street !

[organ]

You have quite a bit to pick from if you get used. I'd probably get a pair of Polk's older RT towers.

[c_corie]

I actually just picked up some monitor 10s for cheap as well, I might be keeping them if space allows. It looks like my new thing is collecting old polk speakers.


I have to say, and no offence meant, but those Monitor 11s I got KILL most of the current monitor line, and from what i've heard of the old RTi series. How can this be, these speakers are 20 something years old?

[markmarc]

Some speakers are just "Classics". Everything came together just perfectly during the design/build. It's just like Carnegie Hall. Sonically, it's the best concert hall ever built, even though the interior was "tuned" by ear in the early 1900's.

I owned the Polk 10B's during the 1980's, and for the money at the time, only the ADS L810's were better in their size/price range.

Right now I have a pair of Monitor 5B's that are going to be veneered, to be honest the RTiA3 don't compare to them IMHO.

[ward91]

mordaunt short 914i, im sure you will like them, they got loads of awards. i have some 902i's but im not entirely sure i like their sound yet. Compared to my older wharfedale diamond 8.3’s they have a more open soundstage and sometimes locating the speakers is impossible, however I think they lack some focus in the mid and low mids and the bass is a bit funny.

[organ]

Not sure if Maggie is still offering their MMG for $500. But if you want to try something different, that's something to look into and it's within your price range.

[heyjude8er]

Heres what i have, and/or have gone through:

Currently have/had:

-Polk Monitor 30s with PSW12 sub

-Boston Acoustics HS450s

-old Technics SBT200 towers (I rediscovered from the basement today)

-Bose Acoustimas 3 (going to girlfriend)

-Bose 301 newest series (just sold them)

It looks like the KEF IQ5 series towers are on sale, but I don't quite have the extra money, but if they're that great a deal and a large step up from what I have I'd go for it, any other ideas in the sub $450 range? You SIMPLY CAN'T BEAT the POLK AUDIO MONITOR 70 speakers.You can spend $1200-1400.00 and not get a pair of speakers that sound this good.I got these for $400.00 for the pair at Circuit City on a close-out sale.They just couldn't sell them.Everyone wants small,modular speakers for home theater systems.Audition any speaker in the Monitor 70's price range and you'll see what I mean.Nothing else even comes close.Here is a GREAT combination:Polk Audio Monitor 70 speakers hooked up to a NAD C325BEE integrated amp.It will BLOW YOU AWAY!

[NJPOLKER]

I'll tell ya that I'd put my SDA1a's which I paid $175. plus about $150. in upgrades up against any of the speakers listed above. For a grand total of $325. pair you just can't go wrong, no way!! Plus the pride of accomplishment in doing the upgrades yourself.

[Dennis Gardner]

You SIMPLY CAN'T BEAT the POLK AUDIO MONITOR 70 speakers.You can spend $1200-1400.00 and not get a pair of speakers that sound this good.I got these for $400.00 for the pair at Circuit City on a close-out sale.They just couldn't sell them.Everyone wants small,modular speakers for home theater systems.Audition any speaker in the Monitor 70's price range and you'll see what I mean.Nothing else even comes close.Here is a GREAT combination:Polk Audio Monitor 70 speakers hooked up to a NAD C325BEE integrated amp.It will BLOW YOU AWAY!

Welcome HJ8er, if you think the current monitors sound good, get your ears on Polk's vintage monitors, or even better SDAs. Nothing beats them for value and sound for music.