Advice on music speakers for ~$1000
I'm in the market for a 2 channel (or 2.1) setup for music. I'm not terribly educated on the options for speakers in the ~$1000 range (pair). I've had my RTi A setup for a bit more than a year and I've been slowly getting the upgrade bug. My current setup has the RTi A1's as mains; that was my "entry" into real speakers and out of a home theater in a box. My long term plan had included eventually getting the A9's as mains and moving the A1's to surrounds, but while I love the RTi's for TV/movies I need something better for music.
Rather than spending the money on A9's I'd rather ditch my current system for something new. I've done a listening compare of the A9's to the LSi series (9's and 25's) and I like how the LSi's sound, but I've also been reading the great reviews on the new LSi M's, specifically the 703s in my price range.
This is a pretty big investment though so before I run out and grab either the old or new LSi speakers I figured I should do my due dilligence and look into what other options I have in this price range. So what are some of the other good speakers in this range I should consider?
I'll try to address some of the common questions here:
-Size doesn't matter; I'm open to bookshelf or tower.
-For asthetics I like the look or wood so as long as there is a cherry or some other wood option I'm good. The weird form factor of Magnepans is probably out.
-Between my wife and I we listen to pretty much every genera of music.
-The room size is roughly 20'x13'x12' with one end being half open to a hall/kitchen.
-The speakers need to have an option for getting a timber matched center which I'll purchase further down the road. Don't get me wrong, the primary focus is 2 channel music, but I will be watching TV/blurays on this system.
-I'd preffer new or refurbished with a limited warrenty option (polk direct etc.), but used isn't 100% off the table.
I'll list my current system, but I'm by no means married to this equipment. I know for sure a new reciever and amp will need to be in my future as I get more into the mid/high end. Possibly even immediately if I had to have it for some 4ohm speakers.
-Onkyo 608 AVR
-Emotiva Ultra 12
-RTi A1; CSi A4 (to be replaced by new speakers)
-low end samsung bluray player for pandora/cds/etc.
-Dave
edit: price range is roughly 500-1500 for a pair
Rather than spending the money on A9's I'd rather ditch my current system for something new. I've done a listening compare of the A9's to the LSi series (9's and 25's) and I like how the LSi's sound, but I've also been reading the great reviews on the new LSi M's, specifically the 703s in my price range.
This is a pretty big investment though so before I run out and grab either the old or new LSi speakers I figured I should do my due dilligence and look into what other options I have in this price range. So what are some of the other good speakers in this range I should consider?
I'll try to address some of the common questions here:
-Size doesn't matter; I'm open to bookshelf or tower.
-For asthetics I like the look or wood so as long as there is a cherry or some other wood option I'm good. The weird form factor of Magnepans is probably out.
-Between my wife and I we listen to pretty much every genera of music.
-The room size is roughly 20'x13'x12' with one end being half open to a hall/kitchen.
-The speakers need to have an option for getting a timber matched center which I'll purchase further down the road. Don't get me wrong, the primary focus is 2 channel music, but I will be watching TV/blurays on this system.
-I'd preffer new or refurbished with a limited warrenty option (polk direct etc.), but used isn't 100% off the table.
I'll list my current system, but I'm by no means married to this equipment. I know for sure a new reciever and amp will need to be in my future as I get more into the mid/high end. Possibly even immediately if I had to have it for some 4ohm speakers.
-Onkyo 608 AVR
-Emotiva Ultra 12
-RTi A1; CSi A4 (to be replaced by new speakers)
-low end samsung bluray player for pandora/cds/etc.
-Dave
edit: price range is roughly 500-1500 for a pair
Post edited by DaveHCYJ on
Comments
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Since you like the lsis, it's probaby hard to beat the lsi15s for $850 with free shipping from polk direct right now. If music if your focus, then that sounds like at least one good option to me.Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:
M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires
Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :
LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3 -
Yeah I certainly like the LSis, but I've never heard anything else in that price class, so I very well might like something else more. I kind of feel like it would be silly to make a $1000 investment without comparing them to a single other thing.
I'm trying to come up with a list of 5 or so speakers I should look at and then seek them out at local dealers to go and listen. Also with the great reviews on the new LSi Ms I really want to do a side by side between them and the old LSis. I don't know that anywhere local has them on their shelves yet though. -
I hear ya, and completely agree, unfortunately I don't have experience comparing other brands either. Hopefully more poeple will chime in, I'm curious myself.
Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:
M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires
Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :
LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3 -
Hi Dave. I felt the same as you did,only owning Polk's(which are wonderful)all my life! I got my ears on Kef's Q900's and fell in love! Now knowing things always sound different at home with different room treatments/room size/amps,i started to read everything i could find on the internet on the Q900 reviews/comparisons much to my delight! After asking how a fellow Polk member,(Pearsall) enjoyed his,i took a leap! After 1 day of listening(i just recieved them) i am very happy! So take your time,and listen to different stuff,who knows,maybee you'll be right back with some Polkies! Good luck on your search!"Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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I'd lean towards the new LSiM's."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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+1 on the LSiMs. I love my 703s.
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Have any of the reviews compared the 703s to the LSi25s? The natural comparison is to the LSi9s, but the price reality is to compare them to the 25s.
Anyone seen the 703s in a store yet? The "Where to buy" search doesn't even have the LSiMs as a search option yet.
