Best Floor Standing Speakers for under 1500

robert0507
robert0507 Posts: 148
edited July 2012 in Speakers
Hello Everyone!!
Im looking for some suggestions on what people consider to be the best floor standing speakers for under 1500$.
I listen to 70 % music and 30 % movies
Post edited by robert0507 on
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited April 2012
    New or used???

    That will make a world of difference!
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited April 2012
    Both. As long as they sound good. I listen to all types of music from country to rap.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited April 2012
    Well your money will go a lot further on the used market.

    For 1500 you have a lot of options. I'd personally go with the newly released Magnepan 1.7's (or 1.6's and save some cash), but country, and especially rap, aren't exactly their strong points.

    There's always the vintage Polks, from Monitors to RTA's to SDA's, or even LSi's, but again, those may be a tad "refined" for what you're looking for.


    How about some Polk RTi-A9's??? Badass speakers. Serious bass response and sparkly highs, but they're surprisingly good at more delicate stuff too. You could find a used pair for under a grand, and you could probably go new, with warranty for 1500.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/rtia/index.php?s=rtia9
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited April 2012
    I had the Rti a9's but sold them. I felt they lacked detail on some of my more "refined" music. I was even thinking about going with the new lsim 703 speakers but was afraid they wouldnt fill my 2700 cubic feet room. I do have a really good sub though(HSU VTF HO). So that might help with the lows. Do you think lsim 703 would be to small for a room that size?
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,216
    edited April 2012
    What associated gear, room size, etc. Maggies will require more than a receiver.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited April 2012
    New martin logan electromotion for $1600
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited April 2012
    robert0507 wrote: »
    Do you think lsim 703 would be to small for a room that size?

    Nope. They will fill it with ease.:wink:

    The 703's are awesome speakers.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited April 2012
    U should also ck out the KEF Q900's! $1400 for the pair,I have them,and I couldnt be happier for the price! Great on all aspects.
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited April 2012
    "Best" is in the eye/ear of the beholder. There is no definitive "best" anything, it's all subjective. When you ask a question like this, the answers will always be what folks think is "best" to them in their system. This may or may not be of any help to you. Good luck in your search.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2012
    If you love "sparklers", then the KEFs mentioned above are 'your' speaker. Lots of detail, they lose almost nothing, have a LOT of mid-range very clean highs and good enough bass (tight). They would NOT be my first choice, but maybe second, because I like a more laid back speaker for music. But a lot of guys don't "like" that.

    I'd take a look at some "used" Dynaudio towers and see what you think! But from your description, you sound like a possible KEF man to me!

    You also need to specify what you plan to use for amplification (that would have made a HUGE difference for your former RTi-A9s--in fact that may have been your problem with those--not the speakers themselves--because, properly, powered they would have NO problem filling up your space and they have plenty of detail and enough refinement with the "right amp"?).

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited April 2012
    heiney9 wrote: »
    What associated gear, room size, etc. Maggies will require more than a receiver.

    I have the onkyo 3008 for a rec. and emotiva xpa 2 for the fron two channels. I just scored 2 12 feet emotiva 10 gauge x seires speaker wire for 50 dollars on audiogon.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2012
    The Onkyo 3008 is a very nice AVR and the Emotiva has lots of power. But together that is "far" from the best combo for a set of Rti-A9s if you're more interested in "music". It is Great for HT, though!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,216
    edited April 2012
    That is a forward and bright set-up so I'd go with a warm sounding speaker. That gear would not sound good on the Maggies, they are too revealing. Maybe LSi's but they outclass the gear you are using. RTiA's are iout since they are on the bright side and with the Emo/Onk combo would be too bright and forward for me, but maybe you like it that way.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited April 2012
    heiney9 wrote: »
    That is a forward and bright set-up so I'd go with a warm sounding speaker. That gear would not sound good on the Maggies, they are too revealing. Maybe LSi's but they outclass the gear you are using. RTiA's are iout since they are on the bright side and with the Emo/Onk combo would be too bright and forward for me, but maybe you like it that way.

    H9

    Yeah I would agree with that. I think the Rti A9's are good speakers for HT, but not so much for music. Thats why I think I am leaning towards the Lsim 703 in conjunction with a good sub. I would go for the lsim 705 but out of my price range for now. I would love to demo the 703 but no one in CT has them
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited April 2012
    I did also consider some Maggies but I heard they dont blend well with a lot of subs. I know someone who is selling their 1.6 Maggies for 900$ but was not sure if I should get them. I have never heard Maggies before so that is also something I have to get my ears on
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited April 2012
    I am running LSiM 703s along with a sub for my two channel system and I can attest that that setup has no problem filling a large room with sound.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited April 2012
    robert0507 wrote: »
    I did also consider some Maggies but I heard they dont blend well with a lot of subs. I know someone who is selling their 1.6 Maggies for 900$ but was not sure if I should get them. I have never heard Maggies before so that is also something I have to get my ears on

    Ask him to listen to them before you buy em. I refuse to buy speakers without hearing them first, ESPECIALLY MAGGIES. They can delaminate and the only really good way to find out is to listen to them with some music. Delaminations drops the price quite a bit but if you dont know if they have that issue you can get taken.

    You also need space both in front AND BEHIND the speaker if you go with Maggies, they need a bunch of "personal" space all the way around to truly sound their best......
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited April 2012
    Dawgfish wrote: »
    I am running LSiM 703s along with a sub for my two channel system and I can attest that that setup has no problem filling a large room with sound.

    Would you say the lsim 703 are bright or laid back speakers
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,216
    edited April 2012
    robert0507 wrote: »
    I did also consider some Maggies but I heard they dont blend well with a lot of subs. I know someone who is selling their 1.6 Maggies for 900$ but was not sure if I should get them. I have never heard Maggies before so that is also something I have to get my ears on

    They will sound horrible with your gear, sorry to put it so directly but it won't make for a nice sounding system. Again Maggies are very revealing speakers and with the Emo and Onk being very strident, bright and forward, unless you like nails on a chalk board forget the Maggies.

    I think if you can find some used LSi's or even closeouts since the LSi-M are now in production that would be a good choice. The LSi-M's are very nice but again they sort of outclass the gear you are currently running, but no harm in growing into them.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited April 2012
    Check out some Vandersteen 2Ce (or better, 2Ce Signature). Used should be within your budget, even for the signatures.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,134
    edited April 2012
    With your gear, a new set of these Polks would be hard to beat:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-LSi25-EBONY-Tower-Loudspeakers-Polk-Audio-Direct-/230775282443?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35bb475b0b
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited April 2012
    robert0507 wrote: »
    I just scored 2 12 feet emotiva 10 gauge x seires speaker wire for 50 dollars on audiogon.

    They have speaker wire? Is it "Reference" level wire, or just regular wire?
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited April 2012
    Conradicles wrote: »
    With your gear, a new set of these Polks would be hard to beat:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-LSi25-EBONY-Tower-Loudspeakers-Polk-Audio-Direct-/230775282443?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35bb475b0b

    I was going to suggest the same speaker. I've never heard the 25's but with the powered 10", should be a great all around speaker especially at today's price.
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited April 2012
    I would say they are neutral to slightly warm. Like H9 alluded to, they will be very friendly to your system as it grows. They are a great speaker and very versatile.
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited April 2012
    Dawgfish wrote: »
    I would say they are neutral to slightly warm. Like H9 alluded to, they will be very friendly to your system as it grows. They are a great speaker and very versatile.

    Thank you Dawgfish. Were could I find some speaker stands for those 703. Also would the xpa2 amp be to much power for these speakers?
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  • robert0507
    robert0507 Posts: 148
    edited April 2012
    BlueFox wrote: »
    They have speaker wire? Is it "Reference" level wire, or just regular wire?

    Reference level. I dont think the seller knew what he had......
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,328
    edited April 2012
    Conradicles wrote: »
    With your gear, a new set of these Polks would be hard to beat:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-LSi25-EBONY-Tower-Loudspeakers-Polk-Audio-Direct-/230775282443?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35bb475b0b

    If I were to do it all over again with polk LSi line for music on I would go with the the 9's plus a sub before the LSi25s, for HT they have been great, you lose the control of the bass and high/mids due trying to get the best of both worlds by having the subs chained to your speakers
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-LSi9-Ebony-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Polk-Audio-/390406468909?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5ae609f52d

    Just IMHO
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited April 2012
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    If I were to do it all over again with polk LSi line for music on I would go with the the 9's plus a sub before the LSi25s, for HT they have been great, you lose the control of the bass and high/mids due trying to get the best of both worlds by having the subs chained to your speakers
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-LSi9-Ebony-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Polk-Audio-/390406468909?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5ae609f52d

    Just IMHO


    I could not agree more with this. If I had to do it over again I to would go with the LSi9's and let good subs do the bass.( Was this not Matthew Polk's setup at one time) Powered subs should never be in towers because low bass signals usually sound better in differant spots than your mid to high range signals would sound. You are very limited in positioning when you have the powered sub in the same enclosure as the midrange/tweeter.
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
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  • pietro944
    pietro944 Posts: 720
    edited April 2012
    I would go with a system I recently previewed in the Boston Area:The Aon3 Bookshelves....Ribbon Tweeter,...8ohms nominal,very efficient.....paired with the Revel T-1 sub...heavenly.

    I've got the Revel,hopefully I'll have the Aon3's by summertime.....peter
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,463
    edited April 2012
    I am going to toss my hat into the Magnepan camp as well. I would go so far as to say that the Maggie MMG's paired up with a musical sub could be the best two channel bang for the buck you can get, and still have 5oo.oo in your pocket. I would put such a setup in the 4k speaker catagory.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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