What used speakers for under $500 should I buy?

rromeo923

Looking for a set of speakers for my basement rig.
They will accompany

Yaqin MC-10L 50 watt integrated tube
Pioneer PL 550 turntable
Squeezebox

Small floorstanders or bookshelfs

Considering Klipsch Heresy etc.

I have had a lot of the "New England" sound which I do like. Currently running KLH 6's.
Looking for something different that will mate well w/ the aforementioned components.

Ideas???

nhhiep

around 500. Polk Lsi9s on Ebay is your best bet.

rromeo923

I have had the lsi7's in this system and they were bested by the klh 6's imo. So doubt I would try the lsi9s.

marvda1

you might be able to make a deal with this guy.
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-dynaudio-audience-42-rosewood-absolutely-mint-low-hours-2012-12-02-speakers-81303

cnh

Dynaudios, always a safe choice and a good one, even if doro finds them boring and predictable (at least I think he does?).

I'd add, look at some vintage Tannoys if you're going to run tubes! They match up very nicely with tube amps. But certainly listen to everything mentioned and suggested so far and then listen to some "more"!

Happy hunting!

cnh

tonyb

I think you'd be better served with spending that coin on a dac personally. The lsi's are a more revealing speaker than the KLH's and coupled with the SBT, and that noisy volume, could be what you were hearing.

How big is the room and how loud do you play it ? You may need a fairly efficient speaker if you like it loud in a big room.

wayne3burk

how much air do you have in your basement?

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/ele/3367615572.html

and if that won't work you could try these....

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/eld/3433438930.html

i have a pair of W-70s collecting dust in my garage i could let you try out

wayne

rromeo923

Thanks lots of good answers.

The Dynaudios are definitely interesting but on the high end money wise.
Tannoys are definitely of interest. I dont see them come up much.
I have tried the LSI7 w/a few different systems and sources. They are definitely nice but they dont seem to do it for me.
The Maggies are too big. I would love to hear them.
The Wharfdales are the right price.

Wayne,

Where do you live? I am guessing Harrisburg area. I work in Hanover and am free during the day with notice. I would welcome the opportunity to check out the w-70's.

Rick

rromeo923

also fyi- this is in a small room.

wayne3burk

Rick,

I actually replaced my W-70s with a pair of MG-Is that i picked up off Baltimore Craigslist in June. I live on the Eastern Shore (Easton) and work in Annapolis.

So with a bit of preplanning we could get the W-70s to you.

Wayne

DollarDave

In the Klipsch line, instead of Heresy's, I would consider a pair of KG-4s for around $225 - $300. The tubes would fall in love.

Have you tried any A/D/S models? Maybe a pair of the later series L-710's, or L780's? For a little more bass, step into a pair of L-810's.

Heck, for $500 you can get into a pair of Vandersteen 2C's (my current running mates), but they may need a little more gas than the Yaquin.

zingo

I would also look at horns with the tube amp. You might be able to find a pair of Fortes which are great; I prefer three-way Klipsch over two-way. Maybe a pair of Polk RTAs or KEF Q series?

polkfarmboy

polk rti 8's sound fantastic with the mc10. If you can swing $900 get some Martin logan source they are perfect or try some used maggies ?

rromeo923

Well it looks like I am going to try out Waynes Wharfedales. I also am talking to a guy about some DCM time window 1A's. Well see how these sound and then go from there. Fun!

gmjungbluth

I second Dave Muell's recommendation of the KG4s - I have a pair in my living room that I really like.

What are you doing with your KLH 6s? I still have my pair (haven't done the tweeter replacement yet) and love them!

rromeo923

Dave,

I have a pair of ads l420 that I like. I am definitely interested in chking out some klipsch kg4's. I emailed a cl listing for some kg4's w crites tweeters but got no response.
George,

I am keeping the klh 6's just wanna have a different sound for a bit. I want to rehab my 17s. Something is wrong with the highd is wrong w the 17

gmjungbluth

Good move with the 6s - I don't think I'll ever get rid of mine!

Rehabbing my 6s wasn't hard - as long as you have a version with the removable drivers - some 6s have glued-in speakers. I'm not sure if 17s are the same way. If they're screwed in the crossover is a cinch to upgrade with new caps. If you have any questions let me know - happy to help.

[this is all covered in another post somewhere else too...] In my experience that really opens up the high end. And when I replaced the caps I also found that one of the tweeters in one of the 6s was dead - from what I read online this can happen when a cap goes all-open and blows the tweeter. I found a replacement from a fellow Polkie but that tweeter has a buzz in it - I think that either it may also be failing or the voice coil may be rubbing. When I get around to my next big Parts express order Im going to try two of the phenolic tweeters on the site they advertise as replacements for vintage 2-ways. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Good luck!!!

rromeo923 wrote: »

Dave,

I have a pair of ads l420 that I like. I am definitely interested in chking out some klipsch kg4's. I emailed a cl listing for some kg4's w crites tweeters but got no response.
George,

I am keeping the klh 6's just wanna have a different sound for a bit. I want to rehab my 17s. Something is wrong with the highd is wrong w the 17

rromeo923

Well I had to pass on Waynes Wharfedale w70 due to room constraints. I did get a pair of KG4's w/Crites tweeters and I was surprised at how big they were. They barely fit! I was also surprised at how good the bass was. I was expecting shrill highs and little bass. However, they sound very nice. Looks like they may end up being keepers.

The Klipsch KG4's will be on basement duty along w/my KLH 6's. I will switch back and forth (i think) depending on mood and music. I havent a/b'd them yet but will do soon. I did a/b the Klipsch w/my SDA 1C's just for fun. SDA 1C's not going anywhere.

Monster Jam

rromeo923, you could try Sony floorstanders. Or maybe Panasonic. Perhaps Bose is right up your alley?

DollarDave

Monster Jam wrote: »

rromeo923, you could try Sony floorstanders. Or maybe Panasonic. Perhaps Bose is right up your alley?

Because he likes the KG-4's you suggest a bunch of crap-**** speakers? Have you ever heard KG-4's with tubes?

BTW, not all Sony and Panasonic floorstanders are junk. You may even want to try a set of Sony M-5, 7, or 9's - they might make you question your investment in LSi's.

rromeo923

Monster Jam wrote: »

rromeo923, you could try Sony floorstanders. Or maybe Panasonic. Perhaps Bose is right up your alley?

All good. I can hear the deficiencies in the KG4's. They sound a little thin and can be a bit bright and shrill but they also got me up dancing. These are not bad speakers. The do some things very right. Got these for $225.
What do u suggest I listen to w/in my under $500 used parameters?

zingo

Upgrading the crossovers in Klipsch speakers with "warm" caps sounds great and adds a little more body to the sound; I've done it a few time with great success.

rromeo923

Well just figured out that these KG4's are the 4ohm model. Switched to the 4 ohm soeaker connection on my Yaqin. Fulller sound, better bass. Voila!

rromeo923

It keeps on getting better. It has been said that Horns love tubes. Well I swapped out some NOS Telefunken ECC88 that are by no means slouches for some Amperex Bugle Boys Nos 1959. Holy Moly! 3D midrange bliss!!

Love it!

cnh

Tubes and Klipsch. Yep. That works! And now you can roll till you "smile"!

Have fun!

cnh