What is a great pair of $500 speakers?

madmax

A friend needs a pair of L/R bookshelf speakers for under $500 new or used for use with an HT receiver, 80wpc, 6 ohm capable. 60% movies, 40% music. Average size livingroom. I'm not sure what to suggest as I've not heard much at that price range. Any suggestions?

So far we have been thinking of used LSi7s and Focal 706V bookshelves. Music direct has the 706V for $450 right now.

hochpt21

I really like the LSi sound, so the 7's would be a good call. I haven't heard any RTia speakers, but maybe the A3's would be a good call as most people say their good for HT.

I'm sure there are many good options out there in other brands for the price, but I just haven't heard them.

hochpt21

Is your friend running a sub?

AsSiMiLaTeD

PSB Image are very hard to beat given those requirements. I enjoyed the time with mine and had them longer than any other speaker to date. If you decide to go that route check out Saturday audio for a good price.

audiocr381ve

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

PSB Image are very hard to beat given those requirements. I enjoyed the time with mine and had them longer than any other speaker to date. If you decide to go that route check out Saturday audio for a good price.

I 2nd PSB!

AsSiMiLaTeD

Funny thing is that I don't think PSB are the best or even a great choice in the price range of their highest line, but in the Image and Imagine series they're a great option.

TNHNDYMAN

Madmax-

Seeing that you were looking into the Focal 706's I was wondering if he might consider a nice pair of JMLabs Focal 705's? I have a set that needs to find a new home in the $200 range plus shipping. I'd be happy to start a for sale thread and post pics if you think it's a possiblility.

B Run

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

Madmax-

Seeing that you were looking into the Focal 706's I was wondering if he might consider a nice pair of JMLabs Focal 705's? I have a set that needs to find a new home in the $200 range plus shipping. I'd be happy to start a for sale thread and post pics if you think it's a possiblility.

That's a good offer, leaves plenty of budget for nice stands, cables, sub, receiver upgrade etc.

GFOviedo

Pair of level 2 HTD towers $359.00 (PAIR)
http://www.htd.com/Products/B-Stock/Level-Two-Black-Cherry-Tower

Pair of leve 2 HTD bookshelf $179.00 (PAIR)
http://www.htd.com/Products/B-Stock/Level-Two-Black-Cherry-Bookshelf

HTD is having a sale on the level 2 speakers due to wrong Cherry color. Apparently there are too dark. I'm thinking of buying a pair just to have.

alon355

I think your friend got it expensive!

GFOviedo

Frys Electronics has the Pioneer towers FS52 for $154 pair, and for $77 more you can get a pair of Pioneer bookshelves BS22 speakers. That's a pretty good deal.

Polkie2009

I bought a pair of mint used level 3 bookshelf HTD speakers for about $100.00 3 yrs. ago and they sound decent in an office rig. Mine are a bit bigger and are ported and have a ribbon style tweeter. Maybe others with HTD speakers can chime in with a nay or nay.

WLDock

If new put the Kef Q300 on the list....
used, I'm sure there might be a lot of options out there.

madmax

All good input, thanks!
He thinks he does not like a sub because he has only heard his super cheap one. I am asking if he is interested in the 705 focal.

zingo

I'd pick up a pair of these, and you could probably talk him down to $500...

Custom Coffin Speakers - $600

drummer86

At $500 the KEF Q300's, Monitor Audio BX-2s, PSB Image B-6s and Focal 706s are all good options. Best thing to do is get em in the room and start listening

David R

I got a pair of Rti8's for $300 at Fry's a while back.

GFOviedo

On eBay Polk Audio website for a pair of new RTi8 are $400 including shipping.

Nightfall

Looked into Wharfedale at all?



These go up to 30kHz, not that you can hear that high.

http://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-DIA102-BLK-WHARFEDALE-DIAMOND-BLACK/dp/B004AQFE42/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1375554367&sr=8-11&keywords=wharfedale+bookshelf

Polkie2009

Nightfall wrote: »

Looked into Wharfedale at all?



These go up to 30kHz, not that you can hear that high.
http://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-DIA102-BLK-WHARFEDALE-DIAMOND-BLACK/dp/B004AQFE42/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1375554367&sr=8-11&keywords=wharfedale+bookshelf

But how looooowww can they go?:cheesygrin:

PolkieMan

Man I thought this was the Polk Audio Forums, traitors :cheesygrin:

http://www.polkaudio.com/products/rtia1

Nightfall

Polkie2009 wrote: »

But how looooowww can they go?:cheesygrin:

About as well as you'd expect out of a bookshelf. Compliment them with a sub.

PolkieMan

This
http://www.polkaudio.com/products/rtia1
and
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000092TT0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375647557&sr=8-3&keywords=psw125

madmax

Some great ideas and deals here but he didn't bite on anything. I especially liked the coffin speakers!

Polkie2009

madmax wrote: »

Some great ideas and deals here but he didn't bite on anything. I especially liked the coffin speakers!

The coffin speakers would be fun as homage to a Halloween party ,but no way at $600.00 lol.

Jhayman

How about some classic JBL 2800's:cheesygrin:

Irrenhaus

How about looking for RTi4 or RTi6 or maybe some Monitor 5's if use is an option. I am not sure I will go very loud with the LSi7 given they are 4ohm and that may be a problem for the AVR.

Cheers