Upgrading Soon

PerfectCreature

My wife has allowed me the unheard of ability to get some new speakers.
I recently downsized my PSW505 sub-woofer as the space it was taking up was enormous, and the output was much more then I needed for my tiny space.
I currently have a Klipsch KSW-100 which is small in profile and is performing very well for what I need.
However, my Monitor 50s have been well played, but I am looking for something of better quality. I have had them since 2009 I believe and they have served me well.

I have 120 watts at 8 ohm, or 150 watts at 4ohm to work with based on my manual for my HK3490.
I am looking for something that I can bi-wire, I do not have a real defined budge, but I assume I cannot go crazy and spend loads of cash...so we should be modest?

I was considering some bookshelfs to save on space, but wasn't really sure if output would be minimized?
I have always had towers speakers from some Old school Teacs to some modern/vintage Kenwoods and Pioneers, with multiple speakers, so I am unsure of anything else.
I do not like harsh sounding tweeters, I like a soft and warm sounding tweeter, I prefer a natural almost glowing sound.

I use my rig as my entertainment setup-blu-rays, video games etc, the speaker should do well for music and video performance. I do not have the space or need for a hi-tech surround sound system, and the 2.1 has always served me well. I would like to get something can compensate and perform well, and perform better then the 50s.

So, what are your guys recommendations?
I know some of you have had many many speakers come into and out of your hands and are for more experienced then I am. Reviews only say so much, first hand experience with multiple speakers like many of you have is what I am looking for.
I do not mind getting new or second hand and can wait for a speaker to come along. I am in no rush.

tonyb

If you prefer towers.....your only going to be able to go so far with a receiver powering them. You'd have to stay in the 8ohm realm with a tower speaker.

Since you have a sub already and your space isn't large, I'd recommend some bookies from brands like Usher, Totem, Tyler. Probably tons more, but I'm on my first cup of joe this morning and still half brain dead.

Def Tech is an option too if you want to stick to towers. Lots of their towers are 8ohm.
In the Polk family, the rti series may be too bright for you and the LSI series you'd only be able to go with the 7's with that receiver. LSIM's may be out of your budget.

codyc1ark

As always good advice from Tony. He touched on it, you really need to step up what your feeding your speakers. That will be the biggest bang for your buck currently. You would be surprised at how much better the 50's will sound with some beef fed to them.

PerfectCreature

They are already getting 120w each to them. Their max is 150w.
My receiver can do 4ohm just fine at 150w if need be.
The 50s do not sound bad, I like them just fine, I am just looking to go a little higher up on the pole for speakers. I know that I can get better sounding speakers, and the amp I have from what I have read is a solid amp for its class and price point. It was nearly $500 new when I bought it.
However,. I am open to options.

I am open to tower or bookshelf. I just have never had a bookshelf speaker before. I was always under the impression that that tower speakers were the way to go for a stereo setup. I have since become to know better.

What amplifications options do I have that can support optical out, coaxial and HDMI?
Most receiver I have looked at have really not come to far past 120w to each speaker.

Should I be looking at a home theater receiver and bi-amp them by the front and rear channels?

Only really ever dabbled in stereo setups.

Thank you

vmaxer

I assume you know of the 50% off sale at Polk now??

codyc1ark

Well, that HK is going to have to do for now unless you can get the coin for a complete overhaul. I'd forget bi-amping for now, plenty of info on why not to do this around. There are some bookies for sale in the flea market right now that would be fun. What are you doing with the system, music/ht %? LSiM703's are nice all around speakers that should pair well with that HK.

EndersShadow

If it was me, I'd try out the Chane A1rx-c OR if you want floorstanders the A3rx-c

But I'd go with the bookies and then a nice sub since your 3490 has a sub out.

The speakers are easy to place, have a tweeter ribbon which should sound VERY nice, and aren't super pricey either.

I know a couple guys that moved from the RTi line to these and never looked back.

They aren't the most sensitive speakers (86 and 88 db) but they are a true 8 ohm speaker so your 3490 should have NO PROBLEM driving them. That said they would eventually benefit from more power.

PerfectCreature

I have read about the bi-amping, but really was disinterested.
As far as an overhaul, you are referring to all my equipment, speakers and receiver?
I do know the receiver has pre-outs, so I could separately amp if needed.

The only issue I have run into is the amount of coin it takes to get a quality amp that pushes real power.
I did note the speakers in the for sale forum, I am keeping my options open.

As far as 50% off polk, I do not see such a thing on their website,
Thanks

gudnoyez

Take advantage of the sale and try the RTIA series out like the A3s or the A5s.

vmaxer

PerfectCreature wrote: »

I have read about the bi-amping, but really was disinterested.
As far as an overhaul, you are referring to all my equipment, speakers and receiver?
I do know the receiver has pre-outs, so I could separately amp if needed.

The only issue I have run into is the amount of coin it takes to get a quality amp that pushes real power.
I did note the speakers in the for sale forum, I am keeping my options open.

As far as 50% off polk, I do not see such a thing on their website,
Thanks

Check out this thread


http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/164864/a-word-to-the-wise/p1

You can contact Ken via PM if you didn't sign up, good luck.

PerfectCreature

I enjoy improving what I own. I would love something I could tinker with.
I enjoy working on things, and being able to buy something that can improve an aspect of what I bought.

I have often looked into tube amps, but the start up cost for a quality one is quite high for me. I have(had) an old tube amp, but is in need of much repair, and I cannot really remember where I placed it. I do not even know if it was a quality amp or not. It did have Panasonic tubes though I think. They were no good as they were black on the inside. A storage facility I had some of my belongings in was toppled this summer, and it may have been among those belongings I lost....

As far as the 50% coupon it appears I did receive such an email on the 26th of November, I am not quite sure how I missed a 50% off coupon. Perhaps I thought it was a scam.
In any case I have my coupon.

I looked at those Ushers, they are gorgeous. Really quite elegant looking.
I was a little confused at the acceptable power input? It is only at 80w, would that be an issue since I have 120w? I know my HK delivers a full 120w due to its circuitry. It is quite an amp, really. I mean, it is not the best, but it is quite formidable.

The cost is quite expensive, and I am afraid they are out of the question. I do not have that much of a life insurance plan to buy $2400 worth of speakers, and pay the duty and shipping to get them across the state lines without my wife contracting some form of "tough Love".
I would love too, but not at this time.

So, with that said, where does that leave me?
Perhaps I should look into simply upgrading my components, and leave the speakers for later?

My problem is that I used the receiver as a connect all for my tv, computer and PS4 as well as a PS2 that I play occasionally.

vmaxer

Glad you found the coupon. You can always add an amp later since you have preouts.

If you are going with Polk speakers this is the time, don't happen a lot!

PerfectCreature

Those LSiM703s look very tempting. $750 for a pair is a fantastic deal, but I am not sure if I have the funds for it before the coupon expires....

Would an RTiA3 even be an improvement? What about an A5?
My receiver doesn't have enough juice to properly power an A7, so that may be out of the question and the funds capability comes into question on those too.

I know that my Monitor 50s are the very first generation, they are not the release number II so I do not know how the internals compare to other speaker models in different categories.

vmaxer

All of my Polk speakers are older, so someone else will have to chime in here. I sure wish I was prepared as I would love to get into the LSIM's. I want the 707's bad...

The 703's have had a lot of great reviews here also.

Good luck, the rabbit hole is deep....in fact I think it is bottomless!!

vmaxer

I think my first set of Polks were the RT 55i's, joined the forum having never heard of SDA's and now I have 6 sets. I love them, but sure would like to give the LSIM's a go. One day I will.

So far I haven't strayed away from Polk speakers, have way to many. I do have a set of Cerwin Vegas stored away that I bought new in the 80's, might as well trash them I guess.

PerfectCreature

6 sets? That is quite a lot! Most people dream of having just one set.
I wish I had that kind of room. My Monitor 50s are all crammed together in between my bedroom entrance, speaker, then tv stand, speaker, then desk, then under the desk is my subwoofer. It is not the ideal setup, but it makes for a good stage as the receiver has a Refference settings which makes the speakers sound farther apart.

PerfectCreature

EndersShadow wrote: »

If it was me, I'd try out the Chane A1rx-c OR if you want floorstanders the A3rx-c

But I'd go with the bookies and then a nice sub since your 3490 has a sub out.

The speakers are easy to place, have a tweeter ribbon which should sound VERY nice, and aren't super pricey either.

I know a couple guys that moved from the RTi line to these and never looked back.

They aren't the most sensitive speakers (86 and 88 db) but they are a true 8 ohm speaker so your 3490 should have NO PROBLEM driving them. That said they would eventually benefit from more power.

My receiver can drive most any speaker with not much problem, maybe not to its fullest potential, but still.
As far as these speakers go, they look interesting. I have never had a ribbon tweeter, I have heard a horn tweeters from some old school Pioneers and Kenwoods and of course the Silk dome tweeters.

I guess my only concern with a bookshelf is will the sound stage be limited going from 2 5.25 woofers and 1" tweeter to a single 1" tweeter or equivalent and only 1 5-6" woofer?
I would hate get a bookshelf and find it is limited due to it missing a speaker that I am used too.

PerfectCreature

The closest I could source them was in Canada through an authorized dealer. The price was still pretty steep. $1000+ is probably out of my budget for quite some time. $750 is still pushing it by quite a bit, but could be manageable given the 50% off coupon is an absolute deal.

I have quite a few items I have been trying to sell on eBay, perhaps some of them can sell and fund the 703. Those would be ideal if I could get the cash flow.

I can get at least $50-100 for my Monitor 50s to the right market, but may have to sit on them for awhile.
At the moment however, I may have to get the RTiA3s if I cannot source the money.
I still have a week.

Who else has any opinions? I really am pretty open to something different.

PerfectCreature

No subwoofer needed with the 703? That is odd to me, I have always had to run subwoofer with smaller speaker setups.
Of course I am used to an old school Pioneer with a 4 inch done tweeter, a 6 inch midbass woofer, and a 15 inch subwoofer. It ended up dying after being my grandfathers, passed down to me.
Anyway,
It took me 5 months to sell my PSW505 at $125, which was a steal.
This tiny subwoofer would not be worth the cost of selling it for a used price. I paid about $100 on a super sale through newegg a few month ago.

Do you think they will run another super sale like this again next year or in the future at all?
I am okay with waiting and saving, I just would hate to miss out on nearly a grand of savings.

tonyb

If you like the Monitor 50's sound, then grab a pair of the A5's from Polks sale right now. More detailed sound, easy to drive with your receiver, Aand you already have the sub to fill in the lower bass. A no brainer.

On a side note, don't waste one minute worrying about "recommended wattage" numbers posted for speakers. If you feed speakers an amp capable of 500 watts and the speakers are rated for 150, you will not hurt anything.

Amps don't put out their rated wattage as soon as you turn them on. They store power for when it's called upon by the volume dial and those fast transient responses needed in music or movies....up to their capabilities anyway. Keep that in mind.

Good amps can be had in the 3-400 buck range, keep that also in mind....AND, don't think cables don't matter either. As always, a little experimenting here and there with used cables is a good thing.

tonyb

DSkip wrote: »

I'm glad you're always willing to jump in Tony. I hate being the only whisper in an ear as I feel I have too much influence on someone. I wish you (and a few others) lived closer so we could have some beers every once in a while.

Amen brother, would love to occupy a few barstools with ya man. If I ever get to Texas, I'll be knocking on your door. Don't really have a reason to go there though....aside from an x-wife that's in Austin, but that's a reason to stay the f$%K out. LOL

PerfectCreature

I just wish I could hear these speakers before buying. No one I knows really is into high end electronics. They call an RCA HT system from Black Friday for $20 like listening to liquid gold.
They come over to my apt and just about die when they hear I have invest well over $1000 into my gear and it is just entry level stuff. I dont even have a best buy that I could even look at the speakers.
The best I have is a Radioshack wannabe that doesnt let you demo any speakers just look at them.
I digress.

Anyway, so we have the RTiA5 and the LSiM
Why not the A7, would that be in the middle, or would it just be excessive?

PerfectCreature

That is indeed what I am looking for. A versatile setup that can mimic a 5.1 setup through my receivers DVS Reference mode.
That price is steep though...

Excuse me while I find the elusive money tree....
I really cannot safely purchase those 703s at this time, perhaps fate will be good to me and allow me some extra spending money before Dec. 6th.

What about back ups, if the RTi line is not really what I am after, what other brands could be functional?
I do not have any desire to go into a full home theater setup, I just do not have the space. 2.1 setup is where I am at the moment until I get into a house (good houses are hard to find these days!)

PerfectCreature

I guess it is hard to explain, perhaps it is the bug, perhaps not.
I just cant shake the feeling I could have better, that they could be more full, more robust.
Am I asking too much?

cnh

Go vintage, PC, if budget is a problem! Get some Monitor 10s (Joe in Windsor was selling some on CL), they'll certainly sound better than M-50s. Of course they're wide and boxy and the spouse might not like them but your ears will. And that HK should be able to handle them fine.

You also have Pre-outs there so you can add amplification later, that means you could even transition to SDAs! Randy was selling some "locally" for $250. Beautiful looking 2Bs in near mint condition on CL. Well worth it if they're still available. Of course they'll dwarf your M-50s and slay them sonically!

As far as new Polks. Yeah: LSiM 703s hands down!

cnh

tonyb

PerfectCreature wrote: »

I guess it is hard to explain, perhaps it is the bug, perhaps not.
I just cant shake the feeling I could have better, that they could be more full, more robust.
Am I asking too much?

Look at some def tech speakers....older BP10's are relatively cheap and have a fuller sound than the Monitors.

PerfectCreature

All excellent recommendations.
I have/had good news. I have the money for LSis, however, my brother needed some winter tires pretty bad and didnt have the cash so I had to help him out. Poor guy was getting stuck everywhere. Anyway, so my immediate spending money is gone for a little until he can pay me back.
I will just have to wait on the LSis.
I will however continue to look at some other brands and recommendations.
I am not opposed to vintage. Some of the best speakers I owned were vintage. In fact I have some old TEAC speakers that did sound very nice, however their cones were of paper, and their surrounds of fiber. They ultimately got had by the basements moisture. I think they has some 10 inch woofers, and a 5 or 6 inch mid and a small tweeter. Can't remember really.

I wonder if I just built some. I have my old Pioneer speakers still they were CS-77A's, I believe I posted a thread on here a long time ago about repairing them as they have more or less deteriorated. The wood is still good, I think, though it has been in the basement for quite sometime. They stopped working one day, can't remember why. They had some 12 inch woofers that would make the walls ripple when really pushed hard.
Not sure if it would be worthwhile to replace them with modern day speakers and crossovers, but it could be a fun project.
Any opinions? The cabinets were made of walnut or oak I think.

In anycase, I would love some SDAs, however, living in Maine, hardly anyone lives close enough to make getting some a good deal. Shipping is hardly ever a good idea unless from a trusted, and tried and true individual who actually knows how to pack a speaker for protection.
I did find some BP10s on eBay....I may bid on them and see what happens.
I did find some RTi10s from Polk that look interesting, how would those compare to the LSi703?
Wishing I lived more local to some you guys.