Trouble Choosing Between Speakers

Ludwikia_VK

Greetings! I'm wanting to get a pair of speakers mainly for use with my computer. Family tradition dictates Polks, so I figured I may as well keep it going. At this point, I'm torn between the Monitor 40 Series 2 Bookshelf speakers and the Monitor 4 Series 2 Bookshelf speakers. Links to both will be in the bottom. Anyway, I need some input on how they sound. I was going to get a pair of Monitor 7s, but I have nowhere to put them and there's already a pair of Monitor 10's in the house. Any feedback is welcome!

Monitor 40: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290202&cm_re=polk_audio-_-82-290-202-_-Product
Monitor 4: http://www.ebay.com/itm/POLK-AUDIO-MONITOR-4-SERIES-2-BOOKSHELF-SPEAKERS-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/281552603032?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418dd7c798

tonyb

Fairly big speakers to use for a computer. Those aren't computer speakers either. How do you plan on hooking them up to a computer ? Do you have other gear in the mix ?

Ludwikia_VK

Asus Xonar Essence STX Soundcard > RCA stereo outputs >Harman/Kardon HK725 pre-amp>Adcom GFA545 power-amp>Speakers. I know it's a little over-kill, but that's how I prefer it. I like things to sound good.

tonyb

Monitor 40's then.

Ludwikia_VK

If you've any better ideas, I'd like to hear them. I'm still considering the M7s as a purchase for later down the road.

tonyb

Well, you seem to like the Polk sound, just way too many choices out there to name them all. Depends on budget too, which you really didn't say.

Ludwikia_VK

For the speakers, I'd be okay with spending around $200 USD. Treating them as a bit of an investment for the time being. If there's something majorly better for a reasonable amount more, then I may look into it and see if it's something I'd want.

tonyb

I would stay with Polk then as 200 bucks isn't going to buy a whole lot in a standard bookie. Unless you don't mind buying used.

ROHfan

They may be slightly above your budget but the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1's look pretty nice and are well reviewed. When I take my SDA 2's out of commission temporarily for veneer work I may be getting those speakers to hold me over and to experiment with.

Another pair would be the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR designed by Andrew Jones. For around $125 these speakers supposedly sound way better than they should, from what I've read. I may pick these up one day just to play around with.

Ludwikia_VK

I went down to the local Best Buy as I remembered that had something from Polk there. They were little $100 bookshelf speakers that sounded like they were underwater the entire time. As much as I hate to say it, a pair of Sony speakers were the best sounding bookshelf speakers they had there. I'm going to do some calling around today to see if I can find anyone with the Polks I'm interested in, but if not, I may go with they Sony speakers. I was actually impressed with how they sounded. Link to them here: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSCS5-3-Driver-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B00O8YLMVA#customerReviews

scotvl

if you have a chance to listen to some Rti4s you might like what you hear, my son has them in his bedroom for his computer and Xbox one hooked up to my old Yamaha rx-v665 and they sound awesome even without a sub.
amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Performance-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B0000E2XEB/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1422977619&sr=1-1&keywords=rti4

seabeerob213

from the PC, Polk TL3s and a good sub, but that's more than 2 bones. Yes I see the pre and amp there.

Ludwikia_VK

Not familiar with add-on subs. I know the power amp doesn't have outputs for anything other than the the two speaker channels. Not sure about the pre-amp. Haven't looked at the back of it in ages.

tonyb

Epos would be another good one, Energy....NHT both make good bookies too.

Ludwikia_VK

Slight change of topic. Speakers have been decided, but the amp I was looking at sold. Do any of you by chance have experience with one of these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/HARMAN-KARDON-HK-3370-BLACK-STEREO-RECEIVER-Bundled-with-Remote-Control/121542333020?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=28774&meid=ff800b6d90554a9dba56040e8d2e0f58&pid=100005&rk=3&rkt=6&sd=121556483953&rt=nc

scotvl

I wouldn't buy that hk3370 for $150.00, its circa 2003 and no hdmi none of the newer codecs. Head down to a couple Bestbuys in your area and look at their open box avrs, You will be surprised at the great deals you can get. I picked up my sc-1227 for $350.00can open box at Futureshop and it is a beast of an avr with all the new audio codecs, airplay, hi res playback through usb, plus many more features. Plus you get a full warranty vs buying something used off of ebay. I'm just saying what I would do there are a lot of good avr deals if you search.

Ludwikia_VK

I'm actually not at all interested in things like that. The main reason I'm interested in that is the ability to hook up a subwoofer. I'd be happy if I could get a power amp that's either got a sub-out or two speaker sets as the sub I'm looking at accepts both as input (though I've no idea which is better.) If you can list an amp in that price range that meets that, by all means.

Ludwikia_VK

Should have mentioned that I already have the Harmon/Kardon HK725 pre-amp sitting on my desk. Use it as a headphone amp from time to time.

seabeerob213

Find an HK 3490, love mine, amp pre outs, 2 sub pre outs, 2x 2 channel speaker outs, and they'll drive a lot of tougher to drive speakers pretty well for a stereo receiver. I believe it can handle four ohm, but don't quote me on that. Takes coax or optical for digital, even if only one of each. Has analog in as well, maybe able to run from the pre to it, although idk if there will be much benefit had there.

Joey Ward

Easy answer, the 5jr.

Nightfall

Buy from Rick with confidence in every aspect, if that's the route you take.

Ludwikia_VK

I wish I had a place to go and listen to the RC-10s. I actually found a pair of Sony speakers (I know it's a sin) that I really like the sound of. You're offing the RC-10s for the same price. I wish there was some way I could go and compare the two. Link to the Sony speakers here: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSCS5-3-Driver-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B00O8YLMVA/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1423163760&sr=1-2&keywords=sony+cs+ss

ROHfan

If you don't take those RC-10s, I will. You'll probably hate them anyway

Ludwikia_VK

Hue. Why would that be?

Ludwikia_VK

I'll give the M-10's a pass. Family friend said I wouldn't care for them.

Ludwikia_VK

Well, this has just gotten out of hand. It's either a pair of Polk M7s or Polk SDAs. So much for bookshelf speaker.

ROHfan

Yay for me!!

trj

If you really want polks, check fry's. They are having awesome sale on polks till tomorrow. I even saw RTiA1's for $50 a pair. I don't know your location OP, but they are in store only. No fry's here in Denver.
I might buy CSi3 for $99 with free shipping. Still on the fence, if I should go with CSi

ROHfan

Rick88 wrote: »

ROHfan wrote: »

Yay for me!!

They are yours then. I am getting ready for work, and will be busy tomorrrow, but I'll be in contact with you tomorrow evening...

Changed my mind.

Joking. Talk to you tomorrow.

Ludwikia_VK

Went to a local audio store on a whim to see what they had laying around. There's now a pair of Polk Monitor 7's sitting in the living room awaiting a cross-over rebuild. Thanks for the feedback, guys!