The Best Speakers Under $200/pair

Mark of Cenla
Mark of Cenla Posts: 35
edited November 2010 in Speakers
I am going to upgrade my bedroom stereo very soon. I need speakers that are small and will work well with an 80s Sony receiver that is 50watts/channel (STR-VX22). I mostly use it to play CD's. What is the best speaker (in your humble opinion) that is $200/pair or less? Thanks.
Mark Wellman ><>

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Post edited by Mark of Cenla on
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  • POLKOHOLIC
    POLKOHOLIC Posts: 407
    edited June 2004
    Polk RTi4 Bookshelves or RTi6 but you need a little more dough for those.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,064
    edited June 2004
    hmm what about r15's ?? they have good reviews
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited June 2004
    I've read good things about the Paradigm Atom. It is in your price range.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • POLKOHOLIC
    POLKOHOLIC Posts: 407
    edited June 2004
    the Polk 'R Series' is polks biggest mistake IMO.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,064
    edited June 2004
    guess we'd have to let Mark listen and see what he thinks but if they don't have to be polks then you have athena as well
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited June 2004
    Athena AS-B2's. Can be had for $139/pr on Ebay, NEW.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,064
    edited June 2004
    thats a sweet price
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited June 2004
    Are you dead set on new?

    Used, 200 bones will buy a LOT of speaker.

    Just my opinion

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • POLKOHOLIC
    POLKOHOLIC Posts: 407
    edited June 2004
    Troy what do you do in the desert it seems your just as active on the forums when your away....
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited June 2004
    Originally posted by TroyD
    Are you dead set on new?

    Used, 200 bones will buy a LOT of speaker.

    Just my opinion

    BDT

    Here here. It's true.

    I don't think I'll ever buy a new set again. There is just too much good stuff out there. People get "upgraditis" and just HAVE to get this or that...
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited June 2004
    The AS-B2's, in my opinon, are equally a match if not better than the Rti6 Polk. Of course you'll need to audtion for yourself. It uses the same outstanding tweeter as the Flagship AS-F2 towers. Efficiency is 92dB I believe, rated at 150 watts/rms. It's kinda "big" as far as bookshelfs go, beautiful fit & finish for the price.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited June 2004
    Polk Lsi7's if you can still find them. If not, be patient. Someone on this forum is bound to post a pair for sale soon.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited June 2004
    A couple of Wharfedales:

    Crystal 10

    Crystal 20

    Nice prices and no shipping.

    Or....If you can still find them (used) the Polk Rt25i. I highly recommend them.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • setzer808
    setzer808 Posts: 173
    edited June 2004
    I'll second a pair of RT25i's....heck for that matter I wouldn't mind HAVING a second pair of them :D .
    Polk CS245i Center
    Polk RT55i Mains
    Polk RT25i Rears
    Polk PSW-350 Sub -in storage.
    Yamaha RX-V681 A/V Reciever
    Sony SCD-CE595 SACD Player
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  • rlam01
    rlam01 Posts: 38
    edited June 2004
    Originally posted by POLKOHOLIC
    the Polk 'R Series' is polks biggest mistake IMO.

    Just curious why you feel that way?
    Center-CSI3 Mains-R50 Rears-R30
    Sub-PSW303 Receiver-Integra 5.4 DTR
    HDTV-JVC AV48WP74

    ---- Fight On!----
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  • POLKOHOLIC
    POLKOHOLIC Posts: 407
    edited June 2004
    Just doesnt appeal to me. I dont consider them entry level-they dont sound that good. Lack of extension in both lows and highs. They sound more like cheap bookshelves then ne thing. Plus they are ugly and dont appeal to women either. The RTi line is great and only a couple hundred more.

    EDIT: sorry--i see you have the R's and i dont want you to take this too personally.
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  • rlam01
    rlam01 Posts: 38
    edited June 2004
    None taken :)

    They were relatively inexpensive and fit my into my starter budget.

    With the limited listening time I have had with them, I was interested in specific feedback of those who might have more hrs under their belt.
    Center-CSI3 Mains-R50 Rears-R30
    Sub-PSW303 Receiver-Integra 5.4 DTR
    HDTV-JVC AV48WP74

    ---- Fight On!----
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited June 2004
    I don't let price tags, prestige, brand, model or anything else influence my speaker choice. I buy what sound good to me. Afterall, you're the one who lives with the sound right?
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Mark of Cenla
    Mark of Cenla Posts: 35
    edited June 2004
    Thanks for the replies. I am going shopping today at Best Buy, Circuit City, and a local shop. I will post later and tell what happened. Peace.

    P.S. To go to Lafayette to go shopping is for me a 75 miniute trip. That is why I asked for recommendations: I do not get a chance to audition gear very often. Thanks again. :D
    Mark Wellman ><>

    "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
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  • Mark of Cenla
    Mark of Cenla Posts: 35
    edited June 2004
    I went first to Circuit City and liked the Polk R15's OK. Then I went to Best Buy. The listening system there stinks, so I decided to forget getting anything there. After lunch I went back to Circuit City. I wanted to hear the RTi4's, but I was told that I would not be able to hear them alone playing music. After I complained to a manager, he got someone to make the necessary changes. After I heard them for a few minutes, I decided to get them. They are on sale for $200/pair.

    I am listening to them for the first time with my system. I like 'em already. Peace.
    Mark Wellman ><>

    "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
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  • jefft1314
    jefft1314 Posts: 169
    edited June 2004
    The RTI-4's are a great speaker, I probably would have dug deep to see if i could scrounge the coin for the bigger and deeper rti6's, but the 4's still rock my world, sold a pair today at circuit city to a customer who was listening to 30 dollar sony speakers.
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  • Mark of Cenla
    Mark of Cenla Posts: 35
    edited June 2004
    I have a very limited amount of space in which to place the speakers. The RTi4's are pushing the limit already, so they are about as big as I can go with. It is also nearfield listening most of the time. I have listened to them much more since my post yesterday. They sound great.

    Thirty dollar Sonys; I was listening to forty dollar Radio Shacks ( I originally got them as an upgrade for a Philips micro system). :D

    Thank you everyone for your help.
    Mark Wellman ><>

    "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited June 2004
    Fantastic! Sounds like a good choice.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited June 2004
    Get a slightly better amp for that bedroom and a lot of the speaker recommendations you just got might even work.

    That's a real dog receiver you got there, even for a bedroom. Mid 80's Sony amplification leaves a lot to be desired. I'd rather have mid 70's Sony amplification. That being said, with THAT amp, try and find a fairly easy load to drive. Nothing 4 or even 6 ohms.

    I just bought a gorgeous pair of Paradigm 7s speakers at a yard sale for $15. That's how much speaker you can buy used. Cheap. Fun too.

    Your primary rig is okay.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited June 2004
    how about some fry's blow out lsi7's?
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  • madvb
    madvb Posts: 7
    edited June 2004
    Just wondering which receiver people are using to drive those LSi7's. I am thinking of setting up the 2 fronts and rears with LSi7's and the LSiC for center. I currently have a Yamaha HTR-5760, but not sure if this receiver will be able to drive these 4 ohm speakers. Does anyone know if I need to get an amp to drive these? Thanks.
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  • Mark of Cenla
    Mark of Cenla Posts: 35
    edited June 2004
    I am not replacing the Sony STR-VX22 until it croaks. During the 80s, I worked in a audio/video store that sold hundreds of them. It is a good cheap receiver. This bedroom system sort of evolved into what it is now, and I cannot really afford to spend any more on it. The speakers were the last step.

    I also do not want to spend any more on it. It sounds fine. I care much more about music than gear. When I spend more money, it will be on CD's and DVD's.

    I also normally would not take advice from someone so rude.

    Peace.
    Mark Wellman ><>

    "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited June 2004
    I don't get it...who was rude?
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited June 2004
    wasn't me....i didnt give any adivce lol

    george? was it u?
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited June 2004
    I think that he may have been taken aback by George's demeanor, however, I'm going to concur. The weak link in your bedroom rig is the receiver, not the speakers. If you want to upgrade your bedroom rig (which is the opening premise of your first post), I would agree that 200 bones would be better spent on amplification.

    Far as George goes, he has forgotten more about audio than most of us will ever know. He might come off a little gruff, however, his hearts in the right place and he knows his audio.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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