The Best Speakers Under $200/pair

rlam01

Ok, lets all down a shot of Jack and give thanks it is dead. I am now un-selecting the "email-notification" on this thread.

Mark of Cenla

Cool.

donPA

Hi all, this is an old thread but I thought I'd reply here instead of starting another thread.

I'm finishing my basement and would like to set up a nice system for listening to music. Not a home theater. What would be a good recommendation for a pair of speakers (with or without subwoofer) plus receiver/amp for $300 - $400.

Used stuff is fine if I can find it. Earlier in the thread someone mentions that $200 can buy a lot of speaker on ebay but I just don't know enough about it to judge the equipment.

Size isn't necessarily an issue, as I'm building it now and simply want to plan for speaker placements so I can run the wiring ahead of time. Mounting to the wall would be nice, but not necessary, because I can always build a shelf where I want to put them.

Thanks for your time!

Monster Jam

There are a lot of great sounding budget speakers out there to be had - some of them made by Polk Audio.

I bought a pair of R20s new from Circuit City some years ago for casual bedroom listening. I think I picked them up for under $100 for the pair (don't really remember what I paid). All I remember is that when I hooked them up and played them for the first time, I felt like a criminal: they sounded much better than the sales price I paid for them.

nguyendot

Find a used set of RT55's. Those are awesome speakers. They go for around $200 or so.l I have a pair and LOVE them.

Joe08867

Hello Don, you can find some great sounding Speakers for 200-300.

If I were you I would look for some SDA 2B's. For listening to music they are awesome.

J&R is selling Monitor 70's for 199 right now. Those are pretty good speakers. Not SDA's but nice.

nguyendot

Joe08867 wrote: »

I think he means George,

Hey Mark, It's called constructive criticism. He isn't saying you suck. He said your receiver is a dog. And having heard Sony stuff from the 80's I agree with him. There newer stuff is much better and like he said there 70's stuff is better.

If you are happy, go for it. But for godsakes grow some skin on your back. Sad!!!

Dude, you just replied to Mark, who last posted in this thread 6 years ago..lol.

cnh

WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!!

Look for a used pair of Monitor 7s with the peerless tweeter. Definitely well under 200 dollars a pair!

cnh

Joe08867

I know, I fixed it, but not until you read it. Damn!!!

I forgot to check the expiration date on this one.

falconcry72

donPA wrote: »

What would be a good recommendation for a pair of speakers (with or without subwoofer) plus receiver/amp for $300 - $400.

If it were ME, I would get a decent external power amp:

Mole's Adcom 545 for sale RIGHT NOW: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108130

or something similar like a Parasound HCA1000a

That should run you about $200.

Then I'd get a pair of vintage Polk Monitor 10's, 7's, or 5's, that should run anywhere from 75-150, so let's say 100 even.

Now you have $100 left to find some random preamp, and you should have no problem finding an Adcom or Parasound entry-level used pre for that amount.

Now, finding these 3 pieces at these prices may take some time, may not, depends where you live, how far you'll drive etc.

You could also stick with the Monitor 10's, as they're not hard to find, but get a used receiver in the 200-300 dollar range, like an older Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, etc, and while that will be easier to find, it won't sound as good as the separates mentioned above.

For speaker value, though, it's really hard to beat the older Polk Monitors, especially if they're cosmetically imperfect. I much prefer them to newer Polk bookshelves.

If you got Mole's 545 or a Parasound hca1000, a similar brand preamp, and a pair of Monitors, you would have one KILLER starter 2-channel rig for very little coin, and it can be done without having to look too far. Hell, you can easilly spend the amount of money you would be spending on that whole setup just on a pair of new speakers that wouldn't sound nearly as good as those Monitors.;)

Good luck!:D

donPA

Thanks for these recommendations, folks. I am going to look over each of these options.

I figured this would be a good place to ask.

falconcry72

I was going to add that in addition to the Monitor series I mentioned before, you could look in the RTA series, within I would suggest the RTA12's, but I didn't know if you'd be able to find a pair for under $200, which would leave room for the amp and preamp. Well, low and behold, there is an excellent pair with Peerless tweets for a great price in our flea market right now!:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108320

donPA

@Falconcry:

Earlier you mentioned that with a mythical $400 budget you'd spend maybe ~$200 on the pre-amp, ~$100 for speakers, then ~$100 for the receiver. This is an interesting thought, do you think that's better sound value for the money? I'm not particularly interested in earth shattering volume.

Thanks for entertaining questions from a newbie.

falconcry72

donPA wrote: »

@Falconcry:

Earlier you mentioned that with a mythical $400 budget you'd spend maybe ~$200 on the pre-amp, ~$100 for speakers, then ~$100 for the receiver. This is an interesting thought, do you think that's better sound value for the money? I'm not particularly interested in earth shattering volume.

Thanks for entertaining questions from a newbie.

no no no. A receiver is a preamp and a power amp in one. You'd either get both a preamp and a power amp OR a reciever. Using a seperate power amp and preamp is generally better than using a reciever. A receiver is like a swiss army knife; it can do a lot of things, but it doesn't do any of them nearly as well as their standalone counter parts; ie, the scissors in a swiss army knife are generally not as good as a separate pair of scissors.

I would say:

$200 on the power amp
$100 on the preamp
$100 on the speakers

These numbers are based on specific pieces that I know can be had.

This does not mean that the power amp is the most important piece. I'd say the speakers are the most important piece, but it is a fact that you can get speakers on the used market for $100 pretty easily that are damn good speakers... if you know what you're lookin' for, and those vintage Polks I mentioned are it. It's harder to find a good power amp for $100. This is because the market is flooded with speakers; it's not as flooded with separate components.

You could also easily spend your entire $400 budget just on speakers that sound like ****.

Volume will not be an issue either way.

Good luck, and continue to use this forum to search/ask about anything audio; it is a great resource!

Zitro

donPA wrote: »

@Falconcry:

Earlier you mentioned that with a mythical $400 budget you'd spend maybe ~$200 on the pre-amp, ~$100 for speakers, then ~$100 for the receiver. This is an interesting thought, do you think that's better sound value for the money? I'm not particularly interested in earth shattering volume.

Thanks for entertaining questions from a newbie.

Where do you live? I've gotten 2/3rds of my gear from the local craigslist. I have 2 rigs and paid way less than what they're worth; you just gotta be patient. Tons on the used market; check you local CL! And if you find something you are unsure of, someone one here will undoubtedly be able to give you good advice on it.

Welcome to CP! :biggrin:

fatpiggy

If you want Polk for a bedroom RT25i best damn small speaker Polk ever made in my opinion.$50 -$70US per set off Feebay you will never regret it.


Fat Piggy

donPA

Zitro wrote: »

Where do you live? I've gotten 2/3rds of my gear from the local craigslist. I have 2 rigs and paid way less than what they're worth; you just gotta be patient. Tons on the used market; check you local CL! And if you find something you are unsure of, someone one here will undoubtedly be able to give you good advice on it.

Welcome to CP! :biggrin:

I'm outside of Philadelphia, I'm sure there are good values out there, I'll report if I find anything, it's been a blast just looking up what has been suggested already.

donPA

I found this on CL, seems like a pretty good deal if it's legit:

$140 for all:

Sony STR-DB930 100W AV/Stereo Receiver

-includes advanced remote with built-in screen
-multiple component connectivity
-$600 when purchased new

Polk Audio RT35 Bookshelf Speakers
-8" woofer & 2" tweeter
-will include high-end speaker cable/wire

Thoughts on this stuff?

nguyendot

donPA wrote: »

I found this on CL, seems like a pretty good deal if it's legit:

$140 for all:

Sony STR-DB930 100W AV/Stereo Receiver

-includes advanced remote with built-in screen
-multiple component connectivity
-$600 when purchased new

Polk Audio RT35 Bookshelf Speakers
-8" woofer & 2" tweeter
-will include high-end speaker cable/wire

Thoughts on this stuff?

The receiver is definitely outdated. It's a good line however - $140 isn't horrible. The RT35's are great speakers. I'd offer 100 ..but 140 wouldn't blow the bank.

djperez81

amulford wrote: »

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...

I have to agree with you I have bought all my equipment used and have never had a problem with any of it and you can find good deals if you look around.

oohhbehave

I highly suggest the Dayton Audio BR-1 kit from parts-express! You won't be disappointed.

donPA

I was in here earlier last month looking for a basement audio (not surround) system for under $400.

I have found a pair of RT-1000i's on CL for $150 for the pair that look to be in good shape. I was thinking of grabbing them from the guy this weeked. Floormounted speakers work for my project.

How is this as a start to a $400 system? Thoughts on those RT-1000i's?

Thanks as always.

AudioGenics

Welcome to Club Polk.
I hope you will stay and just have fun.

There are many speakers available in your price range
and various manufacturers from different regions of the world
And additional more in the used market but that is a buyer beware.

As you stated you sold at one time.
Make a list of possible preferences.
Go out if possible and listen to the speakers with music material of your liking

If you are in a hurry then you limit yourself to choices.

Try to make the decision for yourself
and only bounce your ideas and opinions with someone trusted
otherwise
expect a wide range of good and bad responses.

Again Welcome to Club Polk.