Speakers on a budget?

halo

A friend is looking for speakers for a basic stereo system.

The budget is $350 and they want new not used (I know I already tried to explain the value of buying used but they don't want to go that route).

Any and all ideas are welcome. Floorstander > Bookshelf but they aren't ruling out a bookshelf as long as it can boogy.

Thanks in advance

cstpeter

Halo, I highly recommend the Energy C-3. I got a pair for my office rig and they are impressive for the money. I got mine used for $150; new they are $341 at this site:

http://www.brand-electronics.com/products/?product=38243

They won Sound Stage's budget speaker award in 2002.

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/energy_c3.htm

Finally, you can get matching stands at Audio Advisor for 50% off:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENCST

polktiger

I bought a pair of the R300s off Fry's for $50 ea. I was initially skeptical, but am quite impressed with their sound @ $120 for a pair including shipping. (Limit is 2, so they might need some help if they want more than 2)

shack

Here are three nice "NEW" speakers....that meet his price criteria

Athena AS-F1.2

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATASF1%2E2

Mission m73i

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/4581c97400c7d3242740ac100341067b/Product/View/2393

Mordaunt-Short MS914

http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/4581c97400c7d3242740ac100341067b/Product/View/2511

polktiger

Also - Crutchfield has the RTi8s @ 350 (shipping probably free) as well as Monitor 70s (in the outlet part of website) for $320.

Joey_V

XLS... the floorstanding versions.

Joey

Joey_V

Halo wrote:

A friend is looking for speakers for a basic stereo system.

The budget is $350 and they want new not used (I know I already tried to explain the value of buying used but they don't want to go that route).

Any and all ideas are welcome. Floorstander > Bookshelf but they aren't ruling out a bookshelf as long as it can boogy.

Thanks in advance

Sorry for threadjack... you have new speakers??

Gaara

Dam Joey and Zero both beat me to it I would recommend the x-sls

Jared

markmarc

New, the x-ls are incredibly hard to beat. If you go used, then the choices will amaze you. The Totem MITES are awesome, but hard to find, few owners ever sell them. If you can add another $50 to your budget, a used pair of LSi7's can be found in ebony finish once a month or so on ebay. Another great used choice if you listen to acoustic is a classic pair of Celestion SL6's.

Two things to keep in mind, one, black finish speakers will go for less on the used market than a medium stain. Secondly, if you buy new, play them for at least 100 hours continuously to break in the drivers before evaluating them.

halo

markmarc wrote:

New, the x-ls are incredibly hard to beat. If you go used, then the choices will amaze you. The Totem MITES are awesome, but hard to find, few owners ever sell them. If you can add another $50 to your budget, a used pair of LSi7's can be found in ebony finish once a month or so on ebay. Another great used choice if you listen to acoustic is a classic pair of Celestion SL6's.

Two things to keep in mind, one, black finish speakers will go for less on the used market than a medium stain. Secondly, if you buy new, play them for at least 100 hours continuously to break in the drivers before evaluating them.

Thanks Mark. Like I said the speakers aren't for me they're for a friend who does not want to purchase used. I've already tried to point out the benefits of buying used but they want new. It's their dime so I'm happy to provide suggestions that fit their criteria.

Thanks for the input everybody - I've passed on the suggestions. I'll let you know what they decide on.

dane_peterson

May I throw in my $.02... The Aperion 532-LR bookshelves are $180ea, and come with pretty much as good a warranty as you'd ever find. Plus a 30-day risk free trial. Just a thought.

halo

dane_peterson wrote:

May I throw in my $.02... The Aperion 532-LR bookshelves are $180ea, and come with pretty much as good a warranty as you'd ever find. Plus a 30-day risk free trial. Just a thought.

Thanks for the suggestion but that's over their $350 (max) budget.

dane_peterson

Oh come on... by $10! lol

markmarc

The 532's are a good thought, especially with free shipping. The only caveat I have with that model is that they lack any real sense of bass as i believe they cut off at 80hz. The RTi4's are a possibility, along with the Epos ELS-3.

PolkWannabie

Do your friends BUDGET and EARS a huge favor and get him to understand that there's no shame in buying USED and that there's worlds of difference in what one gets for what is spent ... They can always change speakers later usually with no loss in what was spent for used ...

halo

PolkWannabie wrote:

Do your friends BUDGET and EARS a huge favor and get him to understand that there's no shame in buying USED and that there's worlds of difference in what one gets for what is spent ... They can always change speakers later usually with no loss in what was spent for used ...

First off he is a she and she doesn't want used. I've already had this conversation with her and she ain't going to budge. You guys are preaching to the choir here - I know what she can get on the used market. She don't want to have anything to do with used. Do me a favor & stop telling me how great it would be to buy used stuff and help me out within her stated limits.

Thanks for all the responses:) As I said, I passed on the info on to her and I'll let you know what she decides to do.

PolkWannabie

Sorry about the gender swap ...

I know, it's hard to get folks to think used ... At one time I suffered from the same thing ...