If You Had $1000...

BottomFeeder

...what kind of speakers would you buy?

I have an average size room.
I have an Adcom GFA 5500 (200 wpc +).
I have an Adcom GFP 710 Preamp
I have an NAD C521Bee cdp.
I like most music - oldies, rock, jazz, blues, celtic etc.
I like floor standers (but not huge - no SDA's )
I don't mind buying used.
I can spend a few hundred dollars more / less than a grand.
I don't live where very many speakers can be auditioned.

I've been eyeballing some LSi15's, but what else should I consider?

I really appreciate any suggestions you can make.

ben62670

LSI 9's, or Some nice RTA's.

Shizelbs

I know where you can snag some Carver Amazings within the state

Early B.

I'd get the biggest, baddest used pair of floorstanders I could find. There are plenty of 'em out there that will probably sound better than the 15's.

Try these:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1215914445
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1215902126
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1215807718
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1215801776
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1215733031

unc2701

Early B. wrote: »

I'd get the biggest, baddest used pair of floorstanders I could find. There are plenty of 'em out there that will probably sound better than the 15's.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever owned a pair of LSi15's?

Gadabout

I had a $1000 and a pair of Audes - Souls from Russ.

Face

In that price range, LSi15's.

Early B.

unc2701 wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, have you ever owned a pair of LSi15's?

Hell, no! :eek:

I've owned Lsi7's and Lsi9's, and I've heard the 15's more times than I care to remember. Yeah, they're good speakers, but I'm sure you'll agree that there are better speakers out there, especially ones on the used market that were perhaps $4,000 retail in their day, but now can be had for a grand.

I should also add that I don't personally care for side firing speakers. They are more likely to present set up challenges, especially in small to medium size rooms. I also don't like them for aesthetic reasons. I like big **** 12" woofers staring back at me.:)

BottomFeeder

Wow! Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Lots of good ones here to consider.

Though I wish I could, I just can't do big, huge or humongous. 12" woofers are out. I'm looking for something that will please my ears & my wife's eyes.

Ben - I've already had the RTA12C's - loved 'em, but they just didn't pass the eye exam.
Shizelbs - I'm thinking that the Amazings are pretty huge - yes?
Zero - wow, thanks for the suggestions!
Early - thanks as well for the trouble you took to make some suggestions!
Face - Thanks for the LSi15 endorsement.

Keep those recommendations coming, please!!!!!

Ricardo

If you could find one of these, it would probably be the last speaker you ever buy. A bit above your budget, but so worth it. And I'm sure it will passs the WAF easily.

Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1214453988

treitz3

It's not a floor stander, but you may want to entertain the Focal 807v. Perfect for a small to medium sized room. More info provided in link below. 1K new.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63683

BottomFeeder

Wow! Those Dynaudio's are sweeeeeeeet looking!

I've heard great things about Dynaudio...I'll keep my eyes peeled. Do you recommend all of their speakers?

AndyGwis

Dynaudio, Totem, Thiel (2.2, 2.3, 1.6), Paradigm Studio 60's, Usher should all be on the list.

Do a localized search by zip (first two numbers all you need) and see what's close and in your price range.

Happy Hunting!

BottomFeeder

AndyGwis wrote: »

Dynaudio, Totem, Thiel (2.2, 2.3, 1.6), Paradigm Studio 60's, Usher should all be on the list.

Do a localized search by zip (first two numbers all you need) and see what's close and in your price range.

Happy Hunting!

Thanks very much for the help. I don't understand what you mean by "Do a localized search by zip (first two numbers all you need) and see what's close and in your price range."

Is this an audiogon thing? I am, after all, still a noob!

Thanks!

AndyGwis

Oh, sorry, on www.Audiogon.com you can click on "search" from the home page, then enter the first two digits of your zip (75 for me) and click go. It'll bring up everything within your area.

If you're shopping for used floorstanders, shipping is usually the biggest hurdle.

phuz

Zero wrote: »

Bottom,

If you can up the budget by $400 - here you go;

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1213981752

The Dynaudio Focus series easily represents the best value from the company. The 220 towers are no joke. This price is below industry accom.. not a bad deal, at all...

I wouldn't advise getting speakers with a big gash in the surround of one of the drivers, at any price.

sucks2beme

At the $1000 mark used, there's a lot to choose from. At $1500
It gets even better. Save up an extra $500 and you can go nuts.
It seems to be a big jump up in quality. Of course, then all the rest
of your gear will get upgraded. Maybe stick with $1000.:D

cfrizz

I have heard the Focus 220's & they sound great. Unless Polk makes a smaller lighter LSI tower, these will most likely be my next speaker!

And I absolutely love the Rosewood finish.

Zero wrote: »

Bottom,

If you can up the budget by $400 - here you go;

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1213981752

The Dynaudio Focus series easily represents the best value from the company. The 220 towers are no joke. This price is below industry accom.. not a bad deal, at all...

skipf

BottomFeeder wrote: »

Shizelbs - I'm thinking that the Amazings are pretty huge - yes?

I'll answer for Shizelbs, yes the Carver amazings are very large, and only perform at their best in a large room. They also require a lot more power than your 200wpc, especially the 4 ohm ALS originals (2 30" ribbons). The Carver AL-III's are better suited to your room size and an excellent speaker that fits your price range, but may be a bit too "boomy" on the low end for your taste.

Ricardo

Here's another one you should look into:

Von Schweikert VR2.

This is a very nice sounding floorstander; not too big, though it is deep.
We heard this side by side with the LSi15's at Chicagofest last year, and to me these sounded better.


They always show up at Audiogon; here's a couple:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1215306265
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1215825042
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homesubw&1212948693

AsSiMiLaTeD

phuz wrote: »

I wouldn't advise getting speakers with a big gash in the surround of one of the drivers, at any price.

I concur

tryrrthg

phuz wrote: »

I wouldn't advise getting speakers with a big gash in the surround of one of the drivers, at any price.

The $1400 for the Dynaudio Focus 220's is well under the going used rate of around $1800. It is not going to cost $400 to get a replacement driver. The thought had crossed my mind to buy that pair myself, but the seller doesn't have the original boxes... That and my cat jumping on my current DIY speakers reminded me that having expensive speakers in the living room is a no no. F'ing cat :mad:

Early B.

tryrrthg wrote: »

That and my cat jumping on my current DIY speakers reminded me that having expensive speakers in the living room is a no no. F'ing cat :mad:

Get your priorities straight, young man. Get rid of the cat. Problem solved.

Also, think of the money you'll save on cat food, etc. that can go into buying more expensive speakers.

tryrrthg

Early B. wrote: »

Get your priorities straight, young man. Get rid of the cat. Problem solved.

Also, think of the money you'll save on cat food, etc. that can go into buying more expensive speakers.

My wife would probably get rid of me first.

My DIY speakers are pretty nice for what I have in them. I'm content. And besides, with a 3 month old baby in the house there is no time for the stereo anyway. That is why I sold my beloved Dyn's to Ricardo.

Ricardo

tryrrthg wrote: »

That is why I sold my beloved Dyn's to Ricardo.

And I am so happy you did....

The only way these babies are leaving is if I win the lottery and buy a pair of Dynaudio C1's

BottomFeeder

Thanks again, everyone, for your suggestions.

I'll do some searching on the net for reviews. It's such a bummer that, for a town our size - about 450,000 - we don't have any good audio stores. So I'll have to just read reviews & hope for the best! Hate doing that, but it seems that's my only option.

I've heard the LSi15's at a local shop. I really liked them, but, when you can't listen to anything else, have nothing with which to compare them! If you've listened to or owned the LSi15's & went with another speaker, I'd appreciate your sharing why. As has been recommended, I COULD wait even longer, save up some more coin and bump up to the $1500 level.

I'm not really the kind of guy who buys speakers, sells them 6 months later & keeps repeating the process. I'd prefer to make a purchase and settle down...But buying without hearing makes that a bigger challenge.

I appreciate all of your help!

fossy

What about the rti A7's ???? I don't have a pair but have listened to them at Fry's -- I really liked um -- it would be a new speaker instead of used ?? !! :D:D

Monster Jam

If I HAD to spend 1 grand on speakers, Id get the LSiFX.