moving to college, picking speakers.

cokewithvanilla
cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
edited January 2009 in Speakers
I am going off to college and I need a relatively cheap set of speakers, I would prefer buying used to that I can get more for my money. I currently use LSi25's...so I was going to pick up a pair of LSi9's....but as everyone knows I don't think I am fully satisfied with the sound of the LSi series.

Anyone have suggestions for a speaker that could be had for around $500 (less is always good too ;)), used or otherwise, that would compete with the LSi9? or is the 9 truly my best choice?

I will likely not get the chance to listen to them, as I am in a hurry, but any suggestions would be welcome!

(oh, I don't want to take the 25's because I don't want to damage them)
Post edited by cokewithvanilla on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited January 2009
    I would look into Paradigm Mini Monitors or Epos if I were you. Maybe PSB Image? Yes. Those.
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eric W
    Eric W Posts: 556
    edited January 2009
    What's the application? Dorm room where you can't (theoretically) turn it up too loud? Or frat house where you'll be using it as a PA system? :)
    -Eric
    -Polk Audio
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    apartment where I will be listening to them as I did my 25's...at a fairly high level of volume, but I also want something that sounds good a low levels for just when I'm walking around...the LSi's seem to need a certain amount of volume before they start acting right (or in my case, as close to right as I can get them >_<). I want something that is loud, but is refined... I don't just want something that goes boom. I'm a fan of a large soundstage, and good imaging.. I also like the mids to hit me...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    aren't those like $3000?


    remember, im a poor college kid -.-
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited January 2009
    Rti10s should be within your budget.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BigMac
    BigMac Posts: 849
    edited January 2009
    Here are a couple.

    KEF IQ-5: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1235586498&/KEF-IQ-5

    ADS L-1090: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1236273242&/Ads-L1090-/-L-1090

    PSB Image T45: http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/clt.pl?spkrfull&1226250751&clout&3&4&
    DON'T CLICK THIS!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    Interesting. So far I am a fan of the old ones. I know little to nothing about kef, and I have been told that their newer gear isn't as good. Would I be better off buying some old 105.2's, than with the iq5?

    Have you personally her the ADS's... I was unable to find a review on them
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BigMac
    BigMac Posts: 849
    edited January 2009
    cokewithvanilla wrote: »
    Have you personally her the ADS's... I was unable to find a review on them

    Yes I heard a pair a few days ago. I listened to the Diana Krall Live In Paris cd which sounded frickin' amazing on all accounts. Then some old Patsy Cline which sounded pretty good considering the recording was only average quality. Next, I added Lord Of The Rings-The Fellowship Of The Ring soundtrack which has lots of very quiet parts and then all of a sudden the music starts jammin'....the speakers did a very nice job of reproducing everything and did not sound all muddied up when played louder. Then I kicked it up a notch!!! I then put on All That Remains-Overcome and I have to say I did not think these speakers would handle it very well. Overall it sounded pretty good but I don't think these are the best speakers for speed metal,lol. Now, I wanted to see what kind of bass they had so I put on some Rick Ross-The Boss. The highs and mids sounded nice and clean but the bass did not extend down to what I had hoped for; still sounded good though. If you are into rap/hip hop you will need to add a subwoofer.

    Overall for the price ($500.00) I would give these speakers about a 7.5-8/10. I am no audiophile by any means and have a modest system myself but I would say these speakers beat my 10b monitors all over the place except for bass.
    DON'T CLICK THIS!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fatwalnut
    Fatwalnut Posts: 54
    edited January 2009
    Dude, pick up a pair of mtx or cerwin vega speakers . From what I read in the forum, you would destroy anything else of quality !!!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,815
    edited January 2009
    Ouch!
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    I demoed the Paradigm Studio 100's today... they sound big, and the music flowed over me, but the voices they produced hurt my ears.... it sounded terrible.

    I listened to some Revel's and I was pretty impressed. I was a bit skeptical about monitor speakers with just a midrange driver and a tweeter, but they sounded amazing.... I don't know if it had to do with the fact that they were powered by dual 1,200 watt McIntosh amps....but the revels sounded good, I demoed some at $1,500, $2,200, and $4,000... and to be honest I didnt really notice a big difference in them. The dealer says that he has a $700 pair that I can demo next week. I am just worried that I will be disappointed after hearing them with such good amps.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,052
    edited January 2009
    I own the PSB Image series and love them. They aren't "hifi" by any means but they perform VERY well at their price point. I do 85% HT and about 15% music, but am impressed with the performance on both. Might be worth a look for you.
    Shawn
    AVR: Marantz SR-5011
    Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
    Front: Polk LsiM703
    Rear: LSI fx
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
    Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
    DVD Player: Sony PS4
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    The psb images are in my range...as well as those kef iq5's.... maybe I should just start buying and selling until I find something I like....

    for what its worth, I will be listening to 95% muisic...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    something attracts me about the ads ones... probably because they were originally more expensive than the rest of these speakers.

    if you have heard the lsi speakers, how do you think the ADS match up?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CaligulaPolk
    CaligulaPolk Posts: 1,650
    edited January 2009
    invest your money to join fraternity
    I am 100% BORN DEAF and No I am not kidding! :D Why am I here? My wife's hearing! :p

    My Home Theater Rig || Television: 58" Panasonic TH-58PZ800U Viera Plasma || Power Conditioner: Power Monster HTS 3600 MKII || Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR805 || Blu-Ray/Gaming: 60 Gigabytes Playstation 3 || Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5 || Fronts: Polk Audio RT800i || Center: Polk Audio CS245i || Surrounds: TBA|| Subwoofer: TBA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1236298590&/KEF-Model-2's-Reference-in-Bla

    what about these?

    All of the other ones have some sort of metal tweeter, right?

    The paradigms hurt my ears, I asked the dealer why... he said the metal tweeter...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited January 2009
    cokewithvanilla wrote: »
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1236298590&/KEF-Model-2's-Reference-in-Bla

    what about these?

    All of the other ones have some sort of metal tweeter, right?

    The paradigms hurt my ears, I asked the dealer why... he said the metal tweeter...

    Metal Dome can be extremely sharp sometimes. But with overtime, the trebel smoothes out a bit as it ages.

    Anyway, the KEF you saw on Agon has crack on one speaker and you can do better with your current LSi25.

    How did you hook up your LSi25? Did you use an AVR? iPod can be a source instead of a CD or DVD player but what amp or receiver you use to power the LSi25s?
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    B&K 7270 Series II, and Emotiva DMC-1

    I didnt take the 25's with me.

    Cracks don't bother me :P

    Oh, and what about KEF 104/2's? Wasn't that thge speaker that got everyones attention?

    Basically, I need a cheap set of speakers for my apartment... I would love to only spend 500... I could get some lsi9's, but I am looking for other suggestions. I still want to be in the same range... I want a speaker just as good, or better than the 9's, otherwise I would just get another set of lsi's, you know?

    Right now I'm deciding between:
    Kef Iq5, PSB Image 45, Kef Model 2, Kef 104/2, ADS L190, and the Lsi9
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    anyone ever heard of these?

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1234761234&/Green-Mountain-Audio-Europa-ti
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    that mod is 300, right? that means almost $900... im looking a bit lower, quite a bit actually.

    is the mod worth enough that I should buy them now (instead of any other speaker i have listed, or in the price range) and upgrade them later?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JohnLocke88
    JohnLocke88 Posts: 1,150
    edited January 2009
    cokewithvanilla wrote: »
    aren't those like $3000?


    remember, im a poor college kid -.-

    A poor college kid with LSi25s; what'd you find them at a garage sale for $20 each?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Montoya
    Montoya Posts: 506
    edited January 2009
    JohnLocke88 wrote: »
    A poor college kid with LSi25s; what'd you find them at a garage sale for $20 each?

    I was thinking the same thing back in college I had a clock radio and a Walkman.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited January 2009
    cokewithvanilla wrote: »
    that mod is 300, right? that means almost $900... im looking a bit lower, quite a bit actually.

    is the mod worth enough that I should buy them now (instead of any other speaker i have listed, or in the price range) and upgrade them later?

    IIRC it is less than $300 a pair for the mod. Even less if you don't do the low freq section.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited January 2009
    cokewithvanilla wrote: »
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1236298590&/KEF-Model-2's-Reference-in-Bla

    what about these?

    All of the other ones have some sort of metal tweeter, right?

    The paradigms hurt my ears, I asked the dealer why... he said the metal tweeter...

    Now we're getting somewhere! I had the Pdime Studio 100 V2 and found that the metal tweeters introduced fatigue very quickly. I then moved to the Pdime Signature S8 which was not as hard on my ear for short sessions. However, extended sessions caused the fatigue and as some here know, I basically gave them away several months ago.

    I know the LSI has a nice tweeter but is it a metal type? You may be experiencing the same thing I did with metal domes. You may not even realize it is happening, I know I did not until I talked to some people and got differing opinions. It starts off with the highs being very clear and slightly bright. After a couple hours, that clearness convinces me to think that there is something missing in the mids and/or bottom.

    I eventually just gave up on tweeters and went to an ESL. A drastic step but never looked back. Try listening to some fabric tweeters and see if you get what your looking for.

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited January 2009
    Keep in mind that a speaker like the Lsi9, is going to take up about as much room as any narrow floorstander--once they are on pedastals--just a thought
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    JohnLocke88 wrote: »
    A poor college kid with LSi25s; what'd you find them at a garage sale for $20 each?

    thats funny :P.... well, I wasn't always a poor college kid :/
    Having not owned any of the other bookshelves in this thread, I cannot say if it is worth it relatively speaking. What I will tell you is that what you will spend in the mod will probably be saved in not having to go separates. My observation is that relatively modest equipment can drive the 9's adequately after the mod.

    I'm gonna be driving these with a B&k 7270 (hopefully biamped so I can use 4 channels instead of just 2 :() and hooked to a Emotiva DMC-1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    I dont know what kinda tweeter the lsi's have... it doesnt look m etal to me...

    as for the size, I wasnt terribly concerned with that, however, the cost of stands should be factored in. If i were to buy stands for those lsi's, that would easily cost anoter 300.... hmmm
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CaligulaPolk
    CaligulaPolk Posts: 1,650
    edited January 2009
    consider htib ? it d suit dorm life
    I am 100% BORN DEAF and No I am not kidding! :D Why am I here? My wife's hearing! :p

    My Home Theater Rig || Television: 58" Panasonic TH-58PZ800U Viera Plasma || Power Conditioner: Power Monster HTS 3600 MKII || Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR805 || Blu-Ray/Gaming: 60 Gigabytes Playstation 3 || Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5 || Fronts: Polk Audio RT800i || Center: Polk Audio CS245i || Surrounds: TBA|| Subwoofer: TBA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2009
    Dear god! not htib!

    you gotta remember, I already have a 200wpc, 7 channel amp and a decent preamp (and all associated wires). All I need is a set of speakers.... for music listening... 2 speakers, not 5 or 7.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CaligulaPolk
    CaligulaPolk Posts: 1,650
    edited January 2009
    oh use polk to pick up college sorority chicks??????? :D
    I am 100% BORN DEAF and No I am not kidding! :D Why am I here? My wife's hearing! :p

    My Home Theater Rig || Television: 58" Panasonic TH-58PZ800U Viera Plasma || Power Conditioner: Power Monster HTS 3600 MKII || Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR805 || Blu-Ray/Gaming: 60 Gigabytes Playstation 3 || Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5 || Fronts: Polk Audio RT800i || Center: Polk Audio CS245i || Surrounds: TBA|| Subwoofer: TBA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter