Two Channel Speakers

renowilliams
renowilliams Posts: 920
edited June 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
I am starting to think about a two channel set up and am curious what people are using for speakers. I know that a lot are using some form of SDA's but I'm looking for imput from those who are not.

I have no budget in mind and I know that is a major consideration. Lets just say budget is 1,500 and I'm not opposed to purchasing speakers other than polk.

I will be getting a power amp prior to the speakers so impedance won't be an issue.

Any advice is welcome and thank you in advance.



Tim
"They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
Amp: Carver TFM-35
Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
Post edited by renowilliams on
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Comments

  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2009
    How big is your room? Looking for towers or bookshelves? What kind of music do you listen to?
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited May 2009
    If you want to do something other than Polks, I would suggest a pair of Magnepan's like these...http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG

    The price is fantastic for a speaker of this type. If you plan on listening to light rock, jazz and such they will be superb.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited May 2009
    The room is 14x12 and the speakers could be either floorstanding or bookshelf. I listen to floyd, bb king, billie holiday and even ac/dc. pretty much all types of music.
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2009
    LSi9's may work for you. I would avoid Magnepans if you listen to rock.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited May 2009
    Check Audiogon for speakers in your price range.
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited May 2009
    The Maggies would do all the above well with exception to about 50% of Floyd and 99.9% of AC/DC...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited May 2009
    I like JM Labs a lot
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited May 2009
    +1 on Focals within your price range...but that might be hard...though I haven't gotten mine set up...it's hard NOT to recommend SDAs, they'd handle all of the above and save you a TON of money for damn good amplification! Sorry Tim...I couldn't resist.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited May 2009
    Focals are expensive, but with $1500 he should be able to score a nice pair on audiogon. I grabbed a pair of 706s bookshelves with stands for $400. They aren't as nice as SDAs but with $1500 I'm sure you could find something better sounding and looking then SDAs.

    You did mention budget wasn't an issue ;)http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1248122248&/Focal-Profile-928-Classic
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  • Flash21
    Flash21 Posts: 316
    edited June 2009
    You're going to get a million answers on an open question like that...but for my two cents my listening tastes are similar to yours, and I am very happy with my Von Schweikert VR-2s. Detailed and dynamic, with a flat response all the way down to 35hz IIRC.
    Steve Carlson
    Von Schweikert VR-33 speakers
    Bel Canto eVo2i integrated amp
    Bel Canto PL-2 universal disc player
    Analysis Plus Oval Nine speaker cables and Copper Oval-In Micro interconnects
    VH Audio Flavor 4 power cables
    Polk Monitor 10B speakers, retired but not forgotten
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  • Hilbert
    Hilbert Posts: 316
    edited June 2009
    FWIW (probably not much; I'm a novice) I'd be thinking about $900 for a couple of LSi15s from Polk Direct, and $600 for an amp.

    EDIT: more like a grand for the speakers, with taxes and shipping.
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited June 2009
    You are going to get a lot of suggestions and they all will be good. I love my Carver AL III's. Though they are hard to find and if the ribbons need repaired will cost a lot of $$$. I love the sound of ribbon speakers.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited June 2009
    Listen to all this advice, then buy a pair of SDA's:D
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited June 2009
    nspindel wrote: »
    Listen to all this advice, then buy a pair of SDA's:D


    I hear what you guys are saying with regard to the sda's sound, but to be frank, I don't like the look of them. Most people would not care as long as the sound is good what a speaker looks like but I do. This is why I specifically mentioned sda's in my original post.

    Don't get me wrong, I have no doubt there a very fine speaker given their popularity in the forum.


    Thanks again for the advice


    Tim
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2009
    Try to get a listen to LSI 9's or 15's. Or Dynaudio's Focus series.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited June 2009
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    I recommend that you consider the Polk LSi25's from Polk Direct on ebay. With a good amp they are hard to beat for the price and would be well under your budget.

    +1 and you would have plenty of cash for a nice amp.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited June 2009
    One more thing...you should be banned for not liking the look of SDA's!!!









    JK
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited June 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    One more thing...you should be banned for not liking the look of SDA's!!!

    Agreed. That's total blasphemy.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited June 2009
    I know you guys love the SDA SRS's but have you ever head or seen VMPS Supertower II/R?

    http://www.vmpsaudio.com/aboutVMPS.htm

    I have a friend that is referbing a set. I hope in the next month or two he will have them up and running.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited June 2009
    renowilliams wrote: »
    I hear what you guys are saying with regard to the sda's sound, but to be frank, I don't like the look of them.

    I hear what people are saying about the way Picasso's paintings look, but to be frank, I don't like the sound of them. :p
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited June 2009
    renowilliams wrote: »
    I hear what you guys are saying with regard to the sda's sound, but to be frank, I don't like the look of them.


    Tim,

    What don't you like about the look of SDA's just out of curiosity.

    MLS
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited June 2009
    I can see why some people would not like them. I read some were one of the reasons they were discontinued was due to the fact that people did not want large speakers any more. The sub/satellite type of speakers came out and I think they got the wife thumbs up over the larger sets.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited June 2009
    I knew my statement wasn't going to be popular but there you have it. I guess I like a more modern look to my speakers. Its not to say that I wouldn't love the sound of them as I'm sure I would based on the rare reviews in the forum. But I don't see why I can't have the look I want as well as great sound given that there is a lot of manufacturers out there.


    Sorry if I upset some of you out there, it was not my intention.


    Tim
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited June 2009
    I don't think you upset anybody, we are all just picking with ya'.

    Do you like the look of the LSi25's?
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited June 2009
    I've been thinking about the lsi line but have some reservations. If you look on polk e-bay there is a lot of them in there. This makes me wonder about reliability.
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • rallyshark
    rallyshark Posts: 417
    edited June 2009
    Def tech ain't so bad either. They are kinda sexeh lookin too:)

    http://www.definitivetech.com/Products/FloorStand/default.aspx
    Sony 40" LCD
    Sony DVPCX995V
    Sony PS3(games/media server)
    Sony PS2
    WD TV Live with 3TB
    Sanyo VCR
    Marantz SR6003
    Polk 11T(xover/RDO)
    RM20 5 pack
    OWM 5
    DUAL Micro Pro 1000
    Combastard Cable
    Harmony One
    When rapture comes, can I have your car?
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2009
    renowilliams wrote: »
    I've been thinking about the lsi line but have some reservations. If you look on polk e-bay there is a lot of them in there. This makes me wonder about reliability.
    I wouldn't be concerned at all, that is a small percentage to the amount that they sell. In that price range, most OEM's do not produce in the volume that Polk does.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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