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Speaker suggestions for living room - $500

post #1 of 33
1/9/10 at 1:28pm
Thread Starter 
Any suggestions for speakers for the corner of my living room? I am a big fan of the Polk LSI series. I dragged out the Polk LSI25s from my home theater room and put them in the corners of my living room here. They sound quite nice paired up with the vintage Nakamichi TA-4A temporarily placed on the floor. Please excuse the lack of furnishings - still moving in. My budget is about $500, but this is via eBay/Audiogon/etc.. The LSI25s pictured I bought for $800 shipped off of eBay and they are in perfect condition without issues. I can buy LSI15s for $500. I did a lot of research and found that the LSI series bought used offers what I believe to be an unbeatable value (since the LSI series themselves were built around this premise at full retail.) Any suggestions in the bought off of Audigon, eBay, etc. range for $500 ? My first choice at this point would be the smaller Polk LSI15s with Ebony side panels. Corners provide plenty of bass reinforcement but I am of the opinion that speakers on stands draw attention to themselves and are unattractive. I've found that I spend the majority of my time working from my kitchen table in the middle of the room, so sound quality is important. If money were no object I would purchase B&W Nautilus 803s.
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post #2 of 33
1/9/10 at 2:37pm
Look at the entry level Usher Audio speakers and the PSB line. You should do well there for $500. I've had Polks before but the PSBs are better made and better sounding in my experience. Another option is to buy an iPod and connect it to the $200 AudioEngine speakers. They also have a powered speaker for around $500. It may depend on how much volume you want and how important imaging is to you. Generally smaller speakers image better but they may not put out as much volume. Likely not a problem unless you have a big room you need to fill with sound.
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post #3 of 33
1/9/10 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan View Post
Look at the entry level Usher Audio speakers and the PSB line. You should do well there for $500. I've had Polks before but the PSBs are better made and better sounding in my experience.
Do your comments apply to the LSI line, e.g. did you own any? I think the rest of the Polk line up is mediocre, but the Vifa ring radiators and construction used in the LSIs set them far apart from the rest of their offerings.
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post #4 of 33
1/9/10 at 3:17pm
One brand that isn't very well-known (well, I had never heard of them before I bought them), but makes great speakers is Klipsch. I don't know much about them but I used to have some in my room and they were amazing. I sold them after I got a 5.1 surround sound system though.
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post #5 of 33
1/9/10 at 3:34pm
I have theseB&W Blue Room Mini-pods in black. Originally a B&W product and now a separate company, I first ran into these in the better European home decor magazines. I loved their look and was delighted to find a used pair. The sound and value is excellent IMO.

http://www.scandyna-speakers.com/Products/Minipod.aspx


here is a pic from my office awaiting a table:

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post #6 of 33
1/9/10 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post
I have theseB&W Blue Room Mini-pods in black. Originally a B&W product and now a separate company, I first ran into these in the better European home decor magazines. I loved their look and was delighted to find a used pair. The sound and value is excellent IMO. http://www.scandyna-speakers.com/Products/Minipod.aspx
Those are awesome and I am looking at a pair for the bedroom. However, my living/dining room is approx. 16x30 so I do not feel these would be able to adequately fill the room.
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post #7 of 33
1/9/10 at 8:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan View Post
Look at the entry level Usher Audio speakers and the PSB line. You should do well there for $500. I've had Polks before but the PSBs are better made and better sounding in my experience.

Another option is to buy an iPod and connect it to the $200 AudioEngine speakers. They also have a powered speaker for around $500.

It may depend on how much volume you want and how important imaging is to you. Generally smaller speakers image better but they may not put out as much volume. Likely not a problem unless you have a big room you need to fill with sound.

I second the recommendation for PSB.
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post #8 of 33
1/9/10 at 10:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wakerider View Post
One brand that isn't very well-known (well, I had never heard of them before I bought them), but makes great speakers is Klipsch. I don't know much about them but I used to have some in my room and they were amazing. I sold them after I got a 5.1 surround sound system though.

Uh... Klipsch has been a mainline brand since 1946.
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post #9 of 33
1/9/10 at 11:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by username79 View Post
Do your comments apply to the LSI line, e.g. did you own any? I think the rest of the Polk line up is mediocre, but the Vifa ring radiators and construction used in the LSIs set them far apart from the rest of their offerings.

I like the LSI line but I just feel these other brands are better sounding. Audition them all and then see which floats your boat.

Better yet read this book and then go shopping: http://www.amazon.com/Introductory-G...3091754&sr=8-2
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post #10 of 33
1/10/10 at 1:36am
used pair of B&W 602's are about 400-450, i have a pair and they are just awesome
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post #11 of 33
1/10/10 at 1:42pm
Sorry to be blunt, but with your speaker placement, I'm not sure it makes a big difference which $500 speaker you pick. The placement will negatively affect the speaker's sound way more than anything else.

--Andre
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post #12 of 33
1/10/10 at 3:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wrigglez View Post
used pair of B&W 602's are about 400-450, i have a pair and they are just awesome
When I bought my paradigm reference, I auditioned the 603s. I found them unnaturally forward.
Quote:
Originally Posted by A Y View Post
Sorry to be blunt, but with your speaker placement, I'm not sure it makes a big difference which $500 speaker you pick. The placement will negatively affect the speaker's sound way more than anything else. --Andre
+1 OP, you could find a used set of paradigm reference for $500 bucks and it would be hard to go wrong. Studio 20s or 40s would be fine for your room. You don't need a tower and a cheap tower often sounds worse. Anyway, the paradigm would be significantly better than the stuff you're looking at imo and are widely available. They are my go to budget speaker recommendation. Also, they're fairly forgiving of placement because they are front ported, but as andre said, sticking speakers right in the corner like that is a no-no.
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post #13 of 33
1/10/10 at 3:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by A Y View Post
Sorry to be blunt, but with your speaker placement, I'm not sure it makes a big difference which $500 speaker you pick. The placement will negatively affect the speaker's sound way more than anything else. --Andre
Which is in part why I suggested the OP read Bob Harley's book for some basics in high end audio. I would also recommed my friend Jim's book: www.getbettersound.com
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post #14 of 33
1/10/10 at 6:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Artisan Fan View Post
Which is in part why I suggested the OP read Bob Harley's book for some basics in high end audio.

I would also recommed my friend Jim's book: www.getbettersound.com

Or he could consider smaller speakers like the Gallo Roundsound eyeballs or the little Mirage omnidirectional speakers which may be small enough to be in a better position.

--Andre
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post #15 of 33
1/10/10 at 7:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by A Y View Post
Or he could consider smaller speakers like the Gallo Roundsound eyeballs or the little Mirage omnidirectional speakers which may be small enough to be in a better position.

--Andre

That's a possibility but I think if he reads the books he might benefit from learning the fundamentals and that may change his view on how to arrange the room.
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