-
Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
I think my other bang for the buck thread for bookshelf speakers was a success so let's keep that train chugging along with tower speakers. And let's assume those looking at this thread want something plug and play without the need to build them first. I can do some amazing work with just a circular saw and a straight edge and clamps for a rip fence but when it comes to making things pretty I as well as countless others in this hobby just don't measure up. Let's face it, not everyone wants to diy their speakers especially if they have to look at them in the house. And let's not get into how picky the significant other can be. Let's stick to towers that punch well above what they cost and as a guideline keep the price under $1000 for the pair all said and done. Hopefully this thread will be helpful to many people. Also, if you can give insight on tonal signature of the speakers that would be great.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Joe N Tell over on youtube seems to do some pretty good speaker comparisons. Just watched his video on the Elac debut 5.2 and Wharfedale Crystal 4.3. The Crystal 4.3 has a curve nearly identical to the curve I use when tuning my truck. The curve on the Elac 5.2 is a mess. Out of the box before room acoustics comes into play the Crystal 4.3 looks incredible and has been put at the top of my list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28erX7HQba0
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/produ...BoCXAYQAvD_BwE
The ones you like , are the way to go , you'll have to live with them.
The Wharfedale Towers ~ https://www.crutchfield.com/S-5idayq...xoCn3sQAvD_BwE
HiVi Acoustics DIY 3.1a
7/20/20 ?
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Try and find some used triangle celius, antal, zeries 202 or es series of you have above received amplification like nad bee and up. Friend picked up some used nola contenders for 1200 recently which i always loved and thought was an incredible find.
You can find some of the once popular micro brands for a steal like Odyssey, salk, freid ect
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Don't know the other brand but would not be surprised if the anomalies are designed in as some secret sauce Andrew Jones has accounted for that would benefit midfi users in the real world. He has a long track record for making affordable speakers sound amazing on very modest equipment in room. With elac he is able to use nicer entry level drivers than his pioneer days. Cert for the tad/ pios.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
https://www.devialet.com/en-us/buy-g...xoCq8sQAvD_BwE
Zero distortion , zero saturation and zero background noise !
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
That's 3 Grand and compared to 3k hi fi and pro speakers it doesn't compete
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
My plan is to eventually put a real amp on the mains. I'll have preouts for it. I'm guessing going from the internal amp in the Denon to a real home amp using the processor in the Denon (it has decent processing) to a separate amp using the Denon's processing would be about like what we do in the car audio world adding a separate amp. The Denon does do A LOT more power on each channel than a car headunit though so difference might be less drastic? I'm guessing even if I went from 120x2 with built-in amp to 120x2 with something like an Emotiva (keeping power equal for fair theoretical comparison) would step me up from midfi power to hifi power? Like going from a cheap class D micro car amp to a nice a/b amp like a Mosconi of equal power? There's a learning curve here because I can build a car system like a pimp. This is new territory for me. And I'm not gonna start buying speakers and separate amps until I have the money to do it right within reason. In other words what I do will be nice and carefully planned but not above my raisin';)
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
I will say this much though...the best speakers I've ever heard were some 12" Tannoy concentrics with a Velodyne sub in JustJason's garage. Anyone who has heard that setup knows why I'm saying this. Looking at the price of a lot of the nicer Tannoy stuff makes me wanna puke though:(
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
These have always had decent reviews. At retail price, they can definitely be beat, but they are like 40% off right now Comes in right about $900 for a pair. The LSIm707's are better but also $1k each.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-GTrX5k...A9-Cherry.html
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Are you going strictly 2 channel? What's the Denon give you? Hdmi switching i assume? Since you love the tannoy and have the diy chops making a cab for jbl m2 drivers. The dsp settings are readily available. Add some monty or devastator subs way down the road and those will be lifetime reference that will be difficult to top... Ever
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Are you going strictly 2 channel? What's the Denon give you? Hdmi switching i assume? Since you love the tannoy and have the diy chops making a cab for jbl m2 drivers (~$1200) The dsp settings are readily available. Add some monty or devastator subs way down the road and those will be lifetime reference that will be difficult to top... Ever
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dcfis
Add some monty or devastator subs way down the road and those will be lifetime reference that will be difficult to top... Ever
Velodyne ? https://soundapproach.com/
https://soundapproach.com/velodyne-d...RoCTpkQAvD_BwE
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Queef
GSG audio design
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ca90ss
Those have my attention if for no other reason than the fact they're different.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
They have a 60 day money back guarantee if you don't like them. I have a pair of the larger 1.7i and have been pretty happy with them.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
In my experience Maggie's need a good amp behind them to get the best. Denon might be able to do it but i wouldn't bet on it
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dcfis
In my experience Maggie's need a good amp behind them to get the best. Denon might be able to do it but i wouldn't bet on it
I'm thinking about getting one of the minidsp amps off Parts Express. The one that does 250x2 would do great bridged to a sub and probably another for speakers since it's the better value compared to the one that does 125x2. After hearing Steve Guttenberg talk about the Magnepans I don't think they'd be for me. For whatever reason the Wharfedale Crystal 4.3's keep sticking out as a winner for me.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
He already has plans for an amp down the line and unless he's turning the volume to 11 the Denon should suffice until he upgrades.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Wait for a JBL sale, and the 280/290s are usually on sale pretty cheap. The 590s are on sale right now too I think for $300 a piece.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Hillbilly SQ
I'm thinking about getting one of the minidsp amps off Parts Express. The one that does 250x2 would do great bridged to a sub and probably another for speakers since it's the better value compared to the one that does 125x2. After hearing Steve Guttenberg talk about the Magnepans I don't think they'd be for me. For whatever reason the Wharfedale Crystal 4.3's keep sticking out as a winner for me.
I've never heard those particular wharfedales but just can't do the 1"dome unless it's using very high end units. If you are looking at those at least give a look at jbl 580 sale at jbl for 320/each maybe able to find used 590 or tannoy xt6/8
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
I like the way they look [ new receiver playing two pairs ] !
Call or find out what are 8 components in x-over.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DavidRam
David, have you heard any of the Canton's? I'm assuming so since they're German. If so, how do they sound? Always been curious about them on accessories4less.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dcfis
In my experience Maggie's need a good amp behind them to get the best. Denon might be able to do it but i wouldn't bet on it
Well they do sound better than a Vandersteen.
so those would be my top two picks.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Queef
Call or find out what are 8 components in x-over.
https://www.parts-express.com/eminen...00-hz--290-635
Similar to this one , probably.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Look for a used set of VMPS Tower II or even better a set of ST/R. These are no longer made but a fantastic bargain and there are always some popping up somewhere. I've owned several different sets and still own a pair I bought back in 1993.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Thinking I'd prefer to buy new just so I know for a fact they haven't been abused. A lot of people don't have the experience we do to know when it's time to back off.
The more research I do the more indecisive I get. I do prefer the warm side of neutral with quick transients. The problem with my old Cerwin Vega's from my wild days is the uncoated paper midrange doesn't know when to start and stop on faster music and the poly tweeter lacks what my ears demand now. They were perfect 20 years ago when I was popping the slow blow fuses in them with Metallica and the likes. They shine for TV and movies so not sure if I really want to completely remove them from readily available service. Just the impact they have for pressurizing the room with powerful (but imperfect) sound. Makes me wonder if I should just save my money and go bookshelfs on top of the big coffins and get a good amp for this IDQ12v4 that I think is about as good as it gets for my tastes tonally. If it didn't need such a big box it would still be in my truck. Judging by the reviews I've seen the Wharfedale Diamond 225's seem to be what I'm looking for tonally. For a sub amp I'm thinking something along the lines of the big minidsp amp that does like 600rms bridged.
If you've read this far I really don't know what the hell I truly want. Just remember, warm side of neutral with quick transients.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
You could try your local Best Buy Magnolia room. They actually have a decent setup (at least the ones around ATL) to preview. They carry B&W, Definitive Tech, ELAC, KEF, Klipsch and MartinLogan.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Hillbilly SQ
Thinking I'd prefer to buy new just so I know for a fact they haven't been abused. A lot of people don't have the experience we do to know when it's time to back off.
...
I am not sure that is at all true when it comes to high end home systems.
i suspect that demographic is much more cautious than the mobile audio crowd.
if there is any crowd I would suspect abuses speakers it is the mobile audio crowd, and there is little evidence they know when to back off.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Take a look at Zu Audio Dirty Weekend, or for a bit of a budget stretch, the new KLH Kendall has been getting excellent reviews...
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Holmz
I am not sure that is at all true when it comes to high end home systems.
i suspect that demographic is much more cautious than the mobile audio crowd.
if there is any crowd I would suspect abuses speakers it is the mobile audio crowd, and there is little evidence they know when to back off.
I was referring to the people on this forum being experienced and not the car audio crowd as a whole. The ones on the street that you know are car audio people are the ones giving the rest of us a bad name. Basically more times than not for speakers I want to be the first owner unless the previous owner is someone I fully trust. That goes for most used electronics to be honest. Just more cautious with my money as I age and like knowing exactly what I'm getting and how it was used. I think the only thing in my current mobile system not bought new was my G-Five but I know Nasty probably babies his gear at least as well as I do.
I'm going to keep researching and reading reviews. At least when I'm ready to turn loose of the money I'll be well educated.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
I agree with Holmz in reference to taking care of equipment. It's very easy to tell if someone has been responsible with their speakers. Just take a look at them. I bought my Klipsch's a long time ago and they still look and play like brand new. I paid $1500 for them back in the day and you can get them used now for about 600ish and I'll guarantee you ain't getting that kind of sound anywhere close to $1000 now. I listened to everything in Best Buy's magnolia room and they all sounded like some cheap Bluetooth speaker compared to mine. There was a B&W pair that sounded the best but still not in the league of my Klipsch. Being in Arkansas you have lots of options on great used Klipsch speakers. You should check out local ebay, craigslist, marketplace etc. There's even a very well known guy in Russellville (Crites) that upgrades Klipsch speakers.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
I'm reaching out to a local that lives about 20 mins from me to see if he can come up with something for me as far as leads or something from his personal stash. He's also on this forum but never posts. He's gotten big into home audio over the past several years so maybe could lead me down the right path. Known him for over 15 years.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Hmm, got a lead on a pair of KEF iq30's with stands for a pretty decent price. Older fella that's selling everything to restart the rabbit hole. Guy I reached out to said this guy has amazing taste and babies his stuff. And he lives one wide spot in the 2-lane hwy down from me on the other side of the mountain (really a peak). Wide spot=community.
-
Re: Bang for the buck TOWER speakers
Those sound very promising (pun intended)!