OT: home stereo speakers advice

[Tz779]

hi PLers,
I am not a hi-fi expert.

The Pioneer speakers i got at the dump died. They screech when i adjust the volume. It happens on both receivers I have, so I am betting on the speakers.

I am considering Polk TSi300s, or JBL A170s, both $360/pr + $36 tax, free shipping.

OR: local advert for KEF C85s for $300. I think these are about ten years old? I am thinking they are better speakers, and save $100, but is this false economy?

Robin

[pjm]

Do you want floor standers?

[Tz779]

Originally Posted by pjm

Do you want floor standers?

yes. no place to place on a shelf....unless i place them on the old speakers! i have a small 800sf apt, so i wont be blasting them, either.

[pjm]

Crutchfield has some Jamo’s on sale. Check out the Emotiva towers.

[Tz779]

Originally Posted by pjm

Crutchfield has some Jamo’s on sale. Check out the Emotiva towers.

ok. a friend recommended ELAC bookshelfs. $350/pr.

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by Tz779

ok. a friend recommended ELAC bookshelfs. $350/pr.

Your ~$400 budget will get you either more quality or volume in the bookshelf vs tower debate

Elac are pretty darn nice if you just buy new. If buying used you can get the same elacs and a decent sub to really fill out the sound.

Really depends on what you’re listening priorities are. For general use and music streaming a tower should probably be the choice, but if you want to start with a good foundation with the possibility of adding on later you can’t go wrong with a nice used set of bookshelves since good sounding speakers are never obsolete.

[Ken Robb]

Speakers' tonal balance varies a great deal even among an assortment of "good" speakers so I would want to audition any speakers I was considering buying. Having said that I think you might like a used pair of Vandersteen Model 1B or 1C. Nice sound, floor standing, but small footprint.

[thwart]

Originally Posted by Tz779

ok. a friend recommended ELAC bookshelfs. $350/pr.

ELAC makes great speakers.

This model is a floorstander (tower, 40” tall), very favorably reviewed and is currently on sale... but you’d be a bit above your budget... $515 for a pair.

https://elac-america.myshopify.com/p...anding-speaker

But, if you can get by with bookshelf speakers, the ones you’re likely looking at would be a great choice.

[pjm]

I don’t know how much power your receivers have, but take a look at the efficiency specs on these speakers. Elac makes very nice speakers, but they tend to be power hungry compared to something like the JBLs you mentioned, which are extremely efficient.

[Tz779]

Originally Posted by pjm

I don’t know how much power your receivers have, but take a look at the efficiency specs on these speakers. Elac makes very nice speakers, but they tend to be power hungry compared to something like the JBLs you mentioned, which are extremely efficient.

Ok, both are 200 watts.
I listen to rock, old Frank Zappa, Stones, CJ & Fish, Van the Man, some more modern rock like The Kills. Also a bit of a “folkie,” I prefer vinyl when i have a choice.

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by Tz779

Ok, both are 200 watts.
I listen to rock, old Frank Zappa, Stones, CJ & Fish, Van the Man, some more modern rock like The Kills. Also a bit of a “folkie,” I prefer vinyl when i have a choice.

200 watts is the Max wattage, efficiency is usually stated as Db/1w

With a smaller space (less than 3-400sf) or moderately powerful amps (above 75w ) efficiency isn’t that big a deal since the listening distance and dispersion is limited, but with larger spaces efficiency and amp power helps a lot especially since sound output is non-linear. In other words, for every 3db of output (which is generally agreed upon as the min change human hearing can detect) you hav to double power

[Hindmost]

Originally Posted by Tz779

Ok, both are 200 watts.
I listen to rock, old Frank Zappa, Stones, CJ & Fish, Van the Man, some more modern rock like The Kills. Also a bit of a “folkie,” I prefer vinyl when i have a choice.

No $@#, Country Joe? That's a blast from the past. They played at my high school once.

[Peter P.]

Looking at your stats, I see you're from the CHS SC area, so I looked on craigslist, where you must be looking.

Sounds like you're not too "audiophile" and the Pioneer dump speakers met your needs. From the speakers you mention as candidates, it also sounds like you are looking at floorstanders.

Yes; get the KEFs. I don't see the JBL's listed on craigslist in your area. If budget is an issue, there's a pair of Polk RT600i's for sale in Summerville for $90. You'll be happy either way.

[Tz779]

Originally Posted by Hindmost

No $@#, Country Joe? That's a blast from the past. They played at my high school once.

At your HS?? Seriously? How cool is that?

[Hindmost]

Originally Posted by Tz779

At your HS?? Seriously? How cool is that?

Well then, so did the Gollywogs. A whole different time and place...