backing out of the DIY scene

dunderchief · 16th October 2005, 12:29 AM

It's become completely apparent that I need to back myself out of the DIY scene for a while. Life commitments have turned my weekend summer project into something that is going on a year and still not finished. My problem now is that I haven't looked at commercial speakers in quite some time, and I have no idea what to look for.

I'm looking for suggestions in the $500-1000 range to serve as mains in a mainly 2 channel but also HT setup. Used is definately okay, and as I live in a rather small town, demoing is probably out of the question.

Currently at the top of my list is a pair of Triangle Zerius floor standers. The seem to be reviewed well, but I'm afraid they will lack impact.

This post makes me a little sad as it's your pretty standard "what's the best for the least money" thread, but I'm really at a loss as to what to look for.

gengis · 16th October 2005, 12:35 AM

Paradigm.

dunderchief · 16th October 2005, 12:36 AM

After reading this again, I realized the post is completely unacceptable. It doesn't say anything about what I'm looking for.

I listen to mostly contemporary music along the likes of Dave Matthews Ben Harper... along with a lot of classical listening.

I like a good bit of volume, and it is generally needed for HT use. Speakers will be powered by a Forte Class A 50W amp.

In general I like the sound of 3 ways I've found. Like I said in the first post, I like a speaker with impact.

Bose(o) · 16th October 2005, 01:31 AM

I heard some Boston Acoustics and some Paradigm Reference speakers. Bostons have an average sound (they have impact for HT), but the Paradigms were impactful and accurate. The Paradigm Reference speakers were nice to listen to and revealing. I'm not sure what model I was listening to; as I was "listening" to integrated amplifiers instead, but it was a 3-way with two 6.5" woofers....ported.

Klipsch are also good too, but if you can't put up with the horn-sound you'll most likely choose to go eleswhere. At first any harshness wasn't obvious, but after ten minutes of critical listening the harshness reared its ugly eyes.

Anyway, good luck remembering how to buy commercial speakers. I went through the same thing and I could only conclude that, still, DIY is the way to go.

Raoul · 16th October 2005, 02:40 AM

Assuming you still live in Corvallis, you will find that NW Audio Labs sells both Paradigm and Boston Acoustics. If you are not familar with NW Audio Labs, they are located across from Fred Meyer. I have no affiliation with them, other than good consumer experiences. They might demo some equipment -- not sure. If you are looking for used equipment and don't mind a drive, there is always echo audio in Portland. They list their inventory online at: www.echohifi.com

carlosfm · 16th October 2005, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dunderchief
After reading this again, I realized the post is completely unacceptable. It doesn't say anything about what I'm looking for.

I listen to mostly contemporary music along the likes of Dave Matthews Ben Harper... along with a lot of classical listening.

I like a good bit of volume, and it is generally needed for HT use. Speakers will be powered by a Forte Class A 50W amp.

In general I like the sound of 3 ways I've found. Like I said in the first post, I like a speaker with impact.

Epos M22.

gengis · 16th October 2005, 02:50 AM

A Paradigm Studio 100 is 3 way, the studio 80 is 2 1/2 way.

Tried to find a used studio 100 v.2, they are around 1000 or so. It is consisted of 4 drivers, tweeter, 4"mid, and dual 8" woofers.

Studio 80 v.2 is 650-800 or so.

Bose(o) · 16th October 2005, 05:26 AM

It was definitely the Studio 100s that I remember listening to.

Audiophilenoob · 16th October 2005, 06:38 AM

I'm going to suggest you go used in this situation...

the S100's aren't really all that great sounding... pretty lame actually IMO

Paradigm's speakers don't start sounding decent to about Signature 8's and they're $6000 MSRP

something like this

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc....04809&auc&3&4&

is a MUCH better sounding speaker (I've heard the S100's, S110's, S8's, and every single ML speaker currently available besides the E2)

this also in another ML option

http://cgi.ebay.com/MARTIN-LOGAN-QUE...QQcmdZViewItem

these speakers are HUGELY room dependent though... I've heard them in great rooms then went to just a smaller normal room and they sounded terrible...

when I did that with others... like the monopole Wilson Puppy 7's... the sound barely changed...

Audiophilenoob · 16th October 2005, 06:40 AM

something like this would be pretty darn cool as well

http://cgi.ebay.com/Magnepan-Magnepl...QQcmdZViewItem

IF and ONLY if you have a ton of power to feed this inefficent monsters

16th October 2005, 12:29 AM	#1
dunderchief diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Corvallis, OR	backing out of the DIY scene It's become completely apparent that I need to back myself out of the DIY scene for a while. Life commitments have turned my weekend summer project into something that is going on a year and still not finished. My problem now is that I haven't looked at commercial speakers in quite some time, and I have no idea what to look for. I'm looking for suggestions in the $500-1000 range to serve as mains in a mainly 2 channel but also HT setup. Used is definately okay, and as I live in a rather small town, demoing is probably out of the question. Currently at the top of my list is a pair of Triangle Zerius floor standers. The seem to be reviewed well, but I'm afraid they will lack impact. This post makes me a little sad as it's your pretty standard "what's the best for the least money" thread, but I'm really at a loss as to what to look for.

16th October 2005, 01:31 AM	#4
Bose(o) diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada	I heard some Boston Acoustics and some Paradigm Reference speakers. Bostons have an average sound (they have impact for HT), but the Paradigms were impactful and accurate. The Paradigm Reference speakers were nice to listen to and revealing. I'm not sure what model I was listening to; as I was "listening" to integrated amplifiers instead, but it was a 3-way with two 6.5" woofers....ported. Klipsch are also good too, but if you can't put up with the horn-sound you'll most likely choose to go eleswhere. At first any harshness wasn't obvious, but after ten minutes of critical listening the harshness reared its ugly eyes. Anyway, good luck remembering how to buy commercial speakers. I went through the same thing and I could only conclude that, still, DIY is the way to go. __________________ ERTW 4 life! "the day has 24hours. If that is not enough take the night."-Roemhild

16th October 2005, 05:26 AM	#8
Bose(o) diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada	It was definitely the Studio 100s that I remember listening to. __________________ ERTW 4 life! "the day has 24hours. If that is not enough take the night."-Roemhild

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16th October 2005, 12:35 AM	#2
gengis diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Midwest--IA	Paradigm.

16th October 2005, 12:36 AM	#3
dunderchief diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Corvallis, OR	After reading this again, I realized the post is completely unacceptable. It doesn't say anything about what I'm looking for. I listen to mostly contemporary music along the likes of Dave Matthews Ben Harper... along with a lot of classical listening. I like a good bit of volume, and it is generally needed for HT use. Speakers will be powered by a Forte Class A 50W amp. In general I like the sound of 3 ways I've found. Like I said in the first post, I like a speaker with impact.

16th October 2005, 02:40 AM	#5
Raoul diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: OR	Assuming you still live in Corvallis, you will find that NW Audio Labs sells both Paradigm and Boston Acoustics. If you are not familar with NW Audio Labs, they are located across from Fred Meyer. I have no affiliation with them, other than good consumer experiences. They might demo some equipment -- not sure. If you are looking for used equipment and don't mind a drive, there is always echo audio in Portland. They list their inventory online at: www.echohifi.com

16th October 2005, 02:50 AM	#7
gengis diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Midwest--IA	A Paradigm Studio 100 is 3 way, the studio 80 is 2 1/2 way. Tried to find a used studio 100 v.2, they are around 1000 or so. It is consisted of 4 drivers, tweeter, 4"mid, and dual 8" woofers. Studio 80 v.2 is 650-800 or so.

16th October 2005, 06:38 AM	#9
Audiophilenoob diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: NC	I'm going to suggest you go used in this situation... the S100's aren't really all that great sounding... pretty lame actually IMO Paradigm's speakers don't start sounding decent to about Signature 8's and they're $6000 MSRP something like this http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc....04809&auc&3&4& is a MUCH better sounding speaker (I've heard the S100's, S110's, S8's, and every single ML speaker currently available besides the E2) this also in another ML option http://cgi.ebay.com/MARTIN-LOGAN-QUE...QQcmdZViewItem these speakers are HUGELY room dependent though... I've heard them in great rooms then went to just a smaller normal room and they sounded terrible... when I did that with others... like the monopole Wilson Puppy 7's... the sound barely changed...

16th October 2005, 06:40 AM	#10
Audiophilenoob diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: NC	something like this would be pretty darn cool as well http://cgi.ebay.com/Magnepan-Magnepl...QQcmdZViewItem IF and ONLY if you have a ton of power to feed this inefficent monsters

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