Speaker question.

[Demon-Xanth]

I'm looking to get a nice pair of speakers to compliment my recent purchase of a decent television (a Sony KV-32FV310), and am in need of some direction. Being an incompetent audiophile, I typically know good sound when I hear it but I don't know jack about what hardware is best.

I just want two speakers (perhaps a subwoofer if it really matters) 'cause I don't want cords in my living room, and I live in a studio apartment which leaves room for very little. They will be used primarily for listening to the awesome aural rapture of video games, though I'd also like them to be good for listening to music. Right now, my only hardware is the TV (which has audio outs) and a bunch of game consoles. Please dispense thy knowledge as to what brands of speakers I should look for, and whatever other hardware I'll need (receiver?)--though I don't want to spend a fortune, I do want great quality and something I can listen to LOUD. Thanks in advance.

I think I talked him out of Bose, but don't know what'd be the best alternative... since I'm running Yorx speakers. Any help?

 

[Pacfanweb]

Depends on how much he wants to spend. Definitive Technology speakers are some of the best bang for the buck you can get.
Just tell him to remember: "No highs, no lows, must be Bose".

 

[Heisenberg]

Klipsch, Paradigm, B&W...

 

[Anubis]

anything

 

[EvilYoda]

Budget? Does he want to stay with the ultra-compact satellite form factor or can he do bookshelves?

Klipsch Quintets, Paradigm Cinema 90s, Kef HTS2001.2s in order of cost are some of the first mini speakers to pop into mind.

Give us some more to work with and we can offer more responses.

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Klipsch, Paradigm, B&W...

b&w w00t!

still using my dad's old matrix 802s from the 80s and they ROCK

-Vivan

 

[Supertastic Fool]

i have a pair of klipsh lascalas, they are so loud tehy blow de close off de women!!!!!!!!!

(yes i have tried, and yess it works)

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I'd like something I can put on stands that go on either side of the TV--bookshelf size is good, and minis are okay too. I really have no preference, so if price leans one way so do I.

 

[Apex]

Do you have a rough budget number? Hard to give suggestions without.

 

[element]

I was actually just about to post a speaker thread myself.

I'm torn between Cerwin Vega E-710 (10" 3 way floor standing 5 1/4" midrange, 1 1/4" tweeter) for $169 each (200W/channel)
link to the cerwin vega E710

and the BIC America RTR1230 Tower Speaker
2.5" fluid-cooled tweeter, 4" wide-dispersion midrange, 12" woofer 300W/channel
for $63 each
link to the BIC

what you guys think? i want good bass response.
cerwin vega's have a reputation for having very good bass but is a CV 10" really that much better than a no name 12"?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

$400-600 max.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: element
I was actually just about to post a speaker thread myself.

I'm torn between Cerwin Vega E-710 (10" 3 way floor standing 5 1/4" midrange, 1 1/4" tweeter) for $169 each (200W/channel)

and the BIC America RTR1230 Tower Speaker
2.5" fluid-cooled tweeter, 4" wide-dispersion midrange, 12" woofer 300W/channel
for $63 each

what you guys think? i want good bass response.
cerwin vega's have a reputation for having very good bass but is a CV 10" really that much better than a no name 12"?

You get what you pay for. If you simply want them to be loud and you don't care about how good they sound, buy the Vegas.

 

[OutHouse]

I really like Boston, but that is just me.

 

[Pokey007]

Polk make some mighty fine speakers for reasonable prices. Check them out.

 

[element]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: element
I was actually just about to post a speaker thread myself.

I'm torn between Cerwin Vega E-710 (10" 3 way floor standing 5 1/4" midrange, 1 1/4" tweeter) for $169 each (200W/channel)

and the BIC America RTR1230 Tower Speaker
2.5" fluid-cooled tweeter, 4" wide-dispersion midrange, 12" woofer 300W/channel
for $63 each

what you guys think? i want good bass response.
cerwin vega's have a reputation for having very good bass but is a CV 10" really that much better than a no name 12"?

You get what you pay for. If you simply want them to be loud and you don't care about how good they sound, buy the Vegas.

Well I'd like it to sound good too. No distortion is key but I'm not an audiophile type that will be able to hear subtle differences.

My question is, which one will be better a more expensive 10" or cheaper 12" when it comes to distortion free with good bass?

 

[Pacfanweb]

Generally, the better 10" is going to sound better. Bigger is better when it comes to bass, but I'd question the quality of the bass you'll get from those el cheapo speakers.

A buddy of mine has a set of Vegas, and they definitely are loud, with lots of bass.....if you listen primarily to rock music, they'll probably be fine.
Just don't expect as much bass as if you had a powered sub. If you really want to shake the house, you'll need a sub.
My Definitives blow his Vegas away in all aspects, quality, bass....but they have built-in 12" powered subs.
Then again, my friend didn't pay anywhere near what I did for my speakers, either.

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
$400-600 max.

If he can save up just a bit more, the AV123 RS550 Rockets are absolutely amazing for the price.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=40.1

 

[EvilYoda]

AV123 would be a great choice, but your friend might be weird about buying speakers he's never heard of. At $400 a pair (list), the Kef HTS2001.2s are great speakers. high quality enclosure, uni-q driver saves space and comes with a mounting bracket which can be used for a little stand.

And please dear [insert deity here], don't even look at Cerwin Vegas.

Edit: that first line was worded wrong, I meant "speakers he can't listen to before he buys", essentially. But that too.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

If I buy just a pair of speakers, what sort of receiver am I going to have to get, if any? Will the audio outs on my TV work fine?

 

[EvilYoda]

Absolutely not. You can look anywhere around $300-400 and still be safe...you won't get the fanciest of all receivers, but it'll be a halfway decent, easily beating those other little white cubes.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

If I buy just a pair of speakers, what sort of receiver am I going to have to get, if any? Will the audio outs on my TV work fine?

You can still get 2 channel stereo receivers, but even if you get a home theatre receiver, on most you can still just use 2 channels. And using the audio in/outs on your TV will work.

 

[EvilYoda]

You're telling him to power full range or even smaller bookshelves/satellites with TV outputs? That's one hell of a TV.

 

[element]

What's wrong with Cerwin Vegas? They've been the choice for concerts, stadiums and other pro setups for decades.

 

[EvilYoda]

Do you live in a stadium, and can you afford pro gear?

and mind you, one doesn't go to a concert for the highest quality audio reproduction. Live music is energy, performance, personality, not audiofile tendencies. If you want high quality live music...go to an orchestra that's completely natural.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
You're telling him to power full range or even smaller bookshelves/satellites with TV outputs? That's one hell of a TV.

No, I'm telling him he can use the audio outputs on his TV to hook to his receiver.