Best floorstanders under $600
Athenas would share the API "house sound" with the SD300ti's, which are also an API speaker. The Athenas are probably a little faster and cleaner. Compared to the Arros, the 300ti would sound fuller and more extended. The Arro would be faster, more transparent, but not as extended or full-sounding in the bottom. |
If you want floorstanders that don't need help from a subwoofer and your upper budget is $600, you probably need to buy used, grey market, or closeout. These PSB Image T65's are evidently very lightly used with some original packing, and are nearly half off from a $1200/pair list. You want something that will do "mostly rock, some classical and jazz" on their own? These will. They don't have the limitations of the Maggie MMGs or minimonitors in sensitivity, bass extension, or dynamic range. The PSB's are also some of the most linear speakers at any price from about 150 Hz up. Bass reaches effortlessly to the low 30's. They also do nuance, detail, and microdynamics well. Midrange and voices are transparent, "in the room" and dynamic, neither recessed or pushed forward. The remaining consideration is whether your room is big enough to take them. They're only 8.5" w by 38" h, but they're 20 inches deep, which translates into more real bass power and extension while maintaining a petite baffle width for maximum dispersion and soundstaging. Disclaimer: I have NO affiliation with the vendor of the linked listing. I am familiar with the T65s and helped a friend get some for his complete system makeover. He's very happy with them. The PSB T65 is a great value at retail, but at half off, it really gets you some decent champagne for beer money. |
