having been some time since I added to this thread and some things have changed for me including my perspectives, I'll add this bit of experience and begin by echoing "Sonicbeauty"... RUN, DO NOT WALK! Away from this hobby. the balance of his statements may well serve you too.
Stick around if you really want to wind up with something quite superior in sonic performance though.
How easily satisfied you are or are not, will directly reflect upon both your wallet, and stress levels.
I'm still in the "it's What's up front that counts" camp. Solidly... because it works.
one decision in speakerage needs be made right off, apart from the amount of duckets being cast at them... "Which way shall I go to find my sonic paradise?"
Low power, or high power? Megga watts or just a handful? either works. Each has it's own character. Both can be done with the same speakers, IF more than "sound" is considered when buying them.
Erring here can cost later. substantially so, if you later decide to go the SET route, after first deciding Monster watts rule so eff ratings aren't important.
In the 'real' world you gotta consider upgrades. Speakers if floor standers, are usually large and certainly heavy. Tougher to ship for sure than componenets. Being out in the unprotected openess of a listening area, they get 'touched' more. See more the effects of day to day living.
Big, heavy, bulky, costly to pack and ship. speakers don't flow in and out of my house for that express reason. I have three sets though. one set will be moving on soon too, as i have decided to follow a different path in amplification, and never ever did I give the slightest thought I would go that direction. never entered my mind..
things change.
Being considerate of more than sound at point of purchase is very important, more so with greater expenditure. Efficiency, impedance curves, range, and flexibility, not just color and size have to be thought well of here and now... not just the sound.
Ratios? I've roughly $25K RETAIL IN FRONT OF $4K speakers... the next set of speakers will likely be in the $4 - $8k range.... so waht's that speaker to system ratio? 25% or so on speakers?
One doesn't need super high dollar speakers to have a super high end sound. Good speakers will sound far better with a better signal runing through them. that is a fact. In fact, every very good to great sounding system has easily had 3-4 times the value of the speaker in it's electronics.
There's lots of solutions here in this thread. Some quite good advice too. so go which ever way you are capable of now. Regarless. I started my re-entry this time around with exactly what was said above. A mass fi source, receiver, a sub, and a pair of speakers. All that remains of it are the Receiver and sub. the source died and the speakers moved on.
Think outside of your plans if you feel power is the answer. it's not. think efficiency and impedance curves as well as esthetics and sound, and you will be far better served for far longer.... but it ain't the end all be all... cause if you do stick around and are not the easily contended type, the first set of speakers will be just a memory soon enough anyhow. Just like the other 'first entrants' in the high end derby, because as was said, "...just begining..." was the thrust, and not "What's my last speaker?"
Spend wisely and comfortably. Listen to the ones you like on far better electronics than are being bought at the same time if possible, and if a spouse is involved, have her pick the color and perhaps price of this first set. it will be maybe your turn next go 'round to do likewise... cause there will likely be a 'next time'. maybe a few next times.
