2. speakers
  3. 1285655066

Good Sound under $500

Hello All,
I'll get to the point, I'm downsizing and looking for a good sounding, inexpensive speaker to hold me over until I can get a pair of Proac 1sc or the newer D1. I presently have an Arcam AVR300, Oppo BDP83, Totem Hawks, Totem Signature 1 Center, HSU VTF2 sub. The Totem Hawks and Signature are going to waste because I live in a duplex and we share a common wall in our living rooms which happens to be 13x18x8. I've always felt the Hawks had a little more bass than I needed, I'm not a bass hound. But I do like a good solid detailed bass, The Hawks's bass is a little overwhelming and not very detailed. I went to a local audio store and listened to the Usher Tiny Dancer BE-718, an amazing sounding speaker but out of my budget now or in the future but it's sound was more of what I am looking for. Definitely different than the Hawks.

I'm looking for a decent stand mounted Speaker with clarity, imaging, and decent bass down to about 60 or 70 hz. The sub can handle the rest if needed. Is the size I quoted above for my living room considered small or medium?

Some I've been thinking about are:
Epos els3
ERA D4/D5
PSB Image B6
Silverline Minuets (too small?)

To name a few. I've been reading the forums for the last month or so, this is where I decided on the Proac's but I have to wait till some come up for sale. Plus I will need a center channel speaker for these present and future speakers.

I listen to 50/50 movies/music, my musical tastes are Dave Matthews, Eric Clapton, acoustic guitar, blues, female vocals like Sarah Mclaclan, Bonnie Rait, etc.

I'm open to suggestions folks and thanks for your help.
denon53
denon53 OP
66 posts
 
Thanks JP, I would love to hear a set of the NHT's but I can't seem to find anyone who sells them in the San jose, Ca. area. I'm amazed that there aren't many higher end audio stores here in the Bay Area. I may have to go to San Francisco find a decent store. Go Figure!

JP, do the NHT classic 3's have good solid, detailed bass to them?

thanks,
Bruce
jorgeparrapuppy
257 posts
 
Denon: In my opinion, I think they're hard to beat at the used price point, all the way around. I think they're incredibly smooth and the bass is tight and fast...again..for the price. if you go to sfo, benicia, nht's home is a burb of sfo.
JP
manoterror
216 posts
 
Check out the Magnepan MMG speakers. They are $600 new, and can be found for $400 used. They go down to 50hz, and sound lovely. Good resale values. Might spoil you though. :-)

Mot
cdc
1,862 posts
 
Ascend Acoustics CBM-170
denon53 OP
66 posts
 
JP, I know NHT's shop is in Benicia, never been there though. I'll keep my eye out for a used pair. Thank you for the input. You as well manoterror, I would like to hear a pair of maggies, I've heard a lot of good things about them over the years. Cdc, I've read on here and in reviews that the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 is a much better speaker than the CBM-170, so knowing me I would be more tempted to get the latter. Thanks for the input.
More to discover