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best budget hi-fi speakers for my specific system


Hi. It looks like everyone's been pretty helpful to others so I hope to get some of your advice also. My issue:

Just started a "budget high-end" system with:
Audio Refinement Complete system (integrated amp and cdp) Oval Twelve speaker wire
Acoustic Energy Aegis Two floorstanding speakers

I know some people on this board seem to dislike the AR system but I really love the sound: great details in the medium and high ranges and provides very airy soundstage that provides for great separation.

The problem is that my Aegis Two speakers sound kind of "smallish," there's a distinct lack of bass, and guitar strings all sound metallic. I've tried some Whatmoughs (australian company) that give missing bass and lushness but they lack detail and also separation. I've also heard some lower end B&Ws but I wasn't impressed.

For ~$500-600, is it possible to find floorstanding speakers that provide the positive attributes of the Aegis Twos but also give better bass/warmth? Thanks for your help!

PS - I'm pretty set on keeping the AR Complete system.
jwferrie8f42
maxgain
526 posts
 
I change my recomendation! No Vandersteens! Buy from anyone else! And if you do make sure you have good dealer support because if you ever call the factory with a question you will get to talk to "Dick" and it is an experience that I would rather not go thru again. Buy from a company who knows how to treat it's customers with some amount of respect!
paulwp
585 posts
 
Dekay's recommendation makes sense. These speakers do take a while to break in, I think. Ezmeralda's comments about metal drivers are nonsense. - "this is why they just don't sound good" The AE-1 minimonitor was rave reviewed and has many fans who think it sounds pretty good. Same for the Joseph Audio line with aluminum woofers. And even the lowly AE Aegis Ones sound good to many people who have actually heard them.

Your speakers may not be for you, but it isnt because of the aluminum woofer.
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
You asked:
For ~$500-600, is it possible to find floorstanding speakers that provide the positive attributes of the Aegis Twos but also give better bass/warmth? Thanks for your help!

Ans: Used pair of Spica Angelus

They are tricky to find used, they're big and ugly, but in this price range they beat any speaker I have ever heard across the frequency range, for imaging, for space. I have also heard B&W DM602 and DM603 and I thought that they were pretty bad ... no finesse. (I haven't heard your AE speakers ... but I've heard AE-1 and AE109 (small floorstander) and none of them come close to the Spicas.

Very low WAF ... but amazing sound.
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