Looking for main speakers around $700

I am going to buy a 1050 a/v reciever within the next few weeks, but I still have not made a decision on what speakers to get. I have been looking at the klipsch RF-3, PSB Image 5T, and Axiom Millennia M50 Ti. I have found the klipsch RF-3 and the PSB 5T at ReliableAudioVideo.com for about $550 pair with shipping they will be about $650. Unfortunatly my limit is around $700 since I am a poor college student. I appreciate any suggestions and advice offered.

Thanks

Jeff

I'm very happy with my Axioms (M80Ti) but YMMV.

If you're not dead set on towers, the M22Ti may also be worth investigating. For towers, it may make sense to jump up a notch and consider the M60Ti; it's not too far outside your range.

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

I think you may want to look at Monitor Audio Silver 5i series. They had a list price of 1000 dollars but they are at dealer closeouts right now. New in box are selling for about 600. Look around on ebay and audiogon, you can find them for as low as 400 used. They have had very good reviews. I liked them for music and Home Theater. And now my son likes them for the same reason. Of course he was a graduate student looking for a good deal also.

Thank you for your advice I will look into those speakers. I was looking at the axiom website at the B stock speakers and they said that the speakers are new there is just cosmetic defects so if that is true I may get a good deal there. Any advice on buying blemished items?

Thanks

Jeff Johnson

Jeff,
Just my .02 cents
I have the RF3's and am very pleased. Klipsch is not for everyone...they tend to be "bright", but this can be tamed. They are very efficient, meaning that they do not need alot of power to play loudly. I like the Klipsch for home theater in particular. They do an incredible job of re-creating movie soundtracks. The low end isn't bad, meaning that if you can't/don't get a subwoofer right away the RF3's will be adequate. I have heard them mated with a 1050 and it sounded great. $550 for the pair is a decent price.
Usually, especially from the factory, blemished items are O.K. Sonically and functionally they work fine. Your just looking at (potential) cosmetic flaws.

I've known of people buying the Axioms from the factory outlet and not even being able to tell what the flaw was... It would probably be a good deal, especiallyif you're a little bit cash strapped, as it would allow you to buy more speaker.

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Matthew J. Hill
matt@idsi.net

I ran across the mirage om-10 speakers they are asking $699 so I might consider them as well. I just listened to the klipsch rf-3 at tweeter and to me it sounded like the horn overpowered the mids. So right now it's between the axiom, which I have not heard yet and the psb 5t. I have to wait untill next week to listen to the psb speakers. Thanks for any input.

I am waiting to see if axiom will have the m60ti available from the factory outlet.

You should also check out the offerings from Paradigm. If you are willing to consider bookshelf speakers, the Studio 20 would be an excellent choice. They are the best bookshelp speaks I've heard for twice the money, however, side by side my Klipsch KLF 10's (which I purchased new for $428/pair)mopped them off the floor.

Before you buy anything, especially Axiom, do yourself a favor and call Marc at Audio Shop in Ottowa, Canada. From this and other forums I learned of Marc and have found all the positive comments to be accurate.

He is currently flogging Dahlquist speakers in your price range. They go head to head with Axiom in his showroom every day and overwhelmingly get picked over the Axiom lineup. I could not more highly recommend them (I bought the QX10s for mains, QX60C for center and QX60s for surrounds, as well as, a QX40 for rear center). They are incredible! I can't even explain, the bass is so full and deep, even from the little 4" they use in the 40. Phenomenal...

If you email Marc he will call you back on his dime.

Do yourself a favor and check it out at
http://www.audioshop.on.ca

also Dahlquist has their site up and running at
http://www.dahlquistaudio.com

If you are dealing with Marc in Ottawa...he's a good guy. I have a set of Energy e:XL series speakers (nice speaker but the series is mostly discontinued) that I purchased there (going to the store tomorrow to get a pair more speakers for when my 950 comes in...7.1 baby!)

So, I put my plug in for Energy speakers...they serve me well and are great sounding (harder to get outside of Canada though).

Thank you for all the information everyone provided it's nice to see that people take time to give advice. I bought the mirage om10 tonight I got them for $600 which seems like a pretty good deal, they were well reviewed and they appear very well built. Hopefully I will be happy with them for a long time, and if not I can always move them to the rear and get new speakers for the front and by then I will have more money to spend. Thanks again for the advice.

Jeff Johnson

Good choice. I have the OM-5. I got these for 43% off, but they're still out of your price range, for now anyway. I bet you'll have some fun after college when you get a good job. I've heard having towers for surrounds is awesome for power, if you end up going that way.

I'd like to throw in another vote for the Dahlquist. I bought a pair of QX-9's for my son for Christmas and couldn't beleive how good they are for the price. Very smooth and accurate, outstanding bass extension, and just an all around great speaker. I also have experience with the Axiom's as I ordered a pair of M-80ti's, but sent them back after a few days. Allot of people like the Axiom's and they do have allot of things to like, but they were just a bit forward for my taste and I thought the midrange was a bit thin. Of course some will like this sound and say the Dahlquist are too warm. It's all a matter of taste. BTW, the 80's were $1100 and the QX-9's were about $550 shipped. I listened to both with rock, jazz and country and I used my Outlaw 950/755 combo and my son's Denon AVR-3300 receiver. Both were driven easily with the Denon, but I think the Dahlquist are a little more efficient. I also bought the Dahlquist from Marc at the Audioshop and concur with the positive comments the others have made. He's a very reputable dealer and a pleasure to do business with. But, the folks at Axiom (Amie) are also great and their customer service is second to none. Just check the Axiom forum and you'llsee numeours post from satisfied customers. They were very good to me and I really hated to send these speakers back (not to mention it cost me over $200 in shipping fees, ouch!). One of my favorite bang for the buck speakers are the B&W DM604 S3's, but they're almost twice hour budget. Good luck, and let us know what you end up with.

The Energy take 5.2 is a nice sub/sat system for $600.

MY UNSOLICITED SMART A** comment

For college, I would think about a nice low priced 2-channel music system and try not to spend too much time watching movies (except periodic group outings). You can become a home theater enthusiast when you have a family and move to the suburbs.

For two channel the Heresy ($400) would be nice with a vintage modified integrated tube amp roughly the price of the 1050. You can watch movies with this system due to the stereo imaging but of course there would be no surrounds.

College for me was study hard, play hard...no time for TV or movies except in the summers.

OK >>> BACK TO YOUR QUESTION:

I bought the Outlaw 1050 and Klipsch Cornwalls. The Cornwalls are about $800 used on ebay ($600-$1300). I use 4 Heresys for centers and surrounds ($800 for all four).

For home theater I haven't heard anything better near that price range --$2000 for 6 speakers and the receiver...all used.

This is VERY SUBJECTIVE and not everyone likes Klipsch. If you like a neutral or laid-back warm speaker then the big live sound of Klipsch may not be your preference. For those that like Klipsch there is no reasonably priced substitue for the dynamic, effecient, big soundstage they produce.

If you like the RFIII's you may LOVE the Cornwalls or even Heresys ($400/pr).



[This message has been edited by Hoots (edited February 19, 2003).]

[This message has been edited by Hoots (edited February 19, 2003).]

I once had a pair of klipsch Herresys, wonderful speaker. I presently have the synergy line (sf-1, sc-1, ss-1, and ksw-12 sub) sound is excellent.

polk usually has some good speakers in the lower price ranges. i dont think the new series has very much bass in their towers though.

Maybe look at a pair of Energy floorstanders.
They have reintroduced the C Series and are outstanding speakers for the money...I own a pair of C-9's and are my mains, a pair of C-3 book shelfs for my rears, and an AC300 for my centre, although i'm not sure how available the AC300 is still.

Just like Outlaw stuff, you get plenty of bang for your buck!