Speakers for the Non-Audiophile

nathanm · « **on:** 2 Jan 2003, 06:01 pm »

I have a friend who wants to get a new system. A little music, a little HT. But he is wholly oblivious to this whole hifi universe and his frame of reference is what they sell at Best Buy and American. I am trying to steer him away from that world and towards ours, where craftsmanship plays a bigger role. He makes about 3 times the money I do, but he's still a cheapskate and I think he is afraid of the perception of high prices in this genre. (Gee, I can't imagine what would give him that idea!

) So what would you guys recommend as an entry into the realm of non-mass-market speakers which are under, say 500 bucks?

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 06:13 pm »

Take him down to the boutique audio video store to see what the expensive ones sound like. Take him to a few places.

After he figures out what sound he likes, then we can give some suggestions.

He will also be over or in sticker shock by then as well

Hantra · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 06:34 pm »

Nathan:

I agree with Marbles. If you can find a dealer that sells Acoustic Energy, they are the most amazing speakers I have heard in that price range!

B

Tyson · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 06:56 pm »

Heard a pair of Michaura bookshelves a while back that were pretty darn good, and AMAZING for the $$. The go up for sale occasionaly on ebay or ubid, but I don't think they have them "new" anymore, only used. Still, good stuff.

I also think the Paradigm Atom is a nice little speaker for the $$, but I like the nOrh 3.0 better (unless the volume is pushed pass 90 db or so, as the 3.0 is quite limited in ultimate loudness capabilities).

jackman · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 07:35 pm »

Tyson,
Great suggestions. I like the Michaura's (if you can find them for a good price) and the Paradigm Atoms are an excellent choice for someone who just wants decent sound at a lower price. Not the best for music, but not bad. A friend has a set hooked up to an Outlaw receiver and a Rava sub. Pretty decent sound for a very low price.

J

Marbles · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 07:46 pm »

I know for me a pair of used ceramic 4.0's ($300) and a Rava would be a kick ass little system.

Not everyone likes the shape of the 4.0's though

droliver · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 07:47 pm »

I'm not pimping for Michael Barnes, but nOrh's lineup (real marble 7.0 & 9.0 speakers excluded) offer a lot of value and an increasing range of options at the lower price points. There's a lot of options to let someone "dip their feet" in nice equipment without sinking too much into it - the newer Teak Prisms look very nice. As an owner of the wood 6.5 & SM 6.9 drums I do wish however, that the secondary market for nOrh's was a little stronger - their resale value has been a little disappointing on the old HD for sale forum

MaxCast · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 07:48 pm »

I think there was a pair of sm6.9's for sale for $550 at HD. I don't know if they are still available or not.

george king · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 07:53 pm »

Nathan,

The suggestions to take him to some botiques is good for a couple of reasons. First, he will find the sound he likes. He may also decide to up his budget to get the sound he wants.

However, as one idea, he could get a pair of GR Research AV-1s for slightly more than $500 and then add a sub.

Hope this helps, and let us know what your friend gets.

nathanm · « **Reply #9 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 08:07 pm »

I've been e-mailing with him the past few minutes and what he was thinkin' about was this cheapie-looking Polk setup.

http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_124582_4282crx.aspx

Now, I don't wanna pre-judge these things - never heard them myself, but to me it looks like plastic junk. The bass on those wee satellites rolls off at 140Hz fer cripes sakes. I dunno, it just looks mediocre to me. I'm not saying Polk is crap, but I think he can do better.

I've been pimping the Norh stuff to him myself, if for no other reason than the finish will be so much nicer. He says he will go to Circuit City

to hear what they have and then to the hifi store I recommended. Hopefully he will see the light. Or hear it, rather! How the hell is some lackey at Circuit City supposed to help you make a meaningful decision anyway? Come on...

Tyson · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 08:08 pm »

2nd the nOrh 4.0 rec - $400 new for the ceramic is a great bargain, and they are very easy to place (rear port only needs about 3 or 4 inches clearance from a rear wall. Huge sweetspot too, perfect for the non-audiophile. They are good enough to not need replacing if he decides to upgrade front end equipment down the line.

Oxia · « **Reply #11 on:** 2 Jan 2003, 08:31 pm »

Nathan,

I would suggest taking your friend to shop that carries PSB speakers. For around ~$500 you're pretty much limited to mid-fi, but despite their "mass market" pricing you'll be hard pressed to find a more musically satisfying line than PSB. Their Image series may hit the spot, price-wise. Compared to the "Monitor" series from Paradigm, just to name an example, to my ears the Image line sounds more harmonically rich, smoother, and less strident in the treble. The 4T and 5T are probably the best values, though at $649 & $799 MSRP for each respectively they are a bit over your stated target.

Of course, you can also find great used deals on audiogon or shop online, but since your friend is a novice it's probably best for him to hear/see it "in the flesh" before buying.

Good luck!

nathanm · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Jan 2003, 02:08 am »

Thanks for all the suggestions! Hopefully he will find that there's better stuff out there if you look hard enough. I've just got this gut feeling this will be a losing battle, though. I think he will cave in and go for convenience. For a guy that bought a special microchip to get more performance out of his car he sure isn't too discerning when it comes to audio. Hmmm. I guess we all have our priorities. He doesn't like the look of the Norh stuff for some reason, though. He has GAF issues too (something I don't have to worry about

and I figured those would be chick-friendly. Who knows?

Marbles · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Jan 2003, 02:13 am »

If Rup still has his Avinci 1.3's for sale they would be a great buy.

$550..show him that each woofer alone would cost him $175 if he were to try to build them.

Those will be better than the $12 woofers in any BB or CC $500 speakers he could get!

fredgarvin · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Jan 2003, 02:32 am »

Most of the usual suspects have been mentioned, but don't forget the Axiom m22, free home trial as well and a little nicer sound than the Michaura (better tweeter). Has been well reviewed everywhere. I imagine the Norh looks a bit weird to most people at first...

duff138 · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 Jan 2003, 02:09 am »

Definitely have him check out the Axiom M22 speakers. I own a pair and think they're great. Have him check out goodsound.com. It's geared to inexpensive hifi equipment. They have awarded Axiom speakers several awards. The m3's last year the m2's this year. Reviewer's choice award picked Axiom home theater system with the m22 as the main as a best buy.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 Jan 2003, 03:20 am »

My vote for used Vandersteen 1C's (usually a bit under $500.00)...they are very forgiving with a variety of budget electronics, don't take up alot of footprint, built well and 90db efficient.

Mathew_M · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Jan 2003, 03:44 am »

Has he actually listened to your system? Sit him down with a couple of discs of his choosing and let him listen to the Norhs. Then take him over to CC or Best Buy and listen to the same music on systems in the same price range (or less). If he isn't sold by then, well his loss. I can't imagine anyone who has heard a high end system be remotely impressed with CC garbage. Perhaps he has tin ears.

booda · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Jan 2003, 06:35 pm »

I have audes speakers and they are excellent(souls). Audes makes a bookshelf speaker that received good reviews at AA and in a few mags. Often times compared to the AE's.

Also, the PSB image series isn't bad either. My friend is using the 4t's and 8c for ht and music listening. Seems happy with the sound. Or just spend the 8-900 bucks and get a norh system. Can't go wrong with the drums or prisms imo (had both 4.0's ceramic and 5.2 prisms). Probably best bang for tha' buck.

Tyson · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Jan 2003, 07:03 pm »

The 5.2 prisms are indeed very nice looking in real life - nothing like real wood for beauty. They sound very much like the wood 4.0's (quite good), and have a high WAF due to being rather petite, and not requiring a stand, and can be placed very close to a rear wall and still sound good.